Meten-Meer-Zorg And Big Apple Faces Off In Final

By Sam Sooppersaud
The Meten Meer Zorg Cricket Club (MMZ) meets Big Apple Cricket Club (BACC) on Sunday, October 16, in the Eastern American Cricket Association T20 Finals. The contest kicks off at 1:00.P.M. at (The Cage), Baisley Park, Foch Boulevard and Long Street, Jamaica, Queens, New York.

Members of Meten-Meer-Zorg cricket team.

This is the second year (straight) that MMZ are in the T20 Finals. They were defeated in 2010 by Everest/ACS for that coveted trophy. However, the rather youthful players are confident that this time around they will take home the championship. BACC on the other hand will be in their way.  They are confident that MMZ would not get the better hand over them. MMZ are already in the winning circle having captured the 2011 Season 40-Over Championship and are hoping to add yet another piece of silver to their collection of trophies.  BACC are determined to be the spoiler in this quest.

Last Sunday, MMZ defeated a strong Eastside Warriors Cricket Club in their Semi-Final game, while on the same day the Big Apple club scored an easy victory over Everest/ACS in their Semi-Final game. A dogfight is expected when these two clubs clash this Sunday.

Both the MMZ and BACC clubs have a strong batting and bowling lineup. MMZ will be led by their coach and mentor, skipper Ejaz Asgarally, a former Guyana National U-19 wicketkeeper/batsman. Another former Guyana youth player, Zaheer Saffie, will lead the BACC squad. BACC are banking heavily on the skipper, who scored 55 not out in the Semi-Final, and the hard-hitting Mark Gomes, to pile up the runs, along with all-rounder Shiv Raghubar, who is having an excellent season with both ball and the bat.

Some members of Big Apple Cricket Club. Photo by Shiek Mohamed

For MMZ, Deonauth Baksh, who scored 88 not out in their Semi-final game, is looked upon as the run getter for his club. USA stylish batsman, Andy Mohammed, has his work cut out for him as his teammates are looking for a superb innings from him with the bat. Fast bowler Rocky Kowchai is expected to be the strike bowler he was during the season, he is having a dream season with the cherry.

The weather, though on the windy side, will cooperate as no rain is expected until the evening. The temperature will be in the mid 60’s, a bit chilly, so fans, and players are advised to bring along a sweater.

Squads:
MMZ from: Ajaz Asgarally (Capt), Andy Mohammed, Deonauth Baksh, Ken Nandkumar, Trevis Ross, Amarnauth Persaud, Zaaid Majeed, Shahid Bilal, Rocky Kowchai, Clifford Hamilton, Saumil Gandhi, Fiaz Asgarally, Neel Patel, Keith Mungalsingh, Imdad Khan, and Rahanul Islam.

BACC from: Zaheer Saffie (Capt), Mark Gomes, Mark A. Gomes, Shiv Raghubar, Telston Johnson, Clain Williams, Kumar Nandlall, Charlton Senior, Narendra Balram, Steve Raghubar, Shawn Thompson, Teron Rodney, Rhett Ramoutar, and Antonio Chan.

Both teams have some very exciting players and they all have promised to go all out to put on a show for the fans at the same time to take home the silverware to their club house.  Cricket fans, come on out and witness the last game for the 2011 season, at least in the Eastern American Cricket Association.

Ajaz Asgarally contributed to this article