By Nicholas Nandan
EACA 40-overs Tournament
On an overcast Sunday morning, New York Centurions made a trip to the Hecksher State Park and took on Victory Cricket Club. The Red Squad was in high spirits as they were on a roll with victories in the last three games.
Carlos Bachu hit a quick 32 and picked up a hat-trick in New York Centurions win over Victory. Photo by Shiek Mohamed
NY Centurions won the toss and elected to bat after a brief discussion, it was decided to send the young and classy left hander Nicholas Harripersaud with the experienced and composed Deoraj Sewanan. The opening pair was introduced to some aggressive swing bowling from both ends. Sewanan the senior partner of the pair used his experience and found the boundaries on regular occasions with some elegant flicks off his pads while on the other hand Harripersaud was solid in defense and got his first boundary cutting a wide ball for four. The partnership was growing from strength to strength but not long after Harripersaud was trapped lbw to a ball from Harleen that swung like a snake.
Troy Haley stepped to the crease and played some confident shots before he was also trapped lbw for his quick-fire 25. Vijay Persaud join the settled Sewanan who continued to grow in confidence but Persaud didn’t last long as he was caught at first slip off Nipun, who was troubling the batsmen with flight and turn. Stefan Rampersaud another young talent joined Sewanan and he took some time to settle in with Kabir and Nipun bowling a few tight overs.
Sewanan brought up his 50 with a straight drive for 4 but a few overs later was bowled for 60 looking to take the attack to Nipun. Keene Mohammed entered the show and started off with a confident shot through midwicket for four. The pair of Rampersaud and Mohammed continued to register runs on the board with both batsmen running well between the wickets and picking up the odd boundary. Mohammed was then dismissed after a good looking 32 and this brought Chris Ragunauth to the crease. He didn’t stick around for long after playing a few aggressive strokes. Rampersaud followed him shortly after and then the pair of Carlos Baker and Carlos Bachu put on a solid partnership which included a handful of sixes and fours. Baker was next to go but Bachu continued to play his shots, ending with 32 not out and helping the Red Squad to 274 off their allotted 40 overs.
When Centurions took the field with the objective of bowling out the opposition as quick as possible was given the dream start with left hand seamer Carlos Bachu picking up a hat trick in his first over with some unbelievable swing, putting Victory on the back foot right away. They never recovered as more pressure was applied on the other end by Carlos Baker.
Hayley took a spectacular catch at first slip to give Baker his first wicket and when Bachu picked up his fourth, the end was in sight for Victory. Vijay Persaud was introduced to the attack and grabbed 2 wickets as well while Baker continued his fine spell of bowling. Young mystery spinner Nicholas Nandan was given the ball, he struck in his first over and could have added more as a couple as edges flew past the slip cordon. Chris “Ashwin” Raghunauth finished off things by grabbing two quick wickets at the other end, capping off a brilliant day at the office by NY Centurions led by the outstanding Carlos “Rusty” Bachu.
