Atlantis Advances To NYNCL Semi-Final Round

By John L. Aaron
Atlantis Cricket Club-NY (ACC) advanced closer to the New York National Cricket League Premier 40-Overs 2024 championship by defeating Meten-Meer-Zorg (MMZ) for the second time in as many weeks. The two teams had drawn slots for the quarter-finals of this year’s Premier 40-overs tournament, with ACC defeating MMZ by 103 runs.

In the repeat performance by the two top-tier NYNCL teams, Atlantis emerged victorious with a 71-run margin to advance to the semi-final encounter against Queens United Sports Club (QUSC) at Idlewild “Lords” Cricket Ground in Rosedale, Queens, NY.

Winning the toss, MMZ opted to take control of the ball. It was an intelligent decision as ACC lost three wickets inside the powerplay – ACC skipper Randall Wilson,9, c. Andy Mohammed b. Navin Dewlall, with 29 on the tins. Wilson was followed by Marvan Prashad, 1, c. Abdullah Syed, b. Keith Edie. However, a previously out-of-form Dino Chooweenam attacked the MMZ bowlers from the other end. In the first four overs, Atlantis lost two wickets with 34 runs posted. Freddy Pestano, 9, was the next victim, as ACC added just 21 runs. He was c. Mohammed Syed, off the bowling of Looknauth Chinkoo.

However, ACC vice skipper Kellon Carmichael joined Chooweenam, and the duo paired up against the MMZ bowlers before the latter departed for 67 (5x6s, 6x4s) off 47 balls, c. Mohammed Syed, b. Andy Mohammed. Carmichael’s contribution of 38 (4x6s, 2×4) was a thrilling cameo. Carmichael’s knock, followed by the other double-digit contributors, Teslston Johnson, 11, and Extras, 22, helped ACC reach 164 out in 20.5 overs.

Set 165 for victory and a spot further up the playoffs fixture, MMZ was off to a disastrous start. It lost its first wicket, the power-hitting Abdullah Syed, 0, in the second over. He was the first of four run-outs on the MMZ roster. The MMZ total had crept to 1 for 1 in the 2nd over and 2 for eleven in the third over, not exactly the most auspicious start for MMZ. It did not get any better, as MMZ lost wickets at regular intervals, with the team total reaching 93 for 9 in the eighteenth over and Melvin Shewprasad retiring hurt. The MMZ top-scorers were Mohamed Shaw, 36; skipper Andy Mohammed, 17; Ritchie Looknauth, 10; and Extras, 10.
The MMZ wickets fell at 1, 11, 31, 31, 38, 48, 50, 74, and 93. Bowling for Atlantis: Dillon Bourne enjoyed figures of 5-0-21-3, while Kellon Carmichael and Telston Johnson each grabbed one wicket for 26 and 27, respectively.

Dino Chooweenam was adjudged Player of the Match for his blistering 67 off 47 balls.

With the win, ACC advanced to meet Queens United Sports Club at Idlewild Cricket Ground today in a semi-final encounter of the NYNCL’s Premier 40-overs 2024 tournament.