Atlantis Denies Liberty A Victory For Second Time

Top Order Batsmen Spread Run Spree
By John L. Aaron
Atlantis Cricket Club – NY last Sunday defeated Liberty Sports Club for the second time this season, as the cream of the EACA’s Power40 Division 1 rises to the top. It has become a race to the finish for the top tier teams, including Liberty and Atlantis.

Nicholas Standford missed out on a ton when he fell for 98 against Liberty Sports Club. Photo by Shiek Mohamed

Winning the toss and electing to take first strike, Atlantis lost the wicket of Alex Amsterdam almost immediately with only five ticks on the board, however, Amsterdam’s opening partner Henderson Blades, 43, (7x4s) and acting skipper Nicholas Standford, 98, (7x6s, 7x4s) established a 105 run partnership that became the foundation for a solid inning. With the departure of Blades caught off the bowling of Vijendra Singh, Michael Noble joined Standford for a partnership of 111 runs. Noble a recent acquisition of Atlantis last represented Liberty and may have been chomping at the bit to have a go at his former teammates. Noble’s knock of 51 included 4x6s and 3x4s, he celebrated the half-century with a massive six, before bowing out being caught off the bowling of Imtiaz Hassan.

Steven Jacobs joined his skipper and raced to 29 not out (1×6, 4x4s). Standford exited two runs shy of his second three-digit score for the season and departing for the second time having crossed the 90 run mark this year. He saw teammate Kavishwar Bridgepaul in, as he exited and no doubt frustrated at missing yet another ton. Bridgepaul would help Jacobs take the score to 254 for 4 in 34 overs, including 30 extras, as the ruling Umpire enforced a 4:00 pm cut-off time for the scheduled 40-overs fixture. Bridgepaul’s contribution of 33 not out, included 2x6s and 4x4s.

The Atlantis wickets fell at 5, 110, 188 and 221. Bowling for Liberty – Imtiaz Hassan was the most successful with figures of 7-1-66-3, with Vijendra Singh grabbing the fourth wicket for 50 runs off 6 overs.

In response, Liberty was allowed to run free to 177 for 7 in its allotted 32 overs. Extras contributed 38. Top scorer was Imtiaz Hassan with 49 (1×6, 7x4s) turning in an all-round match performance with his three scalps and almost half-century. He was dismissed caught off the bowling of Michael Noble. However, the fireworks came off the willow of Terrance Madramootoo, 39, (6x6s) as he lit up Heckscher State Park in an aggressive response to the losing cause, before being caught off the bowling of Steven Jacobs. Opener Chaitnaught Khilawan recorded an opening contribution of 25, caught off the bowling of Michael Noble.

Bowling for Atlantis, Michael Noble 7-0-39-3, Steven Jacobs 6-0-33-2, with Dwayne Hurley and Casper Davis, Jr each grabbing one wicket apiece for 30 and 3 runs respectively.

The 83 run victory moved Atlantis to 9-2 in its quest to make the 2012 playoffs. However, Atlantis has its hands full this weekend with back-to-back matches against Big Apple cricket Club on Saturday at Baisley Pond Park in The Cage. On Sunday, Atlantis takes on Richmond Hill at the same venue. Both matches would be carried live by newyorkcricket.com, starting at 1pm.