Sham Ali
(Celebrating 47th Anniversary โ€“ 20260628. Match #1358): - It was one of those days where Cosmos appeared to have returned to their old ways of finding a way to lose a cricket match. Despite playing some excellent cricket since the beginning of the season to chalk up six successive victories, last Sundayโ€™s performance was a far cry from their usual best, and they paid the price. 

There could not have been a more evident disconnect that was on show last Sunday between this new generation of cricketers whose approach to any match bears a T20 airy-fairy mindset than those of the past who found greater rewards by keeping the ball on the green. Cosmos batsmen may need to reread that old school methods and technique as it will always be the line that separates failure and success, and make the necessary adjustments. The faster they can do that the better it will be, and their performances in this match last Sunday against Trini Boyz at Ferry Point Park was just a reminder. 
Ryan Ganesh was outstanding with the ball picking up 4 for 32. File photo by Sham Ali

Cosmos won the toss under blazing sunshine and elected to field, hymmmm. A decision that was highly unpopular at the time, but necessary due circumstances beyond control of players on their way. It was not surprising though that their bowling attack struggled under the heat and humidity, and in the process delivered a series of freebies upon which the opposition feasted and, in the end, they had posted a reasonable 217 all out off their allotted 30 overs. It was a total built on a good opening partnership of 82 runs between A. Sailsman (48) and A. Bissoondyal (32), and then a match defining 4th wicket partnership of 81-runs between A. Roopnarine (43) and Antonio (48). Ryan Ganesh was the pick of Cosmos bowlers with 4 for 32, and Chatram Nauth 3 for 65.

Looking to get 218 against a depleted opposition who had only eight men on the field due to injuries, Cosmos top order was hapless in their reply and found themselves in some serious โ€˜puckaterry (whatever that means)โ€™ with a series of airy-fairy shots. The decisions to go the airy-fairy route on a burnt-out outfield instead of making use of the huge gaps in the field was mind-boggling for top order batsmen who had held the reins with good control in the previous matches. Antanio Rooplall was out in the first over when he fanned a wide to point, and soon after Ghanam Tariq forced headless drive to the same fielder. Govin Persaud then found the only man outside the circle at deep mid-on. 

Instead of a digging in to put the inning on a foundation against a somewhat pedestrian bowling attack. The inning sank even further when Chatram Nauth appeared lost when he heard his stumps rattled and to add to the woes, Devindra Balgobin was at sea when played across the line to a straight ball that left Cosmos reeling on 95 for 5 at the break.

It didnโ€™t get better after the break when Inzy Khan went via lbw and Akash Rahim sent a long-hop to the man at mid-off despite acres of real-estate between the man at mid-off and the man at backward point. At 113 for 7 off 19 overs Cosmos had found a way to suffocate themselves, however, Ryan Ganesh and Alvin Gobin were not prepared to go down without a fight, and they took the attack to the opposition and subsequently positioned the inning for a race to the end.

They had revived the inning with an aggressive 43-balls 61 runs partnership that brought a sense of โ€˜calmโ€™, and ultimately shifted the equation of the match with Cosmos on 174 for 7 in 25.3 overs. With 43 needed off 27 balls, Ganesh was in good command of his inning thus far, and looked the part of bringing this match home while Alvin was growing in stature and equally effective in striking the ball with authority. Ganesh on 29 had already taken 13 runs off the over when he lost his focused, his head, the match, and his wicket on the deep mid-on boundary. 

Yours truly joined Alvin to push the score to 195 for 8 with 22 runs needed off 12 balls. The inexperience and the choice of an airy-fairy route had haunted this runs chase from the beginning and it lingered to end like a ghost at midnight despite a serious mid wicket conference to push the ball in the gaps. All in vain as Alvin on 49 decided on a headless charge down the wicket and succeeded in finding the man on the mid-on boundary. Towgeshwar Thakoordeen, after a good spell with the ball, must be counting his lucky stars as he walked to the wicket for the second time in two weeks, albeit with his team in dire straits, as two of Cosmos most accomplished number ten and eleven batsmen attempted to pull off a thriller. The mid wicket conference was brief โ€˜we can still do itโ€™ but โ€˜itโ€™ was not to be at the end of the 30th over as Trini Boyz sealed a nine runs victory. 

Sat. 7/4 โ€“ Cosmos Family Day at Gateway Cosmos Lions v Cosmos Cubs
Sun. 7/5 - 8:30am - Cosmos Youths 
Sun. 7/5 - 1:30pm - Cosmos v Eagles