Sham Ali
(Celebrating 47th Anniversary – 20260719. Match #1364): - Ryan Ganesh produced an excellent spell of swing bowling for Cosmos that blew away Rising Stars at the speed of light when the two teams met at Randalls Island last Sunday.  Ganesh sliced through the opposition's top order and subsequently turned this match-up into a one-sided affair. Rising Stars claimed the toss under some disappointing circumstances. At the required toss time Cosmos did not have their required number of players because six of their players were five minutes late due to the late start in the morning game at Roy Wilkins that went over time, even though, the opposition was informed. Nothing to crow about though, time is time,  five minutes or one minute, but sometimes a little understanding can dispel a number of things. Rising Stars elected to bat on good day for cricket, albeit a much-welcomed day after a few weeks of unpredictable heat and humidity. As it turned out, Rising Stars found themselves in a dark corner within the first five overs of the match. 
Ryan Ganesh starred with the new ball, claiming 5 for 39 to lead the bowling attack. Photos by Sham Ali

Sharing the new ball yours truly, Sham Ali, and Ryan punched a gaping hole into Rising Stars line with a controlled opening spell that left that opposition’s top order batting in tatters. Ryan had an eventful first over.  He struck with his first ball when he removed T. Deonarine (0) caught by Alvin Gobin at backward point. He then clipped the off stump of G. Hitnarine (0) with his third ball, and spilled a chest high return catch with his fourth, and with his fifth ball, Vian Gooniah was caught in two minds, perhaps napping, at mid-on to a low catch. Sham Ali then got into the show with two slips and Govin Persaud in the gully. Govin inquired of the batsman as to the reason for his long forward defense in a not so gently way ‘this banna playing a lang forward pun da ball, and this field so small (the field is not small). I woodda lash da till to da train line’. Govin was is action in the next delivery when I. Mangal (0) sliced to him in gully, 3 for 0. Ganesh, in his next over removed E. Ragman (8) taken by Vian at mid-on, 9 for 4.

This match was shaping up to be a no-contest as Rising Stars didn’t get a chance to either rise or shine against a disciplined opening spell, despite what some ‘unkind Cosmos souls’ referred to as a gentle bowling attack. In the fifth over, Govin was at it again when he held on to another good catch at gully off Sham. That left the opposition batting order in total disarray at 5 for 10 off 5 overs. Apparently, claiming of the toss by just a few minutes under the circumstances didn’t worked too well for this opposition. 

A swinging for the stars counterattack from R. Baker and M. Baker yielded 33 runs in just 11 balls that included four massive, massive sixes, but those intentions were quickly scythe out when Sham had R. Baker (15) taken by Ghanam Tariq at mid-off and he then walked through the gates of M. Baker (17) and bruck-up all the furniture behind it. One over and one wicket was all that Vian Gooniah was allowed to warm his fingers, before Ganesh fifer blew stars away for a paltry 71 runs all out in 11.2 overs.
Opener Antanio Rooplall struck an unbeaten 44 to ensure Cosmos reached the target.

Antanio Rooplall and Vian Gooniah in not too many words sends a clear message for a name change to Rising Stars as they raced to 73 runs in just 7 overs. Rooplall wrote the script in this act and took center stage in this chase with an enterprising inning of 44 cashing in on three sixes and three fours, while Vian sat in the audience and absorbed the show with 18 runs as Cosmos sealed an emphatic 10 wicket victory. R. Ganesh took 5 for 39, S. Ali 4 for 25, and V. Gooniah 1 for 7.

COSMOS 6-aside: ALVIN-6 vs GOVIN-6
There was no need to allow the day to slip away and Cosmos is always ready for a contest. It was 10 overs six-a-side match-up between Alvin-6 and Govin-6. There were some mysteries that surrounded the coin toss. Instead of a coin flip, Govin talked Alvin into the old-fashioned way of the toss, hiding-something-in-the-hand and calling. Alvin fell for the ploy. Actually, Govin could talk a radio into silence – a lively character. Alvin, a New York rookie and Govin a Guyana veteran. It wasn’t much of a science as to who will with the toss, since Govin will hide and Alvin will call. Govin won the toss of course!! He probably had two pieces in hand. 

Team Govin posted a competitive 140 in their 10 overs. Donesh ‘the general ‘Dayanand got a bit of massage from Vian and Balgobin, holding onto his foot to signal some discomfort every time the ball sailed over the boundary, trickster. But it was Donesh who stole the highlight of the match-up with a spectacular catch on the mid-on boundary. Vian found the only man on the leg-side in Donesh, and sends a rocket to him. Donesh on his way to the mid-wicket boundary hear the shout of catch ‘oldbai’ he spun around waited for what seemed like ages with trembling hands. It hit him ‘pax’ and bounced out to his right. The ‘general’ put the dive in and came up with gold, one-handed – 100% for the catch and 999% for preventing the ball from bursting through his hands (give the general a star, Vian). Walk off Vian and don’t turn back. Team Alvin in their reply made a gallant effort in their chase but came up a good few short of the target. What a match!!!

Upcoming Games:
Sun. 7/26 - 8:30am - Cosmos Youths will play Punjab Eagles. 
Sun. 7/26 - 1:30pm - Cosmos v NY Storm at Beach-32