Atlantis Launches Early Orbit

By John L. Aaron
Appearing in the New York National Cricket League (NYNCL) for the first time, Atlantis Cricket Club (ACC-NY) got off its launch pad with a decisive three-wicket win over 2023 NYNCL champions Queens United Sports Club (QUSC) at Idlewild Cricket Ground in Rosedale, Queens, on May 19.

On a day that started around 72 degrees Fahrenheit with a slight cloud cover, QUSC used its control of the toss and opted to bat on a wicket that may have retained a bit of moisture from intermittent rainfall over the preceding week. The southeast Queens team in burgundy and yellow, at their home ground, took on the men in green and yellow, who once shared the picturesque Idlewild Oval as their home ground.

QUSC was off to a scary start that must have caused them to question their decision to bat first on what was probably a soft wicket, as they lost their first wicket in the first over as Andrew Davis knicked one to Atlantis debutante keeper Jamal ‘Short Boss’ Norton without troubling the scorers and off the bowling of Telson Johnson.

Despite a 70-run tally between overs 5 and 22 that saw QUSC reach 95 for three, the lefty/righty combination of Johnson and Dillon Bourne producing 39 dot balls from 57 deliveries kept the explosive QUSC batting line up in check. Ronaldo Alimohamed and Kellon Carmichael kept the QUSC batters somewhat quiet before Dino Chooweenam started spinning webs around the batters. Chooweenam would end up with figures of 8-0-28-4, including 26 dot balls.

Former ACC-NY power-hitter Yannick Elliott top-scored for QUSC with 38, including four boundaries. Bereston Reid, 33, supported him; Skipper Oraine Williams and Jamaal Lewis each contributed 15, and Ron Edwards, 11. A-NY restricted the other QUSC batters to single digits as the team crawled to 158 all-out in 36.3 overs. Extras contributed 31 to that tally.

QUSC: FoW: 1-3, 2-25, 3-95, 4-113, 5-120, 6-123, 7-140, 8-145, 9-151 and 10-168.

Bowling for ACC-NY: Chooweenam 8-0-28-4; Johnson 5.3-0-25-3. Alimohamed and Carmichael snared one wicket apiece for 20 and 35 runs, respectively.

With Fabian Babolal providing lively running color commentary and score updates over the PA system, Idlewild was not boring last Sunday. As the sun played peek-a-boo with the overhanging clouds, and players and spectators sought warmth whenever it appeared, Atlantis took to the middle, chasing 159 for its first win since switching leagues and continuing under the onfield stewardship of Randall Wilson as its skipper.

QUSC would strike early with the dismissal of power-hitter Dino Chooeenam for four in the first over. The southeast Queens boys would strike again in the third over with the score on 20, as skipper Wilson was cleanly bowled for 6. ACC-NY 20 for 2. The wickets of Marvin Prashad, 8, and Freddy Pestano, 11, would follow with the score at 49 for 4. QUSC, with a bit of chilly wind at their backs, was no doubt contemplating a short day at the office.

However, ACC-NY vice skipper Kellon Carmichael, 43 off 29 deliveries with 2x6s, 2x4s, and Jamal Norton, 23 off 57 (2x4s) and playing a supportive role at the other end saw the ACC-NY total climb to to136 for 6 in the 29th over, having lost debutante Diquan Murray for 6 in the 26th over. Enter all-rounder Ali Mohamed with the mindset that he would bring some heat if the sun continued not cooperating. He announced his arrival and 20-ball presence in the middle with three massive sixes and one boundary, emerging not out with 34. Quain, making his first appearance in green and yellow for ACC-NY, chilled as an onlooker while contributing six not-out to help ACC-NY wrap up the victory at 159 for 7 in 32.2 overs. The duo polished off the required 23 runs in four overs.

The ACC-NY wickets fell at 1-4, 2-20, 3-33, 4-49, 5-98, 6-116, and 7-136. Among the wicket takers for QUSC were Yannick Elliott 2 for 23 off 7, Ramaal Lewis 2 for 31 off 7, Gavan Brown 2 for 32 off 6.2, and Reon Edwards 1 for 27 off his four overs.

Kellon Carmichael was named Man-of-the-Match. Atlantis plays Titans next on Sunday, June 2, 2024.