Atlantis Off To A Flying Start, Bowls Over LIUCC by 183 Runs

Atlantis Cricket Club – NY yesterday defeated Long Island United Cricket Club by 183 runs in a slug fest at Heckscher State Park. There was a slight chill in the air, as the sun struggled to show its face for the better part of the day. The ball did swing somewhat, with a north westerly wind holding back those batsmen shooting for the maximums across the park’s main roadway.

Jonathan Foo made 76 in his debut for Atlantis. Photos by Shiek Mohamed

Batting first, Atlantis amassed a total of 352 all out in 40 overs, with three batsmen in the hunt for the season’s centurion list, with all three; Jonathan Foo, 76, Alex Amsterdam, 72 and Keon Lake, 60, coming up short of individual tons. The Atlantis total was built upon three key partnerships of 92, 41 and 64 between the top four batsmen, averaging almost 50 runs per partnership. However, in the bowling departments, both teams showed the accumulated rust of the inactive off-season, chucking up a combined total of 92 extras in including 68 wides and 7 no-balls.

It was Atlantis’ first match of the season under its new skipper Alex Amsterdam, who batted in a stylish but steady manner on his way to a solid 72, before being caught off the bowling of A. Kamal. His knock included 8 x 4s. However, Jonathan Foo, making his Atlantis debut had a go on the matting wicket, stroking a magnificent 76, including 5 x 6s and 7 x 4s, before being caught off the bowling of S. Taimuri. Opener Keon Lake, was not far behind with 60 (3 x 6s, 2 x 4s) having lost his opening partner Ryan Sukhdeo for 25 (4 x 4s). Kavishwar Bridgepaul made a quick-fire 28, which included 3 maximums. Bowling for LIUCC: S. Taimuri 4 for 47, I. Khan: 3 for 74, H. Ali 1 for 54, were the principal wicket takers. Extras contributed 56. The Atlantis wickets fell at 59, 151, 192, 256, 288, 306, 330, 344, 352, and 352.

Atlantis new skipper Alex Amsterdam hit 72.

LIUCC in response to an asking rate of almost nine runs per over, enjoyed a second wicket stand of 45, before collapsing to the bowling of Prashanth Nair and Keon Lake. LIUCC would go on to score 169 all out in 34.5 overs. Top scorers for LIUCC were Sajeed Khan with 36 (5 x 4s), Anwer Kamal, 33, Ali Alvi, 27 and Ashiq Waqas, 15. Extras chipped in with 36. The LIUCC wickets fell at 18, 63, 97, 102, 102, 109, 140, 157, 165 and 169.

Atlantis CC visits NY Centurions CC next Sunday, May 18, at Flushing Meadows Park 1, while LIUCC hosts Phantoms CC at Brentwood 1. All matches start at 1:00pm.