Atlantis, coming off of a decisive win over league leading Liberty Sports Club, overpowered Gladiators Cricket Club at Heckscher State Park last Sunday, in a five-wicket victory, and behind some tidy bowling performances from the six bowlers used.
Winning the toss and electing to take first strike, Gladiators reached 169 all out in 39.5 overs, due mainly to a gallant late-stand effort from Andre Persaud with a stroke-filled 27-ball 45 (7x4s, 1×6), batting at number 8. Other significant contributions to the Gladiators’ inning came from Andy Harrichann, 39 (3x4s, 2x6s) and Manjrekar Bhola, 18 (3x4s).
Atlantis’ selection of eight bowlers was somewhat surprising, but all six of those used pitched in as the wickets were evenly distributed, with only Jermaine Horatio showing a bit of rust and unable to get among the scalps. He had figures of 5-0-38-0. Keon Lake with figures of 8-3-18-2 was the most economical. Skipper Alex Amsterdam and Greg Robinson each had two wickets apiece for 25 and 28 respectively, while Prashanth Nair and Garfield De Roche rounded out the eight scalps with one each, at a cost of 22 and 35 respectively. There were two run-outs.
Atlantis in return had a good opening contribution from Henderson Blades, 29 (4x4s, 1×6), before being caught by Shafeek Shaw off the bowling of Thakur Singh, a former Atlantis member. The previous week’s centurion Wahid Ward looked somewhat anxious to get in another solid performance and was adjudged LBW to Manjrekar Bhola upon reaching 23 (5x4s). Treo Forde went the same route after contributing a rather patient 24. Skipper and USA national player Alex Amsterdam missed a half-century when he was hit on his helmet and retired hurt after reaching 45 (6x4s). Keon Lake chipped in with 10 not out to see Atlantis home at 173 for 5 in 31.4 overs.
Bowling for the Gladiators – Kelvin Sewpersaud had 2 for 42 off 7 overs, while Andy Harricharan, Manjrekar Bhola and Thakur Singh enjoyed one wicket each at a cost of 20, 23 and 29 respectively.