Francis Mendonca celebrates his double ton.
Brooklyn, NY – Atlantis Cricket Club – NY easily rolled over Staten Island Cricket Club last Sunday at Floyd Bennett Cricket Ground, as the New York Metropolitan Cricket League kicked off its 2018 Clement “Buster” Lawrence Premier 40-overs season.
Winning the toss by default of the late arrival of Staten Island and a five overs advantage, Atlantis opted to bat and was looking to build a solid total, scoring 6.45 runs off each of the first 20 overs, and adding 235 off the last 20 overs of the 40 overs fixture.
Randall Wilson was the more aggressive of the two openers outpacing his partner Francis Mendonca in the first eight overs at a rate of 2-1. Wilson looked set to open the season with a ton, but was caught at deep long-on off the bowling of Upali Kodithuwakku when on 65 (2x6s, 9x4s) off 49 balls and in over #18. The Atlantis score was then 118 for one. It was a solid opening partnership, however wicket-keeper batsman Francis Mendonca assumed the wheel alongside his vice-captain Treon Forde; taking the Staten Island bowlers to the ropes, and often, reaching his first 100 off 89 deliveries and his second off the next 45 balls, emerging at 209 not out (7x6s, 17x4s). He posted 50 runs off the last 21 balls he faced.
Francis Mendonca (Right) is congratulated by team mate Randall Wilson.
While Francis Mendonca was recording his first double-century for Atlantis, Atlantis’ vice-captain was no slouch either at the other end; posting 68 not out off 52 deliveries faced. Atlantis posted 363 including 23 extras for the loss of one wicket off the allotted 40 overs. In the process Staten Island used nine bowlers in an attempt to help stop the hemorrhaging.
Replying to the daunting 363 total and a RRR of 10.4 per over, Staten Island was in trouble in the tenth over at 65 for 4, having faced only two Atlantis bowlers – Greg Robinson and Hugo D’Olivera. Opener Majad Arab posted 39 (2x6s, 5x4s) off 32 deliveries. However, it did not get much better, except for a stubborn middle-order knock off 34 off 42 balls (5x4s) from Anurag Birla. Only one other Staten Island batsman crossed into the double figure zone, as Staten Island were rolled over at 132 all out in 27.2 overs.
Bowling for Atlantis, Keon Lake 4 for 17, Greg Robinson 2 for 22, Hugo D’Olivera 2 for 42, Garfield DeRoche 1 for 34. Atlantis won the match by a 231 run margin.
Atlantis enjoys a bye this weekend traveling to Philadelphia, PA for two friendly fixtures against Merion and British Officers Cricket Clubs, before returning to play Suburbia Cricket Club on Sunday, May 20 at Floyd Bennett Cricket Ground in Brooklyn.