Azurdeen Mohammed Ton Sinks Big Apple, While Richmond Hill Thump Long Island United

In scorching heat and humid conditions at the cage Meten-Meer-Zorg CC took on the talented Big Apple Cricket team in which was expected to be a great match up with both teams having some talented players in their lineup. The players to notice was Clain Williams and Zaheer Saffie of Big Apple and USA player Azurdeen  Mohammed and former Guyana youth player Deonauth Baksh of MMZ. The spectators came out in numbers to support their respective teams with hundreds following the game live on newyorkcricket.com, thanks to Kirk Higgings scoring the game using www.crichq.com app.

Azurdeen Mohammed (left) and Deonauth Baksh of Meten Meer Zorg.

The stage was all set at 12:45 PM with the two captains Azurdeen Mohammed and Zaheer Saffie along with the veteran umpire Steve Kalloo made their way to the middle to toss. It was Saffie who won the coin toss and decided to take first strike. MMZ skipper wasn’t too saddened by losing the toss, for MMZ having in the pass won many of their games batting second at the Cage.

The MMZ boys sporting their blue, red and black uniform took the field with Rocky Kowchai starting the proceedings from the Foch Blvd end and the young Rahanul Islam from the Basket Ball Court end. For Big Apple it was Rhett Ramotar and Alvin Kalamootoo to open the batting for their team.

Kowchai was bowling with great pace and control while Islam was getting his out swinger in the right areas to keep both batsmen quiet in the first few overs.  Kalimootoo started to accelerate the scoring rate by hitting some powerful shots all over the Cage, meanwhile Ramoutar was picking up his singles and doubles and dispatching the short balls to the boundary.  MMZ’s Amarnauth Persaud had just descended from Florida where he was representing a USA under 18 team came in the nick of time to attack and replace Islam. Persaud immediately struck at the score reading 75, Ramotar enduring to go to the extreme held out to the long on boundary where Trevis Ross took a well judged catch.

In walked to the crease was skipper Zaheer Saffie who looks in super touch stroking the ball well. Mohammed replaced Kowchai and was dented a few severe blows from both batsmen.  It was Kowchai who was brought back for his second spell and had Kalimottoo caught by Mohammed on the long on boundary.  The hard hitting Mark Gomes didn’t persevered long, striking a huge six and then he was brilliantly stumped down the leg side by the skillful Ajaz Asgarally off  Kowchai.

Clain Williams walked to the crease with his own calmness and relaxed manner, he carried on in his pursuit hitting the cricket ball with great timing, both he and Saffie put on a magnificent partnership of 121 before Saffie was caught and bowled by Mohammed. Shiv Raghubar joined Williams and his timing was dissolved being caught by Ramdihal off Islam, Nandlall was also dismissed caught by Ramdihal off Mohammed with the score at 266 off 37 overs.  Williams, in great shape was batting well hitting Mohammed for 2 huge sixes and then skied one high in the air at extra cover where Nandkumar made mess off it.  Williams looking set for a century was smartly stumped by Asgarally off Islam for a well played 86.  At the score on 268 Telston Johnston was caught by Kowchai for a duck, Ryan Balram and Shawn Thompson was left not out on 3 and 14 respectively. Big Apple finished with a huge score of 284 for 8 wickets off their 40 overs.

Bowling for MMZ Kowchai 2 for 39 off 8, Islam 3 for 39 off 8, Mohammed 2 for 50 off 5.

MMZ started their innings needing just over 7 runs an over. It was the talented USA player Azurdeen Mohammed and the former Guyana Youth player Ajaz Asgarally to opened the batting line up with a hopeful start as Telston Johnson took the new ball from the Foch Blvd end followed by Shiv Ragubar from the Basketball Court End.  Johnston was bowling with great pace getting the ball to swing in to the two left-handers. Asgarally was first to go driving outside the off stump to Ragubar and was caught behind by Williams.

In walked another former Guyana Youth player Deonauth Baksh to the crease to join his skipper in what would be an indispensable partnership.  The pair batted superbly with both batsmen timing the ball acutely.  Mohammed emerged with his 50 with a magnificent cover drive for four off Sean Thompson.  Baksh survived a torrid time, at the beginning of his innings he batted well delivering a couple of huge sixes that  brings up his half century with a superb pull shot to the mid wicket boundary.  With Mohammed and Baksh batting excellently, the MMZ spectators couldn’t with held themselves from celebrating, making noises around the park reminiscent of a typical West Indian Cricket match.

With the score card reading 206 in 28 overs, Baksh trying to drive Nandlall to  mid on was adjudged LBW which in turn ended the brilliant partnership.  Ken Nandkumar was out first ball brilliantly caught by Saffie at mid wicket for a duck as he entered.  The young and talented Trevis Ross joins his skipper needed 75 in 10 overs, Ross hit two glorious fours and was dismissed trying to clear the boundary for 9.  Saud Hussain came in to join Mohammed, MMZ at this stage looking in control with their skipper still at the crease batting tirelessly and diligently.  Johnson returned with his second spell as Mohammed pulling him over the mid wicket fence for six to acknowledge the skipper entered in the 90s.

Saud Hussain, a stroke player was picking up the singles and doubles to see his team mate gets to 99 and then Mohammmed struck one to short fine leg to bring a well earned magnificent century much to the  delight of the MMZ crowd and supporters which culminated the score to a mere 226.  Mohammed hit a full toss to long off where Ragubar juggled a catch to see the back of the skipper for an accomplished well played 105 off 84 balls which included 10 exquisite fours and 3 powerful sixes.

At that stage, Mohammed being gone Big Apple feeling hopeful had a little sniff of victory however, Hussain and Majeed had other ideas to put that thought to flight.  The pair put on an elusive 31 with great rapidity, Majeed scoring 18 off 13 deliveries was out bowled by Thomson.  In walked the hard hitting Hemindra Ramdihal who with Hussain saw MMZ to victory with Ramdihal hitting some lovely shots to see MMZ reaching their target with  1.2 overs to spare.  Hussain was left not out on 23 and Ramdihal on 18.  MMZ finished on a gratifying 287 for 6 off 38.4 overs in what would have considered a very thrilling match.

MMZ now on 35 points having to play 5 games more in the hope to finish very strong in this competitive Division 1.

MMZ would like to thank all their supporters and www.newyorkcricket.com for bringing live scores of the game.

Good luck MMZ!!!

Richmond Hill Rebound With Thumping Win Over Long Island United CC
Eastern American Cricket Association

As the EACA Division A competition enters its second round, Richmond Hill cricket club rebound with a thumping win over Long Island United cricket club at Brentwood Park under very hot and humid condition.

Royo Sankar led Richmond Hill batting with a fine 69 against Long Island United. Photo by Shiek Mohamed

Taking first knock after winning the toss, Richmond Hill top order batsmen compile a huge 272 for the loss of 5 wickets in 40 overs.

Debo Sankar and Imran Alli crafted an opening stand of 77, before Imran Alli departed for a entertaining 42 decorated with 2 huge sixes and 3 fours. Royo Sankar join his brother as the pair put together a second wicket partnership of 97 runs, Debo Sankar was in superb touch in his innings of 62 included, 6 well executed boundaries before he departed. Mahendra Seeram joined Royo Sankar who was batting brilliantly at the other end and took the score to 255.

Royo Sankar trying to up the scoring rate was bowled for 69 that included (4 x4 and 2×6), his third half century of the season. Mahendra Seeram was also in great touch, missed out on his third consecutive half century before being dismissed for 40 (4×4). Deryck Mcdonald 9 and Deoram Puran 1 remained unbeaten as the innings closed at 272. Richmond Hill CC wickets fell at 77, 174, 255, 256 and 271.

Bowling for LIUCC Qasim Dastgar and I. Khan was impressive with 2 wickets each.

Long Island United cricket club responded to the challenging total with a opening partnership of 54 before Waqas Shahid was run out for 27(3×4). Mahendra Seeran had A. Khan 24 (1×4-1×6) caught at long on by Seepersaud and Sajeed Khan 25 caught at the wicket by D. Sankar. M. Ijaz held the innings together with a gritty 44 (5×4-1×6) as LIUCC progressed toward the target.
However, Dhaniram Seeepersaud  bowled him shortly and then followed up with the wickets of  Asim  Mehmood 6 caught by R. Sankar at short third man, Amir Rafiq 3 and I. Khan for a duck as LIUCC was restricted to 127 for 5 in the 23 over.

Needing another 145 for victory at just under 9 runs an overs, the LIUCC later order batsmen give their best shot. Ramphal Bactowar accounted for Ray Mohan 23 and Qasim Dastgir 11 wickets, as Shameer Sadloo had Waqas Ashiq smartly taken at sqare leg by D. Seepersaud as they were all out for 211 in the 35 over. LIUCC wickets fell at 54, 59, 76, 86, 127,144, 151, 163, 189 and 211.