EACA 40-Overs Tournament
Trinson Carmichael struck a charismatic century leading Liberty Sports Club to a crushing 221 runs victory over Arsenal Cricket Club. Carmichael along with his captain Danesh Deonarain featured in a 188 runs third wicket partnership to set up a formidable 361 for 8 when GMA Enterprise sponsored Club batted first. Imtiaz Hassan continued his exceptional form with the ball to pick up 4 for 21 to lead Liberty Sports Club bowling attack in reducing Arsenal to 140 all out.
Fresh off a century, Francis Mendonca, and his opening partner Dilly Khillawan started proceedings after Liberty SC took first strike. The duo who enjoyed a 161 runs partnership in the previous game would put up 51 before Khilawan would injudiciously call through his partner for a single which found Khilawan short of his ground for 10. Two overs later Mendonca mistimed a drive for 33 leaving the batting side at 60 for 2 in the 9th over.
Deonarain joined Carmichael in the middle and the pair started to consolidate after the two quick wickets. Consolidation soon turned to calculated aggression leading to both batsmen passing their half century mark. Deonarain got there first hitting 10 fours. Carmichael followed shortly after, getting to his half century with a massive six over long on. At this point the stylish left-hander had struck 5 fours and the one six to get past the landmark.
The pair continued to plunder the Arsenal attack, capitalizing on anything slightly off line or length on the swift Heckshire State Park outfield. Deonarain would hit four more boundaries and one maximum before falling for 95 via the leg before wicket route on the last ball before the second water break.
The elegant Carmichael would switch up the tempo of his inning after he lost his skipper. With ten overs to go after the break Carmichael hammered 7 more fours to get into the 90’s. Needing 3 more to get to his first ton for LSC and in the EACA, Carmichael rocked on the back foot and launched a massive six over midwicket to bring up his century. He would hit one more boundary before holding out in the finishing overs for 108.
Imtiaz Hassan 29, Terrence Madramootoo 19 and Javed Shakoor 14 not out chipped in with handsome knocks to polish off the second consecutive 350 plus inning for the boys in blue. Shezad Iqbal 3 for 70 and Neel Patel 2 for 49 were the pick of the ACC’s bowlers.
Needing to score in excess of 9 runs per over Altaaf Habibulla struck first with the new ball, removing Shawn Carter for 1 in the second over, to put Arsenal on the back foot. Imtiaz Hassan, who has been enjoying another team leading season struck immediately after to remove Carter’s opening partner, Mustafa Moez for 3. Hassan & Habibulla would continue to mesmerize the ACC top order. Hassan finished his spell of 8 overs with 3 maidens and 4 wicket for just 21 runs while Habibulla bowled his 8 overs for 29 runs and 2 wickets.
Dhananjay Gulia offered some resistance with a patient 56 and found some support late in the Arsenal batting line up from Saumil Gandhi 15 then Ashfaq Tirmizi 21. Jason Rooney picked up 1 wicket and Leon Mohabir picked up 2 wickets for 2 runs of 2 overs with 1 maiden to wrap up the Arsenal’s resistance at 140 all out.
The win puts #TheBlueNation at the top of their Zone II as the EACA Power40 Tournament moves into the Division stage.
The 2014 Liberty Sports Club is sponsored by GMA Enterprise, located on 122nd St & Liberty Ave. The please visit their website www.gmaenterprise.com to support our sponsor. Follow the progress of Liberty Sports Club and join #TheBlueNation via facebook (facebook.com/LibertyCricketClubb), Twitter (@LibertySportsC) & Instagram (@LibertySportsC)