(Celebrating 46th Anniversary):- Cosmos posted a competitive total against Intruders last Sunday at Beach-58 due mainly to an excellent partnership between Yogeshwar Ramgobin and Ghanam Tariq while yours truly, Sham Ali and vice-captain Ryan Ganesh scythe through the opposition top order to put their team in a commanding position.
Cosmos won the toss and elected to bat on another steamy day suffered an early setback when Jaden Ramlakhan picked off a brilliant stumping off a legside wide to dismiss Antanio Rooplall in the second over. That was the only spark for the opposition in the next twenty overs as Ghanam Tariq and Yogeshwar Ramgobin weathered the hot and humid conditions and settled into a defining partnership. It was Tariq who took the attack to the opposition bowling keeping the run rate at a healthy eight runs per over, while Ramgobin was satisfied in picking up the singles.
Tariq settled in nicely and was in command of the opposition attack. He took full advantage of anything on offer, slapped a few through point and on occasions unfurled a few blistering drives through extra-cover. The usually aggressive airy-fairy Ramgobin was unusually quite subdued in his inning and showed that he too can curb his appetite when necessary. With a century in sight, Tariq threw away his wicket when he drove a wide delivery to the man at deep extra-cover for a 60-ball inning of 86 runs. Ramgobin went immediately after for a patient 40, and in the process stitched together an excellent 2nd wicket partnership of 130 runs.
That partnership became the 136th century partnership for Cosmos and is tied for the 46th highest in Cosmos with three others; a 2nd wicket partnership between K. Persaud (116 no) and Q. Farrouq (79) versus Sporting Alfa at Usha Moore in Durham, England in 2000, a 3rd wicket partnership between D. Palmer (116 no) and A. Singh (40 no) versus Gullies in Dallas, Texas in 2004, and a 2nd wicket partnership between F. Taj (67 no) and K. Lesporis (62 no) versus Mid Island at Roy Wilkins Park in 2013.
At 137 for 2 in the 19th over, Cosmos was poised and in a commanding position for a late inning charge, however, Cosmos middle-order batsmen failed to capitalize on a solid foundation with a series of injudicious shots. Intruders ceased the opportunities and fought themselves back into the match picking up another six wickets at regular intervals that left Cosmos in a spot of bother on 186 for 8 in the 27th over and eventually to 201 for 8 in their allotted 30 overs. T. Narine took 4 for 39,
The veteran Kerry Ramlakhan announced his presence with three quick boundaries, however, Ryan Ganesh countered when he handed K. Singh a first ball duck taken by Antanio Rooplall at first slip, and then removed Ramlakhan with a beauty that started around leg stump, squared him up and swung back late to knock over the off stump leaving Ramlakhan looking rather bemused. Yours truly, Sham Ali, got into the dance picking up the next four wickets in as many overs including that of the dangerman R. Batson when Baveshwar Utam held onto a catch at deep mid-off with such alacrity that made it look like it was part of the plan, actually, it was part of the plan, after Rooplall dropped a sharp chance at mid-off earlier. Ganesh then knocked over Dilly Khilawan and registered him for Masters cricket, to leave Intruders tottering on 52 for 7 in the 10th over.
Cosmos bowling attack in the last few matches have been quite disciplined, and it reaped just rewards as was confirmed in the match as well. It did not take much longer for Cosmos to mop up the tail with Alvin Gobin and Towgeshwar Thakoordeen operating in tandem. Gobin clipped the edge of D. Pydana and Thakoordeen removed J. Dawes after a bit of resistance from the tail. Captain Balgobin ceased the opportunity to give one of his promising young players, Baveshwar Utam, who has been towing the line for the last season, a chance to bowl his off spin. He immediately struck as Cosmos reduced Intruders to 107 all out 21.5 overs to seal a convincing 94 runs victory, just before the mosquitoes intruded as the light faded. They came late, but when they did come, they came with an entire army mosquitos – big-like-man-skites – in a well-orchestrated attack from all directions, and we scoot.
July 4th – Cosmos Family Day at Gateway Park will feature the big showdown for the Cosmos Presidents Cup between Cosmos Masters and Cosmos Youths. The youths took the first hold on the trophy last year.
July 6th – Cosmos will play Phoenix Knights at Baisley Pond.
