Batting first in the heat wasn’t an easy task and the scoreboard was slow to keep turning, but Cosmos CC got a decent start from openers Tirth Sanyal 32 (46) and Arjunan Ethirveerasingam 14 (38), posting 40/0 in 11 overs before the latter held a short one out to extra cover for a simple catch; soon after Tirth followed in almost exactly the same manner. The middle order wasn’t able to contribute much in the hellish heat and Cosmos were behind the proverbial eight-ball, posting just 100/4 in 35 overs.
Jafar Naqvi picked up 5 for 5 in 4.3 overs.
Ali Shafi 25 (53) and Mohammad Amin 28 (21) had a decent partnership but couldn’t get the scorecard ticking to their liking and fell in the 20s. USC was bowling some great line and length and was not giving an inch to score. The spinners did the damage in the heat and things looked tough for the Red and Black.
With just 120/5 on the board around the 37th over and half the team in the shed, it was time to go, but Shafi, Amin and Rajp weren’t able to get going as It is hard to bat in such heat and even harder to play catch up. However, Shawn King answered the call yet again with a quick cameo of 33 not out to boost the Cosmos score to 179 in 45. It was just what was needed in such heat, and a good total was posted for the day. USC’s pick of the bowlers was the left-arm orthodox Sarvesh Ayre with 3/29 in 9.
The score was on the board and the Cosmos line up wasn’t going to let this one slip by because of the 105-degree heat. Jafar Naqvi was on song from ball one and removed one of the openers with the very first delivery of the innings. He went on to collect four more wickets to end the game for Cosmos with figures of 5 for 5 in 4.3 overs. Nadir Malik also had a good showing and got on the board with 3/34 in his 9 overs. The main attraction of the day was the fielding of the unit even in the scorching heat and taking some great catches. All others chipped in for an overall team victory to take Cosmos’ unbeaten run to 5-0.
Well-played to the resilient Trojans and we wish them good luck for the rest of the 2016 season. Cosmos has a break for the next few weeks and will take on the talented and spirited CSUF, with the clash of the unbeaten on the 9th of July. See you then.
Story and photo courtesy of Cosmos Cricket Club – Los Angeles Facebook page.
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