By Sham Ali
(Celebrating 32nd Anniversary):- On a picture perfect day for cricket, two veterans, David Mohamed, former Trinidad and Tobago national player, and Sohan Dass, former Guyana national player produced a scintillating double century partnership that subsequently set up a massive 100 runs victory for Cosmos over Lions at Floyd Bennett Field last Sunday.
Sohan Dass contributed 87 in a partnership of 201 runs with David Mohamed, below.
It was as measured a performance as any and a clinical partnership when the pair came together after Cosmos captain Sham Ali won the toss and elected to bat. It was a decision that asked some questions after Lions drew early blood as Cosmos had stumbled to 17 for 3 in the 5th over. But Mohamed and Dass are two old school campaigners, and they began to repair the inning rather cautiously as Lions had their tails up. This pair proceeded to put a few periods and exclamation marks to any further questions.
Dass is aptly built for the challenge of a roaring Lion’s attack and timed his counter attack perfectly with two cracking punch to open his inning under the blazing sun. What Dass lacked in polish, he compensated with determination. While Mohamed, who is in fasting in this month of Ramadan, probably wished that he was resting rather than being put in a situation to play a long inning to save his team. But he is a seasoned and fearless cricketer with an abiding hunger to stay at the wicket and rose to the occasion with an inning of character and class.
This Cosmos pair has a wealth of experience in the middle and they showcased their talents that had earned then an opportunity at the national level for their country. They are batsmen of contrasting styles but share equally in concentration. Dass accompanied Mohamed for most of the inning. He kept his front foot fully extended in the early stages, but didn’t miss the opportunity to punish the short ball through the mid-wicket region with absolute dismissiveness. Mohamed on the other hand, once a student at the renowned Al Gover coaching school looked as solid as the rock of Gibraltar and batted as though he had some Divine inspiration under the heat.
The partnership progressed slowly as Cosmos moved to 68 for 3 at the break and swelled to 125 for 3 in the 25th over with both batsman crossing the half century mark. They then changed gears and at the introduction of the powerplay they moved into overdrive with both batsmen having a century in sight. The next 10 overs proved disastrous for the opposition as this Cosmos pair put some teeth into the inning with 101 runs coming in the last ten overs. Mohamed and Dass was in full-cry and staged a partnership that was full of character and purpose, one that would rip some pages out of the present day coaching that old school technique still holds it place.
David Mohamed scored 88.
Mohamed though was a little low on fluid but not on grace. When he unleashed a blistering straight drive that ricocheted off the bowler and into the stumps at the non-striker’s end, it found Dass outside his crease and he was unfortunately run out. Dass pierced the boundary 14 times for an excellent 87 runs off 70 balls when the partnership ended with the score on 218 in the 32nd over. The 201 runs partnership was the 8th double century partnership Cosmos and the highest 4th wicket. Mohamed forged ahead and reached deep into his reserves to produce an inning of certainty and character. He was polished, compact and crisp through cover point region as he delivered a telling blow to the Lion’s attack with 12 fours and 2 sixes in his 88 balls 110 runs not out before Cosmos inning closed on a commanding 235 for 4 off the allotted 35 overs.
Lions in reply did not give up the fight and raced to 50 off just 5 overs with C. Wiseman (53) taking his chances before Cosmos spin attack halted the Lion’s charge and ultimately put the lid on the match. Ralston Levy and Ricky Kissoon bowled in tandem and left Lions dry with in their spell 2 for 20, and 1 for 23 respectively. Andy Mohamed though was the pick of the bowlers with 2 for 15 in his spell, while Lenroy Whyte bagged 2 for 23. Everton Mattis (33), the former West Indies player, stuck around for a while before he handed Lenroy Whyte a catch at deep mid off to even the gamesmanship between the two as Lions could only muster 135 for 8 in their 35 overs to give Cosmos a convincing 100 runs victory.