New York Softball Cricket
By Morris Seecharan
Winning the toss and batting first, Golden Stars B opening pair K. Karran, and P. Balkaran benefited from Sunrise opening bowlers Kris Narine and Rohan Kowlesser who could not find their line giving up abundance of extras.
Deryck Basdeo had 4 for 11. Photos Loretta Cheong
Karran and Balkaran stuck around although earned runs were not easy to come by. In the 5th over Kris had Balkaran caught at short backward square as Dallai took at great catch with the score at 22. R. Sookram joined Karran as they were stubborn batsmen sticking out against Sunrise bowers who were not giving up earned runs but strangely not finding their bowling and giving up unusual extras. Ravi Etwaroo in his first struck having Karran caught behind by keeper Wahab.
After this stand Golden Star B lost wicket at quick intervals as Deryck Basdeo continue to dominate batsmen in this 30 overs competition picking wickets in his 2nd and 3rd overs. While Rohit and young Alex Hussain giving another bowling opportunity picked up an important wicket in his 1st over. At the 15th Golden Star B managed to score 76 for 6 as the total score was flattened by Sunrise bowlers extra wide.
In the second half D. Singh stood his ground trying to moving the ball around picking up single and double as he partnered with C. Karran taking the score to the 93 for 7 as Deryck cleaned bowled Singh with a deadly off break. After Singh’s wickets Golden Stars B batsmen crumbled as Rohit removed two quick wickets C. Karran and P. Pooran. Ravi and Deryck waste no time as they cleaned up the 9th and 10th out by clean bowling N Karran and Mikey restricted Golden Stars B to 107.
Wahab Hussain struck a quick 26.
Deryck Basdeo continued to lead his team bowling setting a high standard with bowling figures of 4 for 11. As Rohit Kowlesser had a great bowling comeback with the figures of 2 for 10 and Ravi Etwaroo coming back after a break had 2 for 25. While Alex Hussain and Kris Narine picked up 1 wicket each.
With a small target to reach Sunrise opening pair Rohit Kowlesser, and Roopnarine Dayal, Sunrise captain start off with confidence but Golden Stars B bowlers D. Singh and Rev Sookram looked sharp and persistence to defend their total. In the 3rd over Singh had Rohit caught behind with the score at 13. Wahab who have been leading his team batting joined Dayal as he tried to steer his team batting.
In the 5th over R. Sookram had Dayal caught with the score at 23. Wahab who was explosive with his batting was joined by Selwyn Cheong. Moving the score along to reach their desired total Wahab striking the ball around commandingly struck a hard hit shot to mid on as Singh took a brilliant catch. With the score at 58 Wahab who struck a quick 26 left his team with position as Deryck and Cheong took the score to 72 for 3 in the 15th overs.
In the second half Deryck and Cheong did no last too long as Sunrise lost quick wickets as Golden Stars B bowlers and the rest of their team got hungry trying to take out Sunrise batsmen. However the experienced Ravi Etwaroo wants nothing to do with aggression of his opposition. Picking gaps and rotating the strike Ravi took young Alex Hussain on a mission to get the required 29 runs needed. Ravi coached Alex to keep his cool and focus with the task on hand. With both batsmen staging off accurate and penetrating bowling they manage to take their team closer to the win. Alex got explosive hitting a six and with Ravi whose batting has come alive they reached the required runs needed. Ravi batting was very responsible as he brought the win for his team beating their opponent score making 109 runs. It was important win for Sunrise as they improved their record trying to stay on top in their division.
Golden Star B bowling was commanding and makes it hard for Sunrise batsmen to reach their target. D. Singh led his team bowler with 2 for 19 as R, Sookram took 2 for While Rev Sookram, P Balkaran, and N. Karran took 1 wicket each.