New York Softball Cricket
The last time these two teams met was in the 25 overs semi final as NY All Stars shut down Sunrise offensive.
As B. Mohabir and K. Persaud found it hard to play Kris Narine who continued to bowl superbly as he saw Persaud dropped off his opening spell at mid on. In Khemraj Somaru 1st over he had Mohabir caught with the score at 3. With the penetrating bowling from Kris and Khemraj Kris in his 3nd over bowled Naieem Mohamed and in the same over had Oliver Sooman caught with the score 3 for 17 in the 5ht over. Persaud who was dropped used his 2nd chance effectively as he was joined by A. Arjune who was dropped early as well.
Wahab Hussain (left) and Khemraj Somaru.
These batsmen stabled their team offensive as Deryck Basdeo was introduce in the 11th over and removed Persaud stumps and in the same over had Arjune caught as NY All Stars found themselves at 65 for 5. Rohit Kowlesser struck as well as he removed R. Ali who was caught at mid on by Deryck. As young Alex Hussain was given the ball in 15 over and had R. Rameshwar caught by a brilliant low catch by Rohan at mid off sinking NY All Stars to 82 for 7 in the 15 over.
Shiv Dharmapaul batting at No 7 found himself lucky as he was dropped several time by Sunrise fielders was joined by Ivor Chan who survived by drop catch as well. As this pair was given the tasks to manufactured runs to give their bowlers a chance to compete they did just that. As the experience Ivor dig in and capitalized on Sunrise loose fielding and putting it away to boundaries with ease. Shiv batted a captain innings as he stuck it out with Ivor building a much needed and a solid partnership. Ivor was dangerous on the leg as Sunrise blowers bowling down the legs saw their balls whistling down the square leg boundary for fours and sixes. Ivor and Shiv came up big for their team as they did no waste the opportunities given to them. After a significant 85 runs partnership Deryck in his last over bowling with sense removed Ivor leg stumps after a brilliant 51 runs 9th wicket knock by Ivor with the score at 167 for 8 in the 27th over. As Rohit comeback and wrapped up the two remaining wicket with back to back balls setting up a hatric as NY All Stars was bowled out for 171. Shiv will be the lone man standing with an unbeaten 37 but with Ivor they put a good score on the boards setting up a battle for Sunrise batsmen.
Deryck Basdeo continued to lead his team bowling as he was magnificent taking 3 for 15, as Rohit staged a comeback picking up 3 for 28, while Kris Narine the veteran continue to bowl big for his team as he went 2 for 26, and Khemraj Somaru took 1 for 17.
Deryck Basdeo had 3 for 15.
NY All Stars bowler looked confident as they felt 171 was more than enough runs for Sunrise batsmen as they counted this game a victory for them. However Rohit Kowlesser along with his captain Roopnarine Dayal set their sights on their target as they go about scoring freely. M. Jagroop found his way to Dayal off stumps as Sunrise lost their wicket in the 4th over with the score at 20. Wahab Hussain, Sunrise vice captain batting at #3 joined Rohit as he steered his team innings with Rohit building a partnership. As this pair moved the ball around, picking up timely boundaries they stayed ahead of the require run rate. However things became very personal with some of NY All Stars bowlers who found it hard to finding Wahab, and Rohit stumps. It will get more heated up as Ivor Chan took the ball bowling his awkward bowling which looks like hard ball overhand bowling. Sunrise batmen complained to the umpires in vain as umpire Hamid seem uniformed of softball cricket bowling rules and ill prepared in the umpiring of the game. Rohit walk away with his back to the wicket offering no shot with frustration of Ivor illegal bowling which was way over his waist and more close to his shoulder.
Moment later with Rohit walking away from the crease with what should have been called a dead ball by the ruling umpire the keeper came to the stumps and hit it as the squared leg umpire Hamid called the batsmen out. This erupted in a big disagreement as the ruling umpire Mangra informs Hamid it should have been a dead ball. Hamid reversed his decision which was met with total objection by NY All Stars. Rohit stay on believing the decision was reversed but after talking to the ruling umpire Mangra Rohit was asked by his manger to take the out so the game may continue. With the score at 72 and in the 11th overs Sunrise lost their 2nd wicket which was controversial, but was in control to reach their target as Rohit made a crafted 23 runs. Sunrise loss the wickets of Selwyn Cheong quickly and at the 15 overs half was 94 for 3.
To start the 2nd half batting for Sunrise Deryck Basdeo was caught off the first ball for a very unproductive out as the score read 94 for 4. Harris Khemlall had a short live as he was bowled by Ivor with the soccer at 115 for 5 in 19 over. Wahab batting thus far was foremost responsible as he staged the fight for his team starting at 20 runs. As he led his teammates closer to their target Wahab took the necessary precaution to preserve his wicket.
Playing safe shots and running safely between wickets with 56 runs needed he was joined by Khemraj Somaru who blasted a double to get off the mark. As Wahab was placing the ball and picking up important boundaries Khemraj settle very quickly and hitting boundaries of his own. Little by little this pair nested a solid partnership foundation and took the game away from NY all Stars. Wahab was brilliant as he partnered with several of his teammate making a solid 43 runs not out. Most impressive was his 52 runs partnership to close the game with Khemraj who contributed a smooth unbeaten 23. Wahab batted a masterpiece as he single handed guided this game home an important victory for his team as they won NY All Stars score making 174 for 5 in 27.3 over.
Ivor Chan ends up with 2 for 16, as Jagroop, Dharmapaul, and Ali took 1 wicket each for NY All Stars.