By Dyon Ravello
Diplomats hosted Warriors at Marine Park C on Sunday 23rd May 2010. Diplomats won the toss and elected to take first strike. After the fourth over the game had already gain its momentum with the score on 46 Francis Mendonca was brilliantly caught single-handedly on the boundary by M. Asad off Imran, however M. Asad could not recover to stay off the boundary ropes. Infuriated by the umpires decision to award a six Imran retaliated with decent which led to his expulsion from the game.
After the raucous had clear Diplomats kept the run rate around 10 an over for the first 10 overs. This healthy rate was counteracted by the fall of wickets at regular intervals. In the 13th over the score was 115 for 4 with Romeno Deane failing to capitalize on his form from a week earlier, he made 19. Selwyn Ramphal continued his fine form with and again he had the cut shots being the main weapon in his artillery. Ramphal got to 40 but was undone by a harsh umpiring decision, he wwas given leg before with the ball hitting him outside the line.
D. Ravello had the responsibility to anchor the innings with 25 over still to be bowled. Tegana MacKenzie Andre Kirton and Joel Clarke all played cameos. MacKenzie stumped for 17 of Waqas, Kirton held out to Janzib for 10 and Clarke caught one handed by M. Asad for 17 off A. Khan. Ravello was left stranded on 36 after a 20 over battle, Diplomats all out for 204 after 29 overs. Bowling for Warrior M. Asad, A. Khan, and Janzib had 2 wickets each, Jawad and Imran had one a piece.
In reply Warriors had a dodgy start when M. Asad was leg before to Mendonca first ball of the innings. But warriors took a liking for Joel Clarke who conceded 34 off 2 overs. Mendonca brought the game back into by bowling the dangerously looking Kabir for 21, Warrior 30 for 2 after 5 overs. Mc Kenzie replaced Clarke and he got his man Waqas caught Kirton for 5, 46 for 3 after 6 overs.
Like the brisk run rate Warriors benefited from four chances in the outfield to aid their cause. Kirton removed Sohail leg before for 25, 92 for 4. Thereafter it was oneway traffic for Warriors as Saqib and A Khan consolidated to take the game away for Diplomats. Kirton returned to remove Saqib caught in slip by Ramphal for 40, 180 for 5, to little too late. Khan took his team home hitting a six over long off, he ended on 45 not out. Bowling for Diplomats, Kirton 8-0-35-2, Mendonca 8-0-38-2, Mackenzie 2-0-12-1, Ravello 8-1-36-0, Gavin Smith 5-0-27-0, Clarke 2-0-34-0, and Deane 2-0-10-2. A Khan’s all round performance deserved of man of the match.
Diplomats will have a couple of weeks to recover with two tour matches this weekend at 88th street Canarsie Brooklyn, they host Boston Cricket Club. Then June 13th Brooklyn League play resumes when Diplomats meet Wanderers at Marine Park A.