By Sham Ali
(Celebrating 46th Anniversary): – A scintillating century from the fifteen-year-old left-handed Govind Persaud propelled Cosmos to a massive total against Yuslim at Beach-58 last Sunday in the New York National Cricket League 25 overs competition.
Kings Captain Azam Yakub won the toss and elected to bat on a good wicket could not have asked for a better start to the inning when Devin Persaud and Deoraj Sewanan got off to a breezy opening partnership of 49 runs before Devin went for a 14-ball 29 runs (3-6; 2-4). Sewanan (27), the former Surinam national player, then showed some glimpse into his heyday before he went for 27 runs with the score of 79. Persaud then joined Alvin Gobin in the 11th over.
It was the Persaud show thereafter. He looked quite composed and controlled the arc between extra-cover and mid-wicket with an impressive display of maturity for such a young player. Persaud cut and pull instinctively as he peppered any width on offer, coupled with a few rasping drives through extra-cover. He minced that together with a ‘truckload’ of dismissive maximums over the mid-wicket boundary, fourteen to be exact, which left the opposition bewildered and clueless. Persaud was in full command as the momentum of the Cosmos inning kept shifting as he blazed his way to a 57-ball 124 runs not out that included 14 sixes and 4 fours.
In the process, he stitched together two good partnerships; a 3rd wicket of 94 runs with Alvin Gobin (19) who was cruising in first gear before he was run out, and 89 runs with Daniel Chunilall 13-ball 26 (2-4’s, 2-6’s). when the Cosmos inning closed on an imposing 262 for 4 in their allotted 25 overs.
In reply, the opposition never posed any threat to the Cosmos total despite an excellent 55-ball century of 101 runs from Sadikur Sabid. However, Kings dictated this match from beginning to the end. Captain Azam, on the other hand, showed excellent leadership, and is taking his responsibilities seriously. He kept rotating his bowlers with good success picking up wickets at regular intervals as Cosmos Kings sealed a convincing 69 runs victory. A Gobin took 2 for 40, and D. Balgobin 3 for 11.
Cosmos boys are having a good run and are enjoying themselves now that they are given the opportunity to play. They can only get better and if their performances in the last three matches are any indicator of the talent that that is on display, then only good things are ahead.
Cosmos Kings will play Pehowa Warriors at Idlewild Park next Sunday. Go Kings!
