Sunrise 2014 squad. Photos by Loreta Cheong
New York Softball Cricket
By Morris Seecharan
Sunrise Cricket Club, sponsored by Kaieteur Liberty Restaurant & Bar, and Hansa Engineers Services won a crucial match last Sunday against Horizon at Seaview Park in Brooklyn. Sunrise captain Khemraj Somaru won the toss and sent Horizon to bat on a wet pitch. With both teams tied and determined to keep their playoff spot it was an important match.
Safraz Mohamed had 3 for 17.
Horizon opened with R. Meyers and A. Singh, who was keen to set the pace for a running game. With the success of take quick single in first over Singh found he was in no man’s land as he was ran out in the second overs with the score at 7. O. Jackson joined Meyers as they stable up the batting.
However, with a mixed up running between the wickets Jackson was ran out for 13 with the score at 25 in the 4th over. In the next over Khemraj had C. Ram caught behind by the keeper Nicholas Harriprashad. Amit Singh showed some resistance hitting two boundaries but found himself cleaned bowled by Safraz Mohamed with the score at 47 for 5 in the 8 over. Horizon was 90 for 7 after 13 overs. However, after the break Harold Deokinanan and Safraz Mohamed wrapped up Horizon batsmen all out for 101 in 15.3 overs.
Sunrise bowling and fielding, especially Alex Hussain who had two run outs did not allowed the Horizon batsmen to settle. Safraz Mohamed, who was given the opportunity to bowl capitalize in the moment with bowling figures of 3 for 17, while Harold was 2 for 13 and Khemraj 1 for 20.
Feeling good about their defensive performances of restricting Horizon to a low score Sunrise batsmen were cautious in their batting. In addition to losing close games and slow batting starts, Sunrise captain re-shuffled his batting line up as Wahab Hussain was joined by Antonio Dallai to open the batting. Antonio, who was batting well looking for short singles scampering too far off the non striker end was ran out with the score 8. Wahab who has been the leading batsmen for his team did not fear well as he was caught off the bowling of Amit Singh and right after Roopnarine Dayal was caught behind, in somewhat of ill call by the umpires, leaving the score at 3 for 25.
Horizon picking up early wickets started to put the pressure on Sunrise as Rajesh Harripersaud and Selwyn Cheong looked to stable their team batting. Rajesh who was settled moving the ball around looking to build a partnership with Cheong, who was batting injured. After a short lived partnership Cheong was bowled and right after Rajesh was caught off the bowling for by J. Jackson with score at 45 for 5 in the 9th overs leaving their team in despair.
However, young Nicholas Harripersaud was given the opportunity to bat up in the order and ceased the moment looking sharp hitting through the gaps and scoring freely with his captain Khemraj. Nicholas took charge of his team batting offensive and was instrumental in bringing back the momentum of this game for Sunrise.
Batting with confidence along with Khemraj the anchor man Nick chipped away at Horizon total. While Horizon bowlers continue to bowl in line and attacking kept up the pressure on Nicholas and Khemraj. However, the stubborn Nick and Khemraj were relentless to their objective in building a much needed partnership. After the crucial partnership of 47 between Khemraj was bowled taking the score 92 for 6 in 20th over.
Nicholas Harripersaud produce a vital 30 to ensure Sunrise victory.
Nick would see his team to 3 runs short of victory parting with an important knock of 30 runs with 2 fours and 1 six. After Nick solid batting and uplifting his teammates, Michael Jogiram blasted a cover drive 6 to secure this important win for Sunrise. It was an uplifting moment for Sunrise members as they were elated to stay within the group for a playoff spot.
The Horizon bowlers bowled fiercely as the team fight to end. J. Jackson lead Horizon bowlers with figures of 3 for 19 as Amit Singh went for 3 for 4 and L. Person 1 for 15.