New York Softball Cricket
Prataab Seecharan
These two teams look forward to playing each other as most of the members of Phantom are former players of Sunrise cricket clubs. And as always they the teams looked forward to the competition and the game last Sunday at Roy Wilkins Park in Queen was no difference. Phantom winning the toss put Sunrise to bat hoping to change the outcome of since the last time they met.
Harris Khemlall during his knock 43. Photos by Loretta Cheong
Deryck Basdeo and his captain Roopnarine Dayal looked to set the pace and foundation as game as they Dayal hit a triple to get on the board and Deryck a cover boundary to get things going. However in the second over Harold Deokinanan had Deryck caught and bowl and in the next over Leonardo Vasquez had Dayal caught at cover point. Right after Amit Doma picked up Khemraj Somaru putting Sunrise in fix with 3 for 18 in the 5 over. It was left for Harris Khemlall and Ramjit Singh to navigate their team to safer ground. With Phantom bowlers make rough waves for Sunrise batmen Harris and Ramjit stuck to basic cricket playing small shots and always looking to put the ball out of the boundary. This pair managed to calm down the Phantom bowlers and put together a skillful partnership as they skillfully took the score to 57 for 3 in the overs.
Harris and Ramjit both smart cricketers knew that they need to preserve their wickets and take the game closer to the 15 overs and give their teammates a chance to close their team batting offensive to take run rate above 7 runs. Harris who was explosive at key moments hit massive boundaries as Ramjit looked settled hitting the ball solid and timely boundary. Most importantly this pair picket up the small runs timely and grew their partnership and in addition keeping close to 7 runs run rate. With the Phantom bowlers not finding the stumps of both of these batsmen who had their best game on they turned to the spin bowling of Shane Manbodh as Ramjit took him deep to long on as Vasquez took a nice catch at the boundary. Finally Phantom was able to breakup the partnership of 80 runs. Ramjit had a profound at bat making a solid 29 runs knock taking the score to 98 for 5 in the 16 overs.
With 5 wickets in hand Sunrise batsmen looked to increase their run rate as Harris was removed by Vasquez. Harris batting was the life line of this game as he blasted 43 and saved the batting for his team. With two new fresh batsmen Phantom bowlers had to deal with Selwyn Cheong and Rohit Kowlesser as Cheong blasted a fast 14 runs and departed with score 115 for 6 in the 17 overs. Rohit along with rest of Sunrise batsmen going after the ball found them self caught at long on and off, but Rohit managed to close the game contributing and unbeaten 17 with big boundaries to close the game as Sunrise ended at 146 all out in the 20 overs.
Ramjit Singh contributed 29 in his partnership of 80 with Harris Khemlall.
Shane picked quick wickets and lead his team bowling figures 3 for 14 as Harold Deokinanan went for 3 for 20. Vasquez bowled for 2 for 20 while Amit Doma and Javed Ali took 1 wicket each.
To meet their target and set the batting foundation Phantom opened with Ryan Ramjas and Rudy Narine as Khemraj Somaru bowled a maiden to start the game. Rohit Kowlesser was given the second overs e as Sunrise captain stayed away from conventional wisdom and bowled 5 of his bowlers straight making it difficult for Phantom batsmen to settle down. Runs was not scoring as the Phantom batsmen would like however, some of Sunrise bowlers made it easier for them as they were bowling excessive wide. Sunrise will have a break through as they Ryan Ramjas was run out for 13 with the score at 38 in the 8th overs. In the next over Khemraj had Rudy caught as Sase Narine and Terry Sital was left to continue to get to their target. With Sunrise bowlers on target Phantom was 51 for 2 at 10 overs.
With 8 wicket on hand and 96 runs needed to in 10 overs Phantom batsmen knew they had keep their wickets at the end ad accelerate their run rate. With Sase at the crease anything is possible and with Terry they took the scored 72 for 3 as Stanley Lloyd had Terry was caught at long on in the 13 overs. Phantom would last quick wickets as L. Vasquez as caught at mid with and Shane brilliantly at back stop by Alex Hussain. As the score read 81 for 6 in the 14 overs and Sase still at the crease Phantom was not getting the big overs they were looking for and continued to deal with an 8 plus run rate. Harold Deokinanan a dangerous batsman joined Sase who was giving his team all to get this win. Harold and Sase looked solid as they batted together hitting the boundaries a running between making it hard for Sunrise bowlers. This duo built the biggest partnership for their side but the effective bowling rotation by Sunrise captain made it impossible for Sase and Harold to reduce the runs rate. Harold picked up some key boundaries and with Sase they took the score to 28 in the last 2 overs. Rohit will only give up 8 runs in the 19 overs leaving 20 runs in last overs. Sase Narine would retired hurt for 27 and did all he can. While Khemraj bowled the last over and Harold made it interesting hitting a 6 to cover in the 3rd delivery, but Somaru clamp down as he bowled 3 dot balls to close this game. Phantom made 136 for 6 and fell short by 11 runs. They batted well by could not get the few boundaries they needed, but was rewarded to may extras given up by Sunrise bowlers. Sunrise played the game at all aspects and their smart strategies help to hold down Phantom bats and secured this win.
Sunrise bowlers bowled a smart game to limit the big boundaries as Rohit lead the bowling with 2 for 21 with Khemraj and Stanley picking up 1 wicket each.