Lewis, Dass, Kippings, Ali, and Kawal Star as Cosmos Whip Super Kings
By Shivnan S. Ramjattan
As the remnants of Hurricane Debby passed through the Northeast with several days of torrential rain last week, cricketing enthusiasts were skeptical that any action would be possible. However, brilliant sunshine graced the Roy Sweeney Oval in Brooklyn, New York, last Saturday—perfect for another Masters battle.
This time, Cosmos faced the hosts, Super Kings, in a match where a win would keep them in contention for a semi-final slot. The game was reduced to 30 overs due to damp conditions, and Cosmos continued their winning streak at the toss, electing to bat without hesitation.
Neil Lewis and Kawal Persaud put together an aggressive 67-run partnership for the first wicket in just 7.4 overs, with Lewis displaying flamboyance through well-executed shots all around the wicket. His innings of 46 from 26 balls included five sixes and two fours. The fall of Lewis triggered a semi-collapse in the middle order, as Royo Sankar (0), Aggrey Salom (4), and Sunil Narine (5) departed early, leaving the score at 84 for 4 from 12.2 overs.
Mukesh Sookram joined the ever-reliable Kawal Persaud to rebuild the innings before Sookram was dismissed for 19. Mark Kippings then cracked a quick-fire 26 from 13 balls, hitting four massive sixes. Kawal Persaud contributed a patient 33 from 53 deliveries before falling. With the score at 156 for 7 from 23.4 overs, Skipper Sohan Dass powered his way to an entertaining unbeaten 34 from 25 balls, including four fours and one six, as the innings closed out at 202 from 30 overs.
In their pursuit of 202 from 27 overs—reduced by three due to their slow over rate—Super Kings found themselves in early trouble. The opening bowlers, Sohan Dass and Sham Ali, had them tottering at 5 for 4 wickets, from which they never recovered. W. Freeman Square cut Sohan’s first ball into the waiting hands of Lewis at point without scoring. Sham Ali then dismissed L. James (2), L. Skeen (0), and A. David (2), all caught while attempting ambitious shots. N. Blair was bowled by Kippings for one.
Robbie Robinson, coming in at number six, added some respectability to the score with an entertaining 41, including four sixes and one four, before Kippings shattered his stumps. With the score at 51 for 6 from 20.2 overs, Gilbert Bartholomae had E. McKnight caught for six. A. Royal (17) and E. Coutor (26) remained unbeaten as the overs expired, leaving Super Kings with a final score of 101 for 7 from 27 overs.
