Liberty Sports Club.
Eastern American Cricket Association T20 Blitz
Vijendra Singh, Francis Mendonca, Leon Mohabir, Terrence Madramootoo, Altaaf Habibulla and Trinson Carmichael made crucial contributions to ensure their Liberty Sports Club sweep their zone four in the EACA T20 Blitz. The GMA Enterprise Sponsored team knocked off New York Centurion and Meten-Meer-Zorg Cricket Clubs on September 21st then completed the sweep against Victory Cricket Club on September 28th.
Francis Mendonca led the batting with 57 against NY Centurion.
Liberty SC vs NY Centurion – 9/21/2014
Mendonca and Madramootoo displayed their power hitting abilities after Liberty Sports Club (LSC) batted first in the first match of their double header. Mendonca struck 5 fours and 4 sixes which included three consecutive maximums to race to 57 when he opened the batting. After the loss of a few quick wickets Madramootoo came in and added some much needed impetus to close off the inning. He hit 3 fours and 5 sixes in his knock. LSC finished off their inning with 138 all out in the 19th over.
Needing a good fielding performance to defend what appeared to be a par score on the Seaview and 108 wicket LSC’s bowlers did exactly that. NY Centurion’s batting was good enough to chase down a similar total against MMZ the previous week but on the day they could not repeat it against LSC.
Habibulla struck early and made way for Trinson Carmichael, Terrence Madramootoo & Leon Mohabir. Carmichael led the bowling with 3 for 5 off 3.5 overs while Mohabir finished with 3 for 20. Madramootoo picked up 1 for 11 and Tooneshwar Kristona 2 for 7 as #TheBlueNation bowled out NYC for 66.
Batting for NYC Trevor Sing top scored with 26 before his team succumbed to the 72 runs defeat.
Liberty SC vs MMZ – 9/21/2014
In the second match of the doubleheader #TheBlueNation once again took first strike this time against MMZ CC. The MMZ team was determined to turn their fortunes around after they were beaten by NY Centurion the previous week and was on the verge of being eliminated from the competition.
Jay Singh led the batting with 47 against MMZ.
MMZ enjoyed some early success when Andy Mohammed removed Mendonca, Trinson Carmichael and skipper Danesh Deonarain early. All three via the leg before wicket route off of some ‘liberal’ umpiring calls. Habibulla and Dilly Khilawan help patch things up a bit but LSC was still in a hole after both departed along Madramootoo shortly after.
Vijedra Singh led a rear guard recovery by the bottom order, however. Partnered by the veteran Tooneshwar Kristona the pair turned consolidation into a full out Blitz when they put on 66 in 7 overs. The retaliation was led by Singh who blasted 47 which included 3 fours and a hat-trick of sixes among his 5 maximums. Kristona finished with 21 while Leon Mohabir chipped in with 11 to help LSC to 144 in their 20 overs.
Bowling for MMZ Islam picked up 3 for 30 to support Mohammed’s 3 for 33.
In almost a replay of the NY Centurion game, Habibulla picked up the first MMZ wicket to get the ball rolling in LSC’s defense. Number three batsman Andy Mohammed stuck around and survived 3 chances to ride his luck to a well-played 66. Hitting six fours and three sixes the former USA National player maintained hope for the MMZ boys. He found little help from his batting mates, however. When Leon Mohabir bowled Mohammed in his 2nd over into the attack the game was sealed. The remaining MMZ bats carried the total to 109 before the last wicket fell.
Mohabir was again the pick of the LSC bowlers with 2 for 8 and capping a brilliant bowling day with figures of 5 for 28 off 7 overs. The other LSC bowlers to find success were Javed Shakoor 2 for 21 and Habibulla 2 for 18.
Leon Mohabir picked up 5 for 28 off 7 overs during Sept 21st's double header.
Victory CC vs Liberty SC – 9/28/2014
With a chance to sweep zone four, #TheBlueNation boys were ready to go after an early Sunday morning drive to Brentwood. Again given the opportunity to bat first LSC took full advantage. Habibulla & Deonarain (21) put on 27 for the 3rd wicket before Madramootoo came in and smashed 49 after the departure of his captain. Habibulla anchored the inning batting from the 18 of the 20 overs and finishing unbeaten on 63. Vijendra Sing smashed an unbeaten 26 off 9 balls to close off the inning at 182 for 4.
Bowling for VCC Darshan Raval picked up 2 for 34.
Vijendra Sing returning to new ball duties struck in his 2nd over to remove Jasdeep Singh for 5. Madramootoo who replaced Kristona, bowled 3 overs with the new ball, knocking over VCC’s number 3. Sing would go on to pick up 2 more wickets to finish with figures of 3 for 19 off his 4 overs. Madramootoo picked up 3 more scalps to finish with 4 for 8. Jason Rooney 4 overs 1 for 19, Leon Mohabir & Carmichael with a wicket each polished off the VCC tail to wrap up the inning for 92.
Harleem Singh batting at the top of the inning struck 3 fours and 1 six to top score with 29 for VCC.
Altaaf Habibulla top scored with an unbeaten 67 against Victory CC.
The three wins ensure LSC a spot in the T20 Blitz playoff and they now await the final ranking to decide who their quarter final opponent will be this coming Sunday.
The 2014 Liberty Sports Club is sponsored by GMA Enterprise, located on 122nd St & Liberty Ave. The please visit their website www.gmaenterprise.com to support our sponsor. Follow the progress of Liberty Sports Club and join #TheBlueNation via facebook (facebook.com/LibertyCricketClubb), Twitter (@LibertySportsC) & Instagram (@LibertySportsC)