Mendonca’s 89 The Only Bright Spot When Hillside Humble Liberty

EACA 40-overs Tournament
Francis Mendonca stroked a brilliant 89 but found little support from his Liberty Sports Club teammates in their EACA match against Hillside Sports Club.  The result was a humbling 7-wicket loss by #TheBlueNation in what was a critical Division 1 game. Danny Salomon and Jerald Mangal picked up 3 wickets each to restrict LSC to 183 for 8 batting first. Nadesh Basdeo’s handsome, unbeaten 73 and Imran Ali’s shot filled 52 ensure that HSC chased down the total with 7.2 overs to spare.

Francis Mendonca stroked a game high 89.

In what was a critical game for both teams who are looking to secure a spot in the EACA Big 4 Playoffs, LSC won the toss and elected to bat first on the hot summer Sunday. Dilly Khilawan would go first for naught. Mendonca and Trinson Carmichael (28) contributed 77 for the 2nd wicket before the later was out caught off a miss-timed hook shot.

Mendonca lost his captain Danesh Deonarain a few balls later with not change to the score. A stylish right-hander, Mendonca, looked well composed as he elegantly crafted his inning despite wickets falling around him. He struck nine fours and one six during his 28 over stay at the crease. Mendonca brought up his half-century with a classic drive through cover and looked intent on getting his second century of the 2014 season.

Giving the only chance of his knock, Mendonca was scooped up by skipper Zamal Khan eleven runs short of the century mark. Imtiaz Hassan (6), Altaaf Habibulla (7), Terrence Madramootoo (12) and Leon Mohabir (3) had short stays at the crease before Vijendra Singh (16 not out) and Tooneshwar Kristona (7 not out) put on 20 for the 9th wicket to close off the inning at 183 for 8.

Bowling for HSC Salomon picked up 3 for 26 with one maiden from his 8 overs and benefited from loose stroke play from Deonarain and Hassan. Mangal picked up 3 for 50 in his 8 overs picking up the important wickets of Carmichael, LSC’s leading run scorer & the hard-hitting Madramootoo. Nadesh Basdeo bowled economically for 32 off his 8 overs picking up 1 wicket while Desrick Brooks picked up 1 for 31 off his 7 overs. Shahzad Ahmed bowled 5 overs for 20 and Shameer Rahim 4 overs for 23 with no wicket.

Needing to put in a disciplined bowling effort to make the below part total competitive, LSC’s opening bowler found it difficult to restrict HSC’s aggression. After 10 overs, Hillside got to 63 for 1 with Imran Ali, who benefited from 3 chances, leading the charge.  The veteran batsman would go on to hit 4 fours and 1 six in route to bringing up his half century.  Earlier Ali lost his opening partner Harry Heeralall to a sharp piece of stumping by Mendonca off of Hassan’s bowling.

Vijendra Singh, introduced in the 24th over would bowl Ali for 52 off his first ball. This left Basdeo, who was playing smartly at the other end to partner his prolific skipper Zamal Khan. Khan would not last long at the crease. Carmichael had him trapped leg before wicket for 6 but with the score on 159 at the fall of the skipper’s wicket any chance of a late LSC comeback was slim.

Basdeo brought up his half century stroking 5 fours and 2 sixes. He went on to bat sensibly with Bougnarine Persaud (20) to bring home a comfortable victory for their team.

With two games left in the EACA Power40 Division 1 competition #TheBlueNation will need to recover from two consecutive losses to score wins against the formidable Richmond Hill CC and the undefeated Big Apple CC to secure a spot in the playoffs.

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)