EACA 40-Overs Tournament
A scorching century from opening batsman Francis Mendonca was the main attraction in a 283 runs victory by the GMA Enterprise sponsored Liberty Sports Club over All Star Cricket Club. All of the top five batsmen in the LSC line up got past the half century mark after #TheBlueNation chose to batted first. The result was a LSC team record score of 385 for 5 off 40 overs before the boys in blue bundled out ASCC for 102 in their chase.
Francis Mendonca after scoring his maiden Liberty Sports Club century.
All Stars CC started off the day on the back foot having shown up late resulting in them forfeiting the toss and losing 3 of their batting overs. Bad quickly became worse when Mendonca and Dilly Khilawan strode to the crease. The pair scored briskly complements of Mendonca who got to his half century by the 8th over. It would take him 9 more overs to get to his maiden Liberty Spots Club century in just his 4th EACA match for the club.
Spanking 9 fours and 1 six Mendonca dominated a 161 runs opening partnership, also a new club record. Khilawan played responsibly and allowed his partner to take control of the ASCC attack. Mendonca stroked 17 fours and 1 six in his knock which spanned 18 overs. Khilawan would bring up his half century shortly after Mendonca departed for 103. Dilly struck 5 fours and 1 six during his stay at his crease but was out leg before wicket for 50, shortly after bringing up his 2nd half century in 2014.
Trinson Carmichael and captain, Danesh Deonarain, continued the assault on the All Stars attack. Carmichael, the aggressor in the 3rd wicket partnership, stroked 9 charismatic fours and 1 six before he also departed shortly after he passed his half century mark with 56. Deonarain struck 3 fours and 2 sixes to notch 57 to his name during his stay at the crease which ended in the final over.
If the previous four batsmen provided fireworks Terrence Madramootoo ensured that the spectacle ended with a BIG BANG. The hard hitting right-hander exploded two fours and sky-rocketed 6 hefty maximums to race to 55 in no time as the innings closed. Imtiaz Hassan and Andy Harricharran each struck a boundary to close off the inning and finishing 6 & 5 not out respectively.
An exhausted All Stars CC unit, needing to score in excess of 10 runs an over to get close to the target within their 37 overs, commenced their chase with an unnecessary run out of their captain Ganesh Morgan. The tragic start signaled a constant procession of wickets falling before ASCC was eventually bowled out for 102.
Veteran Tooneshwar Kristona, picked up 4 for 7 off 3.5 overs
Veteran seam bowler Tooneshwar Kristona rolled back the years and produced a mesmerizing spell of swing bowling to wrap up the victory for LSC. Kristona bowled 3.5 overs and picked up 4 wickets for 7 runs to seal a club record 283 runs victory. Earlier in the defense of the mammoth total Madramootoo picked up 2 for 37 off 8 overs, Leon Mohabir accounted for 2 scalps for 22 runs in his 5 overs while Imtiaz Hassan picked up 1 for 19 off 4 overs.
For All Stars Kamal Ahmed 31*, Rahi Faruque 20 & Vaughn Dookran 15 were the only batsmen to make it to double figures.
#TheBlueNation will take on Arsenal CC at Heckshire State Park in their last match of the EACA Power40 Zone stage of the competition.
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)