Sunrise and Airwaves posed for a photo.
Friendship Cup
By Morris Seecharan
The game of Cricket creates excitement and a fun sport that we embellish. However, one important quality of cricket is that it brings together people who love the game and creates a sociable event for people not only to compete but to enjoy a good company. Most importantly it unites players and clubs creating lasting friendship. Last Sunday at Kissena Park, Airwaves launched a friendship cup hosting Sunrise cricket club in a match that was arranged by Kris Khemraj, captain of Airwaves and Antonio Dallai, Sunrise manager. It was bright and sunny day as two teams of pleasant members get together for afternoon of gentleman’s cricket in a twenty/twenty match.
Sunrise captain Khemraj received the winning trophy from Mark.
After, a the formal introduction and greeting from each teams, Sunrise winning the toss elect to bat as Sunrise captain, Khemraj Somaru used the moment to give his young players an opportunity sending in Nicholas Harripersaud, and Safraz Mohamed to open. Nicholas looked to get settled but Safraz did not fear well and popped up off A. Gobind with the score at 6 in the 2nd over. Rajesh Harripersaud joined his son Nicholas as they paired up to set the batting foundation for their team. Rajesh picket up early boundaries as Nick continue to move the ball around and hitting timely boundaries. After a forty runs partnership Rajesh scoring 20 runs was bowled by M. Prashad with the score at 46 for 2 in the 8th over. Alix Hussain step to the crease joining Nick whose bat was blazing.
After a quick scoring of 10 runs Alix was caught popped up ad was caught by the keeper. Nick batting with confidence continued and to attack Airwaves bowler as he was joined by Raj Balgobin. Nick thus far batted a master piece going after the bowling timely and keeping the score rate competitive. After a quick knock of 12 runs Raj was caught deep mid wicket with the score at 108 for 4 in the 14th over. Michael Jogiram joined Nick scoring 9 as Harold Deokinanan came to the crease. Airwaves bowlers were not quite able to get Nick out as Harold blasted back to back six trying to close out their team batting. Nick batting was mature and commanding and along with Harold they build an explosive 50 runs partnership to completed Sunrise batting taking the score to 172 for 5 in 20 overs. Harold scored an unbeaten 20 runs. Nick batting was prolific making an unbeaten 71 runs, which include five sixes and 3 fours. His batting left his team at a good position as the two teams took a break enjoying the variety delicious food prepared.
A victorious Sunrise team.
M. Prashad led his team bowling with 2 for 33, as A Gobind and T. Persaud took one wicket each.
Faced with a daunting task of replying with 8.6 runs an over M. Dookie and A. Gobind of Airwaves looked to get the best start for their team. Once more the young bowlers of Sunrise was given the opportunity by their captain to bowl as Safraz Mohamed struck in his 2nd delivery of game removing Dookie with the score at 1. A. Jagdeo joined Gobind as Alix Hussain in his 2nd delivery of his first over removed the dangerous Gobind caught and bowl. In the same over V Berrisford was cleaned bowled by Alix with the score at 13 in the 2nd over. Aix bowling was penetrating and on target. In his 2nd over Alix struck again and removed Jagdeo with the 4 for 34 in the 4th over. S Persaud and A Rahim looked to settle in trying to build a partnership. This pair seems like they will do the job as Rahim was moving the ball around looking for singles. However, Alix bowling was became a force for Airwaves batsmen to deal with as he had Persaud caught with the score at 56 for 5 in the 6th over.
Nicholas Harripersaud (left) and Alix Hussain poses with their awards.
With Airwaves struggling and losing quick wickets Michael Jogiram was given the opportunity to bowl and found success as he had M. Prashad caught. Alix bowling was improving after every over and in his final 4th over he bowled Kris Khemraj in his second delivery and the next delivery removed T Persaud setting up a hatric. Alix will bowl a tight 4th over giving up only 2 runs and ended with an immaculate bowling spell and six wickets haul. Alix bowling knocked the air out of Airwave leaving them at 8 for 68 in 8th over. R Rahim batting at number 10 joined his son A Rahim as they try to make a comeback. This pair showed some success scoring quickly and freely. However after a decent partnership Michael had A Rahim caught for well knock of 16 runs and the score at 92 for 9 the 11th overs. R Rahim still did not give up batting with the last pair and managed to find the boundary. However, Michael in the first delivery of his final over bowled B Prashad as Airwaves finished 105 all out in the 12th overs.
Alix Hussain bowled a gem of a spell leading his team bowling with 6 for 29. Michael Jogiram, who picked timely wickets, went for 3 for 25 while Safraz bowled for 1 for 10.
It was a well organized match and the key contribution came from Mr. Mark Persaud whose proactive interest in donating back to his community sponsored the winning cup for this matches along with the best batsmen, bowler and man of the match trophy. Mr. Persaud thoughtfullness of contributing to cricket must be commended and was congratulated. The selection for the best batsmen award was easy to pick as Nicholas Harripersaud won it commandingly with his unbeaten 71 runs giving the team the batting momentum and placed them in a solid position to win. So was the best bowler trophy, Alix Hussain won it easily with his spirited and penetrating bowling figures of 6 for 29 and helped seal the win for Sunrise. However, picking the MVP was not as easy as both the youngsters Nick and Alix was outstanding and deserve this trophy. At the end Nick 71 not out placed Sunrise in the position to win and fitting was crowned the Man of the Match.
The members of Sunrise Softball cricket team sincerely thank Kris Khemraj and the Airwaves cricket club for their hospitality and for being an outstanding host. Airwaves members prepare large quantity and variety of delicious foods and drinks. In addition, all the members of Sunrise members present must be proud for their food and drinks contributions as it was efforts by everyone to make this friendship match a success. This game in high spirit and mark the beginning of good relationship and both teams are committed to see this relationship blossom to fruitful moments to come.
