Eastern American Cricket Association | Scorecard
On Sunday 21 July 2013, NY Centurions faced All Stars C.C. in the Big 8 competition of the Eastern American Cricket Association at the popular Flushing Meadows Park in Queens. NY Centurions were bundled out for 68 against MMZ in their only other match at this venue, albeit batting first on a damp and uncertain pitch.
Orette Myrie struck a brilliant 58.
Skipper V. Persaud won the toss, and with the pitch looking hard and dry, elected to bat first. NY Centurions were looking somewhat lethargic; maybe from the effects of a seven curry meal the previous evening at the skipper’s religious function, and others maybe from oversleeping, due to the unaccustomed luxury of just a 15 minute drive to the venue.
After 18 overs, NY Centurions found themselves wobbling at 122 for 5 with the entire top order dismissed and only the consistent Trevor Singh contributing a useful 44 with 8 fours. Rambarran had picked up 3 wickets already and All Stars were quietly confident of pulling off an upset.
Captain Vijay walked to the crease after Singh went and joined the level headed Orette Myrie. NY Centurions needed a big partnership, but just when Vijay looked to be settling in for the long haul, he was induced into a pull of Rambarran and was caught at backward square leg on the boundary. Chris Raghunath was the next batsman but could do nothing about a delivery that kept low to disturb his stumps. The score was now 140 for 7.
Mahendra Khusial (Tall Boy), walked to the crease. Mahendra was finding runs hard to come by this season, but his team always showed confidence in him. He chose the right day to repay the trust in him as he added a vital 48 runs with Orette, contributing 34 with 5 fours and a six. He was next out, caught off Shakeem. Marlon Mangroo came and went, unluckily run out without facing a ball. Centurions were now 188 for 9.
Achilles Gomes was left not out on 20.
Last man Achilles (Chillies) Gomes joined Orette , with lots of overs left to bat. Urged on by cries of “bat out the overs guys” and “ you can do it”, Chillies proceeded to show the top order batsmen the kind of patience and temperament they lacked earlier. Mixing caution with controlled aggression, Chillies combined with Orette for a last wicket partnership of 68 runs, contributing 20 runs of his own. At the other end, Orette who was batting since the fall of the 5th wicket, continued to show remarkable concentration and shot selection. He brought up a deserved half century but was adjudged LBW soon after for a well played 58 with 6 fours and a 6. NY Centurions were all out for 256 with Chillies left not out.
All Stars, perhaps demoralized by the character shown by the NY Centurions rearguard, got of to a quick start courtesy some extras due the unpredictable bounce of the pitch, and a couple of boundaries struck by Matin. By the third over, however, Troy Dudnath adjusted his GPS and picked up Matin top edging a quick bouncer to fine leg where Mangroo held a good catch. This wicket encouraged Dudnath to crank up the pace, which the batsmen found too hot to handle. Bowling his 8 overs on the trot he ended with 4 for 30 and together with skipper Vijay, who picked up 2 for 28, opening from the other end, effectively broke the back of the All Stars batting. Even though Maruf and Patel tried to stage a comeback at NY Centurions earlier, it was not to be, with Kevin, Shazam and Mangroo sharing 3 of the last 4 wickets. The other went by the run out route.
NY Centurions have already qualified for the semifinals with this victory but are looking to continue to ride the winning wave all the way to the finals.