Metropolitan Cricket League
By Dervon Wallace
Cosmos Cricket Club snap Metropolitan Cricket League competitions’ longest winning streak with a gritty 5 wicket win over previously unbeaten defending champions Villagers Pacesetters at the Gateway Cricket Field in Brooklyn on Sunday July 13th in the Clement “Busta” Lawrence Premier League.
Richie Sieuchan helped Cosmos reach their target with a crisp 43. Photo by Shiek Mohamed
In windy, overcast condition conducive for bowling, Cosmos captain Ricky Kissoon didn’t need the help of a brain surgeon to make his decision when he won the coin flip as without hesitation he inserted his opponent. Walked out to do battle for the champions were Richard Staple and Melroy Kingston. The veteran pair went about their business cautiously in trying to negotiate whatever opening bowlers Sohan Dass and Kissoon had to offer.
With Dass getting the balls to leave both right-handers and Kissoon getting appreciative turn and bounce, it was clear that Villagers batters patient and application would be tested. The Pacesetters who were riding a record 29 game winning streak haven’t being beaten since 2012 reached 41 in the tenth over when Staple 21 (30 balls 2×6) called for a quick single but was found short of his ground after some good work from Cyril Choi. Steve Massiah joined Kingston and 10 runs later Kingston 24 (33 balls 2×4) played a loose drive to a Dass out swinger that flew in the graceful arms of Richie Seuichand who took a sharp catch at first slip to make it 51 for 2 in the thirteenth over, two balls later it was 51 for 3 when Sashane Anderson drove loosely at another of Dass out swinger and only manage to spoon a simple catch to Sajib Salam at cover.
Massiah and Captain Cliff Roye shared in a 61 runs partnership from 72 balls with Massiah being his usually compose self, respecting the good balls and quick to dispatch anything in his arc while Roye in his customary fashion kept trying to tee off, and it was known surprise when he skied a Salam arm-ball that Ralston Levy waited an eternity to complete a well-judged running catch. Massiah was joined by his friend and USA teammate Rashard Marshall and any hope Villagers had of posting a big total would depend on these two but Left-arm orthodox Levy had ideas of his own as he got one that forced Marshall into a drive that he only succeed in presenting Seuichand with his second sharp catch at first-slip to make it 133 for 5 in the 30th over. Salam whose bowling action continues to raise questions got the price scalp when he had Massiah 53 (79 balls 2×4 3×6) caught by Mohammad at 135 for 6 and the inning closed at 155 in 36.5 overs. Bowling for Cosmos; Dass 2 for 46 from 8 overs, Kissoon 0 for 26 from 8 overs, Salam 2 for 29 from 8 overs, Levy 2 for 32 from 8 overs, Seuichand 2 for 10 from 2.5 overs and Faisal Taj 1 for 8 from 2 overs.
Needing to score at 3.9 runs an over for victory or get to the target from 26 overs to earn the batting point Cosmos got to 23 in the sixth over when Taj wretched form continued as he was adjudged LBW by former test umpire Eddie Nichols off the bowling of Ewart Gayle. Hemchand Hardeo and Keith Eddie shared in a 53 runs partnership before Hemchand 35 (52 balls 2×4 1×6) was caught by Massiah at long-on off the bowling of Kingston at 76 for 2 in the eighteenth over.
Seuichand joined Eddie and they showed class delighting the Cosmos dugout with some crispy stroke play frustrating the Villagers players, some of who looked to be just going through the motion and looked a far cry from the team that went 29 games undefeated. Seuichand 43 (63 balls 3×4 2×6), Eddie 41 (73 balls 2×4 1×6) and Choi 2 (3 balls) were the other batsman dismissed as Cosmos reach 156 for 5 from 38.4 overs with Mohammad 12 (16 balls 1×4) and McKenzie 6 (14 balls) the not out batsmen.
Marshall finished with 2 for 23 from 8 overs, Anderson 1 for 17 from 4.4 overs, Kingston 1 for 19 from 4 overs and Gayle 1 for 29 from 6 overs.
