Eastern American Cricket Association Power-40 Division 1 | Scorecard
By Royo P. Sankar
As the second round of the Eastern American Cricket Association power-40 Division 1 gets cracking last Sunday. Richmond Hill Cricket Club (RHCC) continues to dominate with another sterling performance—this time it was a 9-wicket drubbing on 7th place Hillside Cricket Club (HCC). Former Guyana under-19 all-rounder, Shameer Sadloo sent them crashing to 137 all out in 34.2 over, with his first 5-wicket haul of the season.
Sadloo brothers Shameer (left) and Zaheer help Richmond Hill defeat Hillside Cricket Club.
Debo Sankar and Zaheer Sadloo them put together a valuable opening stand of 131 in 16 overs, taking RHHC close to victory, before—crowd favorite and batting maestro Sudesh Dhaniram finish it off in grand style, an effortless six over long-on unto Foch Blvd., then disappearing into the thick bushes that had a very patient fans wanting to see him bat cheering wildly.
From all indication, winning the toss was crucial, since the double –ton from Sudesh Dhaniram was still hovering in the air. West Indies under-19 all-rounder and Hillside Cricket Club captain Zamal Khan called correctly and without hesitation opted to bat first. Veteran West Demerara first division Wicket-keeper batsman Harry Heeralal and the ever-reliable Saeed Ali led from the front, while former Guyana national pacer Roderick Lovell and Sudesh Dhaniram took control of the new ball. Lovell bowled a lively spell playing in his first outing for the season. However, both Heeralal and Ali defended stoutly—mixed defense with the occasional aggression. Ali hammered Dhaniram 2 times to the mid-wicket boundary in the 6th over then followed up that with a couple more in the 10th over, but Dhaniram got his man in the same over—bowled for 28 trying to force an off-drive with the scorecard on 47.
Alvin Kalimootoo joined Heeralall, but did not last long— bowled by Dhaniram playing down the wrong line. Meanwhile from the other end—Heeralall then clubbed Ramphal Bactowar twice to the long-on fence for 6. Nedesh Basdeo (6) came at #4, but was soon caught off Bactowar. Bowling from the basketball court end Kumar Nandalall was very economical holding a steady line. Zamal Khan joined Heeralall and the pair took the score to 105. However, Shameer Sadloo replaced Bactowar and in his first over Zamal(20) thumped him into the deep mid-wicket fence for six , he tried the same shot the next delivery which was bowled from behind the popping crease —missed , took a top edge and wicketkeeper P. Mahadeo did the rest. He was reluctant to walk indicating that he had missed, but the umpire raised the dreaded finger. Shameer then dismiss Heralall for a well played 49.From there on it was downhill for Hillside, as Shameer, extracting some bounce clean-up the tail—their last 4-wickets, B. Persaud (6),J Mangal (1), A.Haslidar (5) and G.Lalsa (0)fell for just 13 runs—all out for 137 in 34.2 overs.HCC wickets fell at: 1-47, 2-49, 3-55, 4- 105, 5-124, 6- 125, 7-125, 8-137 and 9- 137.
Debo Sankar hit and unbeaten 64 from 50 balls. Photo by Royo Sankar.
Chasing down 137 at just-under 4 runs per over RHCC—Debo Sankar and Zaheer Sadloo crafted an opening stand of 131 in 16 overs, their first century partnership of the season and going at a rate at 8.14. Both Debo and Zaheer survived close calls, but as the innings progressed they grew into confidence. Zaheer, unleashed some crisps drives through the off-side that went for boundaries and bought –up his second half-century for the season with a spanking off-drive that topped the fence for six.
He then lost his head and went for wild swing—only to lob a simple catch. However, Debo who was looking ominous then smashed Zamal Khan for consecutive boundaries through mid-wicket, then bought-up his first half-century of the season, when he smoked a juicy full-toss to deep backward square—Kalimootoo who was fielding there, could only watch as the ball zipped pass him a few yards away and crashed into the fence. Dhaniram (9 no) then struck the winnings runs; an effortless six that went over Foch Boulevard and disappeared into the thick bushes. Debo remained unbeaten with 64. RHCC wicket fell at: 1- 131 (Z. Sadloo).