Eastern American Cricket Association T20 Blitz
By Royo P. Sankar
Richmond Hill Cricket Club (RHCC) began their T20 campaign last Sunday with a commanding 89-run victory over Hillside Cricket Club (HCC). Former USA National Player Sudesh Dhaniram returned to the limelight with superb 154 that included 9x4s and 15x6s and shared in a 230-run opening partnership with Zaheer Sadloo 58 not out (8x4s and 2x6s). Dhaniram took his time and watched seven deliveries past him before the eight went flying off his willow like a rocket to the fence, from there on he completely dominate the run feast partnership with sizzling stroke play.
Sudesh Dhaniram compiled a beautiful 154 against Hillside. Photos by Shiek Mohamed
What seems to be a record opening T20 stand in the Eastern American Cricket Association (EACA), quickly dissipates into thin air as the news of Big Apple’s Richard Ramdeen 226 not out and Romeno Dean 137 not out in their opening stand of 386 in 20 overs, has the new record and began to spread like wild fire in the local cricketing circles.
Opted to bat first after winning the toss by default, with Hillside showing up late. RHCC openers Sudesh Dhaniram and Zaheer Sadloo put together an entertaining and boundary filled partnership to the tune of 230. The Little left-hander (Zaheer) gets the innings early in to turbo gear with an elegant square-drive for four, then followed up that with a straight six that topped the fence.
In the Mean while Dhaniram looking from the other end—quickly found his rhythm and began to unleashed a series of exuberant shot to all corners of the park, especially the Foch Boulevard end. He bought-up his half-century with a single to long-on and quickly raced to his century of just 23 balls with 4x4s and 5x6s.
Ghansie Lalsa wished he never held the ball as Dhaniram took him for 4 sixes in his final over— in the process cutting down leaves, twigs and small braches from the Foch Boulevard end. As the pair continue to torment the hapless hillside bowlers with conventional cricket’s shots and at times creative and adventurous ones.
Dhaniran fell in the 19th over for a magnificent 154 off just 69 balls. Wahid Ward came in at #3 and struck a solitary six before saying bye, bye or ta-ta —bowled by Rajendra Latcha. Imran Ali, coming in at #4 faced the final delivery and dispatched it to his favorite part of the park; the housing complex at long Street for six. Zaheer Sadloo remained unbeaten with a determined 54, as RHCC innings closed at 243 for 2 off their allotted 20 overs.
Zaheer Sadloo went to hit an unbeaten 58.
In response to 243 at a daunting 12.15 run per over, Hillside soon found themselves in trouble with the loss of 2 early wickets ,that of Rajendra Latcha (0) and Kerry Ramlakhan(1).However Nadesh Basdeo and Gerald Mangal put together a brief 3rd wicket partnership of 31 before both fell for 29 and 17 respectively. Boughnarine Persaud struck a cameo 33 (3x4s, 2x6s) before he said ‘adios’—swinging wildly and being bowled by Deryck McDonald. Scorecard 82 for 5 in 13 overs—Saeed Ali and Khemraj Roopnarine fell for ducks.
With an enormous 154 required from 42 balls—Veteran batsman Harry Heeralall 42 not out(6x4s and1x6) off 21 balls along with Walter Persaud 22 not out (2x6s) off 20 balls , injected some life into the final ,but futile late surge before the overs expired on them—giving RHCC victory by 89 runs.
Finally, it was another master class from —Veteran Batsman Sudesh Dhaniram that was filled with excellent stroke play and reminisces from the past as he toyed with all of the Hillside bowlers. sparing none and Entertaining the small crowd enjoying their Sunday drinks.