Pictured left to right: K. Somaru made 31, Krishna Khemraj picked up 3 for 18 and R. Dahyal hit 39.
By Morris Seecharan
It was a hot and muggy day last Sunday at Garrison Park in Brooklyn when Sunrise and Apollo met. Sunrise opting to bat first after winning the toss. Omesh in first over of the game struck early having Wahab Hussain caught with score at 0.
Deryck Basdeo joined Roopnarine Dayal with aggression getting off the mark hitting a boundary. Deryck continue his aggressive batting stance with Dayal, who was looking to build the perfect innings for his team. After a solid partnership of 45 runs with Dayal, Deryck was called out caught behind after scoring a quick 20 runs putting back some breath into Sunrise innings. Dayal, who is known for his stubborn batting and long inning was picking up timely boundary working toward putting up a good total. He was joined by Rajesh Harripersaud and Ramjit Singh as they was sent back early by Apollo bowlers. Dayal was joined by Khemraj Somaru, vice captain, who is hitting in zone as of late struck a towering six to deep midwicket taking the score to 87 for 4 at the 13 over half.
After bowling a dot ball Avo of Apollo had Dayal caught for well hit 39 with score still at 87 to start Sunrise 2nd half batting. Dayal, once again provided a vital batting innings placed Sunrise in a good position to post a solid total. With Khemraj still at the crease his teammates was very optimistic that their team batting was in good hands. Joined by Raj Balgobin and after Harold Deokinanan Khemraj departed with an important knock of 31 runs. Harold who made 13 swift runs left Antonio Dallai to finish with the score at 146 for 8 in the 22 overs. Antonio, who was hitting the ball cleanly and scoring timely boundaries kept the score board moving. However, Anton found himself the lone man standing as he ran out of batting partners as Sunrise was bowled for 162 in 23..4 overs. Antonio batted well and scored some important 19 runs putting to close Sunrise innings.
Brammy lead the bowling for Apollo picking up 3 for 18, while Avo was right behind with 3 for 18. Omesh was in the bowling mix as well picking up 2 for 39.
Apollo, who has been undefeated with record of 3 and nil showed the confidence to chase down Sunrise total. Johnny, one of the veteran s in softball looked lead his team batting along with Joseph. However, Sunrise captain Krishna Kemraj started off Sunrise bowling attack giving no earned runs off the bat and looked stingy. In the second over Deryck Basdeo bowling his first over knocked over Johnny stumps in his second delivery with the score at 4. Manoj looked solid for Apollo hitting a boundary to get off the mark. Krishna in his second over struck as he had Joseph caught with the score at 22 for 2 in the 5th over. With runs hard to come Manoj was settling trying to pace an innings for Apollo. However, Harold Deokinanan didn’t make things easy as he knock out the stumps of Omesh. Kalvin Joined Manoj, who was the only batsmen scoring off Sunrise bowlers. Harold wasted no time and quickly struck again knocking over Kalvin’s wicket leaving the score at 49 for 5 at the 13 over half time.
With runs not scoring as Apollo would like to and their continuous lost of wickets they were faced with the daunting task to score 114 runs in 12 overs to win. In the first ball of the 2nd half Khemraj Somaru picked up the wicket of Manoj, who played the ball onto the stumps. Manoj was the only Apollo settled batsman made a significant 28. Brammy picked up the batting for his team and dealing with boundaries look like he will be the one to help Apollo get the winning line. However, Sunrise bowlers stick to their plan in trying to pick wickets and at the same time bowled dots balls put the pressure on Apollo batsmen. Brammy, continue to show resisted but keep losing partners. At end Brammy was bowled down by Krishna with the score at 77 for 9. Krishna came right back and pickup the final wickets as Sunrise bowlers stick to their bowling plans and restrict Apollo to 89 runs in 19.4. It was remarkable bowling and batting efforts by Sunrise as the won comfortably by 73 runs.
Krishna Kemraj, Sunrise captain lead his team in bowling department picked up 3 for 16. While Harold Deokinanan was attacking with 2 for 14 followed by Deryck Basdeo with 2 for 26