By Morris Seecharan
After the Labor Day break the Sunrise cricket club, sponsored by Kaieteur Liberty Restaurant and Hansa Engineers look to make it two straight wins in the New York Softball Cricket League (NYSCL) T20 competition. Rain falling the day before and predictions of rain to follow, on cloudy Sunday afternoon Lions won the toss and elect to field last Sunday at the Kissena Park in Flushing. With what looks like a dampened pitch to bat on Sunrise had no choice but to shine with their batting.
Alvin Barratt (left) scored 47 and picked up 6 wickets. Alix Hussain (r) also scored 47.
As Nicholas Harripersaud partnered with Antonio Dallai, opening the batting for Sunrise they look for a good start. However, Lions opening bowler A. Uthoo was on target giving up only 1 runs to start the game. Nicholas hitting few boundaries made 13 runs as he was bowled by V. Narine with the score on 18 in the 4th overs. Alix Hussain came to the crease getting off the mark with a double followed by six displayed sold batting composure. Antonio, who was run out with the score at 38 for 2 in 7.2 overs was replace by Alvin Barratt. Alvin walk to the crease with the intent of moving his team run rate as it should be in a T20 match blasted three fours and six in his early scoring and in a jiffy along with Alix put Sunrise at 72 for 2 at the 10 over interval.
Alvin took the lead pacing for fast runs and running between the wickets, which Alix favors. Alvin displaying a commanding batting session scoring fast as Alix was selective in his shots, they kept the pressure on Lions bowlers. Alvin batting energized the batting for Sunrise and lead in this important partnership which uplift his teammates. After an important partnership of 59 run Alvin was bowled by G. Rambaran for a sold knock of 47 runs with score at 97 for 3 in the 13th overs. Sunrise lost another quick wicked as Alix was joined by Zaaid Majeed. Alix took over where Alvin left off becoming the lead offensive batsman to close out his team inning. Alix played some classic cover drives, hitting timely boundaries and kept the running game between the wickets alive. Majeed played the key anchor role parting with Alix to move the score along hitting timely boundaries of his own. However, Alix knew that he needs to close the batting for his team made an important 47 run as he was caught with the score at 160 in the 18 overs. Alix, who batted responsible to the end, crafted a masterpiece batting inning for himself and key in closing a strong total for his team. Majeed made a crucial 14 runs and contributed to the significant partnership of 60 runs with Alix. At the end Sunrise closed their batting scoring 181 in their allotted 20 overs.
Lions started their inning with confined as S. Sarju started his inning with a bounding scoring 10 runs along with his partner R. Sirilasoon. Both batsmen kept paced with the required run rate but Krishna Khemraj, Sunrise captain had the break through having Sirilasoon caught at long off by Nicholas Harripersaud. Sarju continue his aggressive batting was joined by J. Cheong who didn’t fear well as he was removed by Alvin Barratt with the score at 33. With the Sunrise bowlers on target, Sarju, who sees himself batting alone as his teammates kept losing their wickets. Krishna would bowl V. Narine as Majeed bowled Sarju who top score with 20 runs. With light rain falling and more threating to come at the interval Lions was 47 for 4 and left with the daunting tasks to make 134 in 10 overs. R. Rambaran and Vera batting look to find a ways to reach Sunrise total.
However Alvin continue picking up wickets at regular interval having Rambaran caught for 13 at long off by Nicholas, who took four catches at that point, some of which was brilliant. As Vera was run out for 12 runs Lions fell to 67 for 6 after 12 overs. With runs hard to come and Alvin in the groove of getting wickets, Lions batmen seems to loss the will power to go after Sunrise total. Bash and A. Uthoo will be the only batmen to show some fight as the score read 8 for 90 in 16 overs as Alvin picked most of the wickets. However, Khemraj Somaru will pick up the final wicket of R. Singh as Lions was bowled out for 114 in 18.3 overs.