By Morris Seecharan
With much anticipation for the start of the 20/Twenty competition both teams player looked optimistic for their first game. West Coast winning the toss sends in Sunrise to bat as Roopnarine Dayal and Khemraj Somaru look set ready to go.
Sunrise cricket team. Photo by Loretta Cheong
M. Sarju who looked rusty from the long break giving up 10 runs to start the game. Khemraj showed aggression as he and Dayal rush the score to 23 with Khemraj getting an edge popping up to cover off the bowling of Rocky Rishideo. Dayal who is an anchoring batsman stayed around and was joined by Deryck Based. Deryck looked sharp hitting back to back boundary as he got an edge popping the ball to cover point with score 58 for 2 in the ninth over.
Stanley Lloyd went to crease next and showed aggression early hitting a four followed by a six as Dayal was caught for well batted 16 runs with the score 73 for 3 in the 12th over. Wahab Hussain Sunrise newly elected joined Stanly but had short stay at the crease. Harris Khemlall was up next with Stanly who seem ready to explode. Blasting a shot to long on Stanley was caught at the boundary for quick 15 runs off the bowling of R. Ali with score 86 for 5 in the 14th over. Harris was joined by Selwyn Cheong and Ravi Etwaroo and they both looked attacking going after the ball but were caught at long on as the score reads 107 for 7 in 18 over. Harris who was patient moving the ball around was joined by Morris Seecharan who hit a four to get off the mark followed by a six. Both of these batsmen knew they needed quick runs to post a defendable total. Together they managed to take the score to 127 for 7 in 20 overs as Harris made an important 14 runs followed by Morris 11 not out.
R. Ali who took 2 for 16 and lead the bowling for West Coast.
Sunrise players knew that West Coast was a good batting team and need to bowl on target. N. Hamed and R. Lekha opened for West Coast as Khemraj Somaru continues with his penetrating bowling keep both batsmen off guard. R. Lekha who was caught and not give out in the 1st over was dismissed by Ravi caught with the score at 7 in the 2nd over. In the last ball of Ravi’s 1st over he bolwed M. Sarju for a duck with the score 2 for 8. I. Ali batting at number 4 joined Hamed who was settled picking up single and doubles. Deryck Basdeo in his first over picked up the Ali as he was caught behind as Sunrise bowlers restricted West Coast to 46 in the 10th over.
With 82 needed in the last 10 over Sunrise team felt they were in a better position. N. Bissesar was caught behind off of Khemraj Somaru with the score 58 for 4 in the 12th over. Sunrise bowlers managed to keep the run rate down as they contained Hamed to small shots and successfully dismissing West Coast batsmen at regular interval. However, with Rocky Rishideo at the crease with Hamed Sunrise bowlers was tested as Rocky was a very explosive batsman connecting for some sixes and fours. These two batmen looked like they will run away to reach Sunrise total. However Wahab along with his experience players made effective bowling changes bringing back Deryck who clean bowl Hamed for a well batted 38 runs with score at 91 for 5 in the 16 overs. Hamed played a fine overs and was a big treat, but Rocky was main batman for Sunrise to contained. K. Lilkumar did not last long as he was caught and right after Harris Khemlall had Rocky caught at long off by Khemraj Somaru. Rocky made a jiffy 28 and looked like he would lead his team to victory as the score read 101 for 6 in the 17 overs. With 27 runs needed in 3.3 over the game was up for grab but Sunrise players looked determined to win. R. Alli and Rocco Rishideo were adamant as well to reach their target. They were able to take the score to 113 in the 18 overs. At the end West Coast managed 118 runs falling short by 10 runs. Sunrise players deserved this win and started with positive momentum taking this first game in the 20/Twenty competition.
Ravi Etwaroo was outstanding as he led his team with the figure of 2 for 16 followed by Deryck Basdeo 2 for 21 and Harris Khemlall 2 for 23.