Tri-City Tame Undermanned LI Lions In Clash

Schenectady, NY – Tri-City cruised to a comfortable 9 wicket victory over the LI Lions in a limited, 35 over Commonwealth Cricket League match on Sunday August 11th, 2013.

It was an inauspicious beginning to the day, as Tri-City had to scramble at the last minute to install a new matting after the old, worn out one finally tore through.  Fortunately, the Lions were a little delayed in arriving, so in the end, everything got underway on time. Unfortunately for them, they were also one player short, which would certainly be a factor in the events to come.

Tri-City team.

Tri-City won the toss, and offered the batting to the visitors.  The Lions graciously accepted and sent openers Yusef (Darji) Mohammed and Gaurav Grover to the middle to begin their innings.  Tri-City opted to counter with Anil “the Hammer” Sahaman and Ashok “the Shocker” Addikopula.  Both opening bowlers were as stingy as Ebenezer Scrooge on a date, giving Mohammed and Grover no chance to settle in and feel comfortable scoring.

After a quick wicket in the third over with just 12 runs to show for it, Long Island began to sense that they were in trouble.  Sahaman continued to pound the ball in with smothering efficiency, and Addikopula was equally unhittable from his end.

Of course, he was aided by some excellent fielding by his Tri-City teammates.  In just the sixth over, two more wickets fell on consecutive deliveries from Addikopula, one caught by Raymond Cecil, and another by Dassram Ragunandan, a talented high schooler who also plays for his Schenectady High club during the school year.

The middle order for the Lions was unable to generate any offense, and wickets fell with alarming regularity, with no partnership even reaching double digits.  The lone exception was a defiant, 9th wicket stand by Bazz Singh and Sachin Mohan, who both fought valiantly to try and reach a defendable total.  Singh and Mohan batted well, and managed to put together a solid 39 runs partnership before Ray “The Assassin” Cecil finally snuffed out their efforts, clean bowling the plucky Singh and ending the Lions innings with a definitive thud.  Long Island finished on 94/all out in just 17 overs.  Addikopula was most responsible for the wreckage, taking five wickets for just 34 runs.  Sahaman and Cecil had to content themselves with 2/27 and 2/12 respectively.

After a brief break under gorgeous sunny skies, Tri-City sent Richie and Mike Persaud to the crease to begin the assault on the Lions total.  Richie and his uncle Mike are used to opening together, and they were true to form once again.  The elder Persaud prefers a more cerebral and cautious approach, and he batted accordingly.  The younger, bolder Richie plays with more reckless abandon, and he too was true to form, lashing a boundary on the second delivery he faced.  It would not be the last.

The Persaud connection proceeded to rack up the runs, quickly jumping out to a run rate of over six.  Unfortunately, the elder Persaud was unable to keep his cool after a disputed call, and opted to leave the field of play rather than continue, so it was up to the rest of Tri-City to support Richie the rest of the way.  And that’s what they did.  Persaud almost singlehandedly brought the hometown side over the top, finishing on 51 not out, with 9 boundaries.  It was an excellent display of raw energy and impeccable timing on the part of the younger Persaud.  Tri-City finished on 98 for the loss of only one wicket in just 15 overs.  Asim Choudary was the only Lion to break through at 1/11.

In the end, it was clearly not Long Island’s day.  To their credit, despite having to travel with just 10 players, they fielded with zeal and enthusiasm despite the difficult circumstances.  They should be commended for meeting their League commitment to play.  Their frustration was understandable, and the long ride home probably seemed even longer than usual, but cricket is a game of glorious uncertainty, so the playoffs are a chance for them to make a better showing.  I certainly hope we have not heard the last roar of the Lions, as the playoffs begin next week.

SCORECARD
Tri-City vs. LI Lions
Type: 35 Overs
Date: 08/11/13
Ground: Grout Park
Toss: Tri-City
Umpires: Alton Brisport and Zoeb Zavery

INNINGS OF LI Lions

Extras 25 (18 wd, 2nb, 4b, 1lb)
TOTAL: 94/all out in 17 overs
Fall Of Wickets (Wkt/Score): 1/12; 2/30; 3/33; 4/40; 5/46; 6/46; 7/49; 8/51; 9/90

INNINGS OF Tri-City

Extras 19 (13 wd, 0nb, 13b, 0lb)
TOTAL: 98/1 in 15 overs
Fall Of Wickets (Wkt/Score): 1/77