Zaheer Saffie’s Allround Show Triggers Big Apple Win Over Meten-Meer-Zorg

Eastern American Cricket Association Power-40 Competition
By Saif Yasin | Scorecard
Going into the final week of the zonal round of the Eastern American Power 40 competition, teams were jockeying to improve their final point standings. For MMZ Cricket Club and Big Apple Cricket Club, the first and second seed respectively already belonged to them.

Zaheer Saffie struck a composed 75 and bagged 5 for 20 in Big Apple win over Meten-Meer-Zorg. Photo by Shiek Mohamed

One might say that this match had little merit toward it as neither club had anything to gain or lose, but with the spirited attitudes of both clubs towards the game, an exciting match would always be promised. The two clubs squared off at the picturesque Bay Park last Sunday under ideal conditions for cricket.

Big Apple won the toss and skipper Zaheer Saffie elected to bat first, sending in Francis Mendonca and Richard Ramdeen. For MMZ it was the young but experienced pace duo of Rocky Kowchai and Rayhanul Islam sharing the new pieces of leather.  Big Apple struck first blood with Mendonca getting off the mark with a boundary, but what appeared to be a promising inning was cut short as Islam removed Mendonca soon after for 5. Zaheer Saffie entered and once again looked to rebuild after an early wicket. Both him and Ramdeen settled in quickly as the two got comfortable at the crease, stroking the ball to all parts of the ground. The two had a 2nd wicket partnership 51 runs before Ramdeen was trapped LBW by Zaaid Majeed for 31.

Last week’s centurion Clain Williams walked out looking to repeat his last inning’s performance. He played the anchor roll as Saffie took control of the innings dispatching any loose balls to the boundary, eventually bringing up his 50. He was playing fluent and intelligent cricket but eventually his stroke play got the better of himself. Saffie was out LBW as he tried to paddle sweep a delivery from Saumil Gandhi down to fine leg. He was out for what would be an unbeaten 71. Clain Williams was run out for 30 as a mix up between him and new batsmen Romeno Deane saw him walking back to the Big Apple camp. A middle order collapse put Big Apple in a comprising position as four wickets fell in quick succession but Andre Kirton and Shawn Thompson saw Big Apple through to the near end. Kirton was out, stumped off of the bowling of Andy Mohammed for 30 as Big Apple finished up with 230 for the lost 9 wickets.

Inning’s Summary
BACC: 231 for 9 (Zaheer Saffie 71 5x4s & 3x6s, Richard Ramdeen 31 3x4s, Clain Williams 30 2x4s & 1×6)
MMZ: Zaaid Majeed 8-0-26-2, Rocky Kowchai 8-0-51-2 and Saumil Gandhi 8-0-39-1

With 231 needed to complete their perfect record in this round of the competition, MMZ sent out openers Andy Mohammed and the EACA’s leading run scorer Richie Sieuchan. Telston Johnson opened the bowling with left arm orthodox bowler Andre Kirton. The two openers started out positively, sifting out a feel for how the wicket was playing. Once they had settled in, MMZ looked as though they were in complete control of the game. Sieuchan was the aggressor of the two as he took on Big Apple’s bowling attack with no hesitation. Mohammed on the other hand was quite comfortable picking out the singles and occasional boundaries as Sieuchan played aggressively.

Big Apple finally got the breakthrough they needed when Mohammed miss timed a shot and was caught for 37 at cover off the bowling Sean Thompson. After their phenomenal opening stand of 108 MMZ look poised to carry onto victory with Deonauth Baksh entering, but his stay was short as Zaheer Saffie had him caught behind for 2. Saffie would go on to scalp four more wickets as MMZ’s innings started to fall apart. Siuechan would eventually go as well for a well-played 68 caught and bowled by Sean Thompson. Poor running towards the end would see MMZ fold for 156 as Big Apple completed a comprehensive 75 runs victory.

Inning’s Summary
MMZ: 156 all out (Richie Siuechan 68 4x4s & 5x6s, Andy Mohammed 37 1×4 & 1×6, Chad Monroe 20 1×4 & 1×6)
BACC: Zaheer Saffie 8-0-20-5 and Sean Thompson 7-0-41-2

Galaxy Cricket Club will be hosting Big Apple Cricket Club in Division 1 at Bay Park match begins at 1:00 pm sharp.