Eastern American Cricket Association Power 40 

by Dyon Ravello

Fast Bowler Casper Davis Jr 8-3-17-6 helped Atlantis dispose of Victory

With a round to go in the Zonal phase of the EACA Power 40 competition. Zone I remains the most competitive with three teams in with a chance to at a spot in the top four. Meten-Meer-Zorg (MMZ), Big Apple and Hillside confirmed their positions with victories in the eighth round. The key fixtures of the round saw MMZ disposed of Arsenal, Arsenal 78 all out. Rocky Kowchai and Amarnauth Persaud had three wickets each, as Richie Seiuchan the league’s leading run scorer notched an unbeaten half century to complete the eight wicket victory. Arsenal needed a mere point to affirm a top four finish going into the final round, meaning any result but a defeat would have affirm a favorable finish.

Similarly Long Island United (LIUCC) did Arsenal no favors as they lost to NY Centurion allowing not only Centurion but also Camelot with a chances at a top four finish. This weekend Arsenal will need any result but a lost to oust the challengers. For Centurion and Camelot they need to win and win handsomely to offset any run rate calculations. Despite the current five point cushion, Arsenal host Centurion who have the next best chance at the top of the table finish. Outsiders Camelot will fancy their chances against LIUCC at home. MMZ tackle Big Apple in a top of the table clash as they vie to complete the phase with the only 100 percent record across zones. At the other end Falcons and Phantom will be searching for their first win of the season.

Big Apple v. Meten-Meer-Zorg @ Bay Park
Arsenal v.  Centurion @ Hecksher II
Camelot v.  LIUCC @ Flushing I
Falcons v.  Phantom @ Flushing II

In Zone II Atlantis maintained the pressure on Richmond Hill at the pole position, as they routed Victory for a season low 43 all out. Speedster Casper Davis Jr, and Greg Robinson were in an unforgiving mood with figures of  8-3-17-6 and 7.1-1-19-4 respectively. Henderson Blades scored 23 not out to complete the blow out nine wicket victory over Victory in 4.4 overs.

Richmond Hill put an end to Enmore’s run as Enmore slumped to 112 all out. S Mohammed 42 and L Latchman 22 offered little resistance. Richmond Hill skipper Shameer Sadloo lead his side with 3/23 as Deryck Mc Donald, Sudesh Dhaniram and Ramphal Bactowar had two wickets each. Zaheer Sadloo 43 and Wazid Ward 42 remained unbeated to complete a comfortable eight wicket win by the 19th over.

American Cricket Society (ACS) continued to reassert their dominance as they turned back Liberty. Liberty were restricted to 189/7 with Altaf Habibulla 58 and Imtiaz Hassan 32 with the best batting efforts. Aun Merchant and T Forde has two wicket each alongside the miserly bowling of veteran Zamin Amin with 8-1-20-1 at 2.5 runs per over. Merchant was buoyed by his bowling performances as he lead his side with 88. Dwayne Smith 59 was enough for ACS to complete a five wicket victory with 29 deliveries to spare. Hassan like Merchant, put in an all-round display with 3/45 as Thakur Singh had 2/21.

Galaxy who were dubbed to be challengers this term were able to complete the zonal phase with half a chance at a top four finish. With a great appetite for run Galaxy posted 302/5 against Eastside Warriors, Ryan Girdharry falling one short of a possible second ton this season. T Dhanraj was unbeaten on 57, V Peetam 44 and Sunesh Wazid 38. The Warriors managed 129 in  27.3 overs with Girdharry scalping 4/22 and Rafique Nazeer 2/30. This win couple with Liberty’s defeat mean Liberty must win when they face Eastside to make up the five point gap between them and Galaxy. Even with a win Liberty with have to win by at least 42 runs batting first. Atlantis host ACS in a romped for second, Enmore look to finish strong against Allstars and Richmond Hill look to hold of Atlantis when they host Victory.

Atlantis v. Everest @ Hecksher II
RHCC v. Victory @ Baisley
Enmore v. Allstars @ Lido Beach
ESW v. Liberty @ Brentwood I