Water logged conditions inhibited run scoring

A soggy Lido Beach pitch combined with a poor batting display from Liberty Sports Club (LSC) and a spirited bowling effort from opposition Meten Meer Zorg Cricket Club (MMZ) resulted in #TheBlueNation being defeated for the second time in 2014. Shines Beepat picked up 4 wickets for 8 runs to lead the MMZ attack in defending 125 runs in a game reduced to 30 overs. 

The day began with both teams working together to make the game possible. After about an hour of work the pitch was cleared of water and the bowler’s run up was dried up to facilitate start of play. The game was reduced to 30 overs when play started at 2:30 PM.  LSC won the toss and immediately sent in the opposition looking to take advantage of the conditions. 

Imtiaz Hassan struck first up with two wickets in two balls in his second over. This brought US National batsman Andy Mohammed to the crease to join Sumon Bari. The pair would consolidate to add 45 before Mohammed (25) held out to Hassan off of Altaaf Habibulla’s 3rd ball in the innings. Habibulla would pick up two more wickets; Andre Persaud for 10 and Beepat for 20, while the MMZ innings edged along.

Eighteen year old Javed Shakoor was introduced and bowled Zaaid Majeed and Ajaz Asgarally for two runs a piece. Trinson Carmichael then cleaned up the two remaining wickets to add to Bari’s (21) wicket he picked up earlier off of a ballerina-like leaping catch by Bose Persaud.

Hassan finished with 2 for 34 off 6 overs, Carmichael and Habibulla three wickets and a maiden each for 14 and 20 runs respectively. Shakoor bowled his 5 overs for 26 with two wickets while Terrence Madramootoo bowled 5 overs for 26 runs. Gangaram Lochan added a crucial 22 not out batting at number 8 for MMZ before they were bowled out for 125 in the 29th over. 

Confident of chasing what appeared to be a par total for the conditions was clouded with doubt when Beepat got one to roll along the surface to bowl Francis Mendonca and another to hold up to resulting to a mistimed return catch from Dilly Khillawan. This left LSC 2 for 2 after the first over. Carmichael picked off 3 boundaries before he lost his skiper Danesh Deonarain for 2, again to one which held up from Beepat. 

The hard hitting Madramootoo only managed 1 before he was cleaned up looking to go big, reducing the chase to 18 for 4 in the ninth over. Imtiaz Hassan joined Carmichael and the pair added 22 before Lochan milked some extra turn to go pass Carmichael’s edge to bowl him. Hassan, looking to take control of the match, stroked some handsome blows for a game high 30. His enterprising knock would fall short when a 31 runs partnership between Habibulla and him ended with Hassan holding out to long on. Habibulla who chipped in with 18 was run out shortly after to knock the wind out of the chase.

With a climbing run rate and the lost of too many wickets MMZ tightened the pressure on LSC resulting in Bose Persaud being bowled for 9, Jason Rooney run out for 5 and Tooneshwar Kristona bowled for 2. This left Javed Shakoor not out on 1 when the team was bowled out for 90 in the 28th over.

The loss leaves LSC at 8-2 with three challenging matches in  Division A of the EACA Power40 left. MMZ, enjoying a late spurt, improves to 7-3 and will be looking to continue their winning run.