LSC off to second EACA Playoff of the season and second consecutive T20 blitz playoff.

Vijendra Sign, Francis Mendonca, Leon Mohabir, Terrence Madramootoo, Altaaf Habibulla and Trinson Carmichael made crucial contributions to ensure their Liberty Sports Club (LSC) swept Zone Four (4) in the EACA T20 Blitz. The Liberty knocked off New York Centurion and Metem Meer Zorg Cricket Clubs on September 21st then completed the sweep against Victory Cricket Club on September 28th.

Liberty SC vs NY Centurion – 9/21/2014

Mendonca and Madramootoo displayed their power hitting abilities after LSC batted first in the first match of their double header. Mendonca struck five fours (5×4’s) and four sixes (4×6’s) which included three consecutive maximums to race to 57 when he opened the batting. After the loss of a few quick wickets Madramootoo came in and added some much needed impetus to close off the innings. He hit three fours (3×4’s) and five sixes (5×6’s) in his knock. LSC finished off their innings with 138 all out in the 19th over.

Atlantic Region’s Francis Mendonca led the batting with 57 against NY Centurion

Needing a good fielding performance to defend what appeared to be a par score on the Seaview & 108 wicket LSC’s bowlers did exactly that. NY Centurion’s batting was good enough to chase down a similar total against MMZ the previous week but on the day they could not repeat it against LSC.

Habibulla struck early and made way for Trinson Carmichael, Terrence Madramootoo and Leon Mohabir who all made continous inroad through to the end. Carmichael led the bowling with 3.5-0-5-3 while Mohabir finished with 3 for 20. Madramootoo picked up 1 for 11 and Tooneshwar Kristona 2 for 7 as #TheBlueNation bowled out Centurions for 66.

Batting for Centurions Trevor Singh top scored with 26 before his team succumbed to the 72 runs defeat.

Liberty SC vs MMZ – 9/21/2014

In the second match of the doubleheader #TheBlueNation once again took first strike this time against MMZ CC. The MMZ team was determined to turn their fortunes around after they were beaten by NY Centurion the previous week and were on the verge of being eliminated from the competition.

Leon Mohabir picked up 5 for 28 off 7 overs during Sept 21st’s double header

MMZ enjoyed some early success when Andy Mohammed removed Mendonca, Trinson Carmicheal and skipper Danesh Deonarain early. All three via the leg before wicket (LBW) route. Habibulla and Dilly Khilawan helped patch the hemorrhage but LSC was still in a hole after both departed along with Madramootoo shortly after.

Vijendra Singh led a rearguard recovery by the bottom order, however. Partnered by the veteran Tooneshwar Kristona the pair turned consolidation into a full out Blitz when they put on 66 in 7 overs. The retaliation was led by Singh who blasted 47 which included three fours (3×4’s) and a hattrick of sixes among his five maximums (5×6’s). Kristona finished with 21 while Leon Mohabir chipped in with 11 to help LSC to 144 in their 20 overs.

Bowling for MMZ Rayhan-ul-Islam picked up 3 for 30 to support Mohammed’s 3 for 33.

Altaaf Habibulla top scored with an unbeaten 67 against Victory CC

In almost a replay of the NY Centurion game, Habibulla picked up the first MMZ wicket to get the ball rolling in LSC’s defense. Number three batsman Andy Mohammed stuck around and survived three chances as he rode his luck to a well played 66. Hitting six fours (6×4’s) and three sixes (3×6’s) the former USA National maintained hopes for the MMZ fateful. He found little help from his batting mates, however. When Leon Mohabir bowled Mohammed in his second over into the attack the game was sealed. The remaining MMZ bats carried the total to 109 before the last wicket fell.

Mohabir was again the pick of the LSC bowlers with 2 for 8 and capping a brilliant bowling day with figures of 5 for 28 off 7 overs. The other LSC bowlers to find success were Javed Shakoor 2 for 21 and Habibulla 2 for 18.

Victory CC vs Liberty SC – 9/28/2014

Jay Singh led the batting with 47 against MMZ

With a chance to sweep Zone Four, #TheBlueNation boys were ready to go after an early Sunday morning drive to Brentwood. Again given the opportunity to bat first LSC took full advantage. Habibulla & Deonarain (21) put on 27 for the third wicket before Madramootoo came in and smashed 49 after the departure of his captain. Habibulla anchored the innings batting 18 of 20 overs and finishing unbeaten on 63. Vijendra Singh smashed an unbeaten 26 off 9 balls to close off the innings at 182 for 4.

Bowling for VCC Darshan Raval picked up 2 for 34.

Vijendra Singh returning to new ball duties struck in his second over to remove Jasdeep Singh (5). Madramootoo who replaced Kristona, who bowled three overs with the new ball, knocking over VCC’s first down batter. Singh would go on to pick up two more wickets to finish with figures of 3 for 19 off his 4 overs. Madramootoo picked up three more scalps to finish with 4 for 8. Jason Rooney 4 overs 1 for 19, Leon Mohabir and Carmichael with a wicket each polished off the VCC tail to wrap up the inning for 92.

Harleem Singh batting at the top of the inning struck three fours (3×4’s) and a six (1×6’s) to top score with 29 for VCC.

Three wins ensured LSC a spot in the T20 Blitz playoff and they now await the final ranking to decide who their quarter final opponent will be this coming Sunday (10/5).

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