The VelloCricket Journal

Revived ACS End Liberty’s Unbeaten Streak

Liberty’s Imtiaz Hassan, continued to be consistent but it was not enough against ACS/Everest

A patient innings of 80 by Tamesh Balwant and a penetrating spell from Andre Stoll helped Everest/ACS edge Liberty Sports Club (LSC) by 19 runs at Lido Beach. Imtiaz Hassan continued his consistent performances for LSC with 1 for 34 off 8 overs and a hard hitting 47 while Trinson Carmichael picked up three wickets and struck 31 along with Francis Mendonca scoring 35. Their efforts, however, were not enough to chase down the below par 206 set by E/ACS.

Winning the toss and choosing to bat first Everest’s top order, with the exception of Balwant, never looked fluent in their innings. Stringing together small partnerships and benefiting from a number of drop catches the experienced side reached 132 for 5 by the time the second water break was taken at the 30th over.

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Balwant batted with great composure and patience hitting seven fours and two sixes on his way to 80.  He eventually was dismissed in the later part of the innings, sacrificing what appeared to be a sure century in an effort to up the team’s total. The experienced Zamin Amin came in at number seven (7) and added vital runs to the total with an unbeaten 50. The knock included 22 off the final over of the innings to spur Everest past the 200 mark to end on 206 for 9.

Bowling for LSC Carmichael finished with 3 for 54 off 8 overs, Andy Harricharan  2 for 38 off 7 overs while Hassan, Terrence Madramootoo and Leon Mohabir picked up a wicket each.

Whatever confidence #TheBlueNation had as a result of restricting ACS to a get-able total was quickly removed by Andre Stoll’s opening spell. The former Guyana youth player peeled off three (3) quick wickets in his first four (4) overs. Carmichael watchfully staged a fightback, however, and even turned the attack back on Stoll hitting him straight back over his head for 6. The lanky paceman would get his revenge when Carmichael went for an expansive drive through cover but only succeeding in edging to the wicketkeeper.

With the innings at 43 for 4 at Carmichael’s departure it was up to Francis Mendonca and Imtiaz Hassan to consolidate and keep LSC on track to the target.  Mendonca handled the paceman with ease and even picked off a few elegant cover drives before the pair saw off Stoll who finished with figures of 4 for 31 off 8 overs. The pair then started to work away at the other bowlers with Hassan taking a particular liking to Zamin Amin’s slow left-arm spin. The left-hander blasted seven (7) sixes and a four before an unfortunate short delivery kept low to trap him leg before on 47.

Terrence Madramootoo joined Mendonca and the pair continued to keep the chase in check but Mendonca would fall off a miss timed drive. Captain, Danesh Deonarain came and went playing an injudicious shot when his team needed a sensible innings. Madramootoo would fall shortly after with about 50 more runs needed and appeared all hope was lost.

Vijendra Singh, who has been enjoying some success with the bat late in the inning, kept some hope alive, however. The left hander struck 21 runs which include hooking Charlton Senior for six. His valiant resistance was over when he was the last batsman to go for Liberty SC at the end of the 37th over with the score on 188.

Besides Stoll’s exploits, Merchant picked up 3 for 27 while Zamin Amin picked up 2 for 47 and Karan Ganesh one (1) wicket bowling for Everest.

The loss leaves Liberty SC at 5-1 heading into the July 4th weekend break with games against All Stars and Arsenal CC while Everest/ACS improve to 4-2 with games left against Arsenal & Long Island United CC in the Zone stage of the Eastern American Association Power40 tournament.