Will the Phoenix rise again?
Sohail Gori once again was a master with the bat, placing himself at the forefront of his team’s climb to victory. Sohail scored a massive 109 run innings, and was the leading force in the Asians 229 total.
Last week cricketers showed some hard-hitting action with a number of half centuries and centuries being scored by teams in the Northern District Cricket Association (NDCA) leagues.
The action began during the City Cellular and Electronics Night League match on November 18 between Lennoxton and Paradise at Paradise Sports Grounds..
It was as the home team that really played amazing cricket. It seemed as if the Paradise team had really come from heaven as they left Lennoxton stumped, when it won the game by 96 runs!
Renesh Harbajan and Ebrahim Khan were Paradise’s top scorers putting on undefeated totals of 78 and 103 respectively.
Lennoxton managed a humble 85 run chase in the team’s 25 over innings.
Lennoxton all-round, Udesh Bhemnarain played a well-deserved game, scoring a total of 32 runs, and taking two wickets with his bowling.
Lennoxton star batsman, Arshad Desai also managed a stellar performance allowing him to claim man of the match for his 48 run knock.
November 20 saw Asians playing off in a must win match against Phoenix.
The contest was a heated one, with Asians needing the win to qualify for a semi-finals spot, and the Phoenix side hoping to take revenge for the team’s previous defeat to Asians.
Sohail Gori once again was a master with the bat, placing himself at the forefront of his team’s climb to victory. Sohail scored a massive 109 run innings, and was the leading force in the Asians 229 total.
Phoenix gave chase. The team did not lie down, and let the large total become unassailable. Graham Sharpe managed to rally his team to fight back hard against the Asians. However, the bowling attack from Phoenix seemed to be too powerful and after a well fought battle, Asians were crowned victors by 54 run margin.
During the Saturday Day League, the rain threatened to stop the games.
The clouds did break during the course of the day, but the showers passed over, and the scheduled games continued.
Lennoxton faced Underdogs at the Paradise Grounds, with Lennoxton taking the spot at the crease first.
Bat in hand, Lennoxton managed a total of 110 runs.
The total seemed an easily reachable one for Underdogs, however, excellent bowling from Sumeeth Singh placed a lot of pressure on the Underdogs batting side, after Sumeeth claimed wickets in five overs, and only giving away 33 runs.
Underdogs batsman, Udein Govender has been in a supreme form of late, scoring massive runs quickly and easily for his side, giving them the confidence they need when chasing big totals. During the match, it was Usheem Maharaj who mustered the team to victory, scoring a valiant 28 runs against a resilient bowling attack from Lennoxton. Underdogs All-Rounder, Nabeel Vawda, played well, scoring 10 runs, and taking three wickets in his five-over spell.
Over at the Arbor Park Sports Grounds, Paradise faced Phoenix, and surprisingly Phoenix slumped to yet another defeat, against a side most would have bet against winning.
Ebrahim Khan once again managed an undefeated batting innings, finishing on 36 runs, and this innings was complimented by his bowling. He bowled six overs, losing 26 runs, but claiming 2 wickets for his side.
Paradise won the game by 16 runs, finishing on a total of 164 runs.
This Sunday the Amajuba Cricket Union President’s 11 will play Madadeni at the Paradise Grounds, and all cricketing fans are requested to attend.
