Metropolitan Cricket League
Cosmos Seals Comfortable Win Over Westbury

By S. Ali
June 9th, 2009
Gallery of the game between Cosmos and Westbury
(Celebrating 28 Anniversary) – A classically executed straight drive off the blade of Cosmos’ teenage batting sensation, Keddy Lesporis, followed by a towering six over mid-wicket gave Cosmos an important win when they met Westbury at Floyd Bennett Field last Sunday. Lesporis, a promising young talent, showed good temperament mixing excellent defense with exquisite stroke play on both sides of the wicket to chalk up an unbeaten 86 to lead the defending champions.

Keddy Lesporis

Cosmos knocked the wind out the opposition's line-up with controlled spells from slow medium pacer Sham Ali and pacemen George Adams and Kevin Darlington. Ali removed both openers Kevin Williams and Kevin Baugh before any sweat. Adams then softened wicket-keeper Donald Bennett's gloves with good bounce and pace off a solid Floyd Bennett track before trapping his lone victim, Cliff Roye, leg before for 1. At 31 for 3, the temperature rose between these two seasoned rivals.

Cosmos seized the opportunity as skipper Dixeth Palmer immediately brought Darlington into the attack as a first change. There was no brotherly love in this Darlington spell as he dismantled the woodwork in a procession while returning 4 for 38 off his 8 overs. In a scintillating and devastating display, Darlington sent the middle stick cart-wheeling out of the ground on three separate occasions in one over as he put on a classic showcase of “bowling for sticks.”

With the opposition reeling at 78 for 8, Cosmos had indeed captured the initiative, rendering the match all but over in the 19th over. But not so fast, Westbury was not about to go without a fight and as Cosmos failed to deliver the death blow, the Westbury tail fought valiantly for another 87 runs. B. McLeish (44) and C. Lewis (31) would be the chief beneficiaries before Westbury succumbed, though improving to a respectable 164 all out.

In their turn at the wicket, Lesporis anchored Cosmos’ innings with a composed 86 not out, which included 10 fours and 1 six. The performance prompted former Jamaica national fast bowler Dwight Meikle to comment, “this kid will be a very good cricketer.” Cosmos cruised past the three-figure mark, with Palmer (29) playing a “supporting role” in a 68-run partnership. Despite a few late hiccups, Cosmos strolled to victory with relative ease.

COSMOS vs WESTBURY at Floyd Bennett, Brooklyn
May 31, 2009 Toss: Westbury 40 overs
Westbury Inning - 164 All Out in 34.2 overs
P. Salmon 22, C. Lewis 31, B. MeLiesh 44
Bowling for Cosmos
S. Ali 2 for 28; K. Darlington 4 for 38, D. Evans 2 for 14,
G. Adams 1 for 27, C. Alexander 1 for 33.

Cosmos 168 for 5 off 31.3 overs
K. Lesperios 86 no; D. Palmer 29; C. Alexander 16 no
Bowling for Westbury
D. Meikle 1 for 30; C. Lewis 1 for 25; B. McLiesh 2 for 43
COSMOS WON BY 5 WICKETS