Brooklyn Cricket League
Jinnah Victorious Over A Weakened Diplomats

By Dyon Ravello
On Saturday 18th July, at Marine Park C, Jinnah registered their first win of the season when they defeats Diplomats by 4 wickets. Batting first Diplomats got a solid foundation from namesake Oscar Prince and Rawle Prince after W. Freeman was dismissed cheaply. The duo took the Diplomats total to 94 before both batsmen fell to the offspinner Irfan, Oscar 31 and Rawle 32. The usual middle order collapse occur again, with captain J. Simpson scooping Arshad Khan to square leg, and E. Thomas getting out to the same bowler. At the half way stage Diplomats 98 for 5.

Hubert Lewis and D. Ravello consolidated, to stem the wicket hermorhagge. The pair batted for 16 over and taking the total to 170 off 36 overs. Ravello attempting to cashing in the final four overs, heaved but played over Arshad Khan's off spin for a well played 40. Lewis up the ante, with Claymont Rose playing valiant supporting role as Diplomats close on 197 for 6. Lewis made 43, as Arshad Khan scalped 3, and Irfan 2, were the pick of the bowlers for Jinnah.

Jinnah suffered an earlier set back when Irfan skied his first delivery from Ravello to welcoming hand at mid on, Thomas catching comfortably. Ravello got his second victim with a slow bouncer, Simpson taking a regulation catch at first slip. Ravello continued his pump, as Lewis went wicketless on the other end, another bouncer has Mehrban caught as square leg by Freeman, who earlier misjudged a skier from the same combination. After 11 overs the spoils were even with Jinnah at 53 for 3.

After the seamer were replaced, wicketkeeper Manny, dug in to register his first milestone, as he stroked a chanceless 70 to lead his team to victory. Thomas picked up 2 wickets to spare Diplomats further embarassment. Lewis return to have Muhsin caught a cover by Ravello in his last over. By this time Jinnah were already prepare the drinks for the victory party.

Diplomats, missed the batting of Ramphal and Selwyn Smith, the bowling of Ray Joseph and Keon Lake, and the allround performances of Kirton. Ravello stated, "its remarkable to be among the runs and bag a few scalps in the same match, but when you are missing 3 frontline bowler you require a extra effort. Two hundred is always a psychological milestone and were fell short, the middle order needs to be more solid, losing four wicket for less than ten runs in the middle never aids the lower order push." Diplomats have now dropped to 6 and 4 for a winning percentile of 60.00, they meet a combative Pak XI on Saturday 25th at Marine Park D. The return of Kirton and Lake from the Eastern Conference Tournament will be greatly welcomed, so too the return of Ramphal. However, Selwyn Smith remains on the sideline with a knee injury, and Ray Joseph is nursing a toe injury.

Hector Struck Second Ton Of The Season
Middlesex VS Brooklyn Knights at Seaview Ave.
On Sat July 18
On a hot and sunny Saturday Middlesex won the toss and elected to take first strike. Middlesex score 236 for 6 from their allotted 40 overs, thanks to current Windward Island first class player Donwell Hector with his second century of the season. A Magnificent 139 not out, his innings was compile of 17 glorious 4s and 4 massive 6s, he stroke the ball to all parts of the field, it was a classic innings of sound defense and aggression. Selwyn Laro Cain was also not out on a well played 22.

Donwell Hector during his knock of 139 against Brooklyn Knights last weekend.

Bowling for Brooklyn Knights, Nafise 2 for 46 from 8 overs, Jasir 1 for 39 from 6 overs, Nasir 1 for 27 from 6 overs and Irean 1 for 54 from 8 overs.

When Brooklyn Knights batted they were bowled out for 206, New York region under 15 batsman Waqas topped scored with a well played 49, Qasim a polished 44 and Nafees a lusty 38. While chasing Middlesex 236, at one stage of the game Brooklyn Knights were 194 for 6 from 34 overs, then Captain Mark Audain reintroduce himself to the attack, in an inspired spell of fast Medium bowling he picked up 4 wickets for 7 runs from 3 overs, Middlesex had pulled off an impossible victory, also bowling for Middlesex Dominic Audain in a firery spell of fast bowling picket up 4 for 42 from 8, Mark Audain final figures were 4 for 51 from 8 and Casper Davis former Windward Islands fast bowler picked up 2 for 36 from 8 overs. The final score Middlesex 236 for 6, Brooklyn Knights all out for 204 from 27 overs.

Middlesex vs Panthers
On Sunday July 19
Middlesex won the toss and elected to take first strike, Middlesex 225 for 8, Casper Davis a well crafted 41, Dominica Audain an attacking 40, Donwell Hector a classy 38 and Mark Audain a patient 23. Bowling for Panthers, Shabas 3 for 42 from 7 overs, Qqayum 2 for 44 from 8, and Salman Ahmad 1 for 44 from 8 overs. Panthers 145 all out, Imran Khan no relation to Pakistan great all-rounder topped score with an aggressive 38, Salman Ahmad give good support got 21 and Shabbas a patient 20. Bowling for Middlesex, Selwyn Cain picked up 5 for 16 from 7.4 overs of some fine swing bowling, clean bowling all of his victims, the firery Dominic Audain picked up 2 for 38 from 7 overs, Mark Audain 1 for 23 from 5 overs, and Casper Davis 1 for 35 from 6 overs. Middlesex winning the match by 80 runs. Middlesex is now 8 wins, 3 lost and 1 rain out game for 2009 season.

Grenada vs Travel Treat
On Sat July 18
Travel Treat 197 all out, Naveed 32, Mohammad Hussain 24, Saqib 24 and Pervaiz 23. Bowling for Grenada Marcus Bethel 3 for 23 from 5 overs, and Leonard James 3 for 41 from 8, Grenada 79 for 3 forfeithed the game to Travel Treat, after Grenada batsman Gregory Anthony was rule run out for walking out of the batting crease, before the ball was dead, as rule umpire Fitz Hayles.

Grenada vs Scorpian
On Sun July 19
Scorpin batted first and scored 137, Mohammad Shafique 39, bowling for Grenada Lester Douglas 4 for 36 from 8 overs, and Darren Williams 2 for 15 from 7 overs, Grenada 129 for 3 wickets, Gregory Anthony 33, Leroy Peters 30 and Reggie Murray 20. Grenada winning the match by 7 wickets.