Altaaf Habibulla was named the Most Valuable Player as the GMA Enterprise sponsored Liberty Sports Club returned with two wins in two games during a weekend tour in Tampa, Florida.
The Blue Nation headed down south looking to get back out on the field and escape the frigid winter conditions which had left the New York area under ice leading up to the February 22nd/23rd weekend. Thanks to the Captain of Largo Cricket Club, Arnold Harry, the NY Team was hosted for two games over the two day span. The first game, which LSC won by 3 wickets, was hosted by Tampa Cricket Club and the second, which LSC won by 7 wickets, was hosted by Largo CC.
Tampa CC vs Liberty SC
Early morning thunderstorms reduced the game to 30 overs a side before Tampa CC won the toss and chose to bat. The TCC openers, B. Bory & D. Harry, were cautious against LSC’s Jay Singh & Sunesh Wazid. Their caution did not last long before Jay & Sunesh would strike at each end to provide early breakthroughs.
R. Lindsay (28) & L. Pompey (24) set about a repair job for TCC and featured in a 26 runs partnership before they were separated. Following this partnership, the TCC inning never gained any momentum mainly due to Yudesh Bissnauth’s spell of 3 wickets for 10 off 4 overs. The hosts edged along to 112 for 9 off their 30 overs with only P. Ellitte (13) making it to double figures along with Lindsay & Pompey.
Andy Harricharan (2) & Imtiaz Hassan (1), along with Jay, Sunesh & Yudesh, were the LSC bowlers to claim wickets. Altaaf Habibulla bowled 6 economical overs and was unlucky to not pick up a wicket while Alex Amsterdam bowled 2 maiden overs for no wickets.
LSC’s chase got off to a rough start when Ramnarine Chattergoon was trapped leg before wicket first ball and Bose Persaud was out caught in the 2nd over. Habibulla, Harricharan & Hassan would fall quickly after to leave the touring team 34 for 5 chasing the small total. Captain, Danesh Deonarain (29) helped patch things up but perished to a poor shot when R. Lindsay was brought on. At 59 for 6 there was a bit of worry in the LSC camp but Amsterdam held his nerves to bring it home for the visitors. The left hander struck 3 fours in his knock of 35 and found support from Wazid who scored an unbeaten 15. Jay (3*) accompanied Wazid to navigate his team home safely with 10 overs to spare.
Largo CC vs Liberty SC
Under ideal conditions for cricket on Sunday, Largo CC won the toss and chose to bat. The bouncy Astro Turf wicket added a pep’ in the steps of the LSC seamers and they did not disappoint.
Once again the home team’s openers were cautious and managed to see off Hassan & Jay, who handled the new ball for LSC, despite not adding much in the runs column of the scorebook. This all changed when Altaaf Habibulla & Andy Harricharan were introduced first change. Habibulla bowled with steady pace and swung the ball both ways while Harricharan took full advantage of the bouncy Astro Turf and generated some healthy pace. The pair combined to remove the top seven Largo CC batsmen of which Altaaf picking up 5 for 26 off his 6 overs and Andy picking up 2 for 12 off 4 overs.
Raul M flayed some ambitious shots to score 23 for Largo CC and ended as one of only 2 batsmen, along with D. Harry, to reach double figures. Raul’s stay was ended by Amsterdam who wrapped up the Largo tail quickly with 2.2 overs 3 wickets for 4 runs as the home side was wrapped up for 85 in the 27th over.
The LSC chase was mostly uneventful after losing Jay Singh in the 2nd over for 3. Altaaf (30) & Ganesh Venkat (18) put together a 53 run partnership before Venkat got out. Andy came in and upped the tempo with a huge six straight back into the LSC camp. Altaaf would fall with the score on 70 but the additional 16 runs were knocked off easily by Andy and Yudesh (3*) to seal the 7 wicket win for LSC.
At the post game presentation Alex Amstardam was named the best batsman for the trip while Altaaf Habibulla was named best bowler and MVP. Largo CC named Raul M their best batsman and Shamsul their best bowler.
Liberty Sports Club would like to extend a hearty thank you to the Largo & Tampa CC’s and in particular Mr. Arnold Harry for their hospitality and competition.
The 2014 Liberty Sports Club is sponsored by GMA Enterprise, located on 122nd St & Liberty Ave. The please visit their website www.gmaenterprise.com to support our sponsor’s business. Follow the progress of Liberty Sports Club and join #TheBlueNation via facebook (facebook.com/LibertyCricketClubb), Twitter (@LibertySportsC) & Instagram (@LibertySportsC)
