… Highland Creek capture SCA Elite title

By Frederick Halley
TORONTO, Canada – A brilliant unbeaten 104 by Ruvindu Gunasekera propelled Highland Creek to an emphatic four-wicket victory over Hawaiian Arctic Cricket Club (HACC) in the final of the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) Elite League tournament, played on

Sunday at the Ashtonbee ground, Scarborough here.

Set a revised total of 248 for victory after HACC batted first and reached 218 for six in their allotted 50 overs, Highland Creek reached 251 for six with four overs to spare, leaving the six-time consecutive Premiere League winners still without an Elite championship following its inauguration last year.

The left-handed Gunasekera, who also plays for Canada, entered the fray in the fourth over, following the loss of opener Animole Nasir with the score on 30 and took centre stage from thereon.
After adding 29 for the second wicket with skipper Fahad Ali Khan (29), Gunasekera then shared a third-wicket partnership of 109 with Bashar Ashfaq whose fine 51 included five fours. Farhan Khan also chipped in with 26, smashing two sixes and a four in the process.

When victory was achieved, much to the enjoyment of the Highland Creek supporters and players, Gunasekera had counted 11 fours and two sixes in his match-winning knock.
Former Guyana and West Indies One-day player Royston Crandon was by far the best of the HACC bowlers, finishing with three for 33 from his 10 overs while there was one each for Krishna Arjune and Harrinarine Chattergoon for 44 and 45 runs respectively.

Opting to take first strike, HACC were struggling at 62 for five in the 18th over before for Canadian international Abdool ‘Birdy’ Samad and skipper Azib Ali Hanif came to the rescue with a brilliant 106-run seventh-wicket stand which ended when Samad was forced to retire hurt for 78, the searing heat causing him much discomfort.

Samad’s innings contained three fours and four sixes but his departure was a big blow for HACC when he looked set to complete his second century of the season.
Hanif, who was left unbeaten on a well-played 51 when the innings ended, added a further 50 with Zaheer Allard, whose quick-fire unbeaten 38 from 21 balls with three sixes and two fours, provided some sparkle towards the end. The former Guyana wicket-keeper Hanif struck six fours during his stay at the crease. Shiraz Khan (two for 19) and Saad Bin Zafar (two for 34) were the best bowlers for Highland Creek.

With only 45 bowled in the allotted time, it meant that 30 runs were added to HACC’s 218 for six, a total that still proved inadequate for Highland Creek who failed to reach the playoffs last year.
The Most Valuable Player awards went to Gunasekera of Highland Creek and Samad of HACC.

At the presentation ceremony, which followed, SCA president Shiv Persaud praised both teams for their efforts in reaching the final and for putting on a fine show. Persaud reminded those present that the weather had been very kind unlike in previous years when most of the finals were played in winter-like conditions.

Both the winning and losing captains spoke highly of their players, acknowledging the better team on the day in question had emerged as winners.
The SCA annual Presentation, Dinner and Dance is set for Saturday, October 21 at the Eastown Banquet Hall, Scarborough.