… crush Canadian Legends in lopsided final

MERCENARIES maintained their unbeaten record in the Ontario Softball Cricket League 2021 season, climaxing with a crushing 118-run defeat over Canadian Legends when the final took place last Sunday at the Ashtonbee Reservoir ground, Scarborough, Canada.

The star-studded lineup, led by seasoned campaigner Loooknauth Ramsuchit, made light work of their opponents in the lopsided affair, piling up a challenging 184 for five in their allotted 20 overs. In reply, Canadian Legends failed to put up any resistance and were blown away for a paltry 66 in 14.4 overs.

The eventual winners were led by a superb knock of 60 from in-form middle-order batsman Riaz Kadir, who has also been enjoying a terrific season in other leagues.

Kadir, who smashed six fours and four sixes, received admirable support from openers Avinash Sookdeo (37 with two fours and three sixes) and Richard Dias (27 with two sixes) while Ramsuchit chipped in with a quick-fire unbeaten 22 which included three towering sixes.

Bowling for Canadian Legends, captain Gopichand Beharry stood out with three for 21 from his four overs while Zakir Khan took one for 26 and Nishal Dass one for 54.

Apart from Reyaz Prahalad who hit two sixes in his 23, no other batsman reached double figures. Extras tallied 27.

In an incredible spell, the experienced Sunil Ramkissoon grabbed three for four in his four overs while Amit Rukhram claimed two for four in 1.4. The other wickets were shared by Rabindra Diaram (one for three), Anand Gurdial (one for 11) and Mahendranauth Parasnauth (one for 16).

In the semi-finals, played the previous day at the same venue, Mercenaries won from Bacchus Ruff Ryders while Canadian Legends defeated Carr Tec.

Eleven teams participated in the tournament and, unlike previous years, all played in the same division. It also marked a return for the grassroots game following a break in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.