…Dias (65) sizzles with brilliant knock

By Frederick Halley
IT was billed as “David versus Goliath,” but in the end it turned out to be a last-ball thriller as the last pair of Nick Sarwan and Shameer Latiff held their nerves to give Softball Cricket Canada (SCC) victory over the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) Select X1 in the Open category when the Ontario Twilight Softball Cricket League (OTSCL) inaugural three-day Canada Cup climaxed at the Ashtonbee Reservoir ground, Scarborough, Canada on Sunday.

Entering the final as the overwhelming favourites after playing unbeaten in the preliminary rounds and comprising several of the players from Mercenary, who have been dominating the 2022 regular season, SCC were confronted by a side which seemed undeterred by their reputation on a misty Sunday afternoon. However, an innings of calibre from the left-handed Richard Dias, who hit a sizzling 65, stood out among the SCC batting ruins.

Set 134 for victory after limiting their opponents to 133 for nine in their allotted 20 overs, SCC were rocked back at nine for two in the second over, losing the prized scalps of openers Avinash Sookdeo (three) and Avinash Rukhram (0).

Dias and Riaz Kadir steadied the innings with a fine third-wicket partnership of 57 in just six overs but the departure of the latter for 18 in the eighth over saw a transformation in the game as there was a steady procession thereafter.

With 13 still needed for victory, panic ensued when Dias, who struck three fours and an equal number of sixes, was bowled by Zakir Khan with the score on 121 for eight in the 18th over. Aided by some indifferent fielding lapses, SCC eventually huffed and puffed their way to 127 for nine after 19 overs. Needing seven off the last over, bowled by Reynold Sugrim, Sarwan and Latiff survived to earn victory off the last ball following a close run out scare.

Kelvin Shivrattan ended with three for 30, Reynold Sugrim two for 13 and Zakir Khan two for 14.
The victory was greeted by wild celebrations from the hundreds of SCC fans but with obvious dejection from the OSCL players and supporters who felt they had let a win slipped from their grasp.

Earlier, former Guyana youth player, Steve Ramdas, batting at number four, blasted a courageous 58, which included six fours and three sixes to rescue the OSCL X1 who lost wickets at regular intervals after opting to bat under cloudy skies. The only other batter to reach double figures was skipper Shiv Persaud (11). Extras were a healthy 41, including 24 wides. Yoodhanlall Sukhlall was the main destroyer with four for 19 while Latiff supported with two for 17.

Dias and Ramdass were the respective Most Valuable Players (MVPs) for their teams while Sookdeo was adjudged the tournament’s MVP.
Among those witnessing the last few overs of the thrilling encounter were Toronto’s Deputy Mayor, Michael Thompson, Jennifer McKelvie, City Councillor for Ward 25, Scarborough – Rouge Park and Guyana’s Consul General (ag) to Toronto, Gerald Whyte.

Apart from the winner’s trophy, sponsored by Trophy Stall (Guyana and Canada), the winners were also recipient of $4000 (Canadian) while all the players also received trophies at the impressive presentation ceremony.
Both MVPs, Dias and Ramdass, and tournament MVP Sookdeo, were recipients of trophies with Dias also collecting a bat from Ravi Etwaroo of Cricket Zone USA.