LEGUAN Warriors, as expected, completed a clean sweep of the B Division titles when the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) 2023 season concluded at the Ellesmere ground, Scarborough, Canada on Sunday.
Already assured of the T-20 Regular season, T-15 and T-10 crowns, Leguan Warriors added the T-20 Playoffs title to their collection with a lop-sided 74-run victory over Malvern All Stars.
Led by a pugnacious boundary studded 125 from former Guyana Under-19 player Krishna Deosaran, who completely dominated Leguan Warriors innings, the eventual winners reached 187 for six in their allotted 20 overs, after being inserted, then limited their opponents to 113 all out in 19 overs.
The left-handed Deosaran, who blasted four fours and an incredible 15 sixes in his 58-ball knock, shared in two important partnerships, dominating both. He added 91 for the third wicket with Abdool Azeez (31) and 49 for the fifth with Adil Parasram whose contribution was only two. Sriram Banasa took two for 40 from his four overs.
Malvern All Stars, who were playing in their first final at this level, huffed and puffed their way to 113 before they were dismissed for in 19 overs with useful contributions coming from Vic Mangal (25), Ganesh Menoram (16) and Vishundat Parsram (11 not out), the only three players to reach double figures. Bowling for Leguan Warriors, Sheikh Parsram ended with three for 19, skipper Ravi Bodo took two for three and Azeez two for 24. Deosaran took the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the winners.
Krishna Deosaran poses with the MVP and winner’s trophies
The consistent Deosaran was also instrumental in his team’s semi-final win the previous day at the same venue, hitting an unbeaten 56 as Leguan Warriors won from Bacchus Ruff Ryders by five wickets.
Set 100 for victory, after Bacchus Ruff Ryders were dismissed for 99 in 19.1 overs, Leguan Warriors achieved the required target with 44 balls remaining despite being 56 for five at one stage. Deosaran spanking eight sixes in 56 not out.
In the other semi-final, played on the adjoining ground, Malvern All Stars got the better of Essequibo Coast. Batting first, Essequibo Coast were dismissed for a paltry 70 in the 19th over. Malvern All Stars raced to 71 for two in the 11th over, registering a comfortable eighth wicket victory with Amit Balram and Vic Mangal unbeaten on 34 and 33 respectively.
