Vijay Seonarine’s Bachan Defeats Ryan Hurley’s Sportsman To Reach Finals

August 21st, 2008
Former Guyanese national all-rounder Vijay Seonarine put together a captain’s innings to secure his team a spot in the Commonwealth Cricket League Division A finals.

In what was a beautiful day for cricket in city of Poughkeepsie where the grass is cut just before the game and the pitch is made of clay and rolled with a heavy roller as we remember how the pitches are in Guyana.

Vijay Seonarine

In this important semi-final match, Bachan won the toss and sent in Sportsman to bat. The two dangerous opening batsmen of Blackman and Plunkett had been terrorizing the league with their stroke play all season but they were never settled. Plunkett was bowled for a duck off an inside edge off the first over of Parsram Beepat. Beepat went on to have the team’s best figures of 4 for 29.

In came Ryan Hurley, the former West Indies player and he and Blackman got settle and put on a 80 run first wicket partnership. But as soon as they looked like they were settled, in come Vijay Seonarine’s off-spin that removed Ryan Hurley LBW for a well played 53. Hurley’s wicket would open the flood gates for more wickets.

Blackman (26) soon was out caught off the bowling by the no doubt player of the game Vijay Seonarine. At 84 for 2, Sportsman looked to still put a decent total on the board with 20 overs to go on the 35 over game but it only got worse as the spin and pace combination of Besham Ramsunai and Parsram Beepat scattered the wickets of the Sportman batsman. Their next 8 wickets went for a mere 38 runs.

Besham Ramsunai bagged 3 wickets for 18 runs. Runs were hard to come by as another spinner, Alan Deodat’s 7 overs went for a measly 13 runs. Sportsman was all out in 27 overs for 122.

Bachan was set a total of around 3 runs per over but quickly pegged back as they lost opener Ravin Ivan for a duck of the bowling of E. Murray in the first over. Captain Vijay Seonarine walked to the wicket knowing his team needed a steady innings from him and he did not fail to produce. The very first ball he faced, he walked down the track and lifted the ball over the bowler’s head for a powerful four.

Seonarine soon lost the other opening partner Ramsunai in a run out trying for a second run. Bejai Somai joined Seonarine as the dangerous Ryan Hurley took the ball. Hurley twisted and turned deliveries but they were no match for Seonarine’s skills as he picked the gaps and put away the loose balls for boundaries with exquisite timing and stroke play.

Seonarine had good support Bejai Somai who crafted a well played 23 as he hit a couple of huge sixes and some nice drives but was soon out bowled by Ryan Hurley. The partnership of Somai & Seonarine netted 72 runs and looked to seal the victory for Bachan. Victory didn’t come easy though, in form left hander Alan Deodat was caught behind for a duck off Ryan Hurley.

Hurley looked to take advantage of the lower order but just 25 runs required, Vijay Somai chipped in with a useful 15 while Seonarine steady the game and valued his prized wicket. Seonarine finished with a matching winning knock of 66 not out which consisted of 6 fours and 2 sixes.

Bachan was will now face the undefeated Pak America in the finals at Whitestone Park, Sunday August 24th. This contest looks to be quite game to see and a huge crowd is expected.