Half centuries from Ushardeva Balgobin and Vennie Rampersaud ensured Cultural United Cricket Club wins over GT All-Stars and Richmond Hill Liberty on Saturday.
Playing in the New York National Cricket League/Cricket Zone T20 Cup, Cultural United first defeated All-Stars by two wickets at Baisley Pond after replying to All-star’s 163 all out in 19.5 overs with 164 for eight with eight balls to spare.
Kellon Carmichael piloted All-Stars to their total with 45 from 30 balls. His innings featured three sixes and two fours while adding 61 with Renwick Batson (33) for the second wicket.
Carlos Bachu led with the ball for Cultural United with 5-18. He was supported by Tejpaul Bishundat with 3-28 while Rampersaud and Balgobin picked up a wicket each.
In the chase, Balgobin pummeled five sixes and four fours on his way to 55 from 19 balls. He added 58 for the opening partnership with Arnil Ragnauth who made a 31-ball 46, highlighted by two sixes and five fours. Carmichael returned to take 3-41 but it was not enough to see All-Stars over the line.
In the second match, Richmond won the toss and batted, piling up 182 for five from their full quota. Cultural United replied with 185 for seven in 18.4 overs.
Richard Ramdeen was the lynchpin of Richmond’s innings with 68 from 46 balls, decorated by two sixes and eight fours.
Ramdeen added 89 for the first wicket with Azeemudin Khan who was caught and bowled by Balgobin (2-42) for 30. When Ramdeen departed it was Vishaul Singh who anchored the innings with a vital 43 not out from 26 balls.
Bishundat also picked up 2-26 while Bachu returned 1-43.
In the chase, Balgobin got Cultural United off to a flyer, hitting four sixes and two fours as he raced to 36 from 12 balls while adding 42 for the opening stand with Ragnauth (23).
However, Rampersaud showed his class with an unbeaten 90 from 50 balls, laced with three sixes and a dozen fours. Baskhar Yadram and Andrew Tomby picked up two wickets each.
