The Cosmos Kings stepped onto the field last Sunday with a heavy heart, fresh off two disappointing matches. In the absence of their regular captain, Alvin Gobin, Azam Yakub took on the responsibility of leading the team in their clash against Demroc at Beach 58, affectionately known as the “mosquito coast” in Far Rockaway.
As the mosquitoes prepared for their imminent invasion in June—a timing not yet confirmed—we could enjoy a bug-free game, thanks to our trusty insect repellent. The sound of bats striking balls replaced the buzz of mosquitoes, and the day felt promising.
Demroc won the toss and decided to bat first, taking advantage of a well-prepared wicket and a fast outfield. Captain Yakub approached his role with focus and professionalism, routinely consulting with seasoned players for guidance. It was Baveshwar Utam who made the first significant play, snatching a stellar catch at point, giving the Kings an early breakthrough (22 for 1). However, the partnership between A. Etwaroo and K. Singh soon solidified Demroc’s innings with a robust 40-run collaboration. In a swift change of momentum, Yakub took matters into his own hands, claiming his first wicket in cricket when Utam once again showcased his remarkable fielding skills, diving to catch Etwaroo (35). This brought Demroc to 81 for 3 in the 14th over, marked by Doneshwar Dayanand’s magical first ball that bowled out Rampersaud.
At a solid 119 for 3 in the 19th over, the Kings seemed to have a grip on the match. However, as is often the case in weekend cricket, the entry of a few part-timers into the bowling rotation led to a dramatic change in fortunes. Unfortunately for the Kings, disaster struck in the final six overs, where they conceded a staggering 107 runs. Kalash Singh shone with the bat, scoring a brilliant 95 not out, and combined with Antonie Handy’s 52 in a 106-run fourth-wicket partnership. Demroc finished their innings at a competitive 226 for 4 after 25 overs. Yakub, Dayanand, and A. Rambaran each took a wicket, but they couldn’t contain the run flow, conceding 62, 23, and 30 runs respectively.
The Kings returned to bat needing a solid response. Unfortunately, early wickets meant they were immediately on the defensive. A promising partnership emerged between Devindra Balgobin and Utam, who together notched up a half-century. Utam looked in fine form, frequently finding the mid-wicket boundary, but an ill-fated pull shot ended his innings, leaving the Kings at 70 for 3. Demroc seized the moment and capitalized on their opponents’ precarious position, with Lodhi dismantling the middle order and taking down Dayanand, Rambaran, and Yakub, putting the Kings in a tough spot.
Balgobin stood resilient, accumulating an impressive 69 not out, but the Kings’ innings crumbled to 107 all out by the 17th over. Meanwhile, Lodhi wreaked havoc, securing five wickets for just 24 runs, with K. Jagdeo contributing significantly with three wickets for 22 runs.
With every match, the Kings walked away not just with lessons about resilience and teamwork, but also with a deeper understanding of the beautiful game of cricket that unites them, even amidst challenges and setbacks.
Image Source: FanCode @ YouTube
