The final showdown between Riverside and Banks began under a cloudless blue sky, with the general view being that the pitch will provide good cricket, which was not always the case at the Keney park oval this season. The toss was not expected to be important; nevertheless Riverside won it and decided to send Banks in to face the music of the Rcc six prong bowling attack with Taj Khadar leading the hunt.

Riverside, go into this match on an eight game winning streak with a most impressive victory in the semi-finals over St. Lucia. Few players to watch in this clash, Shannan Ragnauth for his consistent skillful performance, Ashok Ranganadan for his all rounder abilities, Tony Kallicharan for his explosive batting, Shazam Hussian for his clutch batting when needed and quickee Taj Khadar for his raw aggression and in your face high caliber bowling. Expect surprise as Captain Sheik Mohammad is always giving the opposition a torrid time in the middle. Rcc looked totally focused on the prize with energetic pre game drills and lots of team spirit.

Banks, after winning their semi final game easily, was on a high note with Captain Andre Mayers bringing his team to the finals in his first season. Banks line up is impressive with the number one wicket taker Basil Read leading the league with his deceiving swing bowling, who for some reason had to conclude unfinished business with Riverside. The only surprise omission from the Banks squad was the hard hitting Victor Brathwaite due to a leg injury. Victor loss was a definite blow.  

Banks will face an uphill task if they are to win this match and get the honors. Riverside are a highly competent, mentally tough, efficient team and will not lightly relinquish their dominance. But, provided Banks can put their game plan into action and stick it out to the end, it should be a well-fought match. The teams are as follows:

Riverside: S Mohammad*+, J Ballie, M Khan, T Kallicharan, S Ragnauth, A Ragnandan, S Hussain, R Rai, N Bodenarian, T Khadar,  D Chokshi, Sanjay Patel           

Banks: A Mayers* , C Smith+ , T Parris, L Brathwaite, M Greaves, W Springer, C Brathwaite, B Reid, A Russell, R Skeete , M Kallicharan 

 

This first final of the 21st century was officiated by two of Connecticut League's top Umpires, no other than Jerry Goulbourne and Lloyd Bachan bringing their calm cool professional skills to this grand affair. Both umps was looking their best, dressed in their Sunday special, that long white coat. The fans was ready to see this game as both team at one time had players represent each other, their is not a lot of secrets here. The FunnBoy Network captured this cricketing entertainment with the video crew Subramannie & Jerat in charge.. Lets play Ball Start time 12pm

 

Banks Batting: Openers Trevor Parris, banks leading scorer and L. Brathwaite came out to attempt to put runs on the board, but it was not heaven out there as Riverside premium pair of strike bowlers kept both batsman busy and remind them of what hell may feel like. Dhaval Chokshi kept the ball in the groove not letting the batsman play their shots, Trevor was especially frustrated as he played and missed on several occasion. Taj Khadar at the other end provide some more pain to both batsman sending down rising rib cage delivers to both fellas. With runs scarcer that gasoline, Chokshi was first to strike sending an inswinger to Trevor who played too late and was bowled with the ball up rooting the off stump cart wheeling it ten yards almost taking out the fielder at first slip. Trevor was gone in the fourth over scoring only 4, he was replaced by M. Greaves who did not look like he wanted to enjoy the beautiful late summer day with bright sunshine and temperatures in the low 70's because Khadar was bowling accurate and ferocious coming around the wicket and sending a scorcher to Greaves, only having the ball slammed into his gloves giving keeper Sheik Mohammad a leaping one handed catch. Banks now 9 for 2 in the fifth over with Greaves scoring 1. Enter the Captain Andre Mayers a former Riverside member, and a big bat, this duel between Mayers and the Rcc attack was special as Andre tried his best to move the ball around, but was not successful, Chokshi and Khadar send the ball just short of a good length spelling havoc for Andre. With a few wild words exchanged between Khadar and Mayers the set up was on. Khadar steaming in sending a violent short ball to Mayers who luckily got some bat to the ball avoiding an accident and hospital bills, only sending it straight up to land in the secure hands of Ashok Rangandan. Andre was caught scoring 4. Banks was in trouble  losing 3 wickets for 22 runs  in the 11th over. 

Enter Curtis Smith an established athlete especially running between the wickets, Curtis immediately got off the mark scoring quick singles, L. Brathwaite and Curtis was on course to set up a partnership, but after being brutalized by Khadar Brathwaite was bowled by the other riverside weapon Jc Ballie, Brathwaite was all done for 9 painful runs. Banks still not out of trouble at 35 for 4. Well Curtis Smith was joined in the middle by a determined batsman W. Springer, both batsman took on the riverside bowling and played sensibly. After twenty minutes in the middle and ten runs Curtis hit his first boundary. Springer was playing in the same zone as Curtis but was not as attacking, with bowling changes of Rangandan, the batsman was not having an easy task out in the middle but they kept to the mission and scored continuously as the singles was starting to add up moving the score along. Rangandan bowled a tight spell keeping the batsman in check. Curtis in the later overs opened his shoulders and clobbered a  few across the ropes, but going for a quick single running to the danger end he was run out by a brilliant piece of fielding from Khadar sending the ball quickly to the keeper. Curtis scored 50 for his team including five 4's at this stage Banks were 118 in the 34th over. Soon after Springer attempting to accelerate the score, going for the big shot he was bowled by Ballie, ending his stay at the crease with a valiant 40 runs. With two new batters in a partnership was not formed as Couise Brathwaite was bowled by Ballie without scoring and Ricky Skeete playing the way bowlers do scored a quick fire 14 as he was also bowled by Chokshi. With overs was running out and the new pair of Basil Reid and A. Russell was on the march to score runs, Basil swinging and getting a lot of air, edging here and there, managed to connect a few times to end up in double figures, scoring 11 for his team, with Russell contributing 5. Mike Kallicharan was deprived to have a bat as the 40 overs was up and Banks recover very well to post a scored of 161. Will this be too much or not enough for the tigers to go after.. keep reading baby! cuz mi se so   

Riverside Batting: The usual opening pair of Sheik Mohammad and Jc Ballie came out to party in the middle, with the Keney park oval full to capacity. Sheik on the first strike facing the venom of Andre Mayers, as his first few deliveries was defended, however with Andre straying down the leg stump, Sheik made contact with the wayward ball and collected two easy runs, Rcc off the mark. Andre next delivery was treated the same way as two more was added. After one over the score was four. Banks introduced their experiment bowler as he was successful in the seim-final game, but Cousie Brathwaite experiment was unsuccessful on this occasion with the new ball. Jc Ballie played him without any problem and the runs was coming fast. With the next over Sheik slamming a ball to deep square leg, going for a double was theatrically run out with a eccentric return as Curtis Smith took the bails off, this run out was a trigger for things to come. Rcc lost its first wicket in the 3rd overs with 6 runs on the board, Banks was over joy by seeing the Riverside captain heading back to the stands, he was replaced by the inform Mohamad Khan, a hard hitting and destructive batsman. Khan played the bowling like I play guitar, that's without any problem; he got his first runs off Cousie with Jc running very quick down the track. In the next over Khan opened his massive shoulders and belted the ball to the boundary, the fans loved the shot as this was Rcc first one over the ropes. With khan looking to make a big score he went to lash one to fine leg but was unfortunate in his endeavors giving a simple catch to the keeper off the penetrative bowling of Ricky Skeete. Riverside was now 2 down with 30 runs on board in the 8th over. khan departure was a definite set back. At 3:46 p.m. the league top scorer and century maker enter the battle zone, Tony Kallicharan walk to the middle and instantly all in attendance had their eyes on him. With Tony in the middle there will be fire works. Tony scored quickly playing in his grand fashion, facing Skeete he plundered two consecutive fours to the fence.

With the change of bowling, it bought results to Banks, as Basil Reid showed his swing bowling was good enough on this day to claim the number one wicket of Tony sending the ball to third man with Springer taking the catch. Tony was done scoring 17 departing at 4:23 p.m., at this stage Rcc was 4 for 47 in the 14^th over. Soon after Tony's wicket, Basil again struck having Jc playing at an out swinger sending a catch to Parris who secured it tightly. Rcc in trouble at 53 for five in the 17^th over.  With a new pair on the seen Shannan Ragnauth and Ashok Rangandan had a mission to rescue Riverside as they did in the semi finals, however this did not happen as Shannan was adjudged Lbw off Reid, Shannan did not add runs to the team as he was gone without scoring. Ashok a veteran and experience players did not let this loss affect his game plan.

Enter the wonder kid Shazam Hussain, with his team in trouble and coming in at number 7 he had all the time to do what he dose best, score runs and do it in bold fashion. Shazam and Ashok set out to build a winning partnership facing all the bowling talent from Banks. Ashok being the veteran and senior man on deck, without hesitation pass the mantel to Shazam who did not disappoint his partner. Shazam set out to beat the ball with his first shot a double his next scoring shot an immaculate four, and he followed it with another boundary crashing into the side screen. The chase was on. Ashok of course did not let Shazam hit all the fours as he slammed one across the ropes. With both batsman playing there shots, run fro Rcc started to flow like the waters of Niagara Falls. Shazam kept the fielders moving to all parts of the field, playing in his usual aggressive and respective style, he had the crowd loving the action in the middle. With the fans getting behind Shazam he belted a couple more to the boundary ropes. He was now in overdrive, seeing the ball like a basketball using his willow to hammer runs. Banks tried several bowling changes but this did not matter to the Kid. He treated all with the same attitude.  Ashok kept up the supporting role rotating the strike and scoring.

Captain Mayers decided to take the ball and try his luck, well his luck ran out faster than you can say "wazz up" Shazam played Mayers first delivery with ease, Mayers next ball an over pitched one, resulted with a gigantic six over long on. After this massive and crown pleasing the sixer, the fans started the chant Shaz, Shaz, Shaz. The Banks players were shocked with this mighty six. Mayers was visible shaken up after being hit by a 17-year-old kid with that much authority. Ashok at the other end had a big smile painted on his face. The next over saw the introduction of Russell, who immediately made his presence felt by taking the wicket of Ashok who guided the ball to keeper Curtis Smith taking a simple catch. Shazam new partner, the carl hooper look alike Raj Rai enter the action. Raj playing his shots as smooth as silk kept the runs coming rcc way. Raj got the much need singles and several duces, Shazam again facing Mayers treated the fans to some more demolition, with beating a rising delivery to the boundary. Mayers was not pleased with that shot. Shazam looked solid ready for the next ball, Mayers steaming in bowls to Shazam and guess what the ball was seen sailing over the side screen for a gargantuan sixer. Wow!! Raj was seen laughing after that sixer. The score kept on moving. Raj ran some quick singles, next over Shazam facing Russell was very unfortunate to be caught, it was a magnificent low catch eight inches off the grass taken by Springer. With that catch the Banks players was happy to see Shazam heading to the stands and the fans gave him a standing ovation after his 60 runs that included five 4's and two 6's. Riverside at this stage was 139 for 7 in the 33^rd over.

Raj was joined by Navin Bodenarain to accelerate the runs, with both batsman scoring it looked like the game was coming to a fast end, Navin played some powerful shots, scoring doubles to all parts. With Mayers coming back he at last was successful in getting Raj out, being given Lbw. Raj contribution was 14 for his team. Enter the number 10 batsman, this guy is know more for his bowling prowess than his batting adventures, however Chokshi kept his cool and supported Navin in the quest to bring home the runs. With Chokshi playing conservatively, Navin played his shots with confidence and hit the winning shot running 2. Navin not on 12 and Chokshi on 4, Khadar batting was not needed. The game was over Riverside scoring 163 winning the 2000 Connecticut League Championship with total teamwork.

The fans at the oval will remember this championship game as the best they have seen, with lost of up and down on both side, and some glorious shots. This was cricket at its best. The FunnBoy Network says Congrats to the Champs.

Man of the match: Shazam Hussain 60 Runs and $300

MVP: Shazam Hussain $500

Shazam inning: 2.4.4.2.1.1.4.1.1.1.2.1.1.1.4.2.1.1.6.2.1.1.2.4.1.6.1.2

Until next time FunnBoy says practice your cricket in bed, see you in 2001