I believe Shakespeare utter the words " to be or not to be" Well I am still contemplating what he really meant by that. 

On July 16, 2000 for the United Cricket Club, it was more like Not To Be. Riverside CC and United CC revive their long standing rivalry in an aggressive atmosphere, if you think the Clanton vs. Earp gang at the OK Corral was intense, please reframe from such thoughts, this collision was like two locomotives slamming into each other, however unlike the OK Corral the weapons of choice on this day was bat and ball with a bucketful of trash talking chicken eating rhetoric from both corners.

 

The coin toss was delayed due to the over night showers but at 1 pm,  United CC flipped and won, immediately informing Riverside to go and bat, this knee jerk reaction  decision was based on the assumption that the pitch will play in United favor, hey if someone really can predict the playing conditions of a pitch, please inform us of what the winning Powerball number will be.The weather was not exactly what you will find in the French Riviera, it was extremely hot and dangerously humid with hazy skies and peeping clouds, this was not a day to be wasting energy, this report took cover and relaxed in the cool shade sipping an ice cold lemonade with a cherry on the glass rim, watching the cricketers take to the filed at 1:30 pm under the watchful eye and probing ears of Umpire Sid Downer.

 

Riverside CC Batting: With the new look opening pair of the left right combination, Shannan Ragnaught and Mohamad Khan went on the attack from ball one, both players looked keen to build a big partnership but Khan heaving a slow delivery to the fence was caught by the hands of glue, Rommie Jagernaught, Riverside lost its first wicket. The United fans was more than delighted to see Khan heading back to the stands, as they all remembered his previous rampage. The tigers was still breathing although the humidity was rising, Tony Kallicharan joined Shannan in the middle and kept the score ticking with quick fire singles and power shots to all parts of the ground, Shannan was not letting United off easily, he played the bowling with contempt and aggression slapping the ball in his unique style with his gluteus maximums distracting the keeper. Tony had a rewarding time in the middle but was sent back to the bench by an Umpire decision, yes it was that kind of a decision, you all know when the batsman think he was robbed, LBW. Tony slammed a magnificent 32. Batsman number four JC Ballie came in to tango with Shannan, and did they have a feast out there dipping the bat and sending the tired United blowing to the ropes, Shannan continued his onslaught and ravaged runs freely with JC following in the same mood, sending a ball to the boundary, but attempting another advantageous stroke he was caught, scoring 17. Ashok and Shazam managed to help the Riverside total with four runs between the two of them, I did not realize that runs was that expense, guys next time spend some more time in the middle and you may get lucky. Again Shannan had to start over to build a partnership, luckily for him Navin Bodenarain stayed on and kept the runs flowing like butter in a hot pan. Navin whacked a few fours and hurried several singles, but attempting to improve the run rate he was bowled by Nazim Ali for a sensational 29. The next over the water drinking Shannan was running for his life and didn't make it, if there was twinkes at the other end, this reporter is certain Shannan would have made it safely, but not putting the pedal to the medal he was run out after laying the foundation for Riverside scoring an impressive 82.  As the 40 over was near the remaining batsman added a few more runs, Rai was run out for 1, Krishna caught for 4, Parekh 1 and Khadar 2 was left standing as the Rcc innings came to a close with an impressive 188 for 9.

 

United CC Batting: George Jagernauth and Yadram Sumair was sent in to establish a platform for United, but both batsman looked as if the humidity got the best of them under that blazing northeast sun. Riverside captain threw the ball to Taj Khadar hoping to dismantle the opening pair, this was indeed the situation, Khadar first over was very hostile and intimidating resulting in a maiden over, at the other end Ashok Rangandan kept the bowling on target not giving any room to the batsman, they managed to score 2 runs off his over, With Khadar spewing fire, the perfect delivery got between bat and pads sending the stumps cart-wheeling, Sumair was heading back to the stands scoring only 1. United send in Webster to face the music, Webster played cautiously and was kept busy negotiating the swing of Rangandan and Venom of Khadar, Jagernaught did not appear please with the slow scoring, challenging Khadar taking wild swings, he was very fortunate that a wicked bouncer from Khadar missed his nose, talk about smelling the leather, with Webster looking relaxed and attempting to steal a single Jagernauth was brilliantly runout, adding only 11 to the United quest. In came Nazim Ali this guy is definitely hardcore to the bone, but he had a torrid time in the middle not able to get his way with the bat, the bowling was  on target " can you dig it "  A bowling change was made with Bodenarain coming from the riverfront end, this changed was beneficial to Rcc, Navin send a quick delivery down to Webster only getting it smashed straight to covers finding the hands of Mohamad Khan, this was a dynamite catch, the ball was hit on the meat of the bat and well timed, Khan leaping off his feat held on tight to the leather making it look very elementary, Webster was gone scoring 13, at this stage United was in serious trouble chasing a el grande target, they were 3 for 40. The hundreds of fans in attendance still knew the game was on as United Captain and the Connecticut League top runs scorer for the past three years was making his way to the crease, the spectators was on their feet leaving the hot dogs and hamburgers to burn on the Bar-B-Q grill, everyone came to see this champion Versammy Verapen, with his entrance in the middle the entire game was changed, but the Riverside bowlers kept their cool and continued to probe the batsman, Khadar was especially dangerous, this guy must have like the humid conditions, he was unstoppable, after having a confrontation with Nazim, he came around the wicket and peppered Nazim with an express delivery, clipping him on the gloves, with Panter Parekh taking a simple catch behind the stumps. Nazim was all done for a disappointing 9. Verapen was joined by Agimodin but a few overs later Verapen trying to clear 15 yards was easily caught by Raj Rai off the accurate bowling of Bodenarain, Verapen could not save his team like he did so many times in the past, only contributing four runs.. The remaining batsman couldn't get the job done with only Agimodin 27 and Romie Jagernauth 26 put up a fight. Riverside bowling was on fire and deadly dangerous with Khadar leading in his usual explosive style, taking 2 for 13 in 8 hostile overs.

 

United was only able to score 129 falling short by 59 runs. The United fans was surely upset about this loss, especially losing to Riverside, but at the end of the day the players had a few cold beers and are looking forward to continue the rivalry, hopefully with a different result for United. 

 

Man of the Match Shannan Ragnaught Scoring 82