It was a weekend to remember for Chandrapaul Hemraj, one of the Amazon Warriors batsmen, playing for the New Jersey Somerset Cavaliers in the US Minor League Atlantic Conference as he put on an all-round display, with the highlight being another century. His performances were enough to hand the Cavaliers back-to-back victories.
Chandrapaul Hemraj scored 101 off 50 balls
In game one, which was played at the Howe Athletic Complex, the Cavaliers faced off against the Philadelphians who won the toss and elected to bat. The Philadelphians were off to a flyer, but the Cavaliers managed to halt them in their tracks, picking up two quick wickets to have them at 58-2 in 7.5 overs. Milind Kumar came to the crease and rescued them, blasting a quick-fire 83 off 39 balls, to which the Cavaliers had no reply. His handy knock propelled them to 192-4 in their allotted 20 overs, with handy performances from Chiranshu Bhatia (27) and Jonathan Foo (19). Vanditkumar Prajapati was the leading bowler with 2-33. Heading into the chase, the Philadelphians were not prepared for the havoc the Cavaliers were about to wreak on them. Prajapati blasted 69 at the top of the order, but it was the in-form Hemraj who blasted 101 not out off 50 balls to take his side over the line. His innings included two boundaries and 11 towering maximums at a strike rate of 202 as the Cavaliers ended on 193-1 in 18.2 overs.
Chandrapaul Hemraj bowled miserly figures of 1-14 from his four overs
In game two, the Cavaliers duked it out with the Manhattan Yorkers. This encounter was much tighter than the previous games the Cavaliers had played. The Manhattan side won the toss and elected to bowl at Volunteer Park. Prajapati was once again among the runs with 35; however, the Cavaliers felt a detrimental blow when they lost Hemraj for 6. From there, everything was downhill for the Cavaliers as they were restricted to 128-9 in their 20 overs. Bashkar Yadram was the standout bowler with 2-30. With such a small total on the board to overhaul, the Manhattan Yorkers were a definite shoe-in for the win, but the Cavaliers were impeccable with the ball, handing themselves victory by 18 runs. The Manhattan Yorkers were dismissed for 110 in 18.4 overs, Umaid Asif bagged 2-29, Prajapati 2-35 and Hemraj 1-14 off his four overs.
When questioned on the importance of scoring two centuries, Hemraj said, “It’s definitely important to score back-to-back hundreds as consistency is something I have been striving for and finding so I can keep improving going forward. I’m timing the ball really well and being able to pace my innings the way I want to, so, I’ll definitely be going into CPL [Caribbean Premier League] with some confidence.”
As it relates to his fitness, the talented Guyanese noted that he has been working extremely hard on that aspect of his game and has been putting in the necessary work as it concerns his fitness, recovery and stretches. He explained that he was much better physically and mentally, and was optimistic that he would remain in that space going into the CPL.
