In 2021, Sunshine made a clean sweep at the Ontario Round-Arm Softball Cricket Association (ORSCA) tournaments, winning the Regular Season (20 overs) and the 10-10 competitions.
The side is heading into things again with the same degree of optimism according to successful Captain Anil Mahadeo.
He attributed last year’s success to hard work and commitment from his players, having churned out some outstanding performances for the entire duration of the two competitions that ran simultaneously.
Sunshine
Mahadeo, a versatile all-rounder, stated there was a recruitment process in place at the moment, but he was expecting the team to play with the same chemistry and coherence from last year.
In the 10-10 championship contest, they got the better of their nemesis, Masters, by five wickets and then overwhelmed Cambridge Jaguars by four wickets in the 20-over final. Sunshine were undefeated, notably.
“We just went out there and played positive cricket; I must thank the guys to truly put their best foot forward; the two competitions were competitive, but I think we just played the right game,” Mahadeo declared.
The ORSCA had opted to pull off the two tournaments, given that the pandemic has kept the players off the field for practically 24 months.
Normally, the ORSCA would play the other 15-over competition.
With the addition of the 15-over tournament this season, Mahadeo is confident they can do well again in all three formats.
“We have to start from game one again; we would have one and two new players for this season, but we are ready to play committed and die-hard cricket; obviously, every team going out there to win, but to come out as champion calls for dedication and dynamic cricket,” Mahadeo related.
This year’s season opens with the Regular Season on May 29 when Sunshine and Spartans will do battle. Mahadeo informed that the players have already begun practice sessions and that would boost their confidence immensely ahead of the tournaments.
“Like last year, we just want to enjoy our games; we started our practice sessions and getting ready for the competitions from all the oppositions; in 2021, Brampton Gladiators and Masters were very competitive, but we are prepared again,” Mahadeo reasoned.
Some reputable players turned out for Sunshine last year in their first season at the ORSCA including Hemnarine Chattergoon; Jeetendra Beharry; Ramiz Mohammed, who cracked a double century in the Regular Season and Anil Etwaroo while Imran Ali and Riaz Kadir, two top-notch players, are expected to link up with Sunshine this year.
