Departing Gawas to miss Commercial KO cup final
Forties' record-breaker Yatin Gawas was robbed of one last shot at glory before leaving the Island when Tropical Storm Leslie forced the postponement of last Sunday's Commercial Cricket League Knockout Cup final.Gawas, a 31-year-old chef, flies home to Goa today 24 hours before the rescheduled final between Forties and defending champions Spring Garden Cavaliers takes place at Shelly Bay.Gawas smashed the league's existing record of 166 not out, held by Cavaliers' Jeff DeSilva, when he blasted 177 against Jamaican Association at Garrison Field in July.Gawas, who has played for Forties since coming to the Island in 2004, followed up his 177 with a century against Cavaliers the following week and also made 95 in Forties' semi-victory over North Village in the Twenty20 League Cup, which Forties eventually shared with Jamaican Association after the teams tied in the final."I'm really going to miss Bermuda," Gawas said.Added team-mate Simon Jones: "Yatin has been the heartbeat of the Forties team for many years. He has always been a popular player amongst team-mates and opposition players in the Commercial League because he gives everything and is a fair player. Yatin has been one of the best all-rounders in the Commercial League for some time."As a bowler he is accurate and consistent and charges in tirelessly in the summer heat. And as a batsman he has the talent to take any bowling attack apart."It is fitting that he has enjoyed one of his best seasons with the bat this year and hit a new Commercial League record. Yatin has left his mark on cricket in Bermuda and I think everyone that has played with him or against him will be sad to see him go."Cavaliers thrashed Forties by seven wickets in last season's final en route to completing an unprecedented clean sweep on the league's four major trophies. Victory tommorrow over Forties, 15 times winners of the Knockout Cup, will give Cavaliers three trophies this season.Meanwhile, the Evening Cricket League will wrap up their season at Shelly Bay today with two T20 knockout finals.League champions Renegades will take on PWC Byes in the Second Division final starting at 9am, while league champions Fine Leg Byes will meet The Associates in the Premier Division final at 1pm.While Renegades will return to the Premier Division next season relegated High Flyaz will drop to the second flight after one season.