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USA Cricket: Youth cricket at the crossroads

openingbat — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 15:46:00 GMT

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By Jamie Harrison

Youth cricket in the United States is growing at an unprecedented rate as hundreds of thousands of children are exposed to the game for the first time.

Youth cricket in the United States is desperately in need of assistance, without which it will cease to expand much beyond its existing base and will eventually disappear altogether.

These are two seemingly contradictory statements, and yet, they are both true. Youth cricket has reached a moment of tremendous opportunity – and also mortal danger, largely because of timing, immigration and demographics.

The 1970 United States census recorded 51,000 American residents that had been born in India. By 2006, this number had exploded to over 1.5 million, making Indian-born immigrants the fourth largest group in the country, after those from Mexico, the Philippines and China. Much of this movement has been in the last decade, with more than a third arriving after 2000.

Pic (right): Thanks to the efforts of USYCA, schools are getting exposed to cricket at an unprecendented rate. On April 15th, the Cincinnati Cricket Club, an USYCA affiliate, conducted a cricket clinic at the Edwin D. Smith Elementary School in Dayton, OH.

It is also important to note that most of the new arrivals were in the age group when one typically has children, and over 25% gained employment in the IT industry (compared to less than 3% of overall foreign-born residents).

The impact of this wave of South Asian immigration can be seen in the revival of their favorite pastime in this country. They drive the tiny cricket retail industry, they create the market for cricket to be broadcast online and they prompted ESPN to sign a contract with the Star Sports. Their children are also the reason that cricket academies exist in the United States.

For much of the last decade, a few dozen noble volunteers and lonely visionaries have created and sustained a collection of cricket academies and training centers in America. These organizations are scattered across the nation, and yet at the same time are also largely concentrated in a handful of locations.

The places in which these enterprises have survived are instructive. They are typically located near communities that boast large numbers of families with roots in the Indian subcontinent.

This should not be particularly surprising, as children are far more likely to accept coaching in sports with which they are familiar, or at least with which their families are familiar. In America, this filters out 95% of the population before the academy places its first advertisement, and is frankly a tough business model under which to operate. This also explains why the typical cricket academy in the United States counts its participants in the dozens, rather than the hundreds.

In spite of these challenges, a number of stalwarts have not only survived, but have thrived, often with little or no outside support. In New York, organizations like the New York Youth Cricket Academy and New York Tristate Cricket Academy are all able to draw from the metropolitan area’s growing Asian and West Indian populations, and have built a very solid foundation.

On the West Coast, groups such as the California Cricket Academy, the Bay Area Cricket Alliance and the Northern California Cricket Association carry much of the weight.

In between the oceans, the Florida Cricket Academy will send two teams overseas in 2011, the Michigan Cricket Academy prepares junior squads for local and national tournaments and Cricket Academy USA hosts cricket camps, teams and leagues.

In addition, sprinkled across the map are dozens of other smaller efforts, often run as an extension of a local cricket club or league. Due to a shortage of children and resources, it’s rare for these more modest operations to do much more than just practice with their charges or run small leagues.

Another sad truth about the present state of affairs is that without large numbers of children emerging into adulthood to play top-quality cricket, there’s little hope for the youth of today to play the game seriously for long. If he or she is good enough there might be a spot on the regional or national team, if they can afford to pay for their own training, get time off from work and raise the money raised to travel.

Unlike top cricketing nations around the world, the young American cricketer who hopes to play professionally has little to which to look forward.

This is why many children of cricket-playing fathers turn their backs on the game, or simply drift away in their teen years. The tragedy is that without the large numbers needed to create and support a cricket infrastructure in this country, we even lose the children we thought were ours alone. Many of them never even consider cricket to begin with, electing to play baseball, soccer or some other sport that can dangle a more promising future in front of them.

And herein lies the mortal threat to youth cricket.

It is to be expected that those who played cricket in their youth will want to play the game here, and this is borne out in the growing adult leagues around the nation. When these new Americans have children, it may also be expected that they will raise their children to have at least a passing interest in cricket, and this is borne out in the faces of those who attend our academies, camps and clinics.

The frightening reality we must face is that the incredibly large numbers of immigrants from cricket-playing nations cannot continue forever (especially when it is so intertwined with the fortunes of one industry), and therefore cannot be depended upon as a permanent stream of cricket followers and players. If the children of these “first-generation” families are allowed to be lost to cricket, they will not be easy to replace in the short term, and perhaps impossible in the long term.

It is a foolish to believe that there is a way to preserve cricket in America without quickly making it an American sport. We need the participation, attention, and yes, the cash flow, of a sizeable percentage of the population to maintain cricket as a viable sport in this country (certainly far larger than 5%). If cricket does not quickly (5-10 years) become a popular option for American children, if this window of opportunity is inadequate to break cricket out of its niche status – then the game is up.

But there’s hope – and opportunity.

If all of these cricket-coaching organizations have one thing in common, it’s that almost all of the participants in these programs came to them with some knowledge about cricket. It would be unnatural otherwise. To expect a parent to pay for coaching in a sport with which their children were unfamiliar would be unrealistic.

That’s why the task of introducing children to cricket for the first time must necessarily be shifted elsewhere, which is where the United States Youth Cricket Association (USYCA) comes in.

Pic (Right): On April 8th, Washington Warriors CC, a USYCA affiliate, presents a free cricket kit to Langston Hughes Middle School and South Lakes High School, both in Reston, VA.

USYCA brings cricket where it has not been in America for over a hundred years – the general public. By donating cricket sets to cash-strapped schools, and usually arranging for a local cricket enthusiast to deliver training, children across America are being exposed to the game, and are embracing it.

By the time schools reopen this August, over 750 US schools will have received USYCA American Cricket Champ sets, raising the number of students impacted to over 500,000. These are the kinds of numbers youth academies need to have if they are going to change the future of cricket in America.

To imagine the impact of bringing cricket to the broader US population, imagine a factory production line where 95% of the raw materials were lost before they ever got to the factory floor. Rather than operating at full capacity, the factory would be producing only at 5% efficiency – a disaster that would soon drive most companies out of business.

But let’s say that this particular factory adapted and learned to get by (barely) on the 5%, until one day the flaw in the delivery system was corrected, and suddenly the percentage of raw materials began to rise, first to 10%, then 25% and then 50% and beyond.

This factory would now find itself in the enviable position of having honed its craft throughout many lean years only to find itself newly blessed with resources aplenty. The factory would need to staff up to handle the new workload, and its operators would find themselves talking about growth and expansion, rather than cutbacks and sacrifice. Both the quality and quantity of the factory’s products would soar, as would its customers’ satisfaction.

This, then, is the tremendous opportunity for youth cricket in America.

If the USYCA Schools Program can be adequately supported, the impact will soon be felt at every academy, camp and training facility in the country. Clinics that struggled to find 50 children will be forced to add additional dates to their calendars to handle the demand. Academy operators will run their businesses full time. Cricketers who had always wanted to go into coaching would find themselves being courted and offered top dollar – to do the thing they love.

Pic (Right): Do you want to get involved with youth cricket? The moment of opportunity is now! Click here to join the USYCA movement.

If, on the other hand, we refuse to invest in the provision of “raw materials,” if we just keep hoping that “someone else will do it,” progress will be slowed or perhaps even thwarted altogether.

In the past decade, the stars have aligned for cricket in America. But this window of opportunity, which seems so wide open now, cannot remain so forever.

We have but this brief moment in time to make America a cricketing nation. If we delay, if we assume that others will take up the slack for us, all will soon be lost and cricket in the United States will slide back to its previous resting place, as just another footnote in American sports history.

The future of cricket in the United States is being written today. If you’re interested in being one of its authors, get involved now, before the moment is lost forever.

[The author is the Founder and President of USYCA. All pictures appear here courtesy of USYCA.]

USA Cricket: Atlantic Region holds first Annual General Meeting.

openingbat — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 13:25:00 GMT

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By Peter Della Penna

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[Under Section 18 of Article XX of the USACA Constitution, a Regional General Meeting must be held annually in each region to discuss matters germane to the operation of the region.]

The Atlantic Region Cricket Board held its first Annual General Meeting on Sunday at the DreamCricket Pavilion Indoor Nets in Hillsborough, N.J., to discuss the region’s state of affairs. The meeting was attended by 25 people, including representatives from Millennium Cricket League, Cricket League of New Jersey, Garden State Cricket League and Indoor Cricket USA.

Pic (Right): Shelton Glasgow, Regional Representative of Atlantic Region (middle) welcomes the attendees. Also in the picture - GSCL VP Colin Edwards (left) and Pradeep Vedala (right).

Shelton Glasgow, the regional representative on the USACA board of directors, moderated the meeting. Reports were given on the improvements and accomplishments for each league as well as the status of the region’s youth and women’s development programs. Coaching and umpiring development programs were also discussed.

While no financial report was given by the regional treasurer, who was absent due to a work related emergency, Glasgow informed everyone that like USACA - the parent organization, the region is also suffering from financial problems. As a result, the region is unable to finance these programs with the proper amount of money they need to run effectively.

The attendees were informed that a Planning Committee was recently formed under the leadership of Sheldon Mollineau. Similarly, Venu Palaparthi has been tasked with drafting a fundraising plan for the region and Colin Edwards will lead a committee that is expected to draft a regional operating guidelines document.

Colin Edwards, vice president of the GSCL, called for all leagues to develop and play a regular inter-league tournament. He feels that the region’s selection process (for the senior men's team) suffers for national tournaments because the region’s six leagues do not play in a competition against each other. An inter-league tournament would make it helpful for selectors to judge who the best players are rather than base the selection on one or two days of hurriedly convened trials.

Pic (Left): Attendees at the ARCB Regional Meeting

A large amount of the time spent during the three-hour meeting was used to discuss youth development. Venu Palaparthi, CLNJ's league representative on the ARCB and co-founder of DreamCricket Academy, announced his Academy's intention to start a youth league with a minimum of four teams in 2011.

Palaparthi called on the other senior leagues to support this endeavor by making some of their grounds available. He declared that there have been enough kids available to form such a league for some time, but the last hurdle to clear is getting a ground to use.

Due to the overall shortage of grounds, senior leagues and teams have faced difficulties with offering their own grounds for youth cricket. But the tide is turning and two clubs have consented to share their permits beginning 2011. Palaparthi also urged the attendees to emulate the efforts of USYCA - an unaffiliated organization that has done stellar work at the school level within the Atlantic Region introducing the sport to over 75 schools in Maryland alone. School outreach was important for promoting the sport and DreamCricket has donated 75 cricket kits in support of the Maryland initiative and will gladly support such efforts elsewhere in the region, he noted.

Lalta Persaud, founder of Indoor Cricket USA, also drew attention to his facility and academy. He runs an indoor cricket league during the winter which allows for players to get year-round match practice. The style of the league also rewards players for orthodox cricket batting techniques to ensure that young players are developing their games the right way. It was also noted that Muhammad Ghous, Henry Wardley and Yash Shah all spend their time training at Indoor Cricket USA and each went on to represent the country at the U-19 World Cup in New Zealand. Ghous also successfully graduated to the USA senior team.

Ashok Patel, founder of the USA Cricket Academy, also called on everyone to recognize his accomplishments in providing opportunities for youth both in the region and on a national level. His tours gave players a chance to develop and make it to the 2006 U-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka. Patel is currently planning a Caribbean tour for the region's junior cricketers. Tony Thandi spoke about his organization, the newly formed Amwell Valley CC, which has its ground and practice facility at the scenic Hillsborough Golf and Country Club. The club has attracted roughly 20 children who are new to the game.

Pic (Right): Attendees at the ARCB Regional General Meeting

While there were plenty of accomplishments to make note of on the youth level, it was also noted by the attendees that there is not a functional youth program in place. The only time a true regional collaboration is made for youth cricket is when a team is picked for the U-15 and U-19 national tournaments. Otherwise, youth cricket has stagnated. It is hoped that with the forum that took place on Sunday, the dialogue will motivate regional administrators to get a true regional program started rather than just a couple of projects. Glasgow observed that the region had its work cut out.

Glasgow also expressed his desire for an improvement in coaching and umpiring. A WICB Level I coaching course was organized in 2009 for the region and he expressed that he intends to organize more coaching courses in the future.

Gokul Chakravarthy, secretary of the USA Cricket Umpires Association, noted that while many players and leagues complain about the state of umpiring, an umpiring course was organized in the region in 2010 and only six people attended. Things cannot change unless more people are dedicated and willing to step up to take umpiring seriously.

The meeting ended with input from just about all of the 25 people present. People are hopeful that action will be taken by the region to put some of the suggestions that came up during the meeting in place rather than let them fade away and be forgotten.

Ajit Tendulkar gives his views on youth cricket in America

openingbat — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 23:01:00 GMT

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By Peter Della Penna

With more attention being paid to youth development in the American cricket scene, the demand for quality coaching has started to grow. As part of that, coaches from overseas have started to come stateside to help teach the aspects of the game that may not be readily apparent to kids who aren’t experiencing the game on a daily basis.

Ajit Tendulkar is one such coach who is trying to have a positive impact on American cricket by sharing his time and knowledge with young cricketers eager to grow. As the older brother of Indian superstar Sachin, Ajit acted as a mentor to help put his sibling on the path to greatness.

The elder Tendulkar has completed his seventh visit to the United States to coach at the Cupertino based California Cricket Academy. On the same visit, he conducted a week-long camp at Dreamcricket Academy in Hillsborough, N.J. Tendulkar believes that even though his opportunities in the USA are limited, the time has been well spent.

“As far as players are concerned, there has been progress most certainly, but it’s slow but steady because my tenure was for a short period,” said Tendulkar in an interview during his recent visit to New Jersey and the Dreamcricket Academy.

Tendulkar says that parents play an important role. "They are seeing to it that they follow up on whatever I’ve been talking to the kids and every year I see certain improvement in that direction, whatever I have spoken to the parents and the kids so that’s very satisfying," he said.

Tendulkar has had a hand in aiding the development of many players from the three-time defending U-15 National Champion North West squad. After several years, the biggest improvement he’s seen in the players is in overcoming the obstacles presented by playing on artificial wickets in the U.S.

“I think most of these kids, they are playing on matting wickets and what I’ve found was the bounce was a little too much,” said Tendulkar. “The kids in the beginning were perhaps a little hesitant to play on the front foot comfortably where they’re required to lean over the ball and initially they could not do it properly. But over the period of time, they are realizing the bounce well and adjusting accordingly which is a very noticeable thing among them.”

In terms of comparing the talent in India to the talent available in the USA, Tendulkar believes it is not easy to make an accurate assessment because the approach is different from a cultural perspective and there is a great disparity in the playing numbers as well.

“The option basically here, if you have to pick 10 best kids, you have to pick them from maybe 50 odd boys,” said Tendulkar. “In India, there are so many boys who turn up in one net that picking up 10 good boys is much simpler."

Tendulkar told DreamCricket.com that USA and India cannot be compared. “You can compare two things only when equal opportunity is given to both sides. You really cannot compare kids in America with kids in India because they hardly get, for example, after the practice is over, each one is in his own house and not everyone must be watching cricket."

"In India, you get a lot to learn by watching others, watching senior players, on television or in newspaper. Here there is a possibility that some of the kids are like, after the practice when they go back home, the mind is switched off probably." Tendulkar said that continuity is what is missing in USA. "You learn a lot just by watching also so there is more opportunity there to pick up the game more quickly than you can here,” he said.

In terms of the youth matches he’s seen, Tendulkar wishes there was greater attention given to improving the standard of facilities used. “So far I’ve been only able to watch kids (playing in youth macthes) in California, that too in Cupertino,” said Tendulkar. “Ground conditions were not so suitable for the game basically. So that’s the one thing which needs to be taken care of so that you can really judge them properly.

“The grass on the outfield was so thick that sometimes players wouldn’t know whether they are scoring runs easily. Is it because of the outfield that they have not been able to score runs?"

"That’s slightly confusing maybe for the younger kids. So I think the ground conditions also have to be improved.”

Along those same lines, Tendulkar believes that for USA’s youth system to catch up to the rest of the world, installing turf pitches should be the number one priority. “Pitches, most certainly,” said Tendulkar. “If you get to play on turf pitches, that will be nothing like it because then you are exactly on the same line with regular cricket playing countries. So then you go to let’s say India or any other regular cricket playing country, it will be no different because you have already practiced on turf pitches, and the outfield. That’s the first priority. They should get a chance to play on turf pitches and the outfield has to be reasonably good.”

It’s also important for more opportunities to be given to young cricketers, whether that is through playing in senior leagues or by forming youth leagues around the country which hardly exist outside of New York City.

"The more games you play, the better for you, no matter whether you are playing cricket in America or you are playing cricket in India. So they should get more opportunities against different opponents.” In Tendulkar's view, match play is the only way to maximize exposure to different kind of situations, different types of bowlers, different types of wickets.

Despite the road blocks that are thrown up to prevent kids in America from developing their cricket to the same level as those in Test nations, Tendulkar is pleased with the enthusiasm he has seen from everyone he has come across through his involvement in coaching kids in America.

“There is a lot of interest in America about this game of cricket,” said Tendulkar. “It seems everyone is working to make it happen. Children are keen on playing. They come from long distances sometimes to just play in the nets. Parents are involved. They are taking great efforts so I think that’s a very healthy sign. Everyone seems to be so far very positive and looking forward to making it (work) rather than complaining about it. Whatever is available, they are trying to make the most of it. That’s the very positive thing about cricket in America.”

Tendulkar was also pleased with his first coaching stint at the Dreamcricket Academy, the first time he has done coaching on the east coast.

“The setup here is really good,” said Tendulkar about the Dreamcricket Academy. “I mean four indoor nets, bowling machines, and that helps you to work on your particular weakness if anyone has so that helps really to work on that. I think everything is available as far as indoor cricket is concerned and the other day I saw that DreamCricket is trying to get one of the grounds where they can start outdoor activities (for juniors). So that will be a step for them."

Ajit Tendulkar camps are planned in Washington DC and New Jersey next summer.

USA Under-15 Cricket Day Four: North West outlasts New York to complete three-peat

openingbat — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 17:25:00 GMT

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By Peter Della Penna

North West’s Arsh Buch and Dave Parikh produced an 87-run opening partnership to set a platform for a winning total to help defeat New York by 59 runs at Laurel Hill Park in Secaucus, N.J., on the final day of the USACA U-15 National Tournament. Buch was named Man of the Match after scoring 40 in North West’s total of 196 for 8 and taking two wickets at the start of New York’s chase as North West finished the tournament undefeated.

“We were originally looking to post anywhere between 180 to 200,” said Buch. “After awhile I think when Dave and Roshan [Varadarajan] were hitting, we wanted to get around 210, just basically singles and doubles. We knew this was a big ground and not many of our players could clear it so we just wanted to make them tired by running our runs and putting pressure on them.”

North West won the toss and elected to bat on yet another 90F degree day in New Jersey. Although the Laurel Hill Park ground was the biggest one used in the tournament, the field is crowned and the grass is cut low enabling players to get full value for shots, something that is rare to find across America. It was a fitting venue for a championship match.

North West's U-15 squad coached by Raj Badadare poses for a winning team photo with player families surrounding them. [Pic courtesy: Peter Della Penna]

Buch and Parikh came out and breezily stroked the ball around, refusing to let themselves be intimidated by the fastest opening pace combination in the tournament, Randall Wilson and Jamel Parillon. They saw off each man’s opening five-over spell, carrying North West to 28 for 0 in 10 overs. It wasn’t until the 20^th over when the first boundary of the match was hit by Parikh over point to make it 71 for 0.

Buch was finally dismissed in the 23^rd, chipping a full ball from off-spinner Zahib Tariq straight to captain Trevis Ross at midwicket. New York should have had Parikh out for 48 in the 28^th over with the score on 107 when he skied an attempted slog. As the ball swirled above midwicket in the circle, two fielders converged on the ball and collided with the ball popping out and going to ground. It proved to be very costly.

Number three batsman Vibhav Altekar was out a short time later for 17 to left-arm orthodox spinner Brandon Dat, beaten in flight and stumped by Tariq, who kept wicket when he wasn’t bowling. The score was 121 for 2 in the 30^th and even though wickets kept falling at regular intervals, the scoreboard kept flowing because Parikh was still at the wicket. The left-hander finished on 74 not out in 117 balls with five boundaries.

Post Match Interview with North West's Arsh Buch & Coach Raj Badadare from Peter Della Penna on Vimeo.

New York opened the chase with Tariq and Wilson, each of whom had scored centuries earlier in the tournament. As usual, both men had a cautious start, especially Tariq, who took 16 balls to get off the mark. After six overs, the score was 20 for 0. Both batsmen started to look more confident and began playing more shots.

However, the players had to come off the field because the lunch was not delivered in time for the scheduled innings/lunch break. Instead it arrived in the sixth over. As had been the case throughout the tournament, the umpires took the players off for a second extended break whenever the meals actually arrived. This turned out to be a key moment in the game because when play resumed, North West took two wickets in the very next over. Buch dismissed Wilson caught behind for 11 on the fifth ball of the seventh over while the next man in Rezaul Karim was bowled for a golden duck to put North West on top at 21 for 2.

Ross came in next and his partnership with Tariq was going to determine whether or not New York could reach the target. The two looked very good at the crease and began rotating the strike with ease. On the last ball of the 13^th over bowled by North West captain Roshan Varadarajan, Tariq pushed to mid off for what should have been an easy single, but Ross was ball-watching and never left his crease. Tariq was left stranded and the throw from Sefath Yasini to the keeper found Tariq’s desperate dive a yard short to be run out for 12, making it 47 for 3.

Parillon came in to bat and constructed a solid partnership with Ross. It looked like New York might still make a run at the target of 197, but after adding 48 runs in 10.2 overs, Parillon was cleaned up by a yorker from Yasini to be out for 11. Three deliveries later, Ross brought up his 50 in 51 balls with a four clubbed over mid on. Mahmudur Rahman scored 9 before he was caught and bowled by spinner Sandeep Pedada to make it 117 for 5 at the end of 28.

New York needed 80 in 12 overs, a reachable target with Ross still at the crease, but with Rahman out, New York’s tail began. New York’s running between the wickets was poor all day and once again it showed late in the match as Ross could not get enough of the strike. The pressure mounted and he was forced to swing for the fences.

With the score at 135 for 6 at the start of the 36^th over, Varadarajan finally dismissed his opposite number. The off-spinner had Ross well caught for 70 at deep midwicket by Yasini to spark a wild celebration on the field. Two balls later, Varadarajan bowled Andrew Deodat for a duck before finishing the over getting Surendra Singh caught at short cover without scoring. North West took four wickets in seven balls to finish the match as Mihir Athavale dismissed Dat for 1 to wrap up the game.

In the third place match at Watsessing Park, Central East hung on to beat Atlantic by six runs. Central East posted a modest 118 all out in 39.2 overs with captain Paarth Joshi’s 31 the top score. Joshi then led the team in the field with 3 wickets for 23 runs including the final wicket with eight balls to go in the match as his side bowled out Atlantic for 112.

In the fifth place game at Branch Brook Park, South West defeated South East by 78 runs. South West scored 198 for 7 in 40 overs with captain Shakeel Ahmad finishing 60 not out. South East was then bowled out for 120 in 33 overs.

In the seventh place game, Directors’ XI shocked North East to win by six wickets. North East set a stiff target of 188 to win, but Directors XI chased the runs down as Haq Khan finished 45 not out, while Poojan Modi walked off with him unbeaten on 23. Raymond Ramrattan, who turned 10 only four days before the tournament began, was named Man of the Match after taking three wickets and scoring 28 for Directors’ XI.

USACA U-15 National Tournament Presentation Ceremony from Peter Della Penna on Vimeo.

At the tournament presentation ceremony, Ryan Persaud of the Atlantic Region was named Best Bowler after a phenomenal display of leg-spin. Persaud took 13 wickets for 48 runs in 24.1 overs with four maidens in four matches playing for the fourth place team. North West’s Buch was named Best Batsman and Tournament MVP after leading his team to the title with 269 runs in four innings at an average of 89.67 with one century and one half-century.

USACA U-15 Tournament Championship Match

Laurel Hill Park in Secaucus, N.J.

New York vs. North West

North West won by 59 runs

North West won the toss and elected to bat

North West Batting

Batsman Runs Balls 4s 6s Dismissal

D Parikh 74 117 5 0 not out

A Buch 40 59 1 0 ct Ross b Z Tariq

V Altekar 17 23 2 0 st Z Tariq+ b Dat

S Yasini 5 8 0 0 ct Z Tariq+ b Wilson

R Varadarajan* 20 16 1 0 ct Z Tariq b Parillon

V Jayram 0 2 0 0 ct Ross b Parillon

N Tagare 4 6 0 0 b Parillon

K Tirumirti 3 5 0 0 b Wilson

M Athavale 0 1 0 0 runout (Karim/Tariq+)

S Pedada 6 3 0 0 not out

Total Extras 27 (0 no balls, 4 byes, 4 leg byes, 19 wides)

Team Total 196 for 8 in 40 overs

Did not bat: A Amritharaj+

New York Bowling Overs-Maidens-Runs-Wickets

R Wilson 8-0-43-2

J Parillon 8-3-21-3

R Karim 2-0-7-0

T Ross 5-0-29-0

M Katwaroo 2-0-11-0

B Dat 7-0-41-1

Z Tariq 8-2-36-1

New York Batting

Batsman Runs Balls 4s 6s Dismissal

Z Tariq+ 12 41 1 0 runout (Yasini/Amritharaj+)

R Wilson 11 22 0 0 ct Amritharaj b Buch

R Karim 0 1 0 0 b Buch

T Ross* 70 81 7 0 ct Yasini b Varadarajan

J Parillon 11 27 0 0 b Yasini

M Rahman 9 14 0 0 ct & b Pedada

M Tariq 2 8 0 0 runout (Altekar/Pedada)

B Dat 1 20 0 0 ct Pedada b Athavale

A Deodat 0 1 0 0 b Varadarajan

S Singh 0 3 0 0 ct Jayram b Varadarajan

M Katwaroo 0 0 0 0 not out

Total Extras 21 (3 no balls, 0 byes, 1 leg bye, 17 wides)

Team Total 137 all out in 36.1 overs

North West Bowling Overs-Maidens-Runs-Wickets

A Buch 5-1-8-2

D Parikh 4-0-21-0

S Yasini 5-0-19-1

R Varadarajan 6-1-23-3

V Jayram 3-0-18-0

V Altekar 4-0-17-0

M Athavale 6.1-0-12-1

S Pedada 3-0-18-1

CCA Invitational: Hosts are U-13 winners and DreamCricket Academy are runners-up. All Stars reign in Under-17 category.

openingbat — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 15:55:00 GMT

Now, you can get all the USA Cricket updates via Facebook. Also follow us on Twitter via @dreamcricket

By David Sentance

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Since its founding in June 2003, California Cricket Academy has galvanized both Northern California and US Cricket in the area of junior cricket. Seven members on the USA Under-15 team have participated in matches hosted by the Academy and over 250 active league cricketers have been trained in the six year existence of the CCA. Most impressive is the volunteer base of eighty parents, with seven volunteers assigned to help maintain each of the two Cupertino grounds at Dilworth School and the Cupertino Library.

Five Under-13 teams contended for first spot in the CCA 25-over Invitational tournament which started on June 23rd with an opening ceremony that included several local Cupertino Council members and the deputy mayor. The teams participating were: DreamCricket Academy, Northern California Cricket Association, CCA Champions, CCA Challengers and Los Angeles Tri-Counties (representing Orange, Riverside and San Bernadino counties of Southern California).

Pic (Right): True to their name, the CCA Champions were crowned champions in the U-13 tournament

This was only the second tournament for the visiting DreamCricket Academy team which is coached by Jamaican born cricketer - Earl Daley and his wife Malika Frank Daley. And it was the first tournament for the Southern California based team coached by former Sri Lankan test cricketer, Malayasian National, Australian Level 3, Coach Mumtaz Yusef.

With the most match experience of any team, the CCA Champions, the senior of the two CCA sides, were the favorites to win the tournament. The CCA Academy has implemented a winning formula for developing young cricketers that could be replicated nationwide if funds were available.

According to Kinjal Buch, wife of Hemant Buch, who co-founded CCA along with her husband, the CCA’s Silicon Valley location has a 30% Asian, 12% of which is Indian. The high educational level of Cupertino’s cricket parents encourages full parental involvement in an area where median house prices are in the $1 million range!

Pic (Left): The DreamCricket Academy U-13 boys finished runners-up.

Ajay Athavale, CCA President, remains clear in his training objective when he says: “We want one great team not eleven individuals,” he’s also a realist noting that “Cricket was a Gentleman’s game.” Currently, Maharashtra coach Shyam Oak, lives in Mumbai and Poona when not coaching in Cupertino, directs a three month six times a week training regime based on rigorous physical conditioning applied to technical skills training.

USACA Treasurer John Thickett, a generous individual CCA sponsor in the past three years, believes the CCA’s youth program is the best organized in the United States.

Under-13 Day 1: CCA Challengers vs Tri-Counties

Library Ground June 24th: CCA Challengers 94/7 Tri-Counties 70. Challengers won by 24 runs

The Under-13 tournament started on the clay wicket of the Cupertino Library Fields at 9.30 sharp. The first game was between Challengers - the young farm team of the CCA, and Tri-Counties. This was Tri-Counties first competitive match. Challengers won the toss and their opener Swapnavo Biswas(14) teamed with number 3 Shankara (10) as they put on a re-assuring 27 run partnership before Shankara was run out by Nihar.

Swapnavo then teamed with Monil Patel (10) before he was caught out by Arjun off Paras Choudhry’s bowling for a team leading score 14 in 47 balls. The Challengers tail-enders wagged effectively with Apurna scoring 13 not out in 21 balls. Challengers made 94 (including 41 extras) for 7 in their 25 overs. Tejas Peruvamba was the most effective of the Tri County bowlers with 1 for 9 runs in 4 overs. In their innings, Tri-Counties scored a confidence inspiring 70 (including 22 extras) all out. Opener Braham (6) did well to stave off a rampant Shankara who took a devastating 3 wickets for 2 runs in his 5 over opening spell. Lakshya Jain took 2 for 15 and Apurva Mishra effectively staked his claim as an all-rounder with bowling figures of 2 for 20. Challengers defeated Tri-Counties by 24 runs-a good result for both teams.

Tri-Counties managed by Pradeep Patel and coached by Mumtaz Yusef were well pleased with this first match.

Under-13 Day 1: CCA Challengers vs NCCA

Library Ground June 24th: Challengers 83 all out NCCA 59/7, Challengers won by 24 runs

After a delicious curry lunch, the second game on the Cupertino Library pitch was between Challengers and the NCCA. Challengers again won the toss and elected to bat. The home side scored 83 which included 26 extras. After the Challengers openers were dismissed cheaply with one run on the board, number 3 Vikram Ramesh(11) teamed with Monil Patel(9). The pair stabilized the innings scoring a 35 runs partnership from 76 balls. Apurva Mishra’s match winning contribution of 29 runs not out in 30 balls, his second undefeated innings, scored more than half the CCA Challengers runs as he teamed with Lakit Jain for a 24 run partnership. Apurva, a black-belt in karate, rose to this occasion after Challengers posted five ducks.

Nikhil was the most economical NCCA bowler with 1 wicket for 9 runs. Shivane Sabharwal 2 for 15 and Kushal Singh 2 for 12 also bowled well for the NCCA. The CCA Challengers were all out in 24 overs.

Batting in reply, the NCCA put up a dogged defense using their full 25over allotment, scoring just 26 runs with 33 extras for an innings total of 59 for 7. No batsman made double figures for the NCCA. Kushal Singh led the NCCA batting with 7 runs. Challengers won the game by 24 runs. Challengers Monil Patel’s economical 5 runs in his 5 over opening spell set the tone early in this duel of bowlers. Ajit Kumar was the Challengers most successful strike bowler with 2 wickets for 12 runs.

Under-13 Day 1: NCCA vs DreamCricket Academy (DCA)

Dilworth June 24th: DreamCricket Academy 83 /6 defeated the NCCA 57 all out by 25 runs

The opening game at Dilworth on the June 24th between DCA and the NCCA went the full 25-over round. DCA scored 82 (39 extras) for 6 with opener Vivek Narayan (18) their top-scorer. Kushal Singh 2-16 and Nikhil 2-20 were the top NCCA wicket takers.

For the NCCA opener Rudrik (16) led the batting ably supported by number 7 Shivane(11). With five of the remaining NCCA players scoring ducks they were all out for 57 (including 17 extras) as DCA came out victors by 25 runs. Vivek Narayan 2 wickets for 5 runs (including a difficult caught and bowled), Gavranshu 2 for 8 and Raymond Ramrattan 2 for 10, underpinned an economical winning bowling performance for DCA. Vivek Narayan proved to be the best all-rounder in this game but the spectators also witnessed some spectacular fielding from the DCA boys including a juggling catch by Richard Ramrattan and a spectacular full-stretch catch by Ryan Aravind.

Under-13 Day 1: Tri-Counties vs CCA Champions

Dilworth June 24th: Tri-Counties 58/6 lost to Champions 59/0 by an innings

In the second game at the Dilworth Elementary Ground, Tri-Counties won the toss and elected to bat on the Astroturf wicket. Shikar (24) batting number 3 scored over two-thirds of the earned runs as Tri-County ended their 25overs with 58 (including 21 extras) for 6. All of the CCA Champion bowlers took a wicket each. Captain Neil Tagare (27 in 46 balls) scored swiftly with M Buch (13 in 39 balls) as they steered the Champions home to victory in just over half an hour at the crease. Both opening batsmen were not out, as Champions scored a total of 59(19 extras) runs for no wicket. The Champions coasted to an easy victory by an innings in 10 overs.

Under-13 Day 2: CCA Champions vs DreamCricket Academy

Library Ground June 25th: DreamCricket Academy U-13 47/7 lost to CCA Champions 118 for 7 by 71 runs

The Under 13 June 25th day of the tournament continued in perfect cricket weather as the CCA Champions played DCA at the Library Ground. Hirsh Solanki was the Champions dominant bowler taking 4 wickets in one over including a hat trick.

A right hand fast medium pace bowler Hirsh, whose family hails from Gujarat, bowls off a rhythmic twelve pace run up with a high delivery release that enables pin-point accuracy for his off-breaks that land on a full length. Hirsch’s yorkers in the batsman’s block-hole will be feared in future. One of Hirsch’s wickets in his 5 wicket effort was caught off a brilliant catch at silly mid-on.

Chasing a mammoth target of 119 on the Libary Ground clay wicket, a surface that DreamCricket Academy team is unaccustomed to, the boys showed poise as they dug their way out of the Hirsch induced crisis with straight bats and determination. Coach Daley has imparted character to his team, which was demonstrated as the DCA team ended their innings with 47 runs for 7 wickets.

On interviewing CCA's Hirsch Solanki after his match winning performance, Hirsch gave credit to training at the DreamCricket Academy's fast bowling camp, conducted by Englishman Ian Pont, and a CCA organized cricket tour to Maharashtra with its enhanced opportunities for gaining mental toughness playing against well coached opposition on turf wickets.

Under-13 Day 2: DreamCricket Academy vs CCA Challengers

Library Ground June 25th: DreamCricket Academy U-13 53 beat Challengers 42 by 11 runs.

A nail biter of a game played out between the CCA Challengers and the Hillsborugh based DreamCricket Academy at the Library Ground's clay wicket. CCA Challengers lost the toss and soon had DCA reeling DreamCricket openers were dismissed cheaply out LBW to S.Srikantan and Vivek Narayan, a usually reliable opener who plays men’s league cricket in New Jersey.

Gauranshu Sharma repaired the damage with a determined 14 runs off 63 balls, scoring more than half DreamCricket’s batted runs and ending highest individual score for the visitors. Wickets tumbled regularly as DCA put just 24 scored runs on the board. The highest scorer was extras with 29 as DCA finished their innings with 53 runs in 24 overs on an unpredictable track.

The Challengers bowlers were devastating with S. Srikantan taking 3 wickets for 6 runs in 4.5 overs finishing with a 2.00 bowling average. This stunning bowling performance was beaten by Apurva Mishra who took 3 for 4 in five overs for a superlative bowling average of 1.33. Lakit Jain mopped up with 3 for 8 and a third place average of 2.67. Challengers could easily be forgiven for assuming victory was theirs’ for the taking.

Challengers got off to a wobbly start when their openers S.Srikantan(2) and Ajit Kumar were easily dismissed by DCA. But with V. Ramesh stabilizing the innings for over an hour scoring 16 in 48 balls and Ramesh also in control, Challengers were cruising comfortably to victory.

An all CCA final looked firmly set for the following day, then according to a proud Coach Daley who played his cricket for Milburn CC in Jamaica, “...came a brilliant full-stretch catch to his weaker side by Ryan Aravind who caught Ramesh’s hard stuck on-drive at ground-level for a brilliant caught and bowled.”

The young Challenger team were awestruck as their in-coming batsmen, drained of confidence fell cheaply to the DCA dream team. None of the remaining seven batsmen scored more than 3 runs as Challengers scored 25 runs. Including extras, Challengers were all out for 42 in 22 overs.

DreamCricket Academy's stunning snatch of victory from the jaws of defeat was secured by tight bowling, which by Under-13 standards, gave up a miserly 17 extras. Ryan Aravind’s (16), the highest score for DCA, followed his dominating 4 for 11 bowling resulted in a 2.75 bowling average; definitely a man of the match performance.

Talking to the Coaches Daley after the match - the following day - Malika Daley, a therapist by training, was effusive about Aravind’s performance. It was a sure reminder that one young man most certainly can make a difference. Ryan’s turn around effort had a primal, dramatic, unforgettable quality. South African singer Miriam Makaiba sang Malika as a theme song against apartheid in 1960, a song so unique in resonance that it recalls a troubled time and place. This day it was Ryan Aravind’s effort that resonated as he carried his team triumphant into the finals.

Under-13 Day 2: Tri-Counties vs NCCA

Dilworth June 25th: NCCA 104/9 defeated Tri-Counties 68/8 by 36 runs.

The June 25th morning game at Dilworth was between Tri-Counties and the NCCA. NCCA won the toss and decided to bat. Batting number 2, R.Sauthur (15) played a captain’s innings for the NCCA who struggled to score runs as Tri-Counties gave them away instead as the NCCA as ended 104/9 innings helped by 68 extras.

T.Peruvemba was the most successful Tri-Counties bowlers with 2 wickets for 13 runs ending with a team leading bowling average of 6.5 runs. In reply, S. Gupta (14) batting number 2 played a captain’s innings but found little batting strength to rely on for the rest of the team. Kanth (5) was the next highest scorer as Tri-Counties fell short of their goal by 36 runs, ending their innings at 68 for 8. In addition to two runs out, six wickets were evenly distributed between 6 NCCA bowlers. S.Sabharawal won the NCCA bowling honors with 1 wicket for 3 runs in 4 overs including a maiden.

Under-13 Day 2: NCCA vs CCA Champions

Dilworth June 25th: NCCA 61 lost to CCA Champions by 8 wickets.

The afternoon game at Dilworth between the NCCA and Champions started at 2.08 with a solid partnership of 30 between NCCA Captain R Suthar(6) and A Prabhu(7). They crafted a solid foundation which was not built on by successive NCCA batsmen. The NCCA 20 scored runs were greatly aided by 41 extras at the Champions gifted as the NCCA innings closed at 61 for 9 wickets in 25 overs. For the Champions, Dasarthy (4) and Khasigwala’s (7) opening partnership was broken up early by Kushal Singh and R Suthar. The Champions reliable Avinash Ghimikar (15) and Champions captain Neil Tagare (22) were easily up to the task, as they overhauled the NCCA total in twelve overs, steering the Champions to victory by 8 wickets.

Under-13 Day 3: CCA Challengers vs CCA Champions

Dilworth June 26th: U13 CCA Champions 175/2 defeated U13 Challengers 72 all out by 104 runs

The following morning at 8.53 the U-13 CCA Challengers took on their CCA academy rivals the Champions, on the Astroturf of Dilworth. CCA records tumbled as the Champions R Khasgiwala (59) and S Dasarthy (61) scoring at the rate of just under a run a ball, opened with a 134 run partnership that lasted over an hour and half. After Dasarthy was bowled by A Kumar and R Khasgiwala was run out, Champions captain Mihir Athavale (15) was joined by A Murthy (13) with the score on 154.

Both batsmen combined for an unbeaten 20 run partnership as Champions finished their over 25 over allotment with a total of 174, the largest innings of the Under 13 tournament. To the Challengers credit there were only 28 extras in the 174 total, a testament to tidy, economical bowling under adverse conditions. The Challengers showed character under pressure-a good omen for their future as a cricket team. Wicket-taker A Kumar was the most effective bowler for the Challengers taking 1 for 24 in 4 overs. Faced with a daunting task the Challengers got their collective heads down as left-hander S Srikarnan and right-handed batsman Mohil Patel opened with a respectable 28 partnership which was broken up by a catch to mid-wicket. Wickets fell rapidly after that wicket-keeper Shashir Dholakia (4) showed resistance until Neil Tagare ran him out.

The tail wagged as A Kumar(14) and Satish Ghimikar(2) posted the Challengers second highest partnership of 8 runs. Helped by 27 extras combined with 45 earned runs, Challengers resistance lasted for just over two hours, their combined efforts recorded as a reasonable total of 72 runs. A Murthy 3 for 9 (average 3), R Bise 3 for 5 (average 1.67) and M Buch 2 for 6(average 3) were the Champions most successful bowlers as Challengers lost by 104 runs.

Under-13 Day 3: DreamCricket Academy vs Tri-Counties

Dilworth June 26th: DreamCricket Academy 131 defeated Tri-Counties 43 by 88 runs

On June 26th at Dilworth, Tri-Counties won the toss and decided to field. With openers Vivek Narayan(1) bowled N. Shah and S. Singh(3) run out, Ryan Arvind (32 not out) was called on to right the ship which he did effectively with his captain V.Barbhaiya who played a spectacular knock of 34. The two featured in a 72 run partnership.

Ryan Arvind retired not out with the score at 100. S Gupta then ran out two DreamCricket Academy batsmen before taking a wicket himself. N Shah got the remaining wicket for Tri-Counties as DCA finished their innings with a score of 131 for 6 including 52 extras. Shah was the Tri-Counties best bowler taking 2 wickets for 9 runs in five overs which included 3 maidens, a fine performance. Tri-Counties were all out for 43 in 24 overs, including 18 extras, losing the game by 88 runs. Ryan Arvind led the DreamCricket bowling taking 2 wickets for 1 run in three overs to end the game with a .5 bowling average for another Man of the Match performance. His effort was aided by Humzah (2 wickets) and Rohan (1 wicket). For Tri-Counties A. Patel (11) and S.Peruvemba (6) showed some resistance with a seventh wicket partnership of 15 runs, thereby avoiding a rout.

Under-13 Championship Match - CCA Champions vs DreamCricket Academy

Dilworth June 27th - CCA Champions 146/5 beat DreamCricket Academy 70/7 by 77 runs.

The Under 13 final was web-streamed live by eParasaran on the internet as CCA Champions took on DreamCricket Academy, based in New Jersey. The CCA Champions were fresh off a dominating batting performance against Challengers. On this occasion Neil Tagare (76) their most prolific batsman, the Champions' young Tandulkar, combined for a opening partnership of 119 runs with M Buch (35) aided by weak fielding on the part of DreamCricket Academy. That is when Richard Ramrattan broke through taking Buch’s wicket caught and bowled. Vivek Narayan captured Neil Tagare’s wicket after the Champions posted their second consecutive century opening partnership in the tournament.

Hirsch Solanki (8) moved the score along briskly before he was run-out. At this point, Richard Ramrattan established himself as the strike bowler for DreamCricket Academy match as he enticed Mihir Athavale(11) and A Murthy(1) into giving up their wickets, tempted by his flighted balls to be stumped by the alert wicket-keeper and captain for the championship game V. Barbhaiya. This left Khasigwala (7) and Darthy not out at the end for a total of 146 which included just eight runs in extras, a testament to DreamCricket Academy's tidy bowling.

In response DreamCricket Academy put on 20 for the first wicket. Opener Vivek Narayan (9) was tempted out of his crease by the right-handed spinner Mihir Athavale and stumped by wicket-keeper Vijir. S Kripilani (4) put up less resistance being caught by Bhise off A Ghirnikar’s bowling. Ryan Ardvind (4) batting number 3 was also out cheaply as DreamCricket Academy failed to get traction in their batting.

G Sharma (10 not out) and Richard Ramrattan(8) had good innings but DCA scored just 41 with 29 extras for a final innings score of 70 as the over allotment ran out.

CCA Champions lived up to their name with the strongest batting line-up in the tournament. DreamCricket though handily beaten by 77 runs were the most dangerous bowling side, giving away the least extras of the tournament while defending and winning with low scores. On this occasion the bowlers were dominated by the batsman, particularly right-hander Neil Tagare of Champions who with his big frame, strong forearms and supportive family will be a batting force to be reckoned with in future.

Neil Tagare was by far the most dangerous and aggressive batsman in the Under 13 tournament. Mohak Buch was the most economical bowlers for Champions with just 2 runs and over while A Ghimkar was the leading wicket taker with 2 for 14 in four over for the Champions best bowling average of 7.

Under-17: All Stars vs CCA Champions

Spartans Ground June 24th: U17 CCA All Stars 124 lost to CCA Champions 125/3 by 7 wickets.

The Under 17 Tournament play started on June 24th at the Spartans Cricket Club ground in San Jose. It was hoped that an east coast team might participate but no team materialized. The U17 tournament was played between three teams, the CCA Champions, CCA Challengers and the All Stars drawn from Northern California league teams. The All Stars opened the Under 17 US Invitational against CCA Champions with a depleted team. The Under 17 age group remains hard to capture for cricket events as school pressure for college entry is tough at that age and cricket has yet to achieve National Collegiate Athletic Association scholarship status.

The All Stars scored 124(29 extras) with Ramnarine 25 and wicket-keeper Z.Sattur 38 scoring the majority of runs. The CCA Champions A.Watave, brought on late as number 8 bowler, ripped through the All Stars side with 5 wickets for 11 runs-an impressive performance earning a 2.20 run bowling average.

The CCA Champions replied with A Talwalkar (21) and A Buch (20) putting on 45 for the first wicket. Batting number 3, A. Watave’s 43 not out in 58 balls broke the back of the All Stars team as he combined in a 57 runs partnership with A Buch. Champions captain V.Suni scored 6 before by Nazeer off V.Sehgals’s bowling for 6 runs. Singh, Ramnarine and Sehgal were the wicket takers for the All Stars and Sehgal ended with 1wicket for 8 runs in 3 overs-the best bowling performance for the All Stars. The Champions A.Watave was definitely man of the match taking 5 for 11 and scoring a match-winning 43 not out.

Santa Clara Cricket Club Ground June 25th: CCA Challengers 53 all out lost to All Stars 54/0 by 10-wickets

On June 25th, the U17 CCA Challengers played the All Stars at the Santa Clara Club ground and lost by ten wickets. Challengers were all out for 53 and the All Stars captain J.Singh scored 39 runs in 25 balls including three 6’s while his opening partner Z.Zadoo(2) remained content to anchor the partnership. The slaughter lasted less than two hours.

Under-17 Championship Match

Santa Clara Cricket Club June 27th: All Stars 180/5 defeated Champions 115 by 65 runs

While the CCA Under 13 Champions side dominated the competition things played out differently at the Santa Clara Cricket Club ground where the Under 17All Stars took on the CCA Under 17 Champions team.

Put in to bat by Champions, the All Star team changed their line-up from the previous game with the addition of players not previously available owing to school constraints during the week. Openers, J Singh(38) and Z.Zadoo(9) posted a strong partnership of 52. Singh dominated the Champions bowling as he saw Pradhan off with two consecutive 4’s in the first over. Bowling fast from the other end A Buch bowled unchanged in his eight overs. He had Singh caught by Watanave to break-up the 52 run opening partnership in his seventh over- a wicket-maiden.

The All Stars strong batting continued with R.Ramnarine (20) and wicket-keeper Sattaur(54) adding 17 for the second wicket and 30 for the third. CCA Captain P.Suri enticed both batsmen into giving up their wickets as Ramnarine was caught by Buch and Sattaur stumped. The All Stars batting showed its depth as S.Abudlghani scored 17 runs before he was caught by Buch off Vardarajan’s bowling with the score on 136. Sattaur(54) was the last All Star wicket to fall with the score on 173. There were just 20 extras in 40 overs given by the CCA Champions as the All Stars closed their innings at 180/5.

In reply the Champions were all out for 59 with Watanave (20) P. Singh (16) and D.Parikh (16) their top-scorers as the rest of the team combined for just seven runs. Wickets taken by the All Stars were evenly distributed with openers Akhtar and Niazi taking 2 for 32 and 2 for 23. J Singh took 2 for 25, S.Abdulghani 2 for 13 while S.Sehgal had the best bowling spell of all, with just 2 runs off 4 overs ending with a 2.00 average, by far the most economical outing of the All Star bowlers. The Champions were a stronger bowling than batting team and will need to hone their batting skills against top-notch competition if they want win. Amazingly the All Stars gave away over 56 extras as Champions were 115 all out in 34 overs. The Champions lost by 65 runs.

PostScript: Historical Resonance

Having watched the sixth CCA US Invitational Tournament one could clearly see cricket’s future in the US building on a strong foundation. Several names come to mind as potential future stars but they have their own story. Having earlier written the history of the Citrus Colony Cricket Club which existed from 1895 to 1900, the achievement of the California Cricket Academy has strong historical resonance. Located east of Sacramento, near Rocklin, a British colony grew up with its own club house and a strong interest in sports. Most residents came from India and grew fruit for a living. They played hard and as their cricket improved they took on the best California Cricket Association (founded at the Occidental Hotel on Montgomery Street in San Francisco in 1892) teams. Within six years the CCC sides were the best in California.

The CCA has had greater impact as it has leveraged internet savvy executives with strong management skills in conjunction with USACA sanctioned events such as the second US Women’s Trials. Citrus Colony did not have a schools program nor does the CCA but that is set to change with Vijay Pradhan’s leadership of the schools program. Vijay plans on using six certified coaches in the local schools combined with a summer camp to reinforce skills. Hitesh Lokanki the CCA webmaster has planned enhancements to the CCA website to make it more interactive for Vijay’s program.

The future looks bright for the CCA as it has shown the ability to attract strong successor leadership. Ajay Athavale who has succeeded Hemant Buch, has a clear vision for his organization but most importantly he remains a team player, modestly acknowledging the achievements of his executive team. This frankly I found most impressive and hopeful aspect of the whole tournament.

MYCA announces "Cricket Partner" Program

openingbat — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 12:39:00 GMT

MYCA Media Release

Glen Burnie, Maryland – March 25, 2010

The Maryland Youth Cricket Association announced today the inauguration of its “Cricket Partner” program for area elementary and middle schools. This first-of-its-kind program is designed to both promote the playing of cricket in physical education classes and to provide a material support network for partnering schools.

Cricket, the world’s second-most popular sport, has become one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States, where it hasn’t experienced widespread popularity since the early 19th century. This resurgence is primarily due to an influx in immigration from cricket-playing regions such as India and the Caribbean; now the sport is spreading to the American mainstream.

Last week, for example, saw the playing of the 2nd annual American College Cricket National Championship at the Central Broward Regional Park Cricket Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In May, the Broward grounds will host three matches between the national teams of New Zealand and Sri Lanka, and Pakistan seems ready to play there as well. The city of Indianapolis is about to begin construction on a 40-acre cricket facility, and other communities are considering the possibilities for cricket as well. Cricket, it seems, is no longer a game of America’s past – it has now staked a firm claim to a place in America’s future.

With this in mind, the time seemed right to introduce the sport to youngsters in Maryland, which is already home to two adult cricket leagues and thousands of cricket fans. The “Cricket Partner” program will supply to schools all of the cricket equipment and will also provide material support to participating schools through its extensive network of cricket supporters, many of whom are college-educated professionals. This national and global community is anxious to see cricket taught to American schoolchildren, and is excited at the potential for the Maryland program. To MYCA Director Jamie Harrison, a former high school teacher, it seemed like a perfect match.

“In these challenging economic times, schools need partners in the community they can turn to in times of need, whether it be as simple as a routine fundraiser, or as dramatic as upgrading the computers in the media center,” Harrison said. “The cricketing community is ready, willing and able to provide that support network for partnering schools.”

Cricket, as it turns out, is well matched for physical education classes. It can be played indoors or outside, on a basketball court, asphalt or grass. It allows the instructor to observe students both as individual participants and as parts of a team.

Cricket also possesses the unique potential to appeal to all athletes, not just those who are typically large, strong or fast. (In a gym class, this propensity causes many disaffected
students to shrink away from active participation. This means less involvement and a discouraging, awkward experience for the student; it also makes the task of assigning that student a fair grade more difficult for the instructor.) Cricket rewards patience, technique and intelligence; stature has very little to do with eventual greatness. This encourages all students to participate, and draws out those typically disaffected students.

The MYCA has secured a key sponsorship agreement with Dreamcricket.com, the American cricket community’s number one source for cricket news and the home of the Dreamcricket Pavilion, its comprehensive online cricket superstore. Dreamcricket also operates the Dreamcricket Academy, an indoor training facility in Hillsborough, New Jersey.

“Without the backing of Dreamcricket, what we are doing would simply not be possible. The company is demonstrating its commitment to the cause of youth cricket in the US,” Harrison said.

Schools that are interested in exploring partnership opportunities with the Maryland Youth Cricket Association are asked to contact them by email at mdyouthcricket@gmail.com, or to visit them on the web at http://www.mdyouthcricket.org.

Contact:
Jamie Harrison
Maryland Youth Cricket Association
Mobile Number: 443.835.0619
Email: mdyouthcricket@gmail.com
http://mdyouthcricket.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=101921749847808
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MdYouthCricket.

Newcomers win New York PSAL Championship in exciting finish

openingbat — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:49:00 GMT

It was the second field in Brooklyn dedicated only to cricket, only the second match played on this field, and the second 20/20 game Sunday to end in a close and thrilling finish (after India lost to England) and in its second year, it was the Finals of the New York City Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL) Cricket.

Newcomers HS make it two in a row

New york City is setting the tone for USA Cricket with the first High school League finishing its second season at a brand new cricket ground opened just the day before at Canarsie Park in Brooklyn.

For the second year the two finalists were Newcomers High School and John Adams High School. The names of the schools by themselves telling a story of American Cricket - Newcomers HS is a school focusing on recent immigrants, many of whom are bringing their love for cricket to the US, whilst John Adams HS carries the name of one of our Founding Fathers, and 2nd President, who like many eary Americans played cricket and even discussed it in the context of the constitution.

The weather was beautiful, rain was predicted but never threatened. A cool breeze and 70 F degree temperature made it ideal to play cricket. The outfield was slow as rain had made the outfield grass a bit thick. The newness of the turf meant it could not be cut, so the batsmen knew runs would be hard to come by along the ground.

It was good tactics then for the John Adams' HS Captain Thakur Singh to send in Newcomers to bat when he won the toss. However Newcomers HS, as their Captain Robin Das said, "won every time we batted first".

To the surprise of many, Newcomers HS was soon in trouble, a mixup between the openers, Nurus Salam and Rayhan Ahmed left Ahmed without a home, and he was run out. Nicholas Ramrattan (3 overs, 4 runs, 1 W), Troy Mars (3 overs, 9 runs, 1 W ) and Sharma Sukdeo (3 overs, 11 runs, 1 W) then bowled tight and effective spells, to leave Newcomers HS teetering.

Mars took the all important wicket of Robin Das, the 2009 Highest Aggregate run getter, including 126 in a match against Thomas Edison High School. In 2008 Das had also scored a century. Nurus Salaam (22) and Grazi Rahman (14) couldn't stop what appeared to be a debacle as Newcomers HS struggled to get to 50 whilst losing 7 wickets. However the fall of the 7th wicket brought Mahbubul Chowdury to the wicket to join Mohamad Swappan.

Choudury strode to the wicket with the air of a man who knew what to do, and immediately took charge. A huge off-drive for 6 brought the Newcomers HS bench to their feet, then Chowdury, supremely confident, ignored the man deep on the long-off boundary and went for the same shot, getting 6 more. Another hit to the fence, a four this time, followed. Swappan now saw he had a partner and laid into the bowling as well, pulling 2 sixes over midwicket. The two took the Newcomers HS total to a defendale 111 off their 20 overs. It wasn't that John Adams HS let them off the hook, it was the onslaught of Mahbubul Chowdury that saved Newcomers HS.

Newcomers Captain Robin Das
was best bowler

John Adams HS had seen the chance of getting Newcomers out for a low score slip away but 111 was still well within their reach. However the Newcomers HS opening attack of Robin Das (4 overs,6 runs, 2 W) and Azmain Hussain (4 overs, 15 runs) pinned the opening batsmen, Kristoff Narine and Craig Hugh down. Hussain's energetic runup and athletic delivery helped him generate some pace, whilst Das kept to simple formula of line and length. Both, together with Grazi Rahman (4 overs, 11 runs, 1 W) kept it tight, and the required run rate crept up to 9 runs per over. John Adams HS could feel the game slipping away. To make matters worse Rayhan Ahmed took the game into his own hands, taking a catch and getting 2 wickets with his bowling (3 overs, 19 runs, 2 W).

Captain Thakur Singh was still at the crease but the John Adams High School batsmen couldn't find the boundary and the team was reeling. The new batsman Troy Mars then gave his team hope, driving over midwicket for 6. Another 6 and a 4 followed. The slow outfield was not giving up boundaries along the ground but Mars brought his team back into the game, whilst his Captain held down the other end. It began to look as though Newcomers HS, after dropping Mars, would pay dearly. But the Das repaid Mars for taking his wicket, by clean bowling the ebullient Mars.

Thakur Singh then tried to take over the big-hitting role,went down the wicket and was stumped. The remaining batsmen, struggling to find the boundary, played intelligent cricket by taking the singles, and hurried 2's. Excellent fielding by Newcomers High School made this dangerous though, and 2 run-outs made it a really close game. Captain Das, shrewdly had left himself to bowl the final over, and with John Adams High School needing 11 to win Das bowled well and ensured Newcomers High School won by 5 runs.

Newcomers Captain receives award from Bassett Thompson, Commissioner of the PSAL Cricket League and Donald Douglas, Director of the PSAL

After the match Awards were presented to Robin Das (Best Bowler), Troy Mars (Best Batsman) and Match MVP Mahbubul Chowdury. John Adams HS Coach Alex Navarrette and a clearly disappointed Captain Thakur Singh accepted the Runner Up Trophy and for the second year in a row Newcomers High School took home the Winners Trophy, accepting graciously was Coach Sam Sooppersaud and Captain Robin Das.

Presenting the Awards were key figures in the PSAL, Donald Douglas (Director), Lorna Austin (Coordinator) and Bassett Thompson (Commissioner ), all of whom are helping NYC pioneer school cricket in the US. Also present were Assistant Commissioner Ricky Kissoon, John Aaron,Secretary of the United States Cricket Association (USACA) and Lloyd Jodah, President of American College Cricket. Secretary Aaron was his usual sartorially elegant self and ecstatic at the work being done by the PSAL for High School cricket, American College Cricket's Lloyd Jodah was so moved by the PSAL's cricket efforts and hard work that he offered to the Match MVP Mahbubul Chowdury,a Student Membership to New York Sports Club (the Northeast's top Healthclub).

Newcomers High School won by 5 runs and are the PSAL 2009 Champions.

Article appears courtesy of Lloyd Jodah

Photo credits: Matthew Patel (who turned 12 on Friday)

Take a bow, NCCA Junior Program

openingbat — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 02:51:00 GMT

By Peter Simunovich

Ganesh Sanap, President of NCCA

The Bay Area in Northern California is the home of the San Francisco Giants baseball and San Francisco 49ers football teams that have produced Hall of Famers like quarterback Joe Montana and centerfielder Willie Mays, both acknowledged as all-time greats.

It is also the home of the Northern California Cricket Association. Established in 1892, it is one of the oldest and largest cricket regions in the United States.

Right now the NCCA is celebrating the success of the North West Region's Under 19 win in the recently completed national tournament.

NCCA president Ganesh Sanap proudly says that 13 of the 14-man North West Region squad came from the NCCA, including three of the players in the national Under 19 All American team. And it was the second time in four years that the region had won the national title.

Owen Graham, Coach - NCCA

Sanap, who has a long association with the four-division and 40-team league as a player, volunteer, administrator and president, says the league's focus "has always been on youth." The philosophy is that they move up to a higher level and then pass on their knowledge, experience and tips to the youngsters. It is the trickle down effect.

But Sanap, 39, a computer developer, does not take all the backslapping from the success of the junior program in the NCCA. He is quick to talk about coach Owen Graham. "He has the Midas touch," said Sanap. "When he played with the Caribbean Cricket Club in the NCCA he had the most wins as a captain and player. No teams wanted to play against him.

"Owen led the San Francisco Freedom in the professional league in 2004 and led it to the national championship. He has a very good cricketing brain."

Graham, 42, played in semi pro and All Island leagues in the West Indies as an opening batsman, has a high profile as a coach in the NCCA, but he praised the administration. "I realize that it gets it right," he said.

Saad Khan, 19, a No. 4 bat and right arm off spinner, told DreamCricket.com: "People and coaches put in a lot of effort and work hard in the NCCA. Ganesh is recruiting players. Owen knows the game, man. He knows a lot about cricket.

"He's a good guy, has a positive attitude, and works hard with everyone and gives us confidence. He is available 24/7 and he will answer any questions."

Saad Khan, NCCA U-19 player

Sanap said: "Owen is always talking to players on the 'phone. We are trying to develop a cricketing brain and keep the Under 19 players together. The idea is unity and continuity. The players now play in A Division. It gives them experience and helps out teams when they might be short of players."

Sanap, who moved to the US from Mumbai, India, says the biggest reason for the youth program is that they players are "like a band of brothers. They are at each other's home, play as a team, are united and you will not find too many individuals in the team."

Graham admits: "There is something about me that goes well with the kids. They have a willingness to learn and I have a love and passion for the game."

He grew up during the West Indies golden era where he watched stars like Michael Holding, Colin Croft, Joel Garner and Andy Roberts play and he competed against the likes of Jeffrey Dujon, Jimmy Adams and Courtney Walsh. And to round this off he was coached by top Test batsman Rohan Kanhai.

Graham tries to teach his players how to understand the game, be relaxed and poised and to work hard on and off the field. "Discipline is very important," he says. "Practice hard and do what you are told."

Asked about his successful coaching methods, he said: "I don't look at it as a moral obligation. I enjoy the teaching and I hope to create a little legacy. I try to connect with the players, be like a father figure. I encourage them to play positive and aggressive cricket. They have good minds."

Saad, who is studying sociology, said his batting and fielding had improved under Graham's coaching. "He gives me more confidence. He says not to be afraid of the ball, be confident, be yourself and play your natural game."

Sarabjit Chadha - NCCA Volunteer

Saad added that Graham encouraged his players to be disciplined, "play by the rules, be who you are and don't bring anyone or another team down."

One of the unsung heroes in the success of the NCCA is Sarabjit Chadha, 40, who helped found the East Bay Cricket Club and still plays as an all-rounder. He said: "All the kids who play in the Under 19s in the NCCA should be thankful for Ganesh and Owen.

"The NCCA is Ganesh's baby. He works very hard and the kids get good coaching from Owen. I have watched him coach and he is pretty darn good."

A behind the scenes man, Chadha helps in organizing matches, looks after and develops players and fields, has a thankless job. But he loves the game and enjoys watching it continually grow.

It is all part of the success of the NCCA.

Sunil Gavaskar visits DreamCricket Academy in New Jersey

openingbat — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 13:32:00 GMT

April 4, 2009

Hillsborough, NJ

DreamCricket Academy had a surprise in store for its Under-15 cricketers on Saturday, April 4, 2009. Just as the boys were padding up at DreamCricket's indoor cricket arena on a windy day in New Jersey - they were joined by the legendary cricketer - Sunil Gavaskar.

Whilst on a visit to Wharton India Economic Forum, when DreamCricket.com requested the Little Master to visit the DreamCricket Academy, Mr. Gavaskar immediately agreed despite his hectic schedule.

Sunil Gavaskar with young cricketers at DreamCricket Academy

Mr. Gavaskar connected with the kids instantaneously. Noticing the hands go up reluctantly when he asked who the DreamCricket Academy's opening batsmen were, he joked "I don't blame you. You have to be crazy to be openers!" The kids were not old enough to have seen the Little Master in action during his playing days, but they were awestruck when they were told that the man in front of them was test cricket's best opening batsman ever.

In a short and inspiring speech, Mr. Gavaskar reinforced the importance of sport. "Remember that, above all, this is a sport. You have to enjoy sports. Participating in sports is the biggest high that you can have. I mean, as you get older, as your body gets a little tired, you will feel like I wish I could do this, I wish I could play, but age doesn't allow you, so while you are young, you have the energy, you have the abilities, you must enjoy yourselves."

Mr. Gavaskar told the kids that cricket was a metaphor for life. "The game of cricket is one which tells you what teamwork is all about. It's a reflection of the society that you are in. Sometimes, the better batsman looks after the lesser batsman, the better bowler looks after the lesser bowler."

"The better batsman will not be able to score a century if the lesser batsman doesn't stay at the other end with him. Similarly the better bowler won't get wickets unless the lesser bowler is able to keep some pressure, unless he has the cooperation from the fielders who are taking catches and stopping the runs."

"There are times when the good batsman is struggling, and the lesser batsman comes in and he faces most of the bowling till the good batsman starts to get his form back, starts to get his feet moving, so it is all a matter of cooperation and teamwork. And that's what life is all about."

"Cricket is just a reflection of how to go about life where you try and help everybody, so that it becomes a very peaceful society where everybody helps each other," Mr. Gavaskar added.

U-15 cricketers bowled to the Little Master in the nets

About the game's ups and downs, he told the kids not to worry. "Some days you really feel good playing sports, everything falls into place, if you are a batsman, you are hitting the ball, you are getting hundreds, if you are a bowler, you are getting wickets doing everything. On an another day, nothing, not a thing can work. Still you have to go out there with the knowledge that you are putting everything into it. Effort has got to be there 100%. When you put your head on the pillow at night, it should be with the knowledge that you gave it 100%. And then success and failure is in the hands of God."

"Always wear a helmet," was Mr. Gavaskar's advice to everyone present. These words acquired even more weight because they came from a batsman who never wore a helmet, even as he played the most vicious fastest bowlers cricket has ever produced. He repeated the advice as he sat down to watch the kids play in the nets.

When asked whether American born cricketers had a chance to play cricket at the highest level, Mr. Gavaskar said: "I think that with effort comes better performance. When you perform, you get noticed. And higher honors await you. Throughout the process, enjoy the sport and get the thrill of participation." Mr. Gavaskar was quite impressed with what he had seen and offered some helpful suggestions to popularize the sport.

Kranthi Bayya, CEO of DreamCricket.com welcomed Sunil Gavaskar to the indoor facility

In her welcome address, DreamCricket.com CEO Ms. Kranthi Bayya said, "It is an amazing honor to have a living legend at the DreamCricket Academy." Noting that it was Mr. Gavaskar's opening partner, Mr. Chetan Chauhan, who opened DreamCricket's indoor facility in the winter of 2007, Ms Bayya said, "it is a dream come true for us at DreamCricket to have India's best opening pair visit the facility."

Talking about his many accomplishments as a player, commentator and writer, Ms. Bayya quoted Tony Lewis' tribute to Mr. Gavaskar from the 1989 Wisden: "You would not wish to be Mr Gavaskar's opponent in any field."

Mr. Gavaskar's quick wit was on display throughout his brief visit. When a parent noted that Sunil Gavaskar held the records for both the most runs and most centuries during his playing days. Mr. Gavaskar shot back, "that was in the last century." And as a woman was struggling to open the plastic wrapper off a DVD that she had brought for his autograph, he said "give that to me, I am the opener!"

Gavaskar signed autographs for all present

Following the speech, Mr. Gavaskar spent an hour in the nets with the kids as they got a chance to bowl to the legend. He then watched some of the kids practice their batting. "The kids are on the right track. I don't see any baseball influence here. I think the coach is doing a wonderful job by focusing on cricketing technique," he said complimenting Coach Earl Daley.

Mr. Gavaskar posed for pictures with those present and signed autographs. Before his departure, he toured DreamCricket.com's facility, which includes a cricket store, indoor nets and houses its collection of memorabilia in addition to the DreamCricket Academy.

More pictures

Sunil Gavaskar visits DreamCricket.com.

Sunil Gavaskar gave an inspiring speech to the kids

U-15 cricketers bowled to the Little Master in the nets

Sunil Gavaskar poses with the DreamCricket family

Sunil Gavaskar tours the store

Parents of the U15 boys take a picture with the Little Master