On Saturday, August 1st, the WI Legends engaged the NY Legends in a Twenty20 contest at the Idlewild cricket field. NY took first strike and scored 154 for 6 wickets. The WI Legends began their run chase aggressively but were able to score only 131.

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

By Sam Sooppersaud

Over the nearly three quarters century of organized cricket, the West Indies have produced some of the world's greatest and most exciting players that have ever graced the cricket field. Players such as George Headley, Leary Constantine, Gary  Sobers, Rohan Kanhai, the Three W's: Everton Weekes, Clyde Walcott, and Frank Worrell, bowling prodigies like Sonny Ramadin, Alf Valentine, Lance Gibbs. Within the past two decades we had Desmond Haynes, Gordon Greenidge, Brian Lara, Shiv Chanderpaul and a host of other exciting cricketers.

As a result of being blessed with so many stalwarts, the West Indies have dominated world cricket, on and off (more on than off) decades after decades.  They have won numerous test series, convincingly, and have come out on top in ODI and Twenty20 World Cup Tournaments. Recently, WI cricket has experienced some lean times on the International cricket circle. However, the staunch WI cricket supporters are positive that their team will bounce back  and once again ascend to the top. The reasons being that many past greats are going around the Islands and Guyana holding "teaching" and coaching clinics.

Several of these past stars have even ventured to the USA playing short tournaments and working with the local cricket authorities in an effort to create more interest and develop the game in this country. Over the past decade we have seen more and more youths playing the game. The best known youth tournament is the New York City PSAL cricket tournament. This program has just completed its eighth year.

Over the past week a squad of former West Indies players toured New York City.  They conducted numerous coaching sessions and clinics in the boroughs. One of the recipients of these sessions was the Queens United Cricket Academy based at Idlewild Cricket Complex in Rosedale, NY. 

Many private individuals are getting involved in these projects. Through the leadership and the support of the cricket loving community, the legends played two games at the Idlewild Complex.   

On Saturday, August 1st, the WI Legends engaged the NY Legends in a Twenty20 contest at the Idlewild cricket field.  NY took first strike and scored 154 for 6 wickets.  Scoring the runs were: Richard Staples 24, Odelmo Peters 24, Steve Massiah 34, John Sylvester 14, Everton Mattis 14 and Derrick Kallicharran 20. Wicket  takers for The WI Legends: Darren Ganga 1 for 8, Ronnie Sarwan 2 for 9, Shiv Chanderpaul 1 for 36, Pedro Collins 1 for 22, and Adam Sandford  1 for 18.

The WI Legends began their run chase aggressively. They lost their first wicket at 34. Thereafter they stumbled. They were able to get only 131 runs, thereby losing the game by 23 runs. Accounting for the wickets were Richard Staples 2 for 9, Steve Massiah 4 for 20, John Sylvester 1 for 16, Everton Mattis 1 for 12, Wesley King 1 for 18, Clem Thompson 1 for 9, Charlton Senior 1 for 21, and Dave Mohamed 1 for 22.

[Match summary for the second game is awaited.]