SUMMER ISSUE 2009

Strauss of celebrates winning with the traditional urn trophy after their fifth Ashes test match against Australia at in London 2 AMERICAN CRICKETER SUMMER ISSUE 2009 American Cricketer is published by American Cricketer, Inc. Copyright 2009

Publisher - Mo Ally Editor - Deborah Ally Assistant Editor - Hazel McQuitter Graphic & Website Design - Le Mercer Stephenson Legal Counsel - Lisa B. Hogan, Esq. Accountant - Fargson Ray

Editorial: Suneer Chowdhary, Peter Simunovich, KCS Rao Ricardo Inniss, Mahammad Quereshi, David Sentance Vali Jamal, Georgia East, Mo Ally, ICC Peter McDermott, Michael Mills, Hafeez Sattaur Pankaj Mahajan, Ricki Ali, S. Dasgupta

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SUMMER ISSUE 2009 WWW.AMERICANCRICKETER.COM 3 Publisher Letter In this issue t seems like the but surely cricket is gaining momentum www.americancricketer.com IUnited States Cricket in the US, but I would venture to say that Association (USACA), China will surpass the US in a decade or Features the governing body so in this glorious game. for Cricket, is finally 5 COVER STORY making strides toward ASHES TO ASHES...AUSSIES TO DUST, The politics of the land pertaining to ENGLAND LIFT THE URN....AS THEY MUST! promoting International Cricket. Mr. Cricket is amazing for everyone struggles Singh from Broward for power and once they are in they do not 13 LEGEND Stadium said that several International fulfill their obligations. A good example matches are scheduled to be played of this is the Regional Directors. Just 18 PHOTO GALLERY early next year. Mr. Don Lockerbie with what do they do for Cricket? I think this the International Cricket Council (ICC) is a position that a committee should take 25 CRICKET EVENTS working in conjunction with US Cricket applications and award the job to the best 17 STICKEY association and the Broward Stadium, are qualified person than what we are doing now seeing eye to eye and are working out at the moment. I also believe some of the differences that delayed International these positions would require a small Cricket Cricket for years. Poor administration salary in order to do the job right rather hinder negotiations between USACA and than voting your friend or cousin for the 10 VS. THE OTHER FORMATS, IS LIKE CAVIAR VS. SARDINES, NO MATCH ICC ,thus causing major problems for US positions. Cricket. PROFESSIONAL CRICKET Remember some of these guys can only 8 TWO YEARS AFTER IT WAS BUILT BROWARD CRICKET Furthermore, the stadium administration leave home on cricket days because STADIUM NOT A BIG-TIME DRAW was also handcuffed by their peers and they have to work. But get some senior 10 HOSPITALITY A KEY PART OF SUCCESS AT ICC WORLD their demands for the use of the facility experienced, former players in each WEST INDIES 2010 was priced too steep and had no flexibility. region and you will then have great This caused a breakdown in building good Regional Directors. Please note there REGIONAL CRICKET relationship . However, I was told they 8 THE GROWTH OF CRICKET IN NEW YORK SCHOOLS are a few directors who give their all, but overcame that issue and are now charging they know as well as I that they do not 10 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CRICKET - based on the event. There was a fixed sum merit the position for the development of MOVING IN RIGHT DIRECTION! of $2,500 to use the facility, but for local cricket in the . Look back games by the leagues, a lower price was 24 HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BRIAN PICCOLO PARK! to the successes and you will see that the implanted and games for commercial senior players are the greatest contributors 24 CONGRATULATIONS TO MIRAMAR MASTERS FOR entity will be charged accordingly. to the game. What we need are cricket WINNING THE 2009 40 OVERS DIVISION II TITLE grounds all the country and if one of Lockerbie was given the authority to 25 2009 US CORPORATE CRICKET CHAMPIONSHIP the Regional Directors has one, please let bring all parties involved to make this a us know so we can congratulate him for successful venture and he certainly should his accomplishment. INTERNATIONAL CRICKET be complimented for his hard work. He 23 CAPE TOWN VINTAGE CRICKET CARNIVAL 2010 was able to bring International Cricket for the first time on the only approved Mo Ally - Publisher TWENTY 20 CRICKET ICC wicket in the United States. Slowly [email protected] 12 GET READY AMERICA, HERE COMES THE U.S. CRICKET OPEN!

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4 AMERICAN CRICKETER SUMMER ISSUE 2009 ScopeCover Story Ashes to Ashes...Aussies to dust, England lift the urn....as they must! Suneer Chowdhary

the world to be so under-rated. Yet, when the English skipper came forward to kiss Aussie squad – Poor selection or that urn which – at least metaphorically – symptomatic of deeper malaise? consisted of the ashes of the burnt bails, there was a huge dollop of excitement, In the hindsight, the difference between goose bumps and a rather unabashed the two sides was probably as thin as the feeling of happiness at having watched waistline of an anorexic model, which the mighty fall, all mixed together and could have been easily plugged with some gushing like a torrent of water. smarter selection strategies. How else Suneer Chowdhary would one explain the absence of a back- The piece gives you a lowdown of the up opener to a someone who has had the t was never in doubt that if there was entire series, which saw experience of not more than three games Ione test match series that could permit also becoming the only man for almost an at international level, and very evidently the talks of an obituary for the format to eon to lose the Ashes twice as a as possesses a technique which, at best can slumber off for its entire length, it had to well as the hobbling figure of a once-in- be described as a tad different from the be the Ashes. It was also never in doubt a-generation cricketer in rest of them. that the Australian side that landed in walking away into the shadows after England to feature in the five test matches having called it quits from the five day was of the rarest coming from that part of format. continued on page 6

England’s Broad celebrates with his team mates after getting the wicket of Australia’s Michael Clarke during the fifth Ashes cricket test match at the Oval in London.

SUMMER ISSUE 2009 WWW.AMERICANCRICKETER.COM 5 continued from page 5 unscathed. best-captain-of-the-world were piling and how. If it was a matter of expressing confidence Oh and yes, there was this small matter England 1 Australia 0 in the youngster, then the selectors need of the number 11, turbaned batsman in to be questioned about their risk appetite. , who found himself on The situation, in that case, was like the headlines of every second newspaper Rain, Clarke, North halt English investment of all one’s savings in housing in England by blocking out 35 deliveries armada: in an earthquake-prone area. – 22 more than his career average per inning! Rather strangely, Ponting did not Two games into the series, the pressure Fortunately for the selectors, they did go for the jugular by getting in his more was on the Aussies to retain the urn. not have to face a lot of egg, as a middle- potent quicks, and allowed the part-time Nervousness would have turned to order, perennially wounded soldier upped spinners to bowl at crucial times during pandemonium when minutes after the the ante, accepted the opening slot and the last session – presumably to rush up toss, it was revealed that the wicket- failed to do what he is so notorious for – the overs. The move came back to bite keeper, had injured his finger get injured. was a saviour him! and was unfit to play, but the English for the Australian side and the selectors, England 0 Australia 0 skipper played perfect host and allowed both rolled in one, so that the team his opposition to make a change. management could then concentrate on the other criticisms meted out to them! Flintoff’s last hurrah and Strauss’ However, in a performance that homecoming at Lord’s: did not inspire too much awe again, the The other question, though, that could be visitors were bowled out for a meagre asked is, whether the Australian set-up Having already announced his retirement 263, after having been 163/3 at one stage. possesses a decent opener at the domestic from the series, Flintoff knew that the There was nothing jelly-like in the pitch level, who could have backed Hughes? chances of him surviving through the rest as claimed by the curator, and the only And hence, if it was more in hope than of the series depended on how heavily his sweets that were being tossed up were anything else that the selectors chose not anatomy held up. So, after James Anderson by the Aussie bowlers, who allowed the to have a third guy, then, it is not the last had scythed through the Australian first English to get away with a lead of 113 of series that Australia have had to endure like hot knife through butter, it runs. in the near future; the malaise is much was the turn of Andrew Flintoff to take more deep-rooted. over the world stage. However, the hosts had very little time to force a result, as first rain, and then an The Panesar (batting) versus the The target was an improbable 522, yet, excellent rearguard by Clarke saw Ponting (captaincy) show: it was evident that the Aussie side would the Aussies thwart any perceivable threat It was a situation that and go down – if they did – all guns blazing. from the English bowlers to take the series Glen McGrath would have relished even Flintoff needed a platform to blaze as well, into the fourth game, down 0-1. on their worst nightmare day. Over 100 and he chose the perfect one as he first had overs to get a tired opposition out on a both the openers out of his way, and then Johnson’s form returned, fifth day track; with one to throttle the followed it up with another three in the was providing excellent support to Clarke, throat and tighten the screws, and the end, when it looked like the lower order had been ruled out from other to hammer the nails, and home the had the outside chance of making a game the series with his Achilles Heel problem advantage, would have been as easy and out of it. Every spell that Flintoff bowled and Ponting believed that he had turned a commonplace as VVS Laxman’s flick of was as venomous as the previous one, and corner. For the first, and probably the only the wrist. And despite ’s the only reason that one could fault him time in the series, he wasn’t too far from pyrotechnics with the bat, England was with was his lack of celebrations after he the truth! nine down and with almost 12 had had the better of the batsmen! England 1 Australia 0 overs to bat. Only earlier, had Unfortunately for the Aussies, Warne combined the occasion of captaining at was far away in the USA, trying to keep his own hometown – and of the cricketing The corner turns, as England commit a straight face at the World Series Poker, world – and smashing a knock of 161 that hara-kiri: while McGrath was probably someplace set a platform for a first English win at The Gods conspired to get the many in Australia. An out-of-form leading quick Lord’s after 75 years. From the Aussie things right for Australia in this game. bowler, a spin bowler who could hardly perspective, Johnson’s mum was making The selectors woke up to the existence of turn the cherry even on a minefield, and more news than his performance, as the for starters. Johnson seemed a captain very unimaginative served up a visitors began to feel the adverse effect of to have forgotten his mum for the time deadly enough concoction for the game to an as toothless-as-a-baby attack. being. realised that his neck end in a draw and the English to escape was on the line to accommodate Clark. The records against a once-perceived- continued on page 7

6 AMERICAN CRICKETER SUMMER ISSUE 2009 continued from page 6 Ramprakash given glimmer of hope, All eyes were on the wicket from the time Trott the English cap: the teams landed in London. England had The batting did all the basics right. The to win the game to regain the Ashes, the English side were woken up from their After being on top for most portion of Aussies needed only a draw, and Oval snooze thanks to a fire-alarm on the night the series, an innings loss would have usually dished out a track that could put before the game! And then had had the been the last thing on the fans and the the best of insomniacs to sleep. toss delayed as did a Haddin! selectors’ minds. Such was the situation on the street, that foreigners landing in the For reasons that were quite inexplicable, The result was a thumping innings and country would have wondered whether Australia decided to go in with the same eighty run defeat for the English. It could the nation was seized by an extremists’ line-up, thus keeping their specialist have been a lot worse but for a century attack! spinner out of reckoning. Unfortunately for the eighth wicket in the for the side, and more so for their selectors, English second innings, but they couldn’t Panic buttons had been pressed and this was a grave error in judgement have hoped for a lot better when it had names-dropping for Bopara’s began in that could not be camouflaged like the taken the Aussies less than 34 overs full earnest. A batsman, who hadn’t seen Hughes-goof-up. The pitch coughed dust to trample over the English line-up the international whites for seven years on the first day, and like an untreated bout that looked so shorn of ideas that even was a front-runner, as was another who of influenza, deteriorated further to even Dilbert’s boss PHB would have looked had chickened out of international cricket put a Wankhede dustbowl to shame! smarter. on more occasions than one! In fact, one got the sense that had WG Grace been England was lucky to win the toss and bat In the final analysis, the game proved alive, he would have probably been in the first, but for the rest of the game, it was to be a statistician’s delight, what with running as well! a combination of good concerted batting, the sudden plummeting of the English and an excellent spell of bowling from fortunes, but the one stat that stood out Sanity prevailed in the end, and Jonathon that sealed first innings lead to rub further salts in the wounds was the Trott, a South African born, got the of 162 runs – a margin worth its value in total runs scored by their numbers three, opportunity to debut in a crucial Ashes gold given the nature of the track! four and five in both the innings was a decider. And carve out a name for himself mere 16! Heads were to roll, and Bopara’s as he did! Second time around, Trott allowed a rather exponential loss of form made him decided judgement on which was a better the favourite scapegoat. set of selectors between the two sides, as English curator, Indian pitch, Aussie he slammed a century on debut and helped England 1 Australia 1 gloom! set a target of 546 runs for an Australian win.

Despite ’s century, which upheld the habit of left-handed Aussies regaining their form at the Oval, the Aussies were never in hunt. showed what the tourists had missed in Hauritz’s exclusion and the toss-loss, while Flintoff regretted having not practiced fielding better after winning a champagne bottle for running the opposition captain out!

England emerged winners by 197 runs and in the aftermath, there was a list of entities who shouldered the blame – including a couple of selectors, the captain and the coach. And if there was any doubt about the dwindling Aussie aura, then this series loss put a stamp on it; Australia also tumbling to the number four slot in the test match rankings! England 2 Australia 1

England’s Andrew Flintoff celebrates on his knees after dismissing Australia’s Peter Siddle for seven runs during the second Ashes test cricket match at the Lord’s Cricket ground in London

SUMMER ISSUE 2009 WWW.AMERICANCRICKETER.COM 7 The Growth of Cricket in New York Schools. Peter Simunovich

While small businesses have been closing High School in Queens. The PSAL five their doors and unemployment rising to division competition is now played in above nine percent, cricket at school level four of the five boroughs --- Manhattan, in is riding the crest of a Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx --- that wave. Consider these figures: When the make up New York City. But the PSAL is PSAL introduced=2 0cricket last year more than hopeful that Staten Island, the there were 12 teams with about 240 fifth borough, will be represented as soon players. This year it almost doubled to 23 as next season. teams and about 500 players which play Peter Simunovich in the 20/20 format. “We are making progress,” said Kissoon in an interview with the American f the New York Public Schools Athletic Ricky Kissoon, an Assistant Commis- Cricketer. “Some of the kids play cricket League (PSAL) cricket section was I sioner with the PSAL, was optimistic to have fun while others play to have fun, registered with the Dow Jones on Wall about the future of the game at school but are also more ambitious.They want St, the financial center of the world, its level when he estimated that next year to compete and play at a higher level.” stocks would be flying through the roof there would be at least 30 schools with Kissoon says the standard of play is right now. In the past two years cricket at around 600 players competing in the improving all the time. He said: 0What school level in New York City has been a league which was won for the second recession buster. successive time this year by Newcomers continued on page 9

New York Under-19 Trial

8 AMERICAN CRICKETER SUMMER ISSUE 2009 continued from page 8 has been happening over a short period of would like to have a limited over match see the game grow as much as possible. time is a great effort. with each team bowling 40 overs. But He moved to the United States from Kissoon explained that time, the location Guyana 20 years ago and says that the “Each school gets equipment and the of fields and commuting were problems 20/20 format had proven very successful players wear the traditional white that had to be sorted out. so far and “was the way to go if you want uniforms with their school names and a to market it in the US.” number on their backs.” When financial Most of the matches, said Kissoon, were support increases, he said, the uniforms played from 4 PM after a day of school While cricket is catching on with some will be colored like the international lessons and sometimes there was at least Americans around the country, Kissoon players wear in limited over competition. a one hour commute to get to the fields. said less than 10 were playing in the PSAL Kissoon also said that sometimes double “Time is against us,” he said. When competition in New York. However, headers were played on Saturdays during asked how the PSAL competition could he was confident that eventually more the eight-week season, which ended with be improved, Kissoon talked about an Americans would be attracted to the game the final held on June 14. age old problem for cricket in general as in the years to come. the game tried to make its mark in New The double headers were a strong York and the rest of the country. He said: Cricket can be compared with the growth indication just how popular the competition “We need better fields that only cricket is of soccer, which was played by the had become with the schools. “Really, played on. We often share fields with other children of South American and European we’ve come a very, very long way in two sports and there are times when we have families who had moved to the US. In years”. He added that most of the players had to=2 0wait before we can lay down Europe and South America soccer is the came from families who had moved to the matting wickets. “We have developed No 1 sport. Soccer also began slowly the United States from Bangladesh, , some fields and there are two in Brooklyn and now is played everywhere in the US, , the West Indies and some from that have been made just for cricket.” including schools, and has a professional , all cricket playing countries. league. Soccer received a major boost Despite these hurdles, the PSAL when the World Cup was played in the So far the 20/20 format was the most competition has groomed some very good US in the 1990s. popular and successful format. The PSAL players in the two years it introduced cricket to the Kissoon said some of the “younger kids schools. Two of were playing cricket because it was a them have comfort zone for them. It is a connection the eye of selectors with their families (who have come from and have made the cricket playing countries) .” Asked how national Under long it will take before more Americans 15 and Under 19 begin to play cricket at school level, teams. he said: “It will take time and a lot of dedication. It is a game you have to be In a recent comfortable with. junior national tournament held “The standard is actually improving. This in New York, season it has been much, much better A m a r n a u t h with more kids getting involved. There Christine Cavaliere leads the Queens Newcomers HS squad. Persaud was are more kids competing and the level chosen in the of playing gets higher with the extra=2 Under 15 team 0competition.” Kissoon said there were and Kavishwar coaching clinics in the tri-State area which Bridgepaul was takes in New York, Connecticut and New named as one of Jersey. Players are so keen to improve and the reserves in the learn about the finer points of the game Under 19 team. that they are prepared to visit the coaching clinics on free time or weekends. Kissoon, a high school teacher in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, is donating his time and knowledge to New York Under-19 Trial

SUMMER ISSUE 2009 WWW.AMERICANCRICKETER.COM 9 Southern California Cricket - Moving In Right Direction! KCS Rao

California cricket made one to stop and Day and New Year. They were called take a good look at the developments. ‘Die-Hard’ cricketers.

Thanks to individuals like, Chandra Roy Almost a decade back, Nilesh Baktha and Ronnie Mohabir (So.Calif.Winter and late Jack Baktha brought a 20-over League); Abidh Hussain (Orange County Baktha Unity Cup tournament to Los Cricket Association), Raj Singh Ghai, and Angeles. This tournament is an annual Dr. Gangaram Singh ( Cricket feature for Bathe community from India, Association); and Trevor Roper (Los living in the North and South America. KCS Rao Angeles Social Cricket Alliance) an This was a very successful tournament healthy competition has been created. and was well organized. The offshoot ear readers, this comes from the One of the positive aspects of these means of this tournament was the Dwriter who once wrote off the chances more than one team can now enter the Open Tournament – a 20-over game. of cricket growing in this country. Yes, in USACA national tournaments. Hitherto one of the previous issue of ‘AMERICAN it was only one team from SCCA played Ronnie Mohair of Pioneer Cricket Club CRICKETER’ magazine, he was not only in these tournaments. More opportunities and Chandra Roy of South Bay Cricket very skeptical about the growth of cricket are created for youngsters vying to play in club put their heads together and started a in this country but even challenged that the representative games. winter tournament. cricket will not catch on in USA. Southern California is blessed with a weather that permits playing cricket In Southern California, the official cricket This is because, United State Cricket throughout the calendar year. It rains season is from April to November each Association, for all its internal politics for a total of one or two weeks in a year. year. The gap between November to and mismanagement was suspended Playing cricket throughout the year was April was utilized by these two to conduct twice by the ICC (International Cricket a topic discussed every year amongst the winter league. Conference), the governing body for cricketers at the Pickwick Bowling Alley world cricket. Besides the politics when the majority of SCCA cricket was In 2004, four teams played a 35-over in cricket administration at all levels, played at Griffith Park grounds. No one league and this continued for two more the lack of a blue print for its growth, followed this thought. A few friends, years. In 2006 this was not only reduced hampered the growth of cricket in USA. including some members of the Golden to 30-over each but became a day-night Then suddenly the developments that Oldies team started practicing at the nets game. In 2007, this league grew bigger took place and is taking place in Southern throughout the year except on Christmas and there were two divisions with eight teams in each division. Color uniforms and white balls were introduced. Total prize money distributed was $5,000. This league has become so popular that more and more teams are participating. No game in winter league was washed out and /or delayed due to rains during the past five years. This league help to keep the players fit for the regular season.

Los Angeles Social Cricket Alliance (LASCA) was started more than a decade ago with goal to play competitive cricket in a social and friendly atmosphere. They are not currently affiliated to USA Cricket Association but play the game for the love of the game. They prefer to stay away from the politics of the local and national

continued on page 11

10 AMERICAN CRICKETER SUMMER ISSUE 2009 continued from page 10 cricket administration. They are growing Test Cricket vs. the other formats, is like year by year and more teams love to play Caviar vs. Sardines, no match their league. They presently have eight Ricardo Inniss teams in their league. be, the game has lost its charm; money rules. The vulgarity of millions for 20 Recently, San Diego Cricket Association overs is utterly ridiculous. “ (SDCA) was formed. Presently they have three teams playing in SCCA and In summation, Carl said, “The test drive over 120 miles one way to play match is still the most challenging form their games. Raj Singh Ghai, former Test of cricket. Sometimes it peters out into Cricketer from India and Dr. Gangaram, a doleful draw; at other times it’s more a faculty member of the University in heart-stopping than any twenty-twenty San Diego, were instrumental in coming parody”. up with the idea of forming a separate Ricardo Inniss association to give opportunities to more As a purist, this writer sees test cricket cricketers to participate in the national ver since the introduction of as the highest level by which class and tournaments. Ethe first (ODI 50 overs), World Cup back in great players are measured. But, while one must admit that the shorter version They have adequate number of teams in 1975,cricket lovers the world over have of the game has improved cricket’s and around San Diego and are affiliated been fascinated/attracted to the shorter popularity and widening scope all over to USACA. When contacted, Raj Singh version of test cricket. Today, since it the world in places that matter, lots of Ghai said that cricket has done a lot for was launched in England County Cricket, former test players (and others spoken him and he wants to give back something in 2002, and then for professional inter- to), call it nothing more than “upping to the game. It is understood that they are county competition by the England=2 and/or swiping.” using the local YMCA to enroll youth for 0and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), the teaching cricket. This is a good sign to proliferation of an even shorter version, The Twenty20 can produce exciting, spread cricket to youth from non-cricket the Twenty20, has been attracting much, exhilarating and at times dazzling cricket playing countries. much bigger crowds and paying out millions to players. All20of which have entertainment, there’s no denying this. On the other hand, test cricket is a science, Also recently, Orange County Cricket players, as well fans all over the world and to succeed at it, along with the natural Association (OCCA) was formed. Abidh asking, can test cricket stay alive? ability to play the game well, one must be Hussain who has been very active in able to concentrate for long periods, be promoting youth cricket in Tustin was Recently, the flamboyant very disciplined, have near-perfect shot- instrumental in forming OCCA. With West Indies captain, raised a lot of selection and the capacity to think like a the help of the Recreation and Parks eyebrows throughout the cricketing trained General. Department of Tustin, he was not only able world, when he indicated that at this to get the grounds but was able to obtain stage, he would rather continue playing When yours truly, looks at the different flood lights to have cricket played in the in the shorter version of the game. formats of the “ Great Summer Game,” night. He has conducted many a youth one thing stands out vividly, test cricket camp and tournaments, youth parade and The statement brought varying comments vs. the other formats are like caviar vs. exhibition games to popularize cricket from past as well as present, test cricketers, sardines, no match whatsoever. locally. journalist, commentators and fans, all over the world. Looking for some answers The contribution of SCCA, complemented to the burning question, as to whether or by So. Calif. Winter League (SCWL), not test cricket will survive in spite of the LASCA, SDCA, and OCCA should current enormous popularity and success help cricket in Southern California to of the Twenty20, this writer turned to an definitely move in the right direction. old friend back in Barbados, whose name Hopefully all these associations will work is Carl Moore. together for a single cause of promoting cricket amongst their local communities. Carl is one of the founders of the very If properly nurtured, these organization popular Nation Newspaper in Barbados, should go a long way in history in not only and was its first editor. He is also a social popularizing cricket amongst the local commentator, who calls the one day ga communities but should help improve me “fast food cricket,” and goes on to say the quality of the game in this part of the that, “cricket is morphing into something world. completely different from what it used to

SUMMER ISSUE 2009 WWW.AMERICANCRICKETER.COM 11 Get Ready America, Here Comes the U.S. Cricket Open! Mahammad Quereshi

New England T20, T20, New colored clothing and white balls that will Jersey T20 and Washington T20 with be provided by Cricket Council USA. cash prizes of up to $7,000.00 for each The eight teams will be organized in two tournament groups with each team playing against the other teams within their group in a round- Talking about the tournament, Jeff robin format. The top two teams in each Miller, Vice President of Operations group will advance to the semi-finals with said: “In the spirit of our mission to the winners of the tournament collecting further the development of T20 cricket the big prize - $10,000.00,” Miller said. in America, Cricket Council USA will Mahammad Quereshi invite eight teams with some of the best Just like the “OPEN” format of major U.S. cricketers in North American to complete Golf and Tennis Opens, the U.S. Cricket et ready America – Cricket Council in this historical tournament. CCUSA Open will have eight teams converging in GUSA is poised to make cricket will award the Championship Trophy and beautiful South Florida to leave their mark history by staging the inaugural U.S. a $10,000.00 prize check to the winning in American sports history. The players, Cricket Open to be held from December team and a $2,000.00 prize check to the coaches and managers will have their 4 - 6, 2009 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. runner-up.” names indelibly etched into the record Last year in South Florida, CCUSA books for competing in the first ever U.S. hosted the MAQ T20 International Mr. Mahammad A. Qureshi, CEO/ Cricket Open. Cricket Tournament 2008, which made President of the Cricket Council USA, American sports history by being the first exclaimed: ”This is once-in-a-lifetime December 4-6, 2009 international cricket tournament played opportunity. To play for the Champions in the first and only Cricket Stadium in Trophy of the First U.S Cricket Open is Ft. Lauderdale, Florida North America. an honor that the players, coaches and managers will be bragging about for For Further information: Cricket Council USA is a professional generations to come. We are looking sports and entertainment management forward to some very exciting and Contact: Jeff Miller organization who have planned, promoted entertaining cricket come December.” 561-361-1700 and sponsored the 2009 Maq Lauderhill International Night Cricket Tournament, “The US Cricket Open will be played in [email protected]

Interested in making the trip to these events, and Caribbean matches? Come join American Cricketer! Contact Mo Ally. The 5th World Vintage Cricket Carnival 14th Air New Zealand Golden Oldies “The Cape Carnival” World Cricket Festival Cape Town, Western Province, South Africa In the historical Spa Town of Harrogate, st th Sunday 21 March ~ Saturday 27 March 2010 Situated in North Yorkshire, England The powerful Western Province Cricket Region, August 8th ~ 15th, 2010 are providing the setting for what will be a memorable and historic carnival. Call for A Trip of a Lifetime. Let us show you the way! 305 710-8640 . (305) 851-3130

12 AMERICAN CRICKETER SUMMER ISSUE 2009 Cricket Tours David Sentance

David Beckwith.” “The guy Martin was free whisky, donated by my doting wife. supposed to make the arrangements The paralytic guard miraculously got up with.” “How do you know?” “I’m psychic and walked again as the train pulled into remember.” Actually I had spoken to the Mombasa. groundskeeper. This exchange continued until we couldn’t control our laughter Originally, the Lunatic Line had been anymore. called “the Train to Nowhere,” because there were no real cities at either end to Wally was a true cricket tourist. He had justify its’ economic existence when it was David Sentance started by smuggling himself out of built. Its’ construction had been held up Ceylon on a Sunderland flying boat. He by the Man Eating Lions of Tsavo. Both ouring requires more intense wanted desperately to join the RAF. After Winston Churchill and Teddy Roosevelt Torganization than league cricket. being discovered on board and returned had used it on their respective hunting Improvisational leadership is definitely a to Colombo from Cairo, he finally made safaris, well before Earnest Hemingway bonus. When the US Cricket team toured it to England, fought in the RAF during wrote of Leopards frozen in the snows England in 1961, Ford sponsored their the Second World War, then settled in of Kilimanjaro. Before these illuminati, travel. Accommodation was found in local Santa Barbara where he started a Sri David Livingstone had made his name country houses. That’s a tour I would like Lankan cricket colony. We all turned fighting Arab slave traders near Ujiji. to have been on. out for Wally’s funeral when he died of Livingstone’s expeditions started from a heart attack after taking a wicket on a Zanzibar. In 20 the 1970’s Tony Verity and Peter Hollywood=2 0Golden Oldies tour of Lomas using their UCLA connections Mexico City. Generously, Atul Rai paid Zanzibar was where two of the cricketers organized regular tours of England, the necessary costs to get Wally back wanted to visit. I arranged a Cessna to Canada and Jamaica. Hard to forget Leo home across the border. We buried Wally fly us from Mombasa for the day. After Magnus cosying up to the bar near Bristol with MCC cap and in hand-a a great day on the Island looking at the and smooth talking the local ladies-he true tourist to the end! Anglican Cathedral where the old slave was smooth. Don Weekes I remember market used to be, tasting the spices of inviting all his anti-apartheid friends as The intrepid Martin Vann, the Man the island and viewing the forts along we toured with two South African ladies I we prefer to call Intrepid, decided the west coast, we were late for our trip discovered somewhere on our travels-talk Cricketmanjaro should be our next tour. on the ‘world famous’ Tamarind dhow about education. Conceived in the beery delights of Chuy’s that sailed Mtwape Creek. My Zanzibar in Glendale, we finally made it to the friends rested at the hotel while I caught a Honing my tour skills by watching Lunatic Line railway that linked Nairobi dug out canoe to catch up with the dhow Tony Verity in action, I traveled with Mombasa. The Kenya tour was wallowing windless like a hippo in the Vancouver with the Corinthian Casuals timed perfectly for Los Angeles residents creek. Fortunately, I was up a creek with in 1990. Corinthians had been making following the earthquake in January 1994 a good paddler, when I was able to hail the Vancouver trip since Aubrey Smith that brought Los Angeles business to a the dhow. With the moon silhouetting me initiated the route in 1935. Martin Vann standstill. in my safari jacket, excited tour members organized the Vancouver trip while we laughed out loud “Dr Livingstone from had the pleasure of watching George Having grown up in Kenya, I knew not Zanzibar, we presume!” Martin Vann and Charnock ogle ladies in Victoria at the to take the ‘Land of Waving Palms,” for David Waters, whose son now opens the Sticky Wicket. The game on Beacon Hill granted. Taking a quick nap on the train, batting for Kenya, immediately realized turned out at dud. Wally Jaysinghe took I awoke to see the African guards on this moment for its unique bringing control of arrangements. I found a phone the train lying paralytic in the hallways. together of history, timing and cricket. As somewhere else. Then Wally somehow Where could they have got the booze spontaneous laughter rang out across the got=2 0on my line. “Is this Victoria?” to do something like that I wondered? moon dappled waters of the dark, deep “Yes it is Wally”, I replied. “How do you Martin educated me to the fact that I had Indian Ocean-a moment frozen in time know my name?” This was too much for left my money bag in the train dining car when friendship, cricket and common the Brit in me to resist. “I am psychic. and the guards had brought it back intact. experience united in life’s eternity - I David Beckwith is in the interior.” “Who’s I had just greased the palms with my duty- knew what cricket was all about.

SUMMER ISSUE 2009 WWW.AMERICANCRICKETER.COM 13 Legend: Brian Lara Brian Lara 400 n.o; Cricket Uganda 109 n.o. Vali Jamal, PhD

hat a thrill to all cricket-lovers here that side sprawling at 8 wickets for 9 runs. The Pakistan visited occasionally. After one visit WBrian Lara is coming to Uganda ! The commotion was so deafening that the Chief by the Pakistan XI every Ismaili child was one who scored the record-breaking 400 not Secretary of the Protectorate turned away named Hanif ( Pakistan ’s legendary opener) out against England , has the highest score in from watching the Uganda Open Tennis and the next one Alim. first-class cricket at 501 , and a host of Championships to following the cricket. other records. Cricket flourished after the Asian expulsion The match was over by lunchtime, leaving in 1972 – another example of Africanization At this time as we bask in his glory, we also Jinja followers nothing to do till the evening of the country. By 1998 Uganda had achieved take time out to record the history of cricket Hindi film shows came on at the cinemas. On membership status of the ICC on their own in Uganda . It goes all the way to the start of one occasion the IRC fast bowler Bhanu took rights. John Nagenda, Walusimbi and Co the Protectorate, with the first match in 1900, five wickets in five balls, all clean-bowled. made their mark. The Presidential advisor between quite likely Gentlemen and Players When the Aga Khan XI once told me, watching a Uganda vs MCC from the colonial administration, with the marched towards match at Kyambogo, that he once scored 300 high-ups of the civil service playing against t h e finals n.o. at Makerere. Now that is Lara-class for their drivers, equerries and such. The first us mortals! competitive match took place in 1914 between British Residents of Uganda XI and their Brian Lara – what superlatives are still left counterparts of Kenya at Nairobi . Uganda unsaid? He was the only man to score seven won by five wickets. centuries in eight first-class innings, the first being the-then Test record 375 against Indians - “coolies” and all – came from a England and the last the record 501 not out cricket-playing nation. Anecdotal accounts against Durham. He has scored most runs show the “gentlemen” among the railway in a single over (28) than anyone else, third workers (those recruited as station highest number of test centuries (34), joint- masters) played makeshift cricket among third with , preceded by themselves in the evenings, before man- Ricky Ponting (37) and eating lions came and rampaged through (42). He is the fourth all-time catch-taker the camp. Indian traders started arriving as of non-wicketkeepers, with 164 catches, soon as the railway was completed – first up one of six batsmen to make a century before to Kisumu, with a boat-crossing to Port Bell. lunch. He was until last October the all-time By 1910 there were already five thousand leading run scorer in Test cricket, surpassed Indians in Uganda . They set up the Indian by Sachin Tendulkar on 17 October 2008. Gymkhana around Nakivubo on what has At that time he had scored 11,953 runs at an now come to be known as the New Taxi Park . average of 53! Teams were composed along communal lines – Indian Recreation, Aga Khan, Azad, Muslims. t h e After his retirement match, during the 2007 Goans – mixed Portuguese/Indian people from w h o l e World Cup, he called out to the fans, “Did I the Portuguese colony of Goa – were allowed community t u r n e d entertain?” to which they roared, “Yes, yes, a separate side and in 1936 comprised one of up at the grounds with their fashionable yes!” Then he went out and did what all great the three teams in the Triangular Tournament, women – cricket’s contribution to women’s athletes do at such a time – the “lap of honour”, Europeans and Indians being the other two. emancipation in Uganda ! Their fast bowler national flag and all. Africans were brought in as a fourth side TBK was dubbed Typhoon Tyson after the in 1949, making it a Quadrangular. Prince MCC fast bowler of the times. Urban legend Welcome Brian Charles Lara, Prince of Mwanda, Nyangabyaki and others began to has it that once the off bail flew all the way to Trinidad ! Your visit will inspire generations make their mark. the . Imagine if the video camers of cricketers here to XL in that great had been there! Commonwealth game. Thank you for the For Indians – now termed Asians – cricket memories! was a highlight of every Sunday from April to From 1952 a new fixture was started – Inter- September when matches were played under East African Tournament, amongst Uganda , Dr Vali Jamal has based this account on the venerable Lewis Cup, consecrated by Kenya and Tanganyika and later Zambia . The internet sources and his forthcoming book on a Goan John Lewis. A score of 200 by 2.30 top team for many years was the Kenya side. Ugandan Asians where cricket is given much pm was enough to declare on, leaving four In one memorable innings in 1970 Noordin space. Ugandan Asians: Then and Now, Here hours to get out the opponents. Every match Virani scored 218 not out, against Zambia at and There, We Contributed, We Contribute is remembered and every score. In the very Kampala , the highest score at that level in (forthcoming). visit first match at the Lugogo Oval, the Indian East Africa , surpassing the 214 of the Muslim www.vivaeastafrica.blogspot.com. Recreation Club of Jinja had the Kampala XI player Salaudin. Teams from India and [email protected]

14 AMERICAN CRICKETER SUMMER ISSUE 2009 Two years after it was built Broward cricket stadium not a big-time draw Georgia East

AUDERHILL - When a new cricket is working to lure top international here. County and city officials dispute Lstadium opened in Lauderhill in teams to play matches in Lauderhill the claim they aren’t doing enough to November 2007, expectations ran in April and May 2010, before they promote cricket. high that thesport’sonly permanent head to tournaments in the West Indies. North American venue would attract Depending on which countries turn out to “There were the growing pains of international tournaments and fans from play, the matches could fill the stadium, understanding the sport,” said Lauderhill’s all over. But nearly two years later, no Lockerbie said. public relations manager, Leslie cricket match has filled the 5,000-seat Tropepe. She expects attendance at the stadium that Broward County taxpayers The 5,000 in-place seats can be park and stadium to be boosted through paid $10 million to build. Promoters supplemented by 15,000 temporary ones, cooperation with cricket associations of the big matches with professional, allowing for crowds of 20,000. Built and moving forward with a $14 million boldface-name players have not come in a community with a burgeoning cultural arts center and library the city calling.Local leagues play there, but Caribbean population, the stadium was a and county plan to develop on property many say they can’t afford stadium fees key component of the county park near beside the stadium. that range from $2,500 to $10,000. State Road 7 and Sunrise Boulevard, built with $70 million from the county’s To get the word out, the county has The International Cricket Council says $400 million, voter-approved park and spent about $7,500 to take out about five the Lauderhill stadium is the only one land preservation bonds. full-page ads in the American Cricketer in the United States sanctioned for magazine, said Cyndy Baker, marketing international cricket matches. So why is Central Broward generated about manager at Broward County parks. It’s it taking so long to lure world-class teams $480,000 in revenue last year, the first full going to take time for professional to Central Broward Regional Park? The year of operation. Like most parks, it’s leagues to become familiar enough with stadium is still too new to generate buzz, not self-sustaining; it cost $1.6 million the venue to consider it, officials said. and the county isn’t doing enough to to operate and maintain during that same promote it, some say. Also, the sport’s time. The biggest attendance-boosters They must get out of the habit of bypassing governing body in the United States, aren’t sports, including soccer, lacrosse the United States, now that there’s a the USA Cricket Association in , and rugby, but concerts and other special place to play here. “It’s not quite simply was in disarray during its three-year events, park records show. But when you build it and they will come,” said suspension by the international council the park opened, it was the stadium that John Webb, senior vice president for the for internal rule violations, ending only excited die-hard cricket fans. Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & last year. Visitors Bureau. “We’re selling it the best For years local cricketers had been we can.” Webb said visitors are taken to “We understand that there will be playing on multipurpose fields, where scope out the stadium for tournaments at commentary and a lot of frustration they had to bring their own pitch surface. continued on page 16 by the stakeholders who feel that In the stadium, everything they need is the stadium hasn’t seen its fair share already there. Some members of the of international cricket,” said Don local cricket community wonder whether Lockerbie, chief executive officer of enough is being done to exploit the USA Cricket Association. “The point is, uniqueness of the stadium as a potential the United States itself has not been the international host. powerhouse of cricket.” Lockerbie and others are trying to change that. A piece written in February by Ricardo Inniss, on the website dreamcricket. He said there are 15 million cricket fans com, posed the question: “Lauderhill in the United States, many of Caribbean Cricket Stadium — A white elephant?” and South American heritage, and there’s and suggested local cricket leagues only one place they can go to see official build a relationship with the Dubai- games: Lauderhill. “We have a window based InternationalCricket Council Central Broward Regional Park, of opportunity,” he said. His association to bring more of the coveted matches Florida

SUMMER ISSUE 2009 WWW.AMERICANCRICKETER.COM 15 continued from page 15 least twice a month, and that afterward, geast@sunsentinel. some have booked it. An international com or 954-572- soccer league reserved the stadium for a 2078. match in January. Right now Lauderhill has no competition for international cricket, but that could change.

Lockerbie of the USA Cricket Association said Houston and cities in New York and southern California are considering building cricket stadiums. He knows of no plans to build a stadium in Orlando. Despite the low turnouts in Lauderhill, cricket promoters remain hopeful. Nino DiLoreto, vice president of American College Cricket, held the group’s first tournament in Lauderhill during Spring Break this year. Though it was featured in The New York Times, only about 50 spectators turned out.

But DiLoreto said he already has 16 college teams from across the nation booked for his tournament next Spring Break. The final matches will be played in Lauderhill. “We’re pioneers here,” said DiLoreto. “I’m not giving up on cricket.” Georgia East can be reached at

16 AMERICAN CRICKETER SUMMER ISSUE 2009 A Forgotten Splendor, or Niglecting the Wicket Mo Ally

were lodged about this ground. Firstly, the the regional director should have a good host club do not have a proper mat and they comprehension of the grounds in his have half of a plastic wicket that they just region. If it is not up to some semblance drop on the rough surface and bowl only of standard for proper cricket the league at one end . The other end is unprepared should disqualify those clubs from playing as can be seen in the picture. In the richest until they find a suitable ground or work country in the world where most of the on what they have to bring up to standard players are working for a good salary, this rather than playing on a wicket where you is what they produce for a league wicket. bowl at one end and bat on one end, what Mo Ally I feel that this league is careless and have kind of cricket is this for a league game. no idea what is happening .This ground aving recently moved to North should be condemned and rigid rules American Cricketer feels that every HCarolina and playing cricket with should be implemented as to the standard regional director should have a complete the Charlotte Int. Cricket Club in the Mid of the grounds. listing of grounds and should submit a Atlantic League. I had the opportunity to written report to USACA as to the status tour and play a league match in Columbia There is also a field in Charlotte with a 50 of grounds in their region in order to have South Carolina. In my forty years of yards . Here a fair batsman can standardization. As cricket become more playing cricket in many States in these be great because he can score a century popular in the US with only Indians and United States, this was the most horrible every time he plays on this field and then Blacks playing the game grounds will be wicket I had ever seen a league match when called to play for the U.S. team or more difficult to obtain because much is scheduled to be played. trials he would fail miserably because prioritized on voting , and many cricketers the runs he has to score off a 75 yards are non voters. Registration of cricketers The outfield is relatively good but due to boundary will be a new experience. for citizenship is a must in order to be laziness of the clubs sharing the church heard to obtain cricket grounds and we facility, they chose to play under these Furthermore, I wonder if USACA has must include more American kids white conditions. The league tolerate this any guideline for grounds, it is evident and black to play the game. nonsense to go on after several complaints there is no such standard. It seems that

SUMMER ISSUE 2009 WWW.AMERICANCRICKETER.COM 17 PHOTO GALLERY Cricketer’s Wives

Deborah Ally and Duygu Guenes Rotary Exchange Student from Germany

18 AMERICAN CRICKETER SUMMER ISSUE 2009 PHOTO GALLERY Cricketer’s Wives

SUMMER ISSUE 2009 WWW.AMERICANCRICKETER.COM 19 Hospitality a key part of success at ICC World Twenty20 West Indies 2010 ICC Package prices around half the cost of ICC administrators and suppliers will 2007 all be a part of the and provisioning of the programme Programme delivery costs will return that will see at least US$1.2million more than US$1.2million to the Caribbean pumped in to the economies of the economies Caribbean. More than 20 local companies and 180 local staff to be employed Furthermore, a legion of local workers will be kept busy as cooks, ospitality packages are already available servers and bar staff, hostesses, Hfor next year’s ICC World Twenty20 musicians and former cricketing West Indies 2010, and the official hospitality greats all combine to form the programme is already proving to be a crucial programmes event-day staff roster. part of the tournament’s planning and It is predicted that staffing numbers Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Dr. Hunte delivery. The packages are available both across the three venues will amount package in the same facility at the same locally and internationally with the West to more than 180 match-day personnel, with venue Indies Cricket Board (WICB) designing, many more helping out behind the scenes in 2. A dining package to a semi-final in 2010 managing and implementing an official the lead-up to the event. And the investment will cost just US$449 compared to US$749 hospitality programme itself for the first time. into the region goes even further. As part of in 2007 Two types of hospitality are available, the the team of global sales agents who have 3. A suite package in Guyana cost US$2,200 Century Dining package and the Beyond the been appointed to sell the official hospitality for six matches over six days for CWC07. Boundary Suite (box) package. Both will be packages, Management In 2010 it will cost just US$800 for six competitively priced and will be significantly Inc., the Guyana Cricket Board and the St matches over four days for ICC WT20 cheaper than comparative packages for the Lucia National Cricket Association will all 2010 ICC Cricket World Cup in 2007. Prices have benefit from sales commissions, with their 4. A suite package in Saint Lucia cost been confirmed and are available by visiting appointments further guaranteeing that US$2,600 for six matches and one semi- www.windiescrickethospitality.com or by revenue will go back to the game in each host final in 2007. It now costs just US$1,500 following the ‘hospitality link’ at www.icc- nation. for eight matches and both semi-final cricket.yahoo.net. matches at ICC WT20 2010 “The fact the West Indies Cricket Board is 5. A suite package in Barbados cost US$5,000 ICC WT20 2010 Tournament Director Dr. running its own official hospitality programme for six matches and the final in 2007. In Ernest Hilaire said: “The ICC World Twenty20 is an exciting development for the region, and 2010 it will cost a customer just US$1,800 West Indies 2010 will offer great value to all with so many suppliers and local workers (Standard) or US$2,400 (premium) for 10 spectators through competitive ticket prices set to benefit from just this one element of matches and the final and the corporate hospitality sector will be no the tournament, the rewards for playing host exception.”The hospitality programme will to next year’s ICC World Twenty20 event · Being a WICB Twenty20 event there will be be centrally managed from the tournament are plain to see. With Kensington Oval all of the customary West Indian sounds and headquarters in St Lucia, making use of an Management Inc., the Guyana Cricket Board sights at every match, including conch shells, extensive network of international official and the St Lucia National Cricket Association flags and drums hospitality sales agents around the globe to among the official sales agents it will also · The public ticket prices have been set low market, promote and sell official hospitality ensure that a good part of revenue generated to focus on filling every ground with all of packages to prospective customers. will stay within the host nations and the game the enthusiastic West Indian cricket fans of cricket in those nations,” added Dr Hilaire. and travelling fans alike – every match is However, it is not just in the provision of Any parties interested in becoming an official guaranteed to be a genuine spectacle a world-class hospitality programme that sales agent are asked to email hospitality@ · At the Super Eight stage, every team that the region will benefit commercially from windiescricket.com for an information pack. qualifies will play in both St Lucia and through next year’s tournament. As part of the Barbados. A suite customer will be able to management and delivery of the programme, Pricing information: watch every Super Eight team play, as well local resources will be secured and some · On average, pricing for this tournament is as both semi-finals (St Lucia) or the final large contracts will see many local companies almost half the cost of similar packages sold (Barbados) benefiting hugely from the presence of the to ICC Cricket World Cup West Indies 2007: • With the exception of two match days in tournament. Event companies, caterers, 1. A dining package to the final in 2007 Guyana, every game day will feature double- hostesses, advertisers, printers, florists, cost US$1,299. This time it will cost just headers, offering twice as much cricket for signage manufacturers and a host of local US$649 for what is essentially the same half of the price.

20 AMERICAN CRICKETER SUMMER ISSUE 2009 SUMMER ISSUE 2009 WWW.AMERICANCRICKETER.COM 21 CAPE T OWN, W ESTERN PROVINCE, S OUTH A FRICA • MARCH 21 ~ 27, 2010 The powerful Western Province Cricket Region are providing the setting • Cape Town attracts around 2million for what will be a memorable and historic carnival. foreign visitors a year, and has tremen- A full program has been designed to allow players, umpires, supporters, dous infrastructure to support our wives and partners to explore the Western Cape Region, Wild Life, demands and expectations. Beaches, Walks and Wineries. The wonderful people of Cape Town are • Cape Town and its surrounds are waiting to make your stay an experience to be treasured. ranked as Africa’s family friendly city. A fantastic opportunity to play cricket in this amazing country. • With World Cup Soccer 2010 Following are the reasons you and you team should join us in Cape Town. being staged a few months after our • Western Province and Carnival, FIFA and The South African Government are injecting millions of Newlands is steeped in Rand into the area, and we will be the fi rst to experience the benefi t. history Full details on www.vintagecricket.com • Neil Watson our Com- Or contact; mittee Chairman is from World Vintage Cricket the powerful Western Province Cricket Club-organisation will be second P.O. Box 78 Snells Beach 0942, New Zealand to none. Ph: 64-9-425 5294: [email protected] • The average temperature will be a barmy 68-75º. Leon Lamprecht • Cape Town will meet all our needs. P.O. Box 6478, Ventura, California 93006, USA • Cape Town- rated as the 8th Top City in the World Ph: 805 653 6555: [email protected]

22 AMERICAN CRICKETER SUMMER ISSUE 2009 Cape Town Vintage Cricket Carnival 2010 Peter McDermott

he planning for the World Vintage to the fabulous cricket facilities that await TCricket Carnival to be held in March participants. The enthusiasm of the local 2010 is progressing well and has drawn clubs has been overwhelming and to date our attention even more to cricket in South there are 10 local clubs enrolled to take Africa and its remarkable progress since part in the Carnival and to play host to the the dark days of apartheid pre 1992. visiting teams and players.

The new South Africa under the wise Among the clubs ready to host visitors are stewardship of Dr Ali Bacher, Geoff Edgemead Cricket Club, Western Province Dakin and the late Krish Mackerdhuj was Cricket Club, Cape Town Cricket Club, a welcome addition to world cricket and Elgin Cricket Club, Scorpions Cricket immediately showed they would be a force Club, Boland Winery Cricket XI, Garden with an excellent performance at the 1992 Old Boys Cricket Club and Claremont World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Cricket Club. The Opening Function for They have had their ups and downs since the Carnival is to be staged at Newlands Cape Town Beach Cricket but are currently a powerful team in all Cricket Ground-one of the great cricket by South Africa, by the time Clive van forms of the game and thankfully a little grounds of the world. Ryneveld left Oxford University, where more representative of the population of he was a double Blue, he had already South Africa. The Patron of the Carnival is Clive van been capped at cricket and rugby (the Ryneveld, whose sporting career was latter as a three-quarter for England). He The staging of the World Vintage Cricket very special. Widely considered one of was a talented batsman, useful legspinner Carnival in Cape Town has drawn attention the greatest allround sportsmen produced and outstanding fielder.

Batting and fielding averages

Mat Inns NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 6s Ct St Test 19 33 6 724 83 26.81 0 3 0 14 0 First-class 101 171 12 4803 150 30.20 4 29 71 0

Bowling averages

Mat Inns Balls Runs Wkts BBI BBM Ave Econ SR 4w 5w 10 Test 19 20 1554 671 17 4/67 4/82 39.47 2.59 91.4 1 0 0 First-class 101 13329 6230 206 8/48 30.24 2.80 64.7 9 0

He toured England in 1951 making for the Carnival are coming together well looks likely the number of teams will be 983 runs at 29.78, which included a with visiting teams taking part including around 30. career-best 150 against Yorkshire, and Auckland University Fingletoads; also enjoyed a good series against New Fingletoads Internationals; Australian “This is shaping up to be a great Carnival” Zealand in 1953-54. But as the demands Cricket Society; said local organiser, Neil Watson of the of his career as a barrister began to take Masters; Hollywood Golden Oldies; Western Province Cricket Club. “We are more of his time, his cricketing outings Florida Masters; Beyond Boundaries of very happy about the numbers of both grew less frequent, but he was still able India; Sussex Goldies; Shropshire Over local and host teams-it is an ideal number to captain South Africa against England 50s; Wheatons Golden Oldies (Australia); as too many teams can be a bit awkward. in 1956-57 and Australia the following Bermuda Police; Worcestershire Over 50s There is an excellent mix of locals and summer. He retired from cricket and and Ulster Grasshoppers (Ireland). visitors and they are bound to enjoy the subsequently became a member of the outstanding facilities that support cricket House of Assembly.Final arrangements With a couple of more entries to come it in Cape Town”.

SUMMER ISSUE 2009 WWW.AMERICANCRICKETER.COM 23 Happy Birthday, Brian Piccolo Park! Park named after legendary athlete turns 20 Michael Mills

It was 20 years ago in October that Brian Among Piccolo’s legacies is this 175.2- courses for skateboarding, in-line skating, Piccolo Park opened, and in those two acre park in Cooper City. Its many athletic and BMX biking (Monday and Thursday decades the park has established itself as facilities include two lighted basketball evenings only). Memberships are available. one of the Parks and Recreation Division’s courts, two cricket fields, four lighted primary centers for athletic activity. This is softball fields, four lighted multipurpose Other park amenities include one large only fitting for a park named after one of the fields, three lighted football/soccer fields, picnic shelter (capacity 61-90), picnic areas top athletes in South Florida history. a practice field, and four horseshoe courts. with tables and grills, playgrounds, snack There are three biking/jogging paths with bars, and an 825-square-foot meeting room By the time he graduated from Fort lengths of one mile, one and a quarter miles, (capacity 50) available for rental. Fishing is Lauderdale’s Central Catholic High School and two miles. A tennis/racquetball center permitted during daylight hours (licenses (now St. Thomas Aquinas High) in 1961, offers 12 clay tennis courts, six lighted four- required for ages 16 and up), with catch- Piccolo had distinguished himself in both wall racquetball courts, and a pro shop. and-release encouraged. baseball and football, which he also later played at Wake Forest University. (The The park also boasts a velodrome, which Piccolo family moved to Fort Lauderdale opened in March 1992 and comprises a when Brian was 12.) It was in football that 333.3-meter cycling track and a 200-meter he made his mark, however, going on to banked track for in-line skating. Bike play for the Bears for four seasons rentals are available, as well as a variety before dying of cancer at age 26 in 1970. His of programs and classes. The facility story inspired the acclaimed 1971 made-for- regularly hosts national and international TV movie Brian’s Song, with James Caan competitions. The adjacent skate park, as Piccolo and Billy Dee Williams as his which opened in August 1999, provides friend Gale Sayers. 35,000 square feet of wooden ramps and

Congratulations to Miramar Masters for winning the 2009 40 Overs Division II Title Hafeez Sattaur n a rain affected match, Miramar Masters Ibeat Pakistan Green by overall run rate to win the 2009 Florida Southeast Cricket League (FSCL), 40 overs competition Division II title. Pakistan won the toss and sent Miramar Masters to bat. After losing 3 quick wickets, the Masters recovered to finish with a score 169 all out after 38.5 overs. Kap Bhagwandin kept his best inning of the season for the finals as he scored an aggressive 43.

Vickram Ramoutar made a fine 37 and Hafeez Sattaur chipped in with 30. Bowling for Pakistan Green, Almas ripped through the top order and finished with impressive figures of 5 wickets for 13 runs in his allotted 8 overs. Faizan got 2 wickets for The Miramar Masters team at Brian Piccolo Park. 31 runs. patient 24 before he was . Opening Vickram Ramoutar had an excellent spell in the bowling for the Masters, Moneer Baksh which he conceded only 6 runs off 5 overs. Pakistan Green replied with 101 for 6 off bowled impressively with figures of 3 for Rahman Baksh bowled well also, taking 1 29 overs when rain halted play, short of 32 off 8 overs. Even though wicketless, wicket for 16 runs off 5 overs. the required run rate. Zeeshan scored a

24 AMERICAN CRICKETER SUMMER ISSUE 2009 2009 US Corporate Cricket Championship Pankaj Mahajan

very Month, Big 3 and other Chrysler Group, Ford, General Motors USA will be as pupular as MLB, NFL or Eautomakers compete in a hope to and TCS, will play several games in just NBA. end up disclosing the best monthly sales two days to become champions of this report. Every quarter people eagerly prestigious trounament. For now, USCCC is fulfilling the needs look forward to their Quartely financial of all cricket lovers in Michigan. MichCA statements to gage the finnacial outlook of The sport ‘Cricket’ started in Britain in invites all Michiganders to come with these Michigan corporations. And finally, 16th century but it come to USA much their family and watch this exciting sports every year these OEMs race with each later in 18th Century. After a long period events. other to gain market share and to grab the of ‘no-growth’ in the Americas in last top awards for Quality. However, there is century, it’s again gaining significant one more arena where the Big-3 OEMs momentum since 8-10 years. That day compete- in a sports park ... playing US is not very far away when cricket in Corporate Cricket Championship.

USCCC (Previously known as Big 3 Cricket Challenge Cup) is organized ever year since 2003 by MichCA (Michigan Cricket Association) and has become one of the biggest sports events of Michigan. This T20 format (each game lasts just 4 hours) championship started with teams from three companies- DailmerChrysler, Ford and GM. Ford team were the champions in First three annual tournaments but the Chrysler Group has taken that honors since 2006.

The exponential growth of cricket in USA and rapid proliferation of cricketers under MichCA has helped in increasing the popularity of this event. Last year six teams (Caterpillar and sprint made their debut) participated in USCCC and this year also six teams- one each from Altair Engineering, Blue Cross Blue Shield,

Lucaya Cricket Festival International Six-A-Side November 25 - November 29, 2009 Festival 5th World Vintage Cricket Carnival Golden Oldies Freeport, Bahamas November 25 - November 29, March 21 - March 27, 2010 August 8 - August 15, 2010 242-373-1460 2009 Cape Town, Western Province, North Yorkshire, England Sarasota, Florida, United States South Africa www.goldenoldiessports.com www.sarasotacricket.com www.vintagecricket.com

SUMMER ISSUE 2009 WWW.AMERICANCRICKETER.COM 25 It’s Just Not Cricket S. Dasgupta

or those like me, over-exposed to the when indebted farmers are committing to celebrate every lofted shot into the Fold school tie, summers in England suicide next door. Eyebrows will also be stands livens proceedings further, what’s and John Arlott’s commentary, cricket was raised at the logic of ignoring promising the harm? The IPL still has some way always more than a game; it was a way of Indian talent for foreign has-beens. Why, to go before cricket moves from serious life and the most worthwhile contribution yet others will ask, are we putting all our sport to pure entertainment but at least of a much-reviled Empire. It was a self- eggs in the cricket basket? Surely hockey, the promoters are willing to invest in an fulfilling world which encapsulated robust kabaddi and marbles deserve a break. emerging trend. It’s good capitalism. values, from strategic thinking to fair play. My childhood cricketing heroes were Everyone has some gripe about a perfect The IPL is actually only tangentially about those who combined skill and elegance free market. Pandering to popular tastes cricket. It is doubtful whether Wisden with lordly amateurism - ‘gentlemen’ is held to be ‘‘common’’; it offends will even record the scores of the Kolkata like , , Sir Frank aesthetic sensibilities. A free-marketer i versus encounter. Nor will club Worrell, , ‘Tiger’ Pataudi, know, for example, was livid when Ustad loyalties develop instantly. The proposed , Sunil Gavaskar and Imran Bismillah Khan was awarded the Bharat festival is planned as a flamboyant Khan. Two years coming out party of ago, i even made horoughly agree with this. Having grown up in the 50s and 60s Indian entrepreneurship a pilgrimage to Twhen cricket was dominated by traditionalism and England, - a global announcement Ballynahinch Castle Australia and West Indies reigned supreme, the present materialistic of its arrival. Russian in the west of Ireland billionaires buy football tendency seems sickening. There were hardly 2 to 3 test series in a - the summer retreat clubs in Chelsea and of the redoubtable year and the impeccable radio commentary by John Arlott, Allen mansions in Hampstead Ranjitsinhji in his Mcgilbert, Reds Perreira, , Maharaja of Vizenagram and to signal their coming twilight years. It Omar Kureshi just stupendous. of age. In India we was a small homage have done it more to an age that is long here were cricketers of the caliber of Hutton, Compton, Lock, purposefully; the sedate gone, when money TLacker, Bedser, Lindwall, Miller, Harvey, Benaud, the Pollack Tatas are buying Jaguar was never discussed brothers, , Fazal Mahmood, the 3 Ws, Hall, Kanhigh and a consortium of the in polite company and of course who dazzled the entire cricketing world. impatient have brought and gentlemen had And the local cricket (Dsm, Zanzibar, the Pardhan Ladak tournament, (and bought) global private incomes. cricket to our doorstep. the triangular/quadrangular) had a charm of its own. You yourselves There is little point (Mansoorbhai, Gajendrabhai, Khurshed, HM, Praful, Murad, Bashir, As a cricket reactionary, invoking tradition Kishor, Moh’d etc) were part of it. I mourn the tinsel- to judge last isation of a way of life; Wednesday’s ’s Ratna. The shehnai, he insisted, was not as a nationalist i salute those who had the auction of cricketers in Mumbai. To a proper instrument: ‘‘It’s like giving a audacity to think big. Who cares if the the purists, the sight of hard-nosed clever copywriter the Nobel Prize for whole thing is very bling - the hallmark of businessmen and Bollywood stars forking literature.’’ The same may be said about the arriviste? What matters is that cricket out some Rs 170 crore on celebrity valuing Dhoni above Glenn McGrath and now belongs to India. cricketers was revolting. The custodians Shane Warne. of good taste will doubtless detect similarities between the IPL auction and What some people view as debasement, the bidding for gladiators by the notables others regard as opportunities. Till the of ancient Rome. A writer in the Daily World Cup in South Africa showed the Telegraph even equated it to dealing in way, few people appreciated the potential sub-prime mortgages and predicted a of T-20 cricket. Today, every impresario similarly catastrophic consequence for worth the name believes that this cricket. In days to come, there will be shortened version of the game constitutes more populist outrage at the effrontery the future in a hurried world. And if of investing Rs 6 crore in M S Dhoni Mallika Sherawat doing an ‘item number’

26 AMERICAN CRICKETER SUMMER ISSUE 2009 SUMMER ISSUE 2009 WWW.AMERICANCRICKETER.COM 27 CRICKET WICKET KEEPING Rickie Ali

Mahela Udawatte is by Wicket Keeper West Indies wicket keeper Carlton Baugh in action during the DLF series

icket Keepers much like Baseball OBSERVATIONS: pain and injury. There is a specific se- Wcatchers must condition the body 1. Look for the ankle pointed straight quence where you will begin by incor- to primarily prevent knee, low back, an- ahead and not turning outward, look porating self-manual release, flexibility, kle and hip pain. Because of the specific for the ankle falling too far inward mobility and strengthening to rectify body positioning from the ankle/ knee/ 2. Look for the knee falling too far in- the problem. hip-lumbar-pelvic and shoulder girdle, ward, the TIBIA (lower leg bone) posture and alignment must be main- should may also fall excessively For example for an individual with the tained along with proper flexibility and inward ankle excessively falling inward or mobility. Functional integrated mobil- 3. Look for the inability of the but- over-pronating, after completing the ity must also be maintained throughout tock to extend into a deep squat squat test, they can quantify the test by all body segments in order to enhance position performing the squat test again with the efficient and effective performance. 4. Look for the hands holding the bar heels lifted or elevated on a two-inch to fall forward past the head board or object(s). If the test is now per- We must first look at the ankle complex 5. Look for the body to fall forward formed perfectly with the heels elevat- and observe and weaknesses or imbal- 6. Look for the body to lose the in- ed then the problem is regulated to the ances, as the wicketkeeper bends and ability to squat down with thighs ankle-calf complex if not then this a bit moves to catch balls, his/her ankles will past parallel to floor more complicated and the hip-complex pronate or fall inward, this is normal. 7. In a deep good squat position the must be looked at as well. If the ankle TIBIA (lower leg bone) should be is the problem here is a sample series of However over-pronation or falling too parallel to trunk correcting the problem. far inward are problems which can 8. Look for head/ neck protruding for- place too much stress at the knee/ foot/ ward 1 - Self Myo-fascial release hip/ low back that eventually leads to 2 - Flexibility pain and dysfunction, a common prob- You may also find that one arm may 3 - Mobility lem that can occur is plantar fascia pain fall forward further that the other, look 4 - Strengthening (the fascia tissue under the foot be- at this side when the person is stand- comes over stretched and weak leading ing normally, you may also observe The following movements are placed in to irritability and pain. that arm may be rotated in front of the that order and are only one series of ex- body and the shoulder one or both may amples, many very good physical thera- A deep squat test, with the hands hold- be rounded. All of these abnormalities pist do have other excellent methods of ing a light bar overhead can identify is- are compensations because of muscle remedy. sues throughout the kinetic chain from weaknesses and imbalances. the ankle to the scapula-thoracic-shoul- For further information contact Fitness der complex. These problems will impair movement Conditioning Specialist Rickie Ali, fit- mechanics performance and can lead to [email protected].

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SUMMER ISSUE 2009 WWW.AMERICANCRICKETER.COM 29 FOR THOSE WHO LOVE SACHIN… we lost to a man called Sachin.” be alert and i know a way to pin Sachin. - , during the test match in And i delivered the first ball of my next (1997) over and it was a fuller length delivery outside offstump. And i shouted catch. To “The more I see of him the more confused my astonishment the ball was hit to the I’m getting to which is his best knock.” cover boundary. Such was the brilliance of - M. L. Jaisimha Sachin. His reflex time is the best i have ever seen. Its like 1/20th of a sec. To get “The joy he brings to the millions of his wicket better not prepare. Atleast u his countrymen, the grace with which wont regret if he hits you for boundaries. he handles all the adulation and the - expectations and his innate humility - all make for a one-in-a-billion individual,” On a train from Shimla to , there - Glen McGrath was a halt in one of the stations. The train stopped by for few minutes as usual. “I can be hundred per cent sure that Sachin Sachin was nearing century, batting on 98. SOME MEMORABLE QUOTES will not play for a minute longer when he The passengers, railway officials, everyone ABOUT SACHIN TENDULKAR is not enjoying himself. He is still so eager on the train waited for Sachin to complete to go out there and play. He will play as the century. This Genius can stop time in “Nothing bad can happen to us if we’re on long as he feels he can play,” India!! a plane in India with Sachin Tendulkar on - Anjali Tendulkar - Peter Rebouck - Aussie journalist it.” - Hashim Amla, the South African Question: Who do you think as the most “Sachin cannot cheat. He is to cricket what batsman, reassures himself as he boards a important celebrity ? (Mahatma) Gandhiji was to politics. It’s flight. Shah Rukh Khan: There was a big party clear discrimination. “ where stars from bollywood and cricket - NKP Salve, former Union Minister when “Sometimes you get so engrossed in were invited. Suddenly, there was a big Sachin was accused of ball tempering watching batsmen like and noise, all wanted to see approaching Sachin Tendulkar that you lose focus on Amitabh Bachhan. Then Sachin entered the There are 2 kind of batsmen in the world. your job.” hall and Amitabh was leading the queue to One Sachin Tendulkar. Two all the others. - Yaseer Hameed in pakistani newspaper. get a grab of the GENIUS!! - - Shah Rukh Khan in an interview. “To Sachin, the man we all want to be” “I have seen god, he bats at no.4 for India” - wrote on an Aussie “India me aap PrimeMinister ko ek Baar - Mathew Hayden t-shirt he autographed specially for Sachin. Katghare me khada kar sakte hain..Par Sachin Tendulkar par Ungli nahi utha “Commit all your sins when Sachin is “Beneath the helmet, under that unruly Sakte.. “ (In India you can make even the batting. They will go unnoticed coz’ even curly hair, inside the cranium, there is Prime Minister stand in the court before a GOD is watching cricket at that time.” something we don’t know, something judge, but not Sachin…) - A hoarding in England beyond scientific measure. Something that - Navjot Singh Sidhu on TV allows him to soar, to roam a territory of sport that, forget us, even those who are He can play that leg glance with a walking AND THEN... THIS ONE IS THE gifted enough to play alongside him cannot stick also. BEST!!! even fathom. When he goes out to bat, - people switch on their TV sets and switch “Even my father’s name is Sachin off their lives.” ‘I Will See God When I Die But Till Then I Tendulkar.” - BBC on Sachin Will See Sachin’ - Tendulkar’s daughter, Sara, tells her class - A banner in Sharjah her father’s name after the teacher informs “Tujhe pata hai tune kiska catch chhoda them of a restaurant of the same name in hai?” (Do you know who’s catch you Sachin Tendulkar has often reminded me Mumbai, which is owned by Sachin. dropped?) of a veteran army colonel who has many (This is what every children expects from - to when the medals on his chest to show how he has their parents……………hats off to Sachin) latter dropped Sachin’s catch in 2003 WC. conquered bowlers all over the world. I was bowling to Sachin and he hit me for Tendulkar made his India debut as a 16- Sachin is a genius. I’m a mere mortal. two fours in a row. One from point and the year-old against Pakistan in November - Brian Charles Lara other in between point and gully. That was 1989, since setting many batting records, the last two balls of the over and the over including Test and One-day aggregates “We did not lose to a team called India... after that we (SA) took a wicket and during and hundreds. the group meeting i told Jonty (Rhodes) to

30 AMERICAN CRICKETER SUMMER ISSUE 2009 SUMMER ISSUE 2009 WWW.AMERICANCRICKETER.COM 31 Pr200836778.indd 1 10/1/2009 8:20:00 AM