The New York Inter-League Championship reaches its climax (10 Jul 1999)

9 July 1999

The New York Inter-League Championship reaches its climax

New York cricket's biggest event, the New York Inter-League Championship reached its climax last Sudnay with Metropolitan Cricket League's win in the final. NY representative cricket hasn't finished though, with the New York Guinness/Red Stripe Inter-Country tournament starting this weekend.

Paul DaSilva reports:

The Metropolitan Cricket League avenged their embarrassing first round loss to the New York Cricket League with an emphatic seven wicket victory over their opponents Sunday, July 4th, to capture the 1999 New York Inter-League Championship.

New York Cricket League took first strike and was bundled out for a meagre 136 in 32.5 overs. Resistance came from T. Wells with 24 and T. Francis with 24 also. Bowling for Metropolitan Cricket League - D. Hewitt captured three for 21, E. Loten two for 18 and T. Heirs two for 19.

Metropolitan Cricket League knocked off the required runs of 137 for the loss of three wickets in 17.1 overs. They were led with some timely hitting by D. Williams, who finished on 59 not out, and H. Rehman who made 39.

It was only a week ago, in a preliminary group match, when the Metropolitan Cricket League was humiliated by the New York Cricket League - losing by nine wickets. Scores in that match were: Metropolitan Cricket League scored 226 allout in 50 overs. New York Cricket League replied with 227 for 1 in 45 overs, with United States opening batsman Dave Wallace getting an even hundred (his second hundred of the tournament). New York Cricket League lost their first wicket when the score was 200. New York won the match by nine wickets.

Scores in the Final: New York Cricket League vs. Metropolitan Cricket League New York 136 allout in 32.5 overs (T. Wells 24, T. Francis 24; D. Hewitt 3-21, E. Loten 2-18, T. Heirs 2-19) lost to Metropolitan Cricket League 137-3 in 17.1 overs (D. Williams 59 not out, H.Rehman 39; H. Wilson 1-16) by seven wickets. Man of the Match - D. Williams

Semi-Final results: Eastern American Cricket League vs. New York Cricket League Eastern American Cricket League 217 allout - New York Cricket League 218-6.

Commonwealth Cricket League vs. Metropolitan Cricket League Commonwealth Cricket League 196 allout - Metropolitan Cricket League 198-5.

And know New York inter-league cricket at its best - Nassau Cricket League vs. American Cricket League. Against all odds the Nassau Cricket League defeated the American League by five wickets and with three balls to spare.

In a match that had no bearing in the New York inter-league competition, a depleted Nassau League was placed in an embarrassing situation when six of their starting players did not show up for the match. There was a major concern whether the match would be played or not. I can recall vice-captain Suresh Singh saying "We cannot disappoint this crowd." "We have to play this match." Wicket-keeper Debo expressed the same sentiments to his captain Sudesh Dhaniram that they must play this game.

With a crowd of more than 500 anxiously waiting, the Nassau League was able to get five of their members who came as spectators in whites. And with the kind courtesy of the American Cricket League the game was reduced to 40 overs per side with the start time set for 1:30pm.

At 1:30pm, on a beautiful day for cricket, a concerned Captain Sudesh Dhaniram stepped onto the field with his ten man squad knowing that everyone will have to give a 110 percent for them to even have a chance in this match. The game plan for Nassau was very simple, bowl the part-time bowlers first and keep the two main bowlers (Dhaniram and Singh) for last and try to restrict the American Cricket League to 250 runs or less.

With big hearts and determination by the Nassau Cricket League and for the generosity and sportsmanship shown by the American Cricket League (to play the match), fans were treated to an exciting day of cricket.

The game: The American Cricket League took first strike with C.Thomas and H.Goodridge as their opening pair. The two raced to 33 in three overs, but with the score on 33 C.Thomas tried to hook Justin Abrams and skied one up and was out caught by Kirk Higgins, running at full speed from the deep fine leg boundary.

Kumar joined Goodridge and was never really comfortable. He was next to go when he had his middle stump knocked out of the ground by Higgins for three.

F.Skeete joined Goodridge and the looked very comfortable at the wicket against the Nassau opening bowlers. With limited resources captain Dhaniram stuck to his game plan of bowling the inexperienced bowlers first and holding himself and vice-captain Suresh Singh for later. After bowling three overs for 26 runs, Abrams was replaced by Peter Sookdeo and after five overs for 45 runs, Higgins was replaced by Ashure Shakur. At the end of 13 overs the score reads - American Cricket League 100 for 2. At this point in the match many on hand felt the Nassau Cricket League was going to have a very long day on the field, but it was meant to be.

Peter Sookdeo and Ashure Shakur did their jobs very well by reducing the free flow of runs. Peter Sookdeo completed his spell of 8 overs for 30 runs and Ashure Shakur 6 overs for 44 runs.

Meanwhile, Goodridge and Skeete batted steadily and sensibly. The two added over 100 for the third wicket. Both posting half-centuries and set the stage for a huge total. In the 23rd over Suresh Singh was introduced (score 150 for 2) and Dhaniram in the 28th over (179 for 2). With the score at a 182 for 2, Fabian Skeete was out for a well-played 76 (182 - 3), caught Kirk Higgings bowled Sudesh Dhaniram. Skeete and Goodridge added 139 for the third wicket.

O'neal joined Goodridge and was next to go, caught Raymond Khan of the bowling of Suresh Singh for 2 (187 - 4). S. Skeete was next in and was next out, bowled Suresh Singh without scoring (193 - 5). P. Harris made a brisk 11 before he too was out, bowled by Suresh Singh (205 - 7). R. Louis was Singh's next victim, caught Hemchan Hardeo, for 4 (211 - 6). S. Hewitt did not fear too well himself to the off-spin of Singh and was out for 0, caught wicket-keeper Debo Sankar (214 - 7). D. Sealy after scoring 5 was next to go, bowled Dhaniram (229 -9). Goodridge was last man out for 86, caught Higgins bowled Dhaniram - ACL 230 all-out in 39.3 overs.

During the interval captain Sudesh Dhaniram felt his objective was met by restricting the American League to just 230 runs and felt that his team has a very good chance of pulling this one off, but understood would have to deliver.

The Nassau inning started with Suresh Singh and Hemchan Hardeo. The two added 38 for the first wicket before Singh was out, caught wicket-keeper S. Skeete bowled R. Louis for 20. Debo Sankar joined Hardeo, the two moved the total to 61 before Hardeo went, caught and bowled R. Louis for 15.

A big crowd on hand - last recognized pair at the wicket - all the pressure on his shoulders - 170 runs to come. The pressure increased further when he soon lost Debo Sankar, caught by Hewitt of the bowling of Harris for 14, the score then read Nassau 79 for 3 after 16 overs.

Nineteen-year-old Peter Sookdeo joined Dhaniram and the two put on a great show for the crowd.

Dhaniram delighted the crowd with some fantastic shots to all parts of the ground, while Sookdeo played the inning of his young career. He was confident and sure of himself. Sookdeo impressed the crowd with his poise and technique.

There was excitement all over the ground when Dhaniram hit Harris for a tremendous six out of the ground - (that one even brought a big smile from former West Indian player Junior Murray - who was at the game). It was a real treat to see this master batsman at his best. Moments like these are cherished by both batsman and fans. One could not have written a better script this master batsman. He was the last recognized batsman at the wicket, he needed a big inning, and did he ever deliver.

Sookdeo and Dhaniram added 129 for the fourth wicket, before Sookdeo went, bowled Louis for 36 (208 for 4). It was sad to see him go before his team reaching the required runs. He showed great determination.

Raymond Khan then joined his captain and saw him reached a well-deserved hundred. But when the score was on 223, Dhaniram went next, caught behind of the bowling of Elcock for an even hundred. His faced 120 balls and struck nine fours and two sixes. Kirk Higgins then partnered Raymond Khan and the two saw the Nassau League home - 232 for five in 39.3 overs. Higgins was not out on five and Khan not out on three.

Final Scores: American Cricket League 230 all-out in 39.3 overs (H.Goodridge 86, F.Skeete 76; S.Singh 5-26, S.Dhaniram 3-32) lost to Nassau Cricket League 232-5 in 39.3 overs (S.Dhaniram 100, P.Sookdeo 36, S.Singh 20) Nassau won by five wickets.

Meanwhile, the New York Guinness / Red Stripe Inter-Country Cricket tournament gets underway Saturday, July 10th. Eight participating countries were divided into two groups. Teams will play each other in their groups once, with the top two teams in each group moving to the semi-finals. Winners of the Semi-finals will compete in the finals on Sunday, September 19th.

The rules were modified this year to include a maximum of two Current Test players per country in any match. The Inter-country tournament is New York's most popular tournament because of the thousands of fans it attracts annually. It is estimated there will be more than 15,000 supporters at this year's final because current Test players will be participating.

New York's most popular one day cricket match, the Ray Sundar Cricket Match - Guyana vs. The Rest of the Caribbeanis scheduled for Saturday, August 7th.

This event gained popularity because it always includes former and current West Indies test players. This match has added significance in that it targets and includes New York's best players (USA hopefuls) under the age of 25. This year Kirk Higgins of the Nassau Cricket will be featured as one of the best youth players in the USA.

New York Guinness / Red Stripe Cricket Schedule - 1999 Group A Group B Jamaica Bangladesh Pakistan Barbados Trinidad & Tobago (Defending Champs) Guyana Windward Island Leeward Island

Schedule: Sat. July 10 Trinidad & Tobago vs. Pakistan, Seaview Ave. 80St.,Canarsie, Brooklyn Windward Islands vs. Jamaica, Seaview Ave. 108St., Canarsie,Brooklyn Guyana vs. Barbados, Seaview Ave. 88 St., Canarsie, Brooklyn Leeward Islands vs. Bangladesh, Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx

Sat. July 31st Pakistan vs. Windward Islands, Seaview Ave. 108St.,Canarsie, Brooklyn Trinidad & Tobago vs. Jamaica, Seaview Ave. 80St., Canarsie, Brooklyn Guyana vs. Leeward Island, Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx Bangladesh vs. Barbados Seaview Ave. 88 St., Canarsie, Brooklyn

Sun. August 8th Windward Islands vs. Trinidad & Tobago, Marine Park, Brooklyn Jamaica vs. Pakistan Seaview Ave., 108St., Canarsie, Brooklyn Bangladesh vs. Guyana, Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx Barbados vs. Leeward Islands, Seaview Ave. 88 St., Canarsie, Brooklyn

Sat. August 21 - Semi-finals First Place Group "A" vs. Second Place Group "B" Seaview Ave. 88 St., Canarsie, Brooklyn First Place Group "B" vs. Second Place Group "A" Seaview Ave. 80 St., Canarsie, Brooklyn

Sun. Sept. 19 - Final Winners of Semi-finals Seaview Ave. 88 St., Canarsie, Brooklyn