Guyana/Windwards Clash Ruined

Tue, Jul 22, '03

Cricket in New York was given a shot in the arm this summer, when New York businessman Ed Ahmad agreed to sponsor the former Guinness/Red Stripe cricket tournament in the Big Apple. After a rain-delayed start to the inaugural Ed Ahmad New York Caribbean Cricket Cup, the friendly rivalry between the six representative territories of the Caribbean got off to a sunny start on July 12th at three New York venues.

The Leeward Islands challenged Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago challenged Barbados, and Guyana challenged the Windward Islands.

GUYANA, WINDWARDS CLASH ABANDONED

Played at the Floyd Bennett Field off the Belt Parkway in Brooklyn, New York, the game saw the Windward Islands recording an even 200 runs, all out off of 46.2 overs, with a solid opening stand of 64. Windward Islands openers D. Williams and B. Mitchell withstood the opening pace attack of Darlington and Jackman, as Williams notched up 44 while Mitchell was stumped four runs shy of his half-century.

Others contributing to the Windward Islands innings of the inaugural cricket tournament, were Capt. Jon-Baptiste, 27 runs, batting at number nine, while G. Anthony and V. Dumas scored 16 and 15 respectively. C. Jon-Baptiste was comprehensively bowled by a scintillating yorker, compliments of Kevin Darlington ? the second one in a row delivered to the Dominican batsman.

The Windward Islands wickets fell at 64; 112; 114; 131; 131; 149; 150; 185 and 185.

Bowling for Guyana, the weathered Zamin Amin and a returning Deryck Kallicharran each grabbed 3 wickets for 39 and 35 runs respectively off of their allotted 10 overs each. Guyana?s 2003 Carib Beer Cup pacer Kevin Darlington, with a very good line and length captured 2 for 27 off of 9.2 overs.

Set 201 for victory, Team Guyana opened with Selwyn Ramphall and the very reliable Marlon Kallicharran. The two batsmen attacked the fiery bowling of the Windward?s duo of Morgan and Matthews, though Kallicharran seemed somewhat uncomfortable at times, he however, defended his wicket admirably, while entertaining some verbal spat from the pacers. He was the first to depart, c. Prosper b. Morgan for 18.

Ramphall batted intelligently, avoiding the intimidation of the pacers? onslaught with the ball and lips. The stocky opener evaded a lifting ball from Morgan, which missed his head by mere inches. He would go on to score 21, before being trapped lbw by Windwards captain Jon-Baptiste.

The hard-hitting M. Hardeo and M. Kingston smothered the bowling of the Windwards' attack in a 90 run partnership, with Hardeo scoring 45 and Kingston 44. Guyana's Carib Beer Cup national wicket-keeper Vishal Nagamootoo shared a short-lived fifth wicket partnership with the diminutive Amar Singh, shortly before the game got out of hand, with the score at 178 after 39.4 overs and victory in sight

Objecting to some of the calls made by the Umpires, a few members of the Windward Islands team took it upon themselves to ruin an otherwise beautiful day of cricket for themselves and the spectators who watched the game unravel, before their eyes. With 22 runs for victory off of 11 overs and 6 wickets in hand, the game seemed almost certain to belong to the Zamin Amin led Team Guyana. Whether it was the agony of the impending defeat, or the players? claim of frustration with the Umpires? calls, there was absolutely no reason for the vicious events that ensued, causing the game to be halted by the officials, before a conclusive ending.

The youthful batsman Singh, having survived a confident appeal for caught behind off the bowling of Capt. Jon-Baptiste, was hurled a straight delivery the very next ball. The bowler was duly warned for chucking by the ruling official. However, during the next over Dumas with figures of 8-0-35-0 literally hurled the ball at the back of the batsman Singh, who was very wide of the wicket, with no possibility of being run out. Fortunately, the ball struck him on his left calf. The action was totally unjustified and must have been embarrassing for those members of the Windward Islands team, who did not participate in the errant actions of a few.

The Umpires made several attempts to restore order after the Guyana players, along with Manager Gary Nascimento and Coach Keith Cameron protested the actions of Dumas and Jon-Baptiste. Several players and spectators ran on to the field to berate the actions of Dumas and Jon-Baptiste, forcing the officials to temporarily halt the game, while Windward Island representative Glen Phillip sought to restrain a vociferous Jon-Baptiste and persuade the Umpires to allow the game to continue. However, some members of the Windward Islands team, including Jon-Baptiste and Dumas walked off the field and refused to participate in any continuation of the game.

At the interruption of the game, Guyana was 178 for 4 off of 39.4 overs in reply to Windwards? 200 all out off of 46.2 overs. V. Nagamootoo was not out 14 and A. Singh not out 18. M. Morgan was the most successful Windwards bowler with figures of 8-0-36-3. Capt. Jon-Baptiste captured the only other Guyanese wicket to fall (Selwyn Ramphall), ending with figures of 9-1-31-1.

The organizing committee led by Chairman Krish Prasad and Director of Operations Clifford Hinds are expected to meet shortly to review the Umpires report, before ruling on the final disposition of the game and/or any disciplinary action to be taken.

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO TOO MUCH FOR BAJANS

Winning the toss and electing to bat, Team Barbados put 207 runs on the board, all out in 47.4 overs against Trinidad & Tobago. Top scorers for the boys from Bimshire were Ian Headley 51, Damian Benn 48, and Mark Reid 18.

Bowling for Trinidad & Tobago: G. Phillips 9.4-1-38-3, J. Jumadeen 5-0-29-2; A. Dwarika 10-1-37-2 and D. Rampersaud 10-1-39-2.

In reply Trinidad & Tobago needed only 41 overs to defeat Barbados, losing seven wickets along the way. Trinidad & Tobago?s 209 for the victory was accomplished through some attacking, but cautious batting by Captain David Mohammed 72 not out, and assisted by R. Emrit with a stylish 54.

Bowling for Barbados: Captain Wesley King grabbed 3 wickets for 43 runs off his 10 overs, while Ian Headley with a fine bowling spell, nabbed 2 for 19 off of 4.5 overs. The other principal wicket-taker in Barbados? losing cause was Richard Louis with figures of 10-0-49-2.

Barbados faces Guyana next on July 26 at Canarsie Park, while Trinidad & Tobago takes on the Leeward Islands at 223rd Street/147th Avenue, in Rosedale, Queens.

GARRICK POWERS J'CA OVER LEEWARDS

Electing to take first strike after winning the coin toss, the Leeward Islands XI used their 50 overs to record 203 all out, with Dave Richards blasting a sizzling 127 not out. The opener?s century plus included eight 4s and five 6s. The only other batsman showing any resistance against the Jamaican bowling attack was F. Lewis with 20.

Bowling for Jamaica: Barrington Bartley: 10-0-42-2 and O. Murray: 9-0-41-2 were the principal scalpers representing the green, gold and black of Jamaica.

In reply to the Leeward Islands? 203, Jamaica raced to 206 off of 39.5 overs for the loss of only four wickets. Despite the absence of Richard Staple, Jamaica showed its depth with several batsmen making even contributions. The Jamaicans were led by the diminutive former West Indies opener Leon Garrick, 50, followed by Barrington Bartley?s 33, with D. Wallace, O. Baker and F. Redwood contributing 31 runs apiece.

Bowling for the Leeward Islands, P. Joseph 10-2-23-2 and H. Warner 10-0-51-2 were responsible for the Team Jamaica?s loss of four wickets; as the boys from Bob Marley country recorded their first win in the inaugural Ed Ahmad New York Caribbean Cricket Cup Tournament.

Team Jamaica plays the Windward Islands next, on July 26 at Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn.