An array of top players from the West Indies along with two with Test experience from Pakistan will headline the list of star attractions in the upcoming US Cricket Open T20 competition, scheduled for December 3-5 in Florida.
Ramnaresh Sarwan. Photos by Shiek Mohamed
Apart from former West Indies captain Ramnaresh Sarwan and all rounder Lennox Cush, who were the first to commit, most of the Trinidad and Tobago national team which placed second in last year’s IPL Champions League, will grace the US Open, which will be by far the biggest T20 competition in the United States.
Darren Ganga, William Perkins Dinesh Ramdin , Dave Mohamed, Lendl Simmons, Sherwin Ganga and Navin Stewart will comprise seven Trinidadians who will represent one of 20 teams to play for a top prize of US $25,000. There is a possibility Kieron Pollard, one of the world’s most sought after T20 players, will also play. Pollard has indicated an interest, and is trying to sort out his schedule
Arshad Khan and Ata Ur-Rehman, who had brief Test careers representing Pakistan will also be in the fray. In addition five of six Jamaicans with Test and ODI experience, comprising Shaun Findlay, Brenton Parchment, Jermaine Lawson, Donovan Pagon, Franklin Rose, along with the explosive Danza Hyatt, who recently represented West ` A’ against Pakistan `A’, will be in action. Other West Indians to be on show are Test batsman Narsingh Deonarine, Wilden Cornwall and ex Test fast bowler Adam Sanford.
The 20 teams will comprise 18 specialist T20 types in the United States, while the other two are clubs from Pakistan and England.
Former Windies pacer Jermaine Lawson.
Owned and organized by the Cricket Council USA, a professional sports and entertainment management organization, based in Boca Raton Florida, (CCUSA) the US Cricket Open will have television coverage in the United States and West Indies, which is unprecedented for domestic cricket in the America . TeleAmerica Broadcasting Network and Caribvision, the 24 hour cable channel of Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) will bring the competition to thousands of homes of cricket lovers.
Areas to receive the TV feed in Florida are Miami Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties while 40 stations in other cities in North America along with several West Indies territories. Live webcast commentary will also be streamed on the CCUSA website at cricketcouncilusa.com .
CCUSA Vice President of Operations Jeff Miller said fans will enjoy three days of fun filled entertainment, inclusive of cheerleaders, a staple of American sports teams. A wide variety of food, West Indian, Asian and American will be available.
The games will be staged at two venues – the new Central Broward County Regional Park stadium and Brian Piccolo Park.
