The team list is impressive on paper but the accomplishments are even better given its brief foray in competition around the country.
And even if New York Destroyers might seem ambitious for a name title, the team has already gone a long way towards justifying the name.
New York Destroyers. Photo by Shiek Mohamed
They specialize in Twenty20 competition but has so much depth, Destroyers is quite capable of success at any format of the game in the United States.
Formed less than a year ago Destroyers is attracting attention from players the length and breadth of the cricket playing United States. Kevin Darlington, Andrew Gonsalves, Clain Williams, Barrington Bartley, Akeem Dodson and Ryan Corns are among a diverse mix of experience and youth players who have been wearing Destroyers colors with distinction, among others.
Assembling a team of star players is a difficult task in any sport, but combining talent as a single unit can be monumental one.
Yet Destroyers has been playing like a well oiled unit almost from match one, despite the unusual collection of big name players that are soaking in expert handling from its founder Chub Bedessee and the coaching team.
The players emanate from as far away as Texas, Florida and New York, and from varied backgrounds such as South African, Jamaica and Guyana and in ages ranging from teens to mid 30s. But you would never know it from the way Destroyers mesh on the field of play.
Destroyers incorporate the managerial skills of New York businessman Bedessee and the coaching abilities of Linden Fraser, Lester Hooper and Kirk Higgins, which along with the players’ talent have made them the most exciting new team around the country.
Such was very evident in Destroyers’ most significant achievement in its short existence last summer. They shocked all and sundry by pulling off a remarkable title win in the Radiant Info Twenty20 championship in New Jersey, where some of America’s best T20 teams were assembled.
What was expected to be a routine victory for the much more seasoned Global Challengers in the final, turned into a nightmare as Destroyers took the game by the scruff of the neck from ball one, without relaxing the pressure until the final wicket was taken.
Former Guyana and West Indies all-rounder Neil McGarrell, who spearheaded Challengers bid, said he was not only surprised by the tactics employed but more so by Destroyers’ execution of them.
As news of the upset spread around the country, the invitations for other tournaments started coming through fast and furious.
New York Destroyers chose the MacT20 competition in Florida as their next challenge and after sweeping their way to the final, were hot favorites to win one of the most prestigious T20 competitions in the country.
But in losing narrowly to an All Star team competing under the flag name Washington Tigers, Destroyers justified their invitation to the competition ahead of the reigning New York T20 champions United Chargers.
It set the stage for a wide ranging assault on T20 competitions around the country this summer.
But it has not been easy- sailing whipping New York Destroyers into the success story they were in 2009.
Bedessee said the team is open to team sponsors for the full side or individual players from corporate New York and or beyond for the 2010 season and beyond.
He feels the team is marketable enough to justify investment in any form and expects Destroyers to make an even bigger impression this year.
An avid cricket fan, Bedessee said the initial idea for a team was to give employees of his business and friends an avenue to build relationships partaking in friendly competitions.
Soon Fraser and Hooper who developed a winning combination with the New York Under-19 team got involved and the rest is history.
Beginning today (Saturday April 10) the inaugural Sam’s Food Stores T20 two-day competition which has set tongues wagging with its attractive prize money incentives will kick off the New York 2010 season at Whitestone Park.
Of course New York Destroyers will be in contention, actually they are the overwhelming favorites to cart off the $5000 first prize.
A destructive performance will be a nice way to start the season.
Brief profiles of selected NY Destroyers players follow.
Full Name: Kevin Godfrey Darlington
Major teams: United States, Guyana, NY Bedessee Destroyers, Cosmos CC
Batting style: Right-hand bat
Bowling style: Right-hand fast medium
Born Kevin Godfrey Darlington in New Amsterdam, West Bank, Berbice, Guyana on April 26, 1972, Kevin was known as the back bone of the bowling attack during his career playing for Guyana in the West Indies domestic tournament. Upon migrating to the United States to continue his education as an engineering student, Darlington continued to show his bowling skills playing for Cosmos CC in the Metropolitan League. Upon completing his studies, Kevin turned his attention to playing for the United States. In December 2009, he was selected for the tours to Abu Dubai and Nepal. Kevin is also a level 2 certified coach
Full name: Andrew Gonsalves
Major teams: Guyana, Port Mourant, NY Guyana
Batting style: Right-hand
An explosive right-handed opener Gonsalves could destroy any attack on his better days. After representing Guyana at Under-19 level, Gonsalves was catapulted into the senior team mainly in One Day international games.
Gonsalves had stints in Trinidad and Tobago before arriving in the Big Apple to continue his career and it is only a matter of time before he will be wearing U.S. colors.
Full name : Ryan Corns
Major teams: United States U-19.
Batting style: Right-hand
Corns is one of those rare naturally gifted players coming of South Africa who needs little time to reach peak form.. Having emigrated with his family , his ability was spotted and immediately made a regular starter with the U.S. U-19 team. He had a rough tour in New Zealand in the Under-19 World Cup and has learned enough that will guarantee better results in 2012.
Full Name: Barrington Sylvester Bartley
Major teams: United States, NY Bedessee Destroyers, Cosmos CC (Metropolitan League)
Batting style: Right-hand bat
Bowling Style: Left-arm spin
Born Barrington Sylvester Bartley on October 19, 1980 in Jamaica, West Indies, Barrington represented Jamaica under 19 in the 1998-99 West Indies youth tournament before eventually migrating to the United States. Upon arrival, Bartley continued to push forward with his batting and left arm leg spin and was rewarded by being selected to the United States team in 2005 for the ICC Trophy in Ireland. Barrington has remained a constant figure in the United States team and trained with the United States team in preparation for tours to Abu Dubai and Nepal in in February.
Full Name: Akeem Levar Dodson
Major teams: United States, NY Bedessee Destroyers, Villagers CC (Metropolitan League), Weasley CC (United Kingdom)
Batting Style: Left-hand bat
Fielding position; wicketkeeper
Born Akeem Levar Dodson in Queens, New York, this left hander wicket keeping batsman learned the game of cricket in the United States. Under the watchful eye of his father Dr. Linden Dodson, Akeem’s talent has improved exponentially since being introduced to the game of cricket. He showed that talent by representing the New York region at the under 19 level then won a spot on the 2006 United States under 19 World Cup squad which participated in the World Cup in Sri Lanka. Akeem continued to show growth in his game by obtaining an overseas contract in England where he played for Weasley in the Bedfordshire League in the 2008/2009 season. Upon returning to the United States in 2008, Akeem broke into the senior United States squad which competed in the 2008 West Indies domestic tournament. Akeem continued to impress the United States selectors and was recently included on the United States training squad in preparation for tours to Abu Dubai and Nepal early in 2010.
Full name: Claim Williams
Major teams: US senior, Atlantic region, Police Sports Club, NY Guyana
Batting style: Right-Hand
A clean hitting right hander, Williams is a solid right hand top order batsmen who thrives under pressure. Having narrowly missed the Guyana U-19 team selection, he migrated to America and is one step away from winning that elusive team place. His reputation as one of the United States best fielders is well known. Toured Dubai and Nepal this year as a reserve.
