Kingsmen XI opened its Millennium Cricket League (MCL) Fall T20 Premier Division campaign in New Jersey with a heavy defeat to TeknuQi Warriors before responding with a much-improved bowling performance against DreamCricket Sparks Warriors in its second match.

The New York-based club has expanded into New Jersey for the Fall T20 Premier Division, with founder Daryl Heerasingh saying the move is intended to provide greater opportunities for the club’s young players to compete alongside Major League Cricket and Minor League Cricket players from across the Tri-State area.
Sixteen-year-old Ethan Silas made an assured Kingsmen XI debut, scoring 44 to anchor the chase against DreamCricket Sparks Warriors in the MCL Fall T20 Premier Division.

Kingsmen’s first Premier Division match against TeknuQi Warriors proved a difficult introduction. Sent in to bat, Kingsmen were restricted to 97 for 9, with Kevin Christian top-scoring with 25 and Anthony Providence contributing 22.

Preet Shah was the standout bowler for Kingsmen, taking 3 for 12 from his four overs. Miraaj Naidu and Muhammad Ali claimed two wickets apiece, but Kingsmen were unable to build a sufficiently competitive total.

TeknuQi made quick work of the chase, driven by an outstanding innings from Syed Abdullah. He struck 83 from just 37 balls, hitting four fours and 10 sixes, to take the Warriors comfortably through the pursuit.

Vishal Roopnarine was Kingsmen’s only wicket-taker, finishing with 1 for 12 from two overs.

Kingsmen showed a different side in their second game, against DreamCricket Sparks Warriors, producing a disciplined bowling effort to restrict their opponents to 119 in 20 overs.

Antanio Rooplall led the attack with 3 for 19 from four overs, while Darrius Andrews returned 2 for 18 from his four-over spell. The pair helped Kingsmen keep DreamCricket from building a larger total and gave their side a realistic opportunity in the chase.

The response was led by 16-year-old Ethan Silas, who made his Kingsmen XI debut and scored 44. His contribution kept the chase on course during a tense passage of play.

Kevin Augustine added 17 from 11 balls before skipper Heerasingh came to the crease in the 17th over with Kingsmen at 103 for 6. With the match entering its decisive stages, the captain remained composed and scored 14 from eight balls alongside Andrews.

The performances highlighted the contrasting fortunes of Kingsmen’s opening matches. After their batting was exposed against TeknuQi, the team produced a more competitive all-round display against DreamCricket, particularly with the ball and through contributions from its younger players.

The Fall T20 Premier Division campaign gives Kingsmen XI an opportunity to measure its squad against established competition in the Tri-State area. The results of the opening matches will form part of the club’s early push as it continues its first campaign in the New Jersey-based competition.