New York Masters Cricket
By D. Wallace
Melroy “Joycey” Kingston signaled his entrance in the New York Masters Cricket (NYMC) competition with a brilliant unbeaten century in 5 time consecutive defending champion Crusaders massive 112 runs victory over West Demerara in the opening game of the 2014 season at Van Cortland Park in Bronx NY on Saturday June 7, 2014.
Melroy Kingston struck an unbeaten 114 on debut in New York Masters Cricket. Photo by Dillon Bourne
In bright sunshine newly appointed Crusaders Captain Donald Bennett called right at the coin flip and elected for his team to bat first. Openers Kingston and Eznard James stroll to the crease and started off slowly working themselves in trying to find the pace of the wicket. With 59 on the board in the 12th over James 20 (2×4) was first to go out caught on the midwicket boundary by T. Singh off the bowling of A Cornelius. Hal Lawson joined Kingston and the pair added 54 for the second wicket from 48 balls when Lawson fell for 33 (3×4 and 1×6).
In came Norris Campbell and the right-handed stroke player delighted the small gathering along with Kingston posting a third wicket stand of 97 from 62 balls before a tired looking Campbell tiredly pushed forward at one given some air and was stumped for a quick fire 54 (8×4). By now a swaggerific Kingston who scored 104 not out in his last outing last weekend for his home club Villagers in MCL was in his full stride and brought up his hundred in the 31st over with a crispy drive down to long-on for a single and celebrated in his usual style kissing the ground and acknowledged the cheers from around the ground and celebrated by hoisting one deep over long-off for a massive six and told his batting partner to “stay there that one is going far”. At the end of the allotted 35 overs Crusaders close their inning at 253 for 3 with Kingston unbeaten on 116 (14×4 and 3×6) and Bennett on 23 (1×4).
Cornelius finished with 1 for 37 from 7 overs, Mohan Kissoon 1 for 40 from 3 overs and J Anthony 1 for 52 from 6 overs.
With no one expecting West Demerara to challenge the target they opted to just enjoyed themselves and was dismiss for 140 in the 35th over. Burt Khan made 22 (2×4 1×6), J Anthony 20 (2×4 1×6) and Kissoon 18 with extras top scoring with 42. George Steir took 2 for 22 from 5 overs, Campbell 1 for 16 from 5 overs, Clive Garrison 3 for 25 from 7 overs and there was a wicket apiece for Douglas Parnell, James, Bennett and Hubert Steele.
