By Clifford Hinds
New York Youths lost their first game of the season when they were defeated by Ardsley Cricket Club last Sunday at Beach Channel 32 at Far Rockaway, NY. The NYYCC squad was in trouble before a ball was bowled as the team arrived late due to an accident and slow traffic, and was penalized 12 overs and the toss. However, as my elementary school teacher used to say to me, “There is never an excuse for being late.”
Randall Wilson produced a fine 95 in vain as NYCC was beaten by Ardsley Cricket Club. Photo by Shiek Mohamed
The youngsters did their best to place themselves in a favorable position as Ardsley took first strike and placed enormous pressure on the NYYCC bowlers. Batting for Ardsley, R. Payne had a very good knock of 122 not out. He was ably supported by M. Beris and C. Mills, each with a score of 35. Fifteen year-old Chetram Persaud was the pick of the NYYCC bowlers taking two wickets for 42 runs in five overs, Trinson Carmichael took one for 44 in 8 overs, and Rafeek Nazeer had one for 50. Ardsley ended with 288 for 5 after 40 overs.
In the absence of USA Under-18 players Omar Afridi and Zaheb Tariq, Rafeek Nazeer and USA Under-18 player Randall Wilson opened the batting for the NYYCC and took on the fight from the start. Scoring at a pace of more than eight runs per over, the score passed 50 in even time before Nazeer was out for 20. Wilson batted brilliantly for a well-played 95, his second ninety for the year, before he was stumped. Syed Hussain and Trinson Carmichael continued the chase until Hussain was out lbw for 24. The other batsmen tried their best, but in the end, the target score was too much to achieve, and after the allotted 28 overs, the score was 208 for 6. Kelly took two wickets, with Lewis and Murell each captured one wicket apiece.
Despite the loss the NYYCC XI exhibited tremendous courage in pursuit of the target of 289 set by Ardsley for the loss of only five wickets. Without the services of two of their top batsmen Omar Afridi and Zaheb Tariq, the NYYCC responded to the asking rate of 7.20 with 7.43 and losing only six wickets along the way at the end of their allotted 28 overs. The remaining 81 runs needed for a victory and a 9-0 record required a run rate of 6.75 per over, with four wickets in hand. It was a run rate that the NYYCC was already way ahead at 7.43. If only they had been ahead of the traffic on the way to the ground, they may very well have been in the driving seat at 9-0 today.
NYYCC, with their 8-1 record, now look forward to their next game on Saturday at Baisley Pond Park, in Queens, NY and against Somerset Cricket Club.
