New York Tri-State Under-19 is aiming to be second time lucky when the team journeys to Guyana to vie for championship honors in the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) Under-19 limited overs competition next month.
Following a semi-final finish last year, Tri-State will be coming strong in 2019 with a powerful squad led by star batsman and captain Sanjay Stanley for the 50 overs a side series comprising some of the best teams in Georgetown from April 16-26.
Stanley, rated among America’s best young batsmen will team up with the likes of wicket-keeper/batsman Saiteja Mukkamalla and other key selectees including batting all-rounder Matthew Nandu, top batsmen Isaiah Jagernauth while much is expected from leg spinner Adil Shivakumar and allrounder Abhayjit Khangura.
The tournament will be sponsored by American Youth Premier Cricket League (AYPCL) and organized by the Georgetown Cricket Association. It will be headlined by the strong Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) to which New York Tri State will be aiming to avenge a semifinal loss last year. GCC, GYO, GNIC, Malteenoes, Everest, MYO, Queens ‘ College, Transport GYCEA and Bel Air Rubis are the other teams vying for top honors.
Tri-State squad: Sanjay Stanley (captain), Tamesh Persaud, Saiteja Mukkamalla, Adil Shivakumar, Ishaan Bansal, Isaiah Jagernauth, Vedant Parwal, Chaitanya Parwal, Abhayjit Khangura, Matthew Nandu, Gautham Ravindran and Noel Haynes. Manager: Trevor Walke. Tournament sponsors AYPCL is headed by Rahul Sharma.
Coach Linden Fraser is confident Tri-State New York has benefited from the exposure last year, and expects the players will be doubly motivated to do well as the leading performers will be selected to form a squad to play in the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers junior competition in Barbados in July.
It is a first for Tri-State acquiring an invitation to the competition named in honor of the legendary West Indies all rounder.