Rashard Marshall Sizzles As Metropolitan CL Rules New York Region

Marvin Darlington (center) is being congratulated after taking a stunning catch. Photos by Shem Rodney

NY Region Inter-League T20 | Photo Gallery | Scorecard
By Dervon Wallace
New York Metropolitan District Cricket Association (NYMDCA) claimed New York Cricket Region (NYCR) bragging rights when they defeated American Cricket League (ACL) in the finals of the NYCR Twenty20 Inter-League played at Baisley Park in Queens NY on Saturday July 26, 2014.

Rashard Marshall during his knock of 56 that came off 39 balls. Photo by Shem Rodney

In bright sunshine ACL captain Jazid Tariq called right at the coin toss and elected to take first used of a seemingly hard pitch. Openers Amir Butt and J Tariq got off to a flyer posting 31 in 3.4 overs before Butt 22 (14 balls 3×4 1×6) was caught by Marvin Darlington off the bowling of Sajib Salam, it was 32 for 2 four balls later when Darlington took his second catch to dismiss Adil Nosherwan for north off the bowling of Mikhail Miller who by now has switch end after a toroid first over. Tariq and Lorenzo Best added 51 for the third wicket.

The partnership was broken when Best 30 (32 balls 4×4) was well taken by Ricky Kissoon at extra cover diving full stretch to his left off the bowling of the trusted Marshall who in the same over had Troy Mars caught and bowled without scoring making it 83 for 4 in the thirteenth over. Tariq with a top score of 36 (35 balls 2×4 1×6) was caught by Faisil Taj off the bowling of Kissoon.

The inning folded at 128 in 19.5 overs when Darlington took a stunner of a catch plucking one out the air after the ball seems to have passed him, it was a catch that had every cricket lovers in the ground applauding and talking long after.

Marshall was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 19 from 4 overs with 1 maiden, Kissoon 2 for 25, Salam 2 for 31, Taj 1 for 23 and Miller 1 for 26.

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In reply NYMDCA made their intentions clear as Captain Steve Massiah elegantly hit the first ball of the chase over long-off for the maximum. He didn’t last long though as he fell to a brilliant catch by Mars at backward-point off his opposite number for 14 (9 balls 1×4 1×6) in the third over.

It was soon 19 for 2 as Taj wretched 2014 continue when he was caught by Abrar Zafar off the bowling of Mars. Zeniffe Fowler and Marshall settled the ship with a 51 runs third wicket stand before Fowler 26 (35 balls 3×4 1×6) was caught by Mars off the bowling of Zafar 1n the thirteenth over.

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Marshall was joined by young Javien Thomas who continues to show how talented of a kid he is and with the right guidance is one for the future.  The pair added 51 when Marshall was caught by Z Tariq off the bowling of Zafar but not before he delighted the crowd with a ray of stroke play on either side of the wicket.

The former York Castle High (Jamaica) student hit a top score of 56 from 39 balls laced with six towering sixes and two fours. The total was reached with 5 balls to spare, with Thomas unbeaten on 17 (19 balls 1×4).

Zafar finished with 2 for 19 and there was a wicket apiece for Mars 1 for 18, Nosherwan 1 for 25 and J Tariq 1 for 27.

Final scores: ACL 128 all out in 19.5 overs and NYMDCA 129 for 5 in 19.1 overs, victory by 5 wickets for NYMDCA.