A record breaking forty-eight players were in attendance for the New York Cricket Region Under-19 trials scheduled for Saturday, August 7th at Baisley Cage in Queens NY. According to the region, all league presidents were informed about the trials, but then again a few deceptive individuals may say otherwise. It’s usually the argument in New York where many of us relish the opportunity to critique the many issues hindered by USA cricket, and take “cheap shots” of individuals that they may envy or dislike. Who is to blame, and who cares?
A few noticeable names in attendance at the Under-19 trials were; USA all-rounder Andy Mohammed, 2009 and 2010 PSAL cricketers of the year Thakur Singh, and Kavishwar Bridgepaul, 2008 NYPD MVP Rasheem James, former USA Under-15 players Trevis Ross, Amarnauth Persaud, and current NYR Under-15 all-rounder Zahib Tariq. Also present were Metropolitan Cricket League off-spinner Maurice Powell, NYR Under-19 pace bowler Casper Davis Jr. and former Guyana Under-17 all-rounder Tristin Carmichael.
Tariq was ranked #1 by dreamcricket as the “most complete player” of the recent concluded 2010 USACA Under-15 National Tournament. “His game was more polished than anyone else in the tournament. He never looks like getting out and paces his innings remarkably well. Tariq is very athletic and can do anything on the field.”
Zahib Tariq scored 186 runs at an average of 93.00 with one half-century (57 not out vs. Central East) and one century (112 not out vs. South West). Tariq is keen to compete for a spot with his fellow high school teammates from Franklin D. Roosevelt HS; older brother Jezeb Tariq, who has scored two centuries thus far in 2010, and Abrar Zafar who led the PSAL with most runs scored this year.
You can witness most of these players on Monday, August 9th. at Marine Park where Stallions will clash with Superstars in the 2010 Twenty/20 NYPD championship match. Superstars is led by Andy Mohammed, and well supported by Kavishwar Bridgepaul, Amarnauth Persaud, Trevis Ross, Thakur Singh, and all-rounder Rocky Kowchai. Superstars should be the favorites given the number of talents, but Twenty/20 is an unpredictable version of cricket. You may want to ask Guyanese teenager Jonathan Foo about his remarkable performance during the recent concluded Caribbean Twenty/20 Championship match against Barbados.
We must urge all clubs, and individuals to focus on the positives that the New York Cricket Region has to offer, instead of criticizing the coordinators who are working religiously to promote the growth of youth cricket. Please be mindful that these individuals are not egotist, but are enthusiastic in assisting the youngsters in their cricketing careers, and academic endeavors, but then again many may try their utmost best to tarnish the integrity of these devoted individuals.