Almost 100 spectators were present to witness the 18th Annual Ray Sundar event last Saturday at Baisley Cage in Queens, NY. The Sundar Event has been held every year by Ray Sundar to honor his late father, and it has been one of the most notable events in the NY Tristate area. Officials from USACA, PSAL, and American College Cricket were all present to witness an amazing fun day of Twenty/20 cricket.
Kavishwar Bridgepaul was the star of the day. Photo by Shiek Mohamed
The four teams that competed in the Sundar T/20 tournament were WI Kings, American College Allstars, Connecticut Youths, and New York City Public School Youths. The first match between WI Kings and American College All-Stars was one-sided as the Kings dominated the College All-Stars. The College All-Stars led by current USA national player Adrian Gordon were all-out for 103 after 18.1 overs. H. Pandy, and H. D’Oliveira were the only batsmen that managed to post respective scores of 26 each. Y. Dass, M. Powell, T. Mckenize, K. Lake, T. Carmichael, and A. Kemroy finished with 1 wicket each. The WI Kings knocked off the total in the 13th over with very strong contribution coming from Rising Star opening batsman R. Rampersad (62).
The second match between the Public School Youths and Connecticut Youths was decided in the final over. The Public School Youths batted first, and were all-out for 125 after 17.4 overs. Only PSAL “Cricketer of the Year” Kavishwar Bridgepaul (45, four 4’s, and three 6’s) made solid contribution with the bat. C. Mclean was the pick of the Connecticut bowlers with figures of 3/23. The Connecticut Youths were off to a good start with C. Munroe, and A. Husband finding the boundaries very so often, but A. Husband (26) was brilliantly run out from a direct-hit by NYR U-15 All-Rounder Zahib Tariq. The only other batsmen that managed to get to double figures was former Jamaica U-15 player Bruck Blackwood (28).
At one stage, the Connecticut Youths needed 15 runs in two overs, but N. Patel threw his wicket away by running himself out leaving the Connecticut Youths at a total of 111 all-out.
The undergo Public School Youths found themselves in the Sundar Championship match against a well experienced and talented WI Kings squad, but the boys from New York City Public Schools did not disappoint. WI Kings captain Rasheem James won the toss and elected to bat, but was in serious trouble after losing the wicket of former NYR U-19 opening batsman L. Latchman for a duck.
Winward Islands national player Keddy Lesporis, and Richard Rampersad continued to keep the score ticking until Lesporis was brilliantly caught by Jabez Tariq off the bowler of Kavishwar Bridgepaul. After the departure of Lesporis, the Kings found it very difficult to score off the pace and spinner duo of Bridgepaul, and Tariq. Rampersad (32) and Lesporis (11) were the only two batsmen to reached double figures. WI Kings were all-out for 93 runs after 15.4 overs. Bridgepaul bagged 4 wickets for 22 runs, while young NYR U-15 player Tariq finished with match figures of 3.3-0-3-3.
The Public School Youths lost the first wicket of USA U-15 player T. Ross for a golden duck off the bowling of Yogindra Dass. After 25 for 3 the young school boys did not panic, because Bridgepaul was yet to come. Thakur Singh, and Bridgepaul would go on to add a 4th wicket partnership of 40 vital runs to ensure victory for the young school boys.
Thakur remain unbeaten on 27, while Bridgepaul won the man-of-the-match award for his all-round performance of 4/22, and 22 runs (2 six’s, and 2 four’s). Francis Mendoza (3.3-1-9-2) took 2/9, while K. Lane (4-1-8-1), M. Powell (4-1-20-1), and Y. Dass (4-0-29-1) took one wicket each.
Mr. Ray Sundar showed his generosity by awarding the players of the winner team, and the runner’s-up with a small stipend. “We would like to thank Mr. Sundar, his families, and friends for providing the great hospitality, and a full fun day of cricket for all of us” stated Kavishwar Bridgepaul.