By Dyon Ravello

New York Destroyers has combine youthful talent with experience in its quest for success at this the third edition of the US Open T20 tournament. Each season the purse has increased, with $100,000 up from grab with the winners taking home $75,000. NY Destroyers were semifinalist in 2010 as well as playing in the quarterfinal last term. Destroyers will be looking to build on the Pak Brooklyn T20 victory, when they arrive in Florida.

Destroyers have booked a stronger contingent of 15 player backed by the management team. VelloCricket take a look at the Destroyers line up:

Kevin Darlington, will captain this term taking over from Barrington Bartley. Darlington will bring his US national team experience along with his first class pedigree from his Guyana tenure. Darlington may be heading over the hill, but like Azhar Mahmood showed up the young guns in the Champions League, Darlo still has the armory to contend in the shortest version of the game. Darlington’s earlier strikes with the new ball and accuracy in the late over will be vital to the Destroyers game plan.

Andre Kirton, a member of the 2006 US Under 19 World Cup squad, is a genuine all-rounder. Kirton with his left arm orthodox has a knack for taking wickets, but can stymie the run flow too. The vice captain on this tour will look to utilizes his experiences with the NY Regional Team but more so those from his tour with Virginia Warriors to last year’s tournament. Kirton’s prowess in the field in addition to his lusty hitting during at the depth will bolster his team’s chances.

Zaheer Saffie, like Kirton has made the move to Destroyers. Previously with NY Steelers, Saffie has made the switch looking to fortify the middle order. Saffie will bring his leadership experience in addition to his sound form and technique.

 Shiv Kumarlal, retains his place behind the stumps for a second term. Kumarlal relative success and consistency will be key to stabilizing the team on the field, so too down the order.

Nicholas Stanford

Nicholas Stanford, is fresh off is American debut during the recently completed Auty Cup. Standford will have insight on the playing conditions with less than a month between his visits to the Sunshine state. Stanford, who was rewarded for his stellar returns this season with Atlantis, will be keen to make this chance on National stage count.

Alex Amsterdam has performed consistently over the past two seasons. The batting all-rounder single-handedly blew out ACA Dragons in the NYCA Super Sixes semifinals. An aggressive batsman who can bat at the top and in the middle makes for a sound selection. Amsterdam can serve up a handful with his off breaks as a supporting or even an attacking option.

Twain Walters retains his place from the last Floridian visit. The left arm spinner is one of three who bowl the orthodox variety. Destroyers will count on Walters for accuracy in keeping the opposition batsmen in check.

Keon Lake an off spinner who can bat down the order. Lake will be brewing with confidence following his very successful season this term in the Eastern American Cricket Association. Following last Open to go with experience at USACA Nationals Lake has both experience and youth on his side. Expect Lake to spin the ball as well as induce bounce. Lake’s electric fielding and depth batting make him a complete T20 selection.

Kaveshwar Bridgepaul a power right handed batsman, with the ability to decimate the opposition attack. Bridgepaul a former US Under 19 player is the go to guy to provide the impetus through the middle overs till the end.

Ryan Girdhary is one of two specialist quicks in the line and should share the new ball with his skipper. Girdhary’s pace and accuracy are his strengths. In today’s game bowlers are anything but slouches with the bat and Girdhary has the pedigree to bat in the modern game.

Neil Mc Garrell is the most experienced of the Destroyers. The former West Indian test player recently made his American debut at the Auty Cup. Mc Garrell’s main mode off impact would be with his wily left arm orthodox bowling. Mc Garrell has dominated the club circuit since his arrival in the Land of the Free. Accuracy is not limited to bowling for Mc Garrell but also is his throwing from the field. Mc Garrell is a competent low order bat, who can up the ante once called upon.

Sean Stanislaus is a genuine all-rounder, with bat, ball and gloves. Queens’ Park Cricket Administrator, Bryan Davis, even compared Stanislaus to Dwayne Bravo. Sean is a fitting addition to any line up across all formats. A top order batsman, who can play through the innings and even put the bowlers to the gauntlet. Stanislaus opens the bowling with swing from three paces and has the wickets to show. Behind the sticks Sean is a sharp as the best around.

Sharaz Baksh a prolific top order batsman who can take the attack to the opposition. Baksh has experience at the US regional level and is another key addition as Destroyers ramp up its batting armory. The former North East Regional captain will bring his tactic ability along, another asset to the cause.

Quasen Alfred a diminutive attacking opening batsman, who led the way during the PAK Brooklyn T20. Alfred’s quick scoring at the top of the order can provided the momentum for resonance throughout the innings. A nimble fieldsman, Alfred adds to the team’s list of players with national experience.

Hemant Punoo US under-19 captain in 2006 is a solid middle order batsman. Punoo has recovered his form, which was promised earlier in his career. Punoo bowls tight off breaks if needed to plug in an over or two.

The touring party is completed by the management team: Linden Fraser, Head Coach, Victor Benjamin, Assistant Coach, Basil Butcher, Trainer,  George Royer, Manager, Kerk Higgins, Analyst, Danny Singh, Joseph Peters, Selection Committee, and Chubby Bedessee. US Open T20 begins on December 6^th through December 9^th.