The VelloCricket Journal

Caribbean XI continued its preparation to for its Jamaican tour with a 30 over affair against Maddogs. At Greenwich, Connecticut on a beautiful Autumn afternoon, Maddogs, hosted Caribbean who took first strike. Caribbean opened the batting with veteran Mark Audain and West Indies Under-19 batsman John Campbell. Caribbean lost Audain bowled round his legs, with  left arm orthodox spinner Anand drawing first blood. Campbell remained resolute as he struck Anand for a six over square leg. Maddogs called on offspinner Ravi Nichani who induced a false stroke from Campbell, holding out to long for 20.

Batting at number four Owen Hienze picked up where the youth international left off as he consolidated the innings. Hienze was caught in two minds as he attempted to carve out his innings. Hienze lost his wicket as he gave into the fans jeers for big shots falling for 25.  Lynch picked up the pieces, but Maddogs captain Keith Lawrence struck thrice in as many overs for a miserly five runs. Lynch contributed 23 before his wicket resulted in an end of innings slide. Masa Brown and Dyon Ravello, combine for an unbeaten half-century stand to lift Caribbean to 175 off their allotted 30 over. Brown with a liking for the boundaries scored 37 and Ravello notching 20. Lawrence 3/5 was the pick of the Maddog bowlers, with Anand and Nichani scalping 2/24 each.

Faced with of a touch under six per over to win, Maddogs set to pace their innings early. Audain accounted for the first wicket as new ball partner Ravello struggle for a consistent line. Audain gave Lawrence his first chance spilling his own catch. Ravello got into the act with a leg before appeal of the first delivery of the eighth over. Vindication came three balls later getting his man plumb in front. Ravello buoyed by success seeked to trap Lawrence as he adjusted the offside field. Lawrence rode his luck as Jack failed to hold onto the lofted drive in the covers following Ravello’s precise adjustment.

Mark Audain and West Indies Youth Batsman John Campbell combined in a team effort to lift Caribbean over Maddogs, photo by Dyon Ravello

The skipper looked to consolidated for his side after the pace threat had decipated. Campbell’s off breaks kept the Maddogs in check, eventually striking the third wicket, a leg before decision. Following Campbell’s spell the game seemed to hang in the balance as Caribbean looked to fill in a fifth bowler. Hienze had two overs of leg break, as Peter remained tidy at the other end. With four overs to go Maddogs needed 36, Campbell’s throw found Nichani short of his ground looking for a second. Audain then made amends for his earlier spill as he bowled Lawrence for a dogged 72 to severely dent the Maddog’s chances. Caribbean captain Levine bowling for the first time at the depth bowled Anand and Phil to open up the tail.

Ravello returned for the penultimate over, as Everton attempted to take the attack to Caribbean, with a lofted drive to wide long off. Everton looked to press for a second run, but was Run Out by miles, Campbell with another pinpoint throw. Two deliveries later Neil poach a slow baller to Peter at cover to kill off any chances of a shock Maddog’s win. Last pair John Moore and Thakur survived the remaining nine deliveries preventing their side from being bowled out. Levine leading Caribbean with 2/9 Ravello had 2/25 and Audain 2/26 Caribbean winning by 18 runs.

Caribbean will continue it preparation for its Jamaica tour with two matches this weekend, when the play NY Selects at Bridgeport, and New Britain away.