Diplomat Halt Panthers’ Unbeaten Streak

Posted on April 1, 2012 by vellocricket

By Dyon Ravello

June 23, 2010
On Saturday June 18th Diplomats failed to capitalize against Knights, who made 146, losing by 19 runs. For Knight Abdullah Syed made 44 and Kasshief made 33. For Diplomats Gavin Smith snared 4 for 23 off 7 overs and Errol Thomas had 3 for 36 off 8 overs. In response Diplomats were restricted to a poultry total of 127 all out. Francis Mendonca made 31 and Romeno Deane 24. Bowling for Knights Mohammed bagged 5 for 35 off 7.1 overs and Nabil 3 for 22 off his allotted 8 overs. Diplomats removed Saturday’s dejection that drive and pump on Sunday as they face the unbeaten Panthers.

Diplomats won the toss and elected to bat first. The first 2 overs cost 22 runs, then in the third over medium pacer Adil Ali showed why Panther held their current record. First he had Allen Hind caught at the wicket with a short and rising delivery for 11 and in the very next ball Selwyn Ramphal too was caught behind off a short ball rising across his left shoulder, to leave the score at 22 for 2 after 3 overs. Romeno Deane joined his usual opening partner Francis Mendonca but his stay at the crease was short lived as he skied Ali to be caught at point for 1. Mendonca then followed in similar fashion attempting a pull, the ball ballooned into the air for a simple catch he made 12 with Diplomats reeling at 31 for 4 after  7 overs. Things did not get any better Kirton was caught at the wicket for 6 off Shehzad, 37 for 5. Eleven runs was added and another batsmen was walking back to the pavilion, D. Ravello bowled by Adil Ali for 2, the score now 48 for 6 after 9 overs and Diplomats in dire need for a recovery and Adil Ali in his glee with a five-for.

Captain Selwyn Smith took up the mantle and he found an able partner in Richard Coates, the pair add 45 runs to prop the Diplomats innings. With the Score on 93 Coates played a delivery which was too close to cut, caught at the wicket off Janal for 14. Diplomats continued the fighting recovery with Tegana Mc Kenzie stroking the ball around the park alongside his skipper Smith. The Pair saw the score past 150 and Smith too brought up his half century.

Panthers Adil Ali 5 for 37 couldn’t save Panthers.

Smith and Mc Kenzie had a partnership of 63 runs before both were removed without a run being added. Smith caught at cover playing a lethargic cut he made 54 and Mc Kenzie caught for 25 Janal accounting for both scalps, Diplomats on 155 for 9. J Clarke batting at number 10 played a beautiful cameo before he was bowled by Imran for 21, leaving Gavin Smith not out on 2 Diplomats all out for 180 in 31 overs. Bowling for Panthers Adil Ali had 5 for 37 and Janal 3 for 30.

In reply Panthers were gifted with a healthy start with Shehzad taking 16 off Mc Kenzie’s only over of the match. At the other end Mendonca had Adil Ali caught at slip by a brilliant jumping catch by Ramphal. Salik Iqbal was bowled by Mendonca without scoring 27 for 2. Shehzad got in to a shell and could only sky Mendonca to mid off for Ravello to run around and take a simple catch 35 for 3, Shehzad made 26. S  Salman and Salman added 33 runs before S Salman was caught at long off by Mendonca of the bowling of Kirton he made 16. Qayyum stopper the wicket flow alongside Salman as the pair added 37 before stock bowler Deane bowled Salman for 25, Panther 105 for 5 and game on. M Imran was scalped by Deane bowled without scoring 118 for 6. Qayyum’s stroke filled innings which included a six and 2 fours came to an end when his expansive square drive was brilliantly snapped up by Gavin Smith at point of Kirton.

Andre “Rusty” Kirton of Diplomat took 4 for 36 to stop Panthers.

Diplomats could sense that victory was close at Kirton removed Asim leg before for a duck and Janal caught Mc Kenzie at short extra cover for zero off Kirton 126 for 9. But Diplomats had to wait as H. Imran played a gallant supporting role as Shabaz tried to win the game for the Panthers. The pair took the score from 126 to 162 within 18 runs of victory with both teams feeling the intensity all game long. Hind had Shabaz leg before to cap off a well deserved will for  Diplomats. A remarkable comeback lead by the captain with the bat, sure a match winning performance. Bowling for Diplomats Kirton was the pick of the bowlers with 4 for 36, Mendonca had 3 for 41 and Deane 2 for 42. This coming weekend Diplomats face Imperial at Seaview in another titanic clash.

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Mendonca Bags Seven Wicket Haul

Posted on April 1, 2012 by vellocricket

By Dyon Ravello
Diplomats won convincingly playing against Wanderers in the Brooklyn league on June 13th in rainy conditions. Wanderers won the toss and elected to take first strike at Marine Park A. they were soon in trouble when Francis Mendonca had F. Ali leg before for 1 in the very first over. Two overs later Mendonca was again in the action bowling M. Sawari for 2, and in the same over A. Bailey edge to wicketkeeper Selwyn Smith with out scoring to leave wanderers reeling at 7 for 3.

Francis Mendonca of Diplomats had 7 for 12 against Wanderers. (Photos by Shiek Mohamed)

From the other end new ball bowler Tegana McKenzie got his man R. Akram caught at the wicket after Akram had offered a couple of bowl and caught chances to the same bowler. From there on in it was the “Francis Show” as he bowled a wicket maiden when he removed S. Mian leg before for a duck. That was followed by two wickets off two balls on his sixt over when he bowled B. Benjiman for 7 and R. Mc Pherson for nought, Wanderers 26 for 7.

Mendonca ended his spell bowling T. David for 2, David was dropped earlier by Joel Clarke in the covers but there was not any damage done. Mendonca had match winning figures of 7 for 12 off 8 overs. Andre Kirton had G. Sutherland bowled without scoring and Gavin Smith bowled one ball and had top scorer R. Jackman leg before for 15,  Wanderers allout for 43. Mendonca was the pick of the bowlers with his match winning 7 wicket haul, Mc Kenzi bowled 6 overs 1 for 23, Kirton had 2 over 1 for 8 and G. Smith 0.1 ball 1 for 0.

Rain delayed the resumption of the match with ominous shower threatening to win the game. After an extended intermission Diplomats were given the opportunity to complete victory and it was done at whirlwind pace with Andre Kirton hitting a six over the square leg boundary to score the winning runs. Diplomats did lose Mendonca leg before for 6 and Deane run out for 12 before, Selwyn Ramphal and Kirton steer their team to safety. Bowling for Wanderers F. Ali had 1 for 13 off 2 overs, R. Jackman bowled 1.2 overs for 20 runs, and R. Mc Pherson bowled 1 over for 15 runs.

Francis Mendonca easily the man of the match as Diplomats got 2 and 1. Diplomats look to keep up the moment the gained from two victories over Memorial weekend when they hosted Caricom sports club. This weekend Diplomats play back to back matches when they play Knights on June 19th at Marine Park A, then the come up against the in form Panthers at marine Park C on June 20th.

Summaries of other games:
On Saturday 6/12/2010, Brooklyn Knights VS Punjab. Brooklyn Knights 152 all out in 35 Overs, Nafees Butta 30, Saqib Salim 5 for 21 from 7 overs. Punjab 136 all out, Qasim Guman 21 and Naeem Arif 20, Bowling for Brooklyn Knights Nabeel Butta picked up 5 Wickets, Brooklyn Knights winning by 16 runs.

On Saturday 6/12/2010, Queensbury VS Warriors. Queensbury 133 all out, David Peters 27, Jonathan Jackson 28, Otis Charles 17, bowling for Warriors, Waqaz Mughul 3 for 15 from 4.1 overs. Warriors 139 for 1, Mohammad Asad 93, Waqaz Mughul 29, bowling for Queensbury, Bruno Henry 1 for 9 from 2 overs. Warriors winning by 9 wickets.

On Saturday 6/12/2010, Brooklyn Stars VS Pak Kashmir. Brooklyn Stars 129 all out from 25 overs, Asim 32 and Abrar 31, bowling for Pak Kashmir, Waheed Shahzad 5 for 38 from 7 overs, Zaheer Hussaine 2 for 25 from 6 overs. Pak Kashmir 132 for 8 wickets from 22 overs, Waheed Shahzad 30, Ansar Ali 25, Tahir Shah 23 and Irfan 22 Not Out, bowling for Brooklyn Stars, Bakar 4 for 39 from 7 overs, Yasir 2 for 51 from 7 overs. Pak Kashmir winning by 2 wickets.

On Saturday 6/12/2010, Panthers VS St.Lucia. Panthers 223 for 7 from 30 overs, Adil Ali 48, Qayyum 44, Asim 37, bowling for St.Lucia, Winston Celestine 3 for 40 from 6 overs, C. Mathrin 3 for 30 from 6 overs. St.Lucia 172 all out from 29 overs, Jude Jno Baptiste 42, and C. Mathrin 37, bowling for Panthers, Shabaz 4 for 27 from 5 overs, Ulfat Shahzad 3 for 27 from 5 overs, and Mauzam 2 for 24 from 5 overs, Panthers winning by 51 runs.

On Sunday 6/13/2010, Queensbury VS Cavaliers, Queensbury 90 for 3 from 27.4 overs, when the rain stopped play. Joseph Short 26 Not Out, Iva Martin 21, bowling for Cavaliers, Ephraine Bacchus 2 for 19 from 8 overs. Cavaliers 93 for 1 , Albert Texeira 47 Not Out, bowling for Queenbury , Syed Abdul 1 for 31 from 2 overs. Cavaliers winning by 9 wickets.

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Diplomats Stumble Against Warriors

Posted on April 1, 2012 by vellocricket

By Dyon Ravello

May 26, 2010
Diplomats hosted Warriors at Marine Park C on Sunday 23rd May 2010. Diplomats won the toss and elected to take first strike. After the fourth over the game had already gain its momentum with the score on 46 Francis Mendonca was brilliantly caught single-handedly on the boundary by M. Asad off Imran, however M. Asad could not recover to stay off the boundary ropes. Infuriated by the umpires decision to award a six Imran retaliated with decent which led to his expulsion from the game.

After the raucous had clear Diplomats kept the run rate around 10 an over for the first 10 overs. This healthy rate was counteracted by the fall of wickets at regular intervals. In the 13th over the score was 115 for 4 with Romeno Deane failing to capitalize on his form from a week earlier, he made 19. Selwyn Ramphal continued his fine form with and again he had the cut shots being the main weapon in his artillery. Ramphal got to 40 but was undone by a harsh umpiring decision, he was given leg before with the ball hitting him outside the line.

D. Ravello had the responsibility to anchor the innings with 25 over still to be bowled. Tegana MacKenzie Andre Kirton and Joel Clarke all played cameos. MacKenzie stumped for 17 of Waqas, Kirton held out to Janzib for 10 and Clarke caught one handed by M. Asad for 17 off A. Khan. Ravello was left stranded on 36 after a 20 over battle, Diplomats all out for 204 after 29 overs. Bowling for Warrior M. Asad, A. Khan, and Janzib had 2 wickets each, Jawad and Imran had one a piece.

In reply Warriors had a dodgy start when M. Asad was leg before to Mendonca first ball of the innings. But warriors took a liking for Joel Clarke who conceded 34 off 2 overs. Mendonca brought the game back into by bowling the dangerously looking Kabir for 21, Warrior 30 for 2 after 5 overs. Mc Kenzie replaced Clarke and he got his man Waqas caught Kirton for 5, 46 for 3 after 6 overs.

Like the brisk run rate Warriors benefited from four chances in the outfield to aid their cause. Kirton removed Sohail leg before for 25, 92 for 4. Thereafter it was oneway traffic for Warriors as Saqib and A Khan consolidated to take the game away for Diplomats. Kirton returned to remove Saqib caught in slip by Ramphal for 40, 180 for 5, to little too late. Khan took his team home hitting a six over long off, he ended on 45 not out. Bowling for Diplomats, Kirton 8-0-35-2, Mendonca 8-0-38-2, Mackenzie 2-0-12-1, Ravello 8-1-36-0, Gavin Smith 5-0-27-0, Clarke 2-0-34-0, and Deane 2-0-10-2. A Khan’s all round performance deserved of man of the match.

Diplomats will have a couple of weeks to recover with two tour matches this weekend at 88th street Canarsie Brooklyn, they host Boston Cricket Club. Then June 13th  Brooklyn League play resumes when Diplomats meet Wanderers at Marine Park A.

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Deane Hits Century Against Carriacou

Posted on April 1, 2012 by vellocricket

By Dyon Ravello

May 18, 2010
Playing at Marine Park A off Avenue S in Brooklyn, on May 16th Diplomats opened the 2010 Brooklyn League Season in grand fashion with a 118 run victory over Carriacou. Diplomats won the toss and took first strike after the match had been reduced to 35 overs. Opening the with Romeno Deane and Francis Mendonca Diplomats keep the scoreboard ticking before Mendonca was adjudged Leg before to for 5.

Romeno Deane struck the first 100 in the Brooklyn Cricket League.

Selwyn Ramphal joined Deane and the pair took their team past the half century mark taking the score to 92 for 1 off 14 at the water break, with Deane on 42 and Ramphal on 32. Deane continued his onslaught of boundaries as he got to fifty. Deane showed no mercy for the Carriacou attack as he played lofted drives and hooks to various parts of the park. Ramphal played it patient but he got to fifty playing some exquisite shots with cuts and square drives being his signature shots.

Deane got to the first century of the Brooklyn Cricket League but he was undone by a run out leaving him on 113. This initiated the middle order slide Andre Kirton bowled without scoring, Ramphal Leg before for a 70 and Freeman caught behind for 7.

Dyon Ravello was joined Tegana McKenzie and they stemmed the wicket slide, a task which has been replicated by Ravello many times last season. Both batsmen rotated the strike with end of the innings vigor. Diplomats closed on 261 for 7 off 35 over with Ravello not out on 31.

Selwyn Ramphal had a knock of 70.

In reply Carriacou could only muster 143 all out. R. Lewis retired for 21 after opening the batting. K. Matthews contributed 28 after he had skied Mendonca to mid on, only to be let off the hook by Ravello. Matthews was forced to retire hurt after his thumb was burst by Joel Clarke. Matthews eventually return to complete his innings leg before to Andre Kirton. Ravello did redeem himself with a stunning catch of Kirton running from long on to long off to dismiss V. Chance for 1. A Mitchell played a cameo of 28 before he was caught by Ramphal of Mendonca.

That was all that Carriacou could muster. Gavin Smith was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 15 of 5.3 overs, Kirton had 3 for 18 of his 5 overs, Mendonca 2 for 37 off 7 overs and Clarke 1 for 18 off 5 overs. Deane’s hundred was deservedly a man of the match performance. Diplomats will be looking to continue their lively momentum this weekend when they face Warriors at Marine Park C on Sunday 23rd May from 1:30pm.

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Women Development In America

Posted on April 1, 2012 by vellocricket

By Dyon Ravello

March 8, 2010
Women Cricket has taken advantage of the numerous indoor facilities toward preparation for USACA and ICC tournaments. On interviewing members of the women development program, the common sentiment was that they would like to take women’s cricket to the next level. At this point Canada has been identified to be the immediate objective for the American ladies.

Like the American men, women cricket comprises of expatriates, from more familiar cricket outposts, mainly the Caribbean and India. Half of the group have played international cricket with the West Indies Women and the others have played at the regional level in the Caribbean. The group includes a level 1 coach in Indomatie Goordial.

From brief interviews with some key members of the development program revealed that America is never at want for talent and that is true for Cricket too. Cricket has grown globally at a rapid rate mainly through the advent of Twenty20 and the commercial spill over from the fanfare of the instant entertainment and blitz marketing.

The ripples from the Champions League and the IPL are making its way across the cricketing world faster than in any other sport before. War torn Afghanistan will have a well deserved tour to the scenic Caribbean they have been the icons for cricket development the same way the big spending dons of the subcontinent has boosted the image of the typically Commonwealth sport. So too the Afghans have redefine the landscape and have challenge the status quo.

With the same motivation women’s development has added to the comprehensive product on offer through cricket. In our plural society to see both men and women rub shoulders in sport is indeed a spectacle. Just over five years ago women were not exclusively recognized as their male counterparts. Even though women had been a part of sport for with beginning with the Olympics in the early 20th Century, only at the turn of the millennium have we seen women looked upon as complete parallels in sport? Recent additions include, WNBA, LPGA, only in the past decade have these events stamped real value on women sports.

The same can be said of cricket, when Claire Taylor the ICC Women world player of the year shared the podium with her male counterparts, it spelt ions for Women development in America. Women cricket in America, like the men has the potential to succeed on the international stage, like Ireland like Afghanistan and even more. But like all things successful it has to be nurtured. Under the watchful eyes of Linden Fraser, Coach, and Basil Butcher, Physical Trainer, the foundation has been set for Women cricketing excellence.

Key members include:
Indomatie Goordial
Guyanese-born All-rounder, former West Indies international, WICB Certified Level one (1) Coach, and Best Bowling 4 for 17 against Pakistan, Favorite Player: Shiv Chanderpaul
Goals: to play for the USA, defeat Canada to participate in the World Cup Qualifiers.

Roselyn Emmanuel
St Lucian, Wicketkeeper/Opening bat, 13 year International career with the West Indies, Played in the 1997 World Cup, Highest Score 52 versus Lancashire, Favorite Player: Curtly Ambrose (serious about the game but irie at heart). Goals: Continuous development of Women’s Cricket

Candacy Atkins
Guyanese born, Allrounder, former West Indies International, Highest Score 57 versus Trinidad and Tobago, Favorite Player: Curtly Ambrose
Goals: to defeat Canada to participate in the World Cup Qualifiers.

Lorina Vitte
St Lucian, Opening Bat, Highest Score 49 vs. St Vincent, Favorite Player: Brian Lara
Goals: to play for the US National Team

Triholder Gibson
Guyanese born, Medium Pacer, Teams: West Indies U 23, Best Bowling 4 for 25, Highest Score 38 Goals: to play for the US National Team

Sharda Saroop
Trinidadian born, Opening Bat, Highest Score 58 versus Barbados, Favorite Players: Matthew Hayden (M), Mathoil Raj (F) Goals: Always giving a good performance

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Windies Flop v. Full Sail England

Posted on April 1, 2012 by vellocricket

By Dyon Ravello

Sept 26, 2011
Since the start of the World West Indies have been made “to depend” rather that utilize its allrounders.  This has diluted the batting and saturated the bowling attack. Today the Caribbean side played Nkruma Bonner, Chris Barnwell and Andre Russell already that’s three allrounders and Sammy has not been mentioned. Dwayne Smith opened the batting in familiar conditions and showed good reason why he was considered for this tour albeit a number of regulars missing.

Dwayne Smith crashed it hard early on. Phillip Brown photo

Smith like his opening partner Jonathan Charles proved that they were not just in London on an excursion, as both earned their picks with the bat on a rather flat night from the Caribbean side. The only other name noteworthy of mention was that of Danza Hyatt as his workman like cameo help to propel his team to a respectable total.

Once the English spinners let it rip it was one way traffic for the rest of the evening. Batting at number five Bonner looked the part of a number eleven rather than a recognized batsman. Bonner was the beginning of the allrounders in the batting line up and those who follow, showed why there was need for more depth in the batting. Barnwell like Derwin Christian failed to make an impact like the few innings they have played prior in similar situation. Andre Russell was not given an opportunity to get going as he showed earlier this season. West Indies 125 all out was at least 30 runs short of a total to make a game of this match up.

In the field Sammy lacked vision as his unit looked tame. Wicketkeeper Christian’s failure to collect from outfield throws provide semblance to a club player or a club match, far from the reaches of  an international fixture. The bowling attack lacked venom from ball one as 43 percent of deliveries to Alex Hales were short. Sammy’s poor intuition showed as early as the fifth over as he continued with the quickies for an additional two overs thereafter. England had stymied the West Indian run flow with its spin twin of Swann and Patel to leave Ravi Bopara to clean up shop. The order of the day had already been decided by the time emerging player of the year Devendra Bishoo began to beat the bat. From the other end Bonner was short and never threatened Hales or Kieswetter.

Sammy and co have a day’s rest to contemplate and plan for a more aggressive and purposeful showing on Sunday. The expectations would be that Smith, Charles and Hyatt continue where they left off. But for the rest of the squad much meditation would be necessary. Marlon Samuels need to regain the form that made him the under study of Steve Waugh, form that he has shown earlier this season however they have come in spurts. To Otis Gibson,  Santokie may be his best kept secret on tour and has done more that enough with the ball to earn his first cap. So, too Miles Bascombe should be eager to make use of the opportunities within his reach as this team is in dire need of batting depth.  That would mean Bonner and Fidel Edwards making way.

In retrospect Chesney Hughes would have been a clever selection on this tour with two seasons in county cricket opening the bat as well as his slow left arm bowling. That may provide insight as to how much attention the selectors are paying to our oversees professionals. But only time will tell as to the vision the the managers of West Indian cricket.

We looked forward to a more competitive affair in the clincher of the English summer as the Windies move on to the sub continent with more familiar faces to battle the tigers.

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Cricket Sings

Posted on April 1, 2012 by vellocricket

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVKd0rpdYns

Dwayne Bravo sings with Beenie:

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Join the Team

Posted on April 1, 2012 by vellocricket

With the summer fast approaching, The Home of Grassroots Cricket is seeking contributors to join the team. Photo & video journalist, editors, forum panelist, coaches, and web design. Come join the American Cricket Revolution, taking American cricket to the next level. For more info email us at vellocricket@hotmail.com

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Team Predictor: Windies XI 1st ODI vs Australia Mar 16

Posted on March 16, 2012 by vellocricket

Team Oz has name their eleven to face the host in the first ODI of the Digicel 2012 Series, what team will Sammy and co put forward? Here is Vellocricket’s prediction for game one:

Johnson Charles

Keiran Powell

Marlon Samuels

Darren Bravo

Dwayne Bravo

Kieron Pollard

Andre Russell

Carlton Baugh

Daren Sammy

Sunil Narine

Kemar Roach

Tino Best 12th man

Johnson and Powell are the only openers in the team with Lendl Simmons injured and Gayle still barred for the team. The batting look potent even into the tail. There should also be enough bowling to peg back any Australian surge with Pacer, variation and spin. Looking forward to a strong star tomorrow,

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Dance this Spring with Diplomats Sports Club

Posted on March 6, 2012 by vellocricket

For Tickets email vellocricket@hotmail.com

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