Ed Ahmad New York Cup 2008
NYCR Combined XI Finally Rises Decisive Win Over Barbados

By John L. Aaron
August 1st, 2008
The New York Cricket Region’s Combined XI defeated a representative Barbados XI last Saturday at 88th Street/Canarsie, in the third round of the Ed Ahmad Cup 2008 twenty20 tournament. Having lost its first two matches against Guyana and a beefed up Trinidad & Tobago, the combined Xi finally appeared to have found its groove, sooner rather than later, in its ma tch against a Barbados XI that had tremendous difficulty playing spin.

Batting first the Combined XI was off to an inauspicious start scoring only 125 for six in their 20 overs. It was the big man himself Nadeem Younis who this time stood his ground, top scoring with 60, as the other batsmen fell around him. Skipper Zamin Amin, 29 and V. Dumas, 23, were the only other batsmen to reach double figures. The loss of Marlon Kallicharran, 00 and Ryan Ramdass, 00 soon after the Combined XI had decided to bat, having won the toss, was very devastating. Were it not for the 59 run sixth wicket partnership between skipper Amin and Younis, the squad may have been bowled out for south of 100.

Nadeem Younis survived a few very confident appeals, and at times appeared to be playing outside of his usual power-hitting mode. However, his effort was indeed a gallant one and it made a significant impact on the team’s total. The Combined Xi wickets fell at 5, 5, 6, 38, 97 and 121. R. Millington 2 for 24 and N. Sanford 2 for 18 were Barbados’20most successful bowlers.

Barbados in reply struggled to top the 126 run mark, falling short at 117 for the loss of seven wickets, as the Combined XI opened with a spin attack duo of C. Alexander and V. Dumas. Enjoying a somewhat better start that the Combined XI, Barbados’ wickets fell at 23, 24, 26, 79, 88, 91, and 105. The top scorer was opener H. Blades with 38. Support came from middle-order batsman K. Marshall, 33, while J. Rowe contributed 14, batting at number eight.

Bowling for the Combined XI, C. Baptiste 2 for 17 and C. Alexander, V. Dumas and R. Ramdass, with one apiece were the wicket-takers. There were two run-outs.

The Combined XI may have found their footing, but it’s left to be seen whether they can overcome Pakistan and Jamaica in the remaining two matches.
John Aaron Column Homepage