Comments
Hi All: I just wanted to let you know that I am one of the
BODs in USACA. I have neither been appointed by USACA nor
obligated to respond to any comments at this site. I just
stumbled up on this website and felt I can try and respond
to some comments to clarify some issues that are being brought
up. My responses are based on my best belief. Now here are
my responses to some of the comments.
@DK:
When you look at the current Team USA, I believe only 5-6
are Indian or Pakistani heritage. Instead of passing comments
on what the situation was like when ever you played, it
would be better if you ask the current lot and get their
opinion just to make sure if things have changed or not.
Come on folks, get above all this petty talk. We now have
a guy like Obama as President of this country. What I am
trying to say is that times change and so do other things
around it. I don't think any one is treated as low class
or what ever class. Let's be a bit more realistic on these
type of issues.
@Utsav
(response to this is going to be a bit long): I don't know
how much knowledge you have about cricket in US but to bring
you up to speed, USACA got suspended from ICC sometime around
2006-2007. So what ever progress cricket had made in this
country (at the international level), it went back to ZERO.
But things started improving and a new set of executives
got elected in Nov '07. Everything is being built from scratch
INCLUDING THE BANK ACCOUNT. No one is going to jump on the
wagon and offer a Million Dollar to an organization that
had a reputation of being so dysfunctional. So the job of
the new executives is to start building that trust back
again. Like they say, it is easy to lose trust but is very
difficult to build it. Nevertheless, even though this set
of executives are so new to their volunteered positions
(they don't get paid a penny and rather pay out of their
pocket for airfare, hotel, etc. to attend board meetings
because of USACA's financial situation), did manage to put
in a lot of time and raised some funds on their own. This
helped them to send Team USA to Guyana to be part of WICB
Regional Tourney just to expose our players so they get
noticed by the Island teams. Who knows, based on their performance,
some of them may get picked by some of the Island teams
like Lennox Cush got the chance to play in Stanford 20/20.
The Guyana trip was followed by Americas Cup in Florida
which again cost USACA a bundle of money for participating.
Our team won all five games and the Championship. Like I
mentioned, USACA is starting from scratch and it will take
some time to build up ICC's confidence so they can fund
us accordingly as a nation where cricket does have some
future. We have to make it through in the mean time. As
far as paying the players is concerned, the players were
paid the per diem amount as promised. What happened is that
THEY WERE AWARDED WITH BONUS AMOUNT ($1000 per player) FOR
WINNING THE TOURNEY. Since USACA didn’t have that
money rightly available, it needed to be raised before they
are disbursed. There were some mis-communication regarding
this which lead to someone writing this article. I believe
the money has been raised since then and disbursed to the
players. This should prove to one and all that the new set
of Executives who got elected only a year or so ago are
doing what ever possible to help in the process of promoting
cricket in this country. But they need support from players,
public and media. Writing something positively about them
would go a long way in pumping some energy in to them and
help them work harder for the cricketing community.
@Mike
J: Well, at least Nasir's age is clear from CricInfo now.
Now you know that he is in his early 40s and not in his
50s as you thought him to be. Bottom line is that he was
picked based on his experience and current form irrespective
of his age. As far as Dwayne or someone else is concerned,
has he participated in the Eastern Conference (four regions
from East)? If so, what has been his performance? Of course,
I am in no position to comment any thing particularly relating
to him as I have never seen him play nor do I have access
to any stats on him. It is possible that he is a wonderful
player. Both Coach Lambert and Captain Steve (both are selectors
in a three men pannel) are from NY region and I believe
they have reasons (experience, control, etc) to believe
that Dwayne is not there yet. If he is a good player, i
am sure he is going to come through. I am sure there are
many more good leg spinners in US to challenge Nasir but
selectors will be able to notice them only if they go on
to play and perform beyond club level. That's just my take.
@Nick:
Yes, we all are glad to see AD (Thyagarajan) doing so well.
He was the MVP in the Western Conference in 2007 and has
lived up to the expectations since he got selected for the
Team USA in 2008. Kudos to him. The team needed to go in
with two spinners.
Posted by Raj on December 27, 2008.
Talking about spinners, Aditaya Thagarajan did better than
the rest when given an opportunity. He is a good bat too
who scored against all opposition.
Posted by Nick on December 15, 2008.
The last time USA played Australia, that profile said he
was 32....
As for a young fit leg spinner, what about Dwayne Smith
from New York.
Posted by MJones on December 14, 2008.
I think
when you ask players to leave their jobs and home to play
for there country they should get paid for it. Well if USACA
don't have any more, then don't ask these players to leave
their job and go play for free because this is America and
nothing is free in this place. Just imagine players leave
there job and when they return they don't have a job to
return to, people you just talking but look at life in America,
I can't blame the two player to talk out for there rights,
and i know other players want to talk out to but are afraid
to because they may never play again for the USA Team, but
i know those two players and they are not afraid to talk
there mine and the truth.
Posted by Utsav on December 13, 2008.
What
made anyone thinks that anything would change about USACA?
I have played for the US on a couple of occasions and players
except a few are treated as low class, especially if you
are not of Indian or Pakistani heritage.
Posted by DK on December 13, 2008.
Mike...there is nothing fishy what so ever. Players performed
well and they should be rewarded. But yes, the announcement
was made in a moment of excitement after we won the Championship.
Believe me, the current Board is sincere about the players
and taking care of them as best as possible. Please wait
for more news on this. I am sincerely requesting all to
please not spread any more unwanted rumors which has been
killing cricket in this country for a very long time.
As
far as Nasir is concerned, I am one of those who pushes
for young talent all the time. Yes, Nasir is going to be
43 soon (http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/usa/content/player/25625.html)
but the Captain and Coach wanted him in and for a valid
reason. They wanted to have a leg spinner for better balance
of the side and Nasir happens to be the best and fittest
leg spinner at this point of time in US. Other leg spinners
who got invited (based on performance in various regional
tourneys) for the trials were no where close. The top batsman
of the team can vouch for that. I am sure there are many
other leg spinners around the country but the scenario doesn't
permit the selectors to go head hunting during all league
matches. What ever on display during the regional tourneys
is all they have access to for the most part.
Posted
by Raj on December 12, 2008.
Raj why is Nasir Javed in the US team..? i think he is about
50 years old.
Posted by Mike Jones on December 12, 2008.
Something fishy, why were they promised money if there was
no money from the beginning.
Posted by Mike Jones on December 12, 2008.
Intiaz, USACA financials are not in good shape. The new
board took over the reigns with a lot of debt from previous
admin. Debts can't be wiped off overnight. The new board
members are not going to contribute money out of their pocket
to take care of those debts. As far as the current situation
is concerned, the Board never promised any payment since
there was nothing in the bank in first place. But yeah,
the Board will probably consider rewarding the players as
soon as the financial situation bets better. It is just
like Obama taking over from Bush. Are you going to say \"SAME
OLD THING\" about Obama if people who have lost their
jobs don't find a job the next day or month? I understand
that you have been frustrated but need to use a bit of common
sense before commenting publicly as well.
Posted by Raj on December 11, 2008.
When will USACA get their act together, it seems
like it is the same old story with USACA. They do one thing
right and follow up with such a mess up, especially since
we all know about the economic situation the USA is in right
now. There top priority should always be taking care of
the cricketers and there well being.
Posted by Intiaz Khan on December 11, 2008.
