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Sam’s
Food Stores T20
NY Destroyers Set To Wreak Havoc
By Orin Davidson
April 10th, 2010
The team list is impressive on paper but the accomplishments are even
better given its brief foray in competition around the country.
And even if New York Destroyers might seem ambitious for a name title,
the team has already gone a long way towards justifying the name.
They specialize in Twenty20 competition but has so much depth, Destroyers
is quite capable of success at any format of the game in the United
States.
Formed less than a year ago Destroyers is attracting attention from
players the length and breadth of the cricket playing United States.
Kevin Darlington, Andrew Gonsalves, Clain Williams, Barrington Bartley,
Akeem Dodson and Ryan Corns are among a diverse mix of experience
and youth players who have been wearing Destroyers colors with distinction,
among others.
NY Destroyers after winning the Radiant Info Twenty20 competition
in New Jersey last year. (Photo by Shiek Mohamed) |
Assembling a team of star players is a difficult task in any sport,
but combining talent as a single unit can be monumental one.
Yet Destroyers has been playing like a well oiled unit almost from
match one, despite the unusual collection of big name players that
are soaking in expert handling from its founder Chub Bedessee and
the coaching team.
The players emanate from as far away as Texas, Florida and New York,
and from varied backgrounds such as South African, Jamaica and Guyana
and in ages ranging from teens to mid 30s. But you would never know
it from the way Destroyers mesh on the field of play.
Destroyers incorporate the managerial skills of New York businessman
Bedessee and the coaching abilities of Linden Fraser, Lester Hooper
and Kirk Higgins, which along with the players’ talent have
made them the most exciting new team around the country.
Such was very evident in Destroyers’ most significant achievement
in its short existence last summer. They shocked all and sundry by
pulling off a remarkable title win in the Radiant Info Twenty20 championship
in New Jersey, where some of America’s best T20 teams were assembled.
What was expected to be a routine victory for the much more seasoned
Global Challengers in the final, turned into a nightmare as Destroyers
took the game by the scruff of the neck from ball one, without relaxing
the pressure until the final wicket was taken.
Former Guyana and West Indies all-rounder Neil McGarrell, who spearheaded
Challengers bid, said he was not only surprised by the tactics employed
but more so by Destroyers’ execution of them.
As news of the upset spread around the country, the invitations for
other tournaments started coming through fast and furious.
New York Destroyers chose
the MacT20 competition in Florida as their next challenge and after
sweeping their way to the final, were hot favorites to win one of
the most prestigious T20 competitions in the country.
But in losing narrowly to an All Star team competing under the flag
name Washington Tigers, Destroyers justified their invitation to
the competition ahead of the reigning New York T20 champions United
Chargers.
It set the stage for a wide ranging assault on T20 competitions
around the country this summer.
But it has not been easy- sailing whipping New York Destroyers into
the success story they were in 2009.
Bedessee said the team is open to team sponsors for the full side
or individual players from corporate New York and or beyond for
the 2010 season and beyond.
He feels the team is marketable enough to justify investment in
any form and expects Destroyers to make an even bigger impression
this year.
An avid cricket fan, Bedessee said the initial idea for a team was
to give employees of his business and friends an avenue to build
relationships partaking in friendly competitions.
Soon Fraser and Hooper who developed a winning combination with
the New York Under-19 team got involved and the rest is history.
Beginning today (Saturday April 10) the inaugural Sam’s Food
Stores T20 two-day competition which has set tongues wagging with
its attractive prize money incentives will kick off the New York
2010 season at Whitestone Park.
Of course New York Destroyers will be in contention, actually they
are the overwhelming favorites to cart off the $5000 first prize.
A destructive performance will be a nice way to start the season.
Brief profiles of selected
NY Destroyers players follow.
Hard hitting Andrew Gonsalves (top) will be on display, along
with captain Barrington Bartley (below). Photos Shiek Mohamed.
 |
Full Name: Kevin
Godfrey Darlington
Major teams: United States, Guyana, NY Bedessee Destroyers, Cosmos
CC
Batting style: Right-hand bat
Bowling style: Right-hand fast medium
Born Kevin Godfrey Darlington in New Amsterdam, West Bank, Berbice,
Guyana on April 26, 1972, Kevin was known as the back bone of the
bowling attack during his career playing for Guyana in the West
Indies domestic tournament. Upon migrating to the United States
to continue his education as an engineering student, Darlington
continued to show his bowling skills playing for Cosmos CC in the
Metropolitan League. Upon completing his studies, Kevin turned his
attention to playing for the United States. In December 2009, he
was selected for the tours to Abu Dubai and Nepal. Kevin is also
a level 2 certified coach
Full name: Andrew Gonsalves
Major teams: Guyana, Port Mourant, NY Guyana
Batting style: Right-hand
An explosive right-handed opener Gonsalves could destroy any attack
on his better days. After representing Guyana at Under-19 level,
Gonsalves was catapulted into the senior team mainly in One Day
international games.
Gonsalves had stints in Trinidad and Tobago before arriving in the
Big Apple to continue his career and it is only a matter of time
before he will be wearing U.S. colors.
Full name : Ryan Corns
Major teams: United States U-19.
Batting style: Right-hand
Corns is one of those rare naturally gifted players coming of South
Africa who needs little time to reach peak form.. Having emigrated
with his family , his ability was spotted and immediately made a
regular starter with the U.S. U-19 team. He had a rough tour in
New Zealand in the Under-19 World Cup and has learned enough that
will guarantee better results in 2012.
Full Name: Barrington
Sylvester Bartley
Major teams: United States, NY Bedessee Destroyers, Cosmos CC (Metropolitan
League)
Batting style: Right-hand bat
Bowling Style: Left-arm spin
Born Barrington Sylvester Bartley on October 19, 1980 in Jamaica,
West Indies, Barrington represented Jamaica under 19 in the 1998-99
West Indies youth tournament before eventually migrating to the
United States. Upon arrival, Bartley continued to push forward with
his batting and left arm leg spin and was rewarded by being selected
to the United States team in 2005 for the ICC Trophy in Ireland.
Barrington has remained a constant figure in the United States team
and trained with the United States team in preparation for tours
to Abu Dubai and Nepal in in February.
Full Name: Akeem Levar Dodson
Major teams: United States, NY Bedessee Destroyers, Villagers CC
(Metropolitan League), Weasley CC (United Kingdom)
Batting Style: Left-hand bat
Fielding position; wicketkeeper
Born Akeem Levar
Dodson in Queens, New York, this left hander wicket keeping batsman
learned the game of cricket in the United States. Under the watchful
eye of his father Dr. Linden Dodson, Akeem’s talent has improved
exponentially since being introduced to the game of cricket. He
showed that talent by representing the New York region at the under
19 level then won a spot on the 2006 United States under 19 World
Cup squad which participated in the World Cup in Sri Lanka. Akeem
continued to show growth in his game by obtaining an overseas contract
in England where he played for Weasley in the Bedfordshire League
in the 2008/2009 season. Upon returning to the United States in
2008, Akeem broke into the senior United States squad which competed
in the 2008 West Indies domestic tournament. Akeem continued to
impress the United States selectors and was recently included on
the United States training squad in preparation for tours to Abu
Dubai and Nepal early in 2010.
Full name: Claim Williams
Major teams: US senior, Atlantic region, Police Sports Club, NY
Guyana
Batting style: Right-Hand
A clean hitting right hander, Williams is a solid right hand top
order batsmen who thrives under pressure. Having narrowly missed
the Guyana U-19 team selection, he migrated to America and is one
step away from winning that elusive team place. His reputation as
one of the United States best fielders is well known. Toured Dubai
and Nepal this year as a reserve.
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