In their defeats to Afghanistan
and Scotland, the United States was guilty of poor team selection,
bad use of bowlers and woeful batting order choices, that gifted
their opponents victories that could’ve been denied with more
thoughtful and objective decision making in the two main areas of
the game.
Against Ireland, the
U.S. bowling let them down badly, allowing the former team to pile
up a mammoth 202 runs tally, their highest score ever in 20 overs
competition and so far the most conceded by any of the teams in
UAE.
With Ireland, rated the
best team in the competition, and needing a victory to keep their
hopes alive of qualifying, after losing their opening game to Afghanistan,
they applied intense pressure from the get- go and the U.S. crumbled
as a result with the captain Steve Massiah unable to counter Ireland’s
early batting onslaught with his bowling tactics.
There was an over-reliance
on spin by Massiah who used four slow bowlers, a shocking tactic
which allowed Ireland to feast for easy runs.
In limited overs competition,
the use of even one spinner is a risk, much less in 20/20 where
the bowlers are attacked from ball one.
Massiah committed suicide
by giving Ireland 13 overs of spin of the allotted 20 and they capitalized
fully, that initiated the beginning of the U.S’s ouster.
With only three matches
to qualify for the second round, the U.S. needed to play pressure
cricket in all three games but they lowered their guard after defeating
Scotland in the first game, where they used 11 overs of seam. They
reduced that number in the next encounter and paid the penalty.
The captain’s thinking was mind boggling because he had five
seam bowlers in Kevin Darlington, Orlando Baker, Usman Shuja, Tim
Allen and Rashard Marshall at his disposal, but chose only seven
overs of the faster stuff, which is always more difficult to attack.
To add insult to injury,
Marshall is one of the country’s most effective seam bowlers,
yet he was not given a single ball in all three matches. They chose
to play him as a batsman, but these days Marshall has proven to
be a better bowler, but the management was blind to this reality.
Incredibly too, was the
decision to use Tim Allen as a spinner when the player has been
a specialist seamer all his career.
There is a glaringly
good reason why slow bowlers are never used by all teams at all
levels of competition, at the death of an innings.
If the team’s use
of its bowlers was poor, its batting tactics were worst. Dhaniram
who has failed every time he represented the U.S. as a batsman was
inexplicably used in the top order.
He never scored more
than four runs in all three games, and even though he got a total
of five in the two warm up games against the UAE, was still persisted
with at number four and five thereafter.
In contrast, Dhaniram
has good results as a bowler and should’ve been used as a
specialist spinner with no place for him batting in the top five.
Why the decision makers could not have adjusted is beyond belief.
At the same time, the
team bewilderingly underused Aditha Thyagarajan, their best batsman
from the Americas Championships one year ago. A shocking omission
from the first game, Thayagrajan was only drafted in for the second
encounter because Sushil Nadkarnie was unfit. To make matters worse
he was used at number seven in the order and promptly exposed the
mistake by slamming an accomplished 72, not out, by far the highest
for any U.S. player.
Then, to rub salt in
the wounds, the team failed to promote him next game in the crucial
run chase against Afghanistan, keeping him at number seven which
was much too late.
With all of these factors
staring the team management in the face, they still regarded Dhaniram
a batsman.
And to crown a dreadfully
mismanaged campaign, Massiah failed to lead from the front even
though he is supposed to be the team’s premier batsman.
The captain has scored
all of his many runs for the team at number three, yet he dropped
himself down the order when the team needed him most in all three
games. Against Afghanistan he appeared as a tail ender at number
eight.
And the fact that he
never scored more than five runs in the three competition games
and a total of 13 in the two warm-up matches, raises serious doubts
about his future in the team for 20/20 matches.
Massiah is accustomed to having his way in almost all team matters
whether it is team selection, batting order placements or tactics
on the field.
And unless there was
a steep change of team policy, the disastrous showing of the US
team in the Middle East has justified the critics claim that he
has no place in the 20/20 team.
If there was no change in that policy, then coach Clayton Lambert’s
position should also be in jeopardy as those tactical blunders were
inexcusable.
Significantly, by getting
dumped in the first round, the U.S. failed to justify the ICC wildcard
entry it received for this competition to the annoyance of other
teams.
Massiah is more comfortable
in the 50 overs version as a batsman and should remain there in
the U.S. team setup.
Ricky Ponting, has relinquished
his place in the game’s shortest version for Australia and
so has Andrew Strauss for England.
Therefore, there is no
humiliation in the U.S. captain following suit, given his shortcomings.
And any explanations
of the U.S. losing to better equipped teams would not wash with
anyone. Does Afghanistan, a war thorn country, among others, have
superior facilities, better domestic competitions or better coaches?
The answer is a resounding
no.
Send
your comment
Orin Davidson Column Homepage
Comments
Mr. Singh
we are speaking about qualified coaches. Reginald Benjamin is the
most qualified of them all. I challenge you to name me 1 more coach
who is more qualified than Linden Fraser and please be objective.
In addition, please ask your so called friends in USACA why Linden
was black listed.I\'m sure their response( if the truth is told)
will surprise even you.
Posted
by Lester Hooper on Feb. 14th, 2010
Only one thing i wanted to ask usaca selectors that is,
Timroy Allen fast bowler or spin bowler?
Posted
by Cricketer on Feb. 14th, 2010
I took the time out to read these mail and I can see where
this is going. I shoiuld state here that the reason why we keep
talking about this is because we are not satisfied with what we
are getting from these people. When it comes to coaching and I am
sure most people will agree that the best coach in this country
by far is that guy from California. I can recall talking with linden
Fraser and he told me that himself. It seems like there is this
on going campaign to let us all beleive that Fraser is the man for
the job we are all getting tied of it. I am sure there are a few
other coaches that here that are highly qualified and does not get
notice. Mr. Davidson I would hate to bveleive as a journalist that
you allow yourself to be reduced to a closed minded idea. I took
the liberty of seaching amount of article that i deemed to be self
promoting and Linden Fraser and it is quite a few. I have not seen
any interview or article on none of the other top coaches.
I am challenging you to get an Interview from a coach from every
region and do a real story instead of this self promoting mess.
I happen to know that these coaches can be easily reached. Shivnarine
and Lambert can be easily reached. I dont know about Benjamine in
california or the U-15 coach in california as well, but enough of
this. I have friends that are close in USACA and they are very aware
of who should be coaching the senior team and the under 19 team.
I want our readers to do a google on these coaches fou yourselves.
On a final note, coach Benjamine was black listed by Dainte and
buddies for almost 7 years now, linden your name was just added
so relax.
Posted
by Ravi Singh on Feb. 14th, 2010
I am going
to cut directly to USACA problems. If you are not from guyana, have
the guyanese connections, you don\'t kiss these so call bosses a*****
you are 99% eliminated for selections, coaching position, captain,
and the position you bat or bowl. The coach, captain, cricket commitee,
president, selectors are all from the same cloth. in India we have
politics but it is no where close to the what i witness here in
this country. We can talk until our teeth drop out it will be the
same thing.
It happen in
New Zealand with the Under 19, with people that have no idea of
coaching doing the job. It is the same thing in Dubai. USA cricket
is a launghing stock to most, the only reason why they keep trying
to help us is because of potential revenue. i have news for them
because people here even former cricketers do not go and watch games.
China is hot on the heels of cricket and the day they get that first
big win, they will sell kore seats in a match than the USA.
I wish
that the USACA will have these people that are running our cricket
sit on a program and explain anything. Lets have the coaches and
selectors first. These are the people that is the true faces of
cricket in America.
Posted
by Ravi Singh on Feb. 14th, 2010
If
players are injured on the tour, why are they not being sent home
for reserve or under 19 players? USACA is very shallow with their
thinking. I understand they want an experienced team but whats going
to happen when they stop playing? USA is gonna go back to the lowest
division in world cricket if they dont blend their youths with the
experienced guys.
Posted
by GT Player on Feb. 13th, 2010
"I'm very surprise to see Gregory Sewdial name as the future
when he can’t be consistent at club level, also he can’t
move in the field. Cricket is not a FAT MAN game. I also agree that
cricket should not play with names; Dhaniram should stick to club
cricket and beat soft bowling.
Posted
by Mr. Aussie on Feb. 13th, 2010
Well our opportunity of playing in the Twenty20 World Cup is over,
whoever needs to be blame should take that responsibility and give
some answers, it is absolutely disgusting to see USA players performing
so miserably when on tour. On Most tours, they excel in one or the
most two games, why is that so? My second question is, why was Sushil
Kulkarnie and Glenn Hall taken on tour when the selectors knew they
were injured. The reason Hall is not playing is because of some
injury he had before leaving for the tour. Steve Massiah needs to
stop telling people if they play for him they will make the USA
team, this is one of the reason why the team is in this mess. So
call USACA president Dainty act now before it is too late. In this
world everyone has their own objectives, which is all good, but
we must look at the big picture.
Posted
by Mr. Intiaz Khan on Feb. 13th, 2010
They need good selectors why Imran Awan is not playing
and there is more good youngsters not only Corn and Saleem and Regis
what did they do in worldcup nothing. Players like Cameron, Bridgepaul,
Abdullah, Keon Lake, Rusty and many more good youngster, you guys
should not only stick to 1 team. There is great talent in USA and
good luck to USA cricket.
Posted
by Mr. Cricket lover on Feb. 13th, 2010
I think it\'s time to drop all them old guys form the team
and play younger guys nobody nah wanna see a team that have 3 or
4 playes in the 40s.
Posted
by Mr. Right on Feb. 12th, 2010
Three
of the biggest failures on the middle east tour: Massiah, Dhaniram,
Marshall. Where is the transparency in American cricket structure.
Kudos to New York Cricket for keeping us in the loop. We need to
get coverage of all the trial matches so that the cricketing public
can be aware of the daily successes and challenges within US cricket.
No fingers pointing, we need to leave the village mentality behind.
We live in a country of great diversity a country will increasing
potential. Let us put a stopper on the continuous embarrassment
and take our place amongst the best in the world, we can all be
a part, all contributors to American cricket not just the parasitic
oligarchy of yesteryear. Best wishes to the team in Nepal I am counting
on four wins and for those who failed in the Arabian sands to prove
the critics wrong on the foothills of the Himlayas.
Posted
by Eyes on the ball on Feb. 12th, 2010
The woes
of the US senior team continued in U.A.E and it appears that everyone
is shocked by the results.All of a sudden Massiah\'s abilty to play
on the UST20 squad and captaincy comes in for some heavy criticisms.
To put it all in perspective while Massiah defintely is not a great
T20 player, he still is US most sucessful batsman since the US has
been playing as an Associate nation from the 1970\'s.From among
all the former West Indian test player who\'s represented the US
at the national level like- Bacchus, Mattis, Shivnarine,Lambert
- he stands head and shoulder above them all.
In the longer version of the game at present it is only Nadkharni
that is close to Steve\'s scoring - not even the dimunitive Wright.
With that being said the US will win in Nepal -we could see some
good scores from Massiah, Wright, Nadkharni.From Mr. Davidson readings
- Marshall still had ample opportunity to bat -but if you follow
NY local cricket, Marshall cricket over the last 2 years has backtracked.
Glen Hall has outscored him by and large in local cricket for some
time now.As for Daniram his batting has headed southwards everytime
he has represented the US.
O.D once again writes with a poisonious pen since his \"boy\'
was passed up for the coaching position and everyone can read between
the lines!
If by now fans are feeling patriotic to Uncle Sam, then forget the
US senior men\'s cricket team and tune in to the Vancouver Winter
Olympics - where you\'ll see what it is to defend this country in
sporting \'war\' at the highest level.Cricketers are yet to understand
the implications of such an honor. Our cricket administrators have
let the USA down once again -it\'s not all the players fault! Efficient
board equals good cricket team!
Posted
by ThirdMan on Feb. 12th, 2010
Orin good article i must agree with one of your comment
on Massiah he select his friend usaca need to investigate him. Imran
Awan his friend Cush, Dhaniram and Darlington are recycle player
they need to go. Lambert as well Massiah need drop from side right
now Give nankarni the job.
Posted
by Cricketer on Feb. 12th, 2010
Mike: I am all for youths, but we must blend the team
with experience and youths. Not taking anything away from the youths,
but after a poor performance at the U-19 World Cup, it\'s very difficult
for selectors (if we have any??) to consider USA youths. The likes
of Ryan Corns, Andy Mohammed, Asad Ghous, Saqib Saleem, Akeem Dodson,
Karran Ganesh, Andre Kirton, Steven Taylor, Rasheem James, and Casper
Davis Jr. are very promising youngsters. I did not include Sewdial,
because he was given opportunities and did not live up to expectation,
but feel that he\'s still capable of competing at the high level.
I strongly feel that Lenox Cush, Kevin Darlington, Carl Wright,
Nadkarni, Tim Allen, Baker, and Thyagarajan are valuable players
that can still perform at the “high” level.
We
must groom the youths, and let them know that a \"spot\"
is not automatic at the senior level. Performance on the cricket
field is all that matters. Some of the youths need to disengage
themselves from the \"fashion statement\" of cricket.
For example, who has the best “sun glass” and who has
the best “make-up” of sun cream lotion?
Posted
by Youth Cricket on Feb. 12th, 2010
I was
waiting for some one to write an article. Where should i start,
ok. Steve Massiah needs to be investigated, he only cares about
his friends, Lennox Cush, Dhaniram, Kevin Darlington and the rest.
Steve thinks he is the best player in the USA and we all know now
that is garbage he needs to hang his gloves up now. We have a lot
of good youngster around. Now is the time to groom them. Guys like
Gregory Sewdial, Karran Ganesh, Assad Ghous, Sahid, Ryan Corns,
Andy Mohammed who made a century against New York in Washington
in the senior tournament, why isn’t he on the team to Nepal,
thats a 50 overs competition, what are these selectors thinking.
We have youths and you are trading it for old men who can’t
field when they finish bat. R rather you take the young blood who
will hussle on the field, common how worst can it get. Steve don’t
like youths, all he cares is for his friends and himself. Someone
needs to get up and start talking. The selectors are scared of Massiah
If Steve continues to have his way no youths will ever play in the
senior team. Mr. Dainty please use your authority and do something
before things get worst, make some changes on the team to Nepal.
Sewdial, Assad Ghouse, Dodson, Karran, Steven Taylor, Sahid, Corns
and Andy Mohammed. Mr. Dainty please do something for our cricket
save USA, we have alot of young talent.
Posted
by Mike on Feb. 12th, 2010
We cannot continue to select national players based on
\"names\" At least three players from the US squad are
not suitable for the T20 format of the game. You can name the three
players....
Posted
by Youth Cricketer on Feb. 11th, 2010
These are decisions that make me scratch my head. I have
some questions.
1) Why did they
take Glen Hall when we all know he was injured before leaving the
US?
2) Why
is Tim Allen batting at #5 in front of Baker and Adithya?
3) If
Clain Williams scored all his runs in the 20/20 practice games in
the US, why is he not in the 20/20 team but in the team to Nepal
to play 50 overs where he did not do as well?
4) Why were Marshall
and Dhaniram given so many chances(5 games) when you have other
middle order batsmen to try?
5)Based on Messiah's
statements......u promote guys who can hit the ball (by the way
only one guy was promoted Tim Allen) up the order to chase 136 but
you dont do the same chasing 202 the previous day?....hmmmmmmmmmmm
Guys in December
I was in Florida to watch the MAC T20 Tournament and based on what
I saw, Messiah, Wright. Allen, Marshall and Hall ll make up one
big clique. As a result, he is unable to separate friendship from
his duties as a captain. Marshall had scores of 0,0,0,3 and 19.....in
all the games ( I stand corrected) and was not dropped.
Posted by CRICKETBULLY on Feb. 11th, 2010
Steve Massiah is seen here pondering his next move in a New
York Premier League game last year. Photo Zaheer Saffie.