The Caribbean Premier League, abbreviated as CPL, is also embraced as a Cricket Played Louder slogan, and justifiably so, since the audiences at CPL events can be quite spirited in their encouragement of cricket and their respective teams. Similar to the CPL’s moniker “Cricket Played Louder,” the Queens United Sports Club (QUSC) has rightfully adopted Cricket Played Harder, which is exactly what the Idlewild residents demonstrated against Atlantis Cricket Club-NY (ACC-NY) this past Sunday at the New York “Lords” of cricket grounds – Idlewild. With radiant sunshine and no rain predicted, it was one of two semi-final contests in the New York National Cricket League’s Premier 40-overs to conclude its 2024 season.
This was the second occasion in which ACC-NY faced QUSC during the 2024 season. In their first match on May 19, 2024, ACC-NY triumphed by three wickets. QUSC was bowled out for 158 in 36.3 overs, and ACC-NY surpassed that with a score of 159 for the loss of seven wickets in 32.2 overs. Fast forward to this year’s semi-final, with NYNCL 2024 newcomer ACC-NY advancing to the semi-finals as they ascended to the top of the points leaderboard, reminiscent of their initiation into the Metropolitan NY Cricket League five years back.
As a leading club in the New York metropolitan area, QUSC held the distinction of being among the most successful clubs in the Metro League alongside Westbury Sports Club, with both clubs accumulating numerous championship victories in recent times. QUSC recently became the champions of the NYNCL in their 2023 debut. The reigning champions QUSC ascended to the summit of the 2024 NYNCL table and clashed with ACC-NY in last Sunday’s semi-final. The fixture was promoted as a tough contest for both clubs and one of the primary attractions in the nascent NYNCL.
Prepared more thoroughly for the clash than ACC-NY, QUSC fielded a complete squad despite the exit of their franchise player Ronaldo Alimohamed to the Caribbean Premier League just prior to the NYNCL playoffs. Atlantis was unable to substitute the CPL designate with a player of his stature in time to compete against QUSC. Nonetheless, the perceived lack of preparation from ACC-NY does not undermine QUSC’s impressive 111-run semi-final victory. However, it could have rendered the encounter significantly more thrilling with Mohamed in the ACC-NY line-up. ACC-NY may not have been completely prepared, yet commendation is due to the lads in yellow and green for their commendable performance while playing with merely ten players for over 72 of the 74.2 overs played.
Upon winning the toss and choosing to bat in the rematch against ACC, QUSC showcased its batting strength when it was needed most—the playoffs, amassing 331 for seven in the allotted 40 overs. Leading the run chart was Andre McCarthy with a flawless 100 off 67 balls comprising 5x6s and 9x4s. Although he was dropped when he was in his 20s, McCarthy built his innings on the foundation of the opening partnership of 73 set up by Andrew “Dumbe” Davis, who scored 59 (2x6s, 6x4s) caught by Randall Wilson bowled by Dino Choowenaam, and Ricardo McIntosh, who contributed 20 and was caught by Freddy Pestano and bowled by Kellon Carmichael. Davis was dismissed twice before reaching double figures.
McCarthy’s century was a resolute one, as ACC-NY managed to curtail their adversaries’ scoring rate after QUSC lost the wickets of Emekes Jones, who scored 15 and was bowled by Kheshram Seyhodan, and captain Oraine Williams, who was run out for 6 with the total at 112 for four. The triumphant QUSC would then add an additional 163 runs before McCarthy was dismissed, caught by Dino Choowenaam and bowled by Diquan Murray. McCarthy had partnered with former Atlantis allrounder Yannick Elliott, who made 77 (2x6s, 6x4s) caught by Telston Johnson and bowled by Diquan Murray. In addition, Marinaro “Zar” Dixon provided a brief innings of 23 (2x6s, 1×4) caught by Freddy Pestano and bowled by Diquan Murray. Gavin “Addi” Brown scored 14 not out, and Extras contributed 16, bringing the QUSC innings to a total of 331 all out.
QUSC, both literally and conceptually, played hardball cricket, seizing every opportunity to dominate the ACC-NY bowlers and augment their run tally. It was undeniably cricket played harder and often louder. ACC-NY offered QUSC at least seven dropped catches throughout their time at the crease. The saying—catches win matches—could not have been more applicable in this encounter between the two sides.
The wickets for QUSC fell at the scores of 73, 101, 106, 112, 275, 309, and 318. The ACC-NY bowling attack showcased Diquan Murray with figures of 8-0-95-3, while Dino Chooweenam, Kheshram Seyhodan, and Kellon Carmichael each claimed one QUSC wicket.
It was evident that ACC-NY faced a formidable challenge when they entered to bat. Competing with a one-man short formation at a required rate of 8.3 runs per over posed a significant obstacle for ACC-NY. Early advantage indeed went to QUSC!
In response, ACC-NY quickly found themselves in trouble, losing the wicket of Dino Choowenaam, who struck one six towards the South Conduit off the bowling of Gavan “Addi” Brown. The robust Chooweenam faced seven deliveries before being dismissed for six runs, caught by Emekes Jones and bowled by Michail “Saddam” Powell. The score stood at ACC-NY seven for one after two overs. This was not exactly an ideal reaction to needing 8.30 runs per over. However, ACC-NY did achieve a 59-run partnership between opener Jamal Norton and his captain Randall Wilson, who had an unusual early dismissal, scoring a painstaking 11 off 22 balls, caught by wicketkeeper Jeremy Samuel and bowled by Damion “Jazzy” Jacobs. By this stage, ACC-NY was scoring at just under six runs per over in the eleventh over.
Contributions from ACC-NY vice-captain Kellon Carmichael, who scored 48 runs off 40 balls, including 4x6s and 2x4s, caught by Damion “Jazzy” Jacobs and bowled by Michail “Saddam” Powell, were pivotal in his team’s middle-order. Similarly, wicketkeeper and opening batter Jamal “Short Boss” Norton displayed commendable form, taking on the responsibility to lead the team, before retiring hurt in the 16th and 20th overs, with scores of 107 for two and 126 for three. A valiant Norton ultimately limped off at the conclusion of the ACC-NY innings, having top-scored with 63 (1×6, 5x4s) off a precise 63 deliveries. During his determined but valiant “award-winning” half-century, he had to be carried off the field in a makeshift “matting cart ambulance” due to a calf injury. Nevertheless, “Short Boss” managed to return to the field just before the other missing player, Jamal Hinckson, was to bat and finished the ACC-NY innings at 220 all out in 34.2 overs. Jamal Hinckson’s brief appearance added 18 runs off 16 deliveries, hitting two colossal sixes and a singular boundary before being run out by Andre McCarthy.
The wickets for ACC-NY fell at 7, 66, 126, 149, 157, 163, 171, 172, 199, and 220. Bowling excellence for QUSC was demonstrated by Marinaro “Zar” Dixon, who produced remarkable figures of 8-0-47-5. His five-wicket haul was matched in performance only by Michail “Saddam” Powell’s 6-0-38-3. Damion “Jazzy” Jacobs took one ACC-NY wicket, conceding 50 runs in his eight-over spell.
The victory for Queens United Sports Club in the semi-final positions them just one win away from being crowned the Kings of the NYNCL for a second consecutive year. The NYNCL 2024 Premier 40-Overs Championship Final is scheduled for Sunday, September 15, 2024, at Baisley Pond Park, located at Rockaway & Baisley Boulevards, Queens, NY. At this point in time, the other 2024 NYNCL semi-final match between Everest/ACS Sports Club and Melbourne Cricket Club is anticipated to take place on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Image Source: QUCA.org
