New York Under-19 team before a game.

New York Draw First Blood With Victory Over New Jersey

By Orin Davidson
Sept. 1st, 2008
New York made an emphatic start to the national Under-19 championship by sweeping aside arch rivals New Jersey (Atlantic Region) by 54 runs today in the Eastern Conference section of the series in Florida.

Asruddeen Mohamed Gregory Sewdial (Photos by Shiek Mohamed)

A solid all-round display saw New York rattling up 213 runs all out off 39.2 overs in their allotted 50 overs and then blowing out New Jersey for 159 in 30 overs.

It was as good a start the defending championships could have despite being weakened s with the loss of four players at the last minute due to a number of factors including the belated tournament adjusted age requirement.

Taking first strike New York was set a solid foundation by its batsmen with Sylvesan Kalimootoo leading the way with 45 runs. He was well supported by Asruddeen Mohamed who also hit 45 and Lakeram Latchman 42.

An impressive 57 by M. Khan was the lone act of resistance from the New Jersey batsmen whose next highest score was 22 by M. Ghouse.

New York’s star all-rounder Gregory Sewdial who did not shine with the bat, made up with the ball by bagging a fine haul of four wickets for 53 runs with his leg spin.
Keon Lake also found the New Jersey batsmen to his liking, taking 3-42 while Kevishwar Brijpaul chipped in with 2-7.

With Connecticut withdrawing from the series which also involves the Western Conference playoffs, New York will next play on Sunday when they oppose Florida (South East Region).

New York is without top players Javein Thomas, who was suspended for disciplinary reasons, Saud Hussein and captain Andy Harricharran, who were affected by the age adjustment and Jamshed Assam, who could not fund his airline ticket. They have been replaced by Rasheem James, Lookesh Subramani, Abdulla Syed and Cameron Merja.

The two conference winners will clash in the final on Monday.
Orin Davidson Column Homepage