Controversial Loss Sinks New York ----New Jersey/N/California To Contest Final

Saleem Saqib drives in his innings of 108 not out. (Below) Shiva Vashishat watches one goes by. Henry Yardley stroke a beautiful 51 against New York. (Below) Gregory Sewdial follow-up his 76 with 48 not out against the Atlantic region. (Photos by Shiek Mohamed)

By Orin Davidson
May 24th, 2009
A controversial umpiring decision, aided by a purposeful performance by New Jersey (Atlantic Region) combined to wreck New York’s hopes of defending their United States Under-19 cricket title on Sunday at Gateway Park.

New Jersey were awarded the game via a superior run rate after the umpires deemed the pitch too wet for play following a lengthy interruption, a decision that left New York officials fuming.

They will play Northern California (West Coast North) for the title after the former team produced a blinder to whip Texas (Central West) and book their place in the championship game.

New York were 114 runs for four wickets, chasing 244 for victory after the 28th over when a heavy drizzle chased the players off the field. At the same stage New Jersey were 148-5, earning an advantage that determined the outcome after the umpires refused to continue the game, before the scheduled end. The rules state that the game could’ve been extended beyond the scheduled close, once the conditions are deemed playable, before that time.

Almost everyone at the ground felt the field was good for play as the sun was out long before the umpires made their inspection. But the two officials though otherwise and waited until the 6.10 pm scheduled cut off period, before laboring unto the field to determine the matting pitch unfit for play.

Although New York were behind on run rate, they were highly optimistic of winning as their captain and best batsman Gregory Sewdial was batting comfortably on 48 while in the midst of a sterling all-round display. Coach Linden Fraser slammed the umpires decision, stating that it robbed his players of a fair chance to win and reward the hard work put in for the tournament.

Sewdial who scored 76 not out on Saturday, seemed set for another big score and was visibly upset afterwards. To add salt to the wounds, the Man of the Match award was given to New Jersey’s Henry Wardley, instead of the powerful New York allrounder who had earlier captured three New Jersey wickets, in a wretched decision in the circumstances.

At the stoppage Sewdial was clearly biding his time to attack against steady New Jersey bowling that was backed up by excellent fielding, which kept New York on a tight leash early on.

Sewdial took the crease after New York lost Ileo Freeman cheaply, and while blasting six fours, the right-hander saw Cameron Mirza perish by the run out route for 22. Shortly afterwards Leikram Latchman and free hitting Keon Lake were undone by hostile short pitched bowling by the New Jersey pacemen. But with a deep batting order, New York justifiably fancied their chances at the break that eventually led to the farcical end.

Earlier New Jersey were reeled in after making a flying start upon winning the toss and batting first, ending on a challenging 243 all out.

Charran Singh and Wardley put the New York bowlers to the sword and were racing along at seven runs an over before spinners Lake and Sewdial pulled the game back for New York.

Singh was eventually caught in the deep for 40 which included eight fours while Wardley went on to compile 51, comprising nine fours and one six. A late order rally spurred by Yasir Iqbal who slammed 40, carried New Jersey to their eventual score. Sewdial bowled not stop for his allotted 10 overs to end with 3-48, but the pick of the bowlers was Lake who bagged 4-37 with his off spin. A whopping 32 extras did not help New York York’s cause.

Northern California ( West Coast North) broke the Western Conference deadlock with a stunning batting performance to batter Texas (Central West) by 180 runs to win and claim their place in the final, at the 108th Street Seaview Ground. Saleem Saqib, hammered the competition’s first century, a brilliant 108 not out in a tournament high total of 323 runs for three wickets.

Northern California then blew out Texas for 143 to win the group on run rate ahead of Michigan (Central East) after both teams ended with 2-1 records.
Shiva Vashishat also found his best form for Northern California, by striking an accomplished 87

In the other Western Conference showdown, Michigan outplayed Southern California by four wickets also at 108th Street. Salman Ahmad, bagged four wickets, to help restrict Southern California to 228 all out, to which Michigan replied with 229-6. A. Joshi lit up the game with a blazing 97 to setup the victory. Salman Barber supported with a solid 58.

At 88th Street Seaview ground, Florida (South East) handed Connecticut (North East) their third straight loss among the Eastern Conference also ran teams. Fifteen year-old Steven Taylor stroked a fine 75 to spur the victory as Florida compiled 280.

In reply Connecticut managed 245 in 49.1 overs. Zachary Sattaur hit 58 and Vaibhar Nayer came good with 56 to bolster Florida’s innings. Andrew Ajodhi took 2-35 and H. Smith 2-50 for Connecticut whose star player Asruddin Mohamed topscored with a fine 73 while Rasheem James hit 57 and C. Munroe made 49. Zainali Sayed bagged 3-45 while Nayer had 2-32.

Monday’s final between New Jersey and Northern California will start at 10 am at Gateway Park.

Send your comment
Orin Davidson Column Homepage

Comments
It is about time that we stop blaming umpires for our misdeed. The regulations states
\" 9) FITNESS OF GROUND, WEATHER & LIGHT
a) Law 3..9 (b) (i) shall be modified with the following: -In the event the start of a match is delayed due to rain or bad light, the umpires in consultation with the Tournament Committee shall review an option for reduced overs or abandonment of the match.
\" 13) Delay or interruption to the inning of the team batting second
a) When playing time has been lost and as a result it is not possible for the team batting second to have the opportunity of receiving its allocated or revised allocation of overs in the playing time available, the number of overs shall be reduced at a rate of 15 overs per hour in respect of the lost playing time.
b) In addition, should the inning of the team batting first have been completed prior to the scheduled, or re-scheduled time for the commencement of the interval, then any calculation relating to the revision of overs shall not be effective until an amount of time equivalent to that by which the second inning started early has elapsed.
c) The team batting second shall not bat for a greater number of overs than the team batting first unless the latter completed its inning in less than its allocated overs. A fixed time shall be specified for the close of play by applying a rate of 15 overs per hour. The timing and duration of all relative delays, extensions in playing hours and interruptions in play, will be taken into consideration in specifying this time
d) If the team fielding second fails to bowl the revised overs by the scheduled or re-scheduled close of play, the hours of play shall be extended until the overs have been bowled or a result achieved.

28) Delayed or Interrupted Matches - calculation of the Target Score
If, due to suspension of play after the start of the match, the number of overs in the innings of either team has to be revised to a lesser number than originally allotted. A revised target score (to win) should be set for the number of overs which the team batting second will have the opportunity of facing. This revised target is to be calculated using the current Duckworth/Lewis method. The target set will always be a whole number and one run less will constitute a Tie.

So not blame the umpires for New York Loss.

The regulations states: it plays is interrupted, then a new cut off time should be established.
If the cut off time is reached before it is possible to resume the innings of the team batting second then the end is reached.
If the inning of the team batting second is still in progress at the cutoff time, the innings should be extended until each a result is achieved or other decisions are achived.

\" The laws of cricket staes that the umpires should not be influence by the actions of teams. In essence, It should not be the case that the actions of the umpires can be misconstrued as \" favoring a particular team\"
Law Three states :3.7: Fair and unfair play
The umpires shall be the sole judges of fair and unfair play.

3.8: Fitness of ground, weather and light
The umpires shall be the final judges of the fitness of the ground, weather and light for play. See 9 below and Law 7.2 (Fitness of the pitch for play).

Law 3 also gives the umpire authority to act independent of influences. It states \" (d) If at any time the umpires together agree that the conditions of ground, weather or light are so bad that there is obvious and foreseeable risk to the safety of any player or umpire, so that it would be unreasonable or dangerous for play to take place, then notwithstanding the provisions of (b)(i) and (b)(ii) above, they shall immediately suspend play, or not allow play to commence or to restart. The decision as to whether conditions are so bad as to warrant such action is one for the umpires alone to make.

law Seven also gives the umpires authority to act independently of influences. It states \" 2. Fitness of the pitch for play
The umpires shall be the final judges of the fitness of the pitch for play. See Laws 3.8 (Fitness of ground, weather and light) and 3.9 (Suspension of play for adverse conditions of ground, weather or light)\"

Know the regulations, don\'t take sides.
The umpires acted correctly
Posted by Umpire Thomas on May 25 at 3:33 am, 2009.