What a tournament Americas 2002 was, especially for a USA Team which was determined to establish its worth in the international arena. This was USA's first international championship ever-- moreover, the trophy was won without a single loss, against teams like Bermuda and Canada which have regularly defeated USA in the past. While the USA had posted startling wins before (witness its defeat of Ireland in Toronto, of Barbados in the Red Stripe and the MCC in England), this was a sustained performance over a whole week of very competitive cricket.
Here is a match-by-match description of USA's march to cricketing glory.
Things started for the USA in grand fashion, as the United States won their first completed match against the Bahamas by a massive margin of 177 runs.
Having narrowly dodged a bullet in their opening match against Argentina, where only the weather may have saved them from a humiliating defeat, the USA Team clearly had something to prove-- and prove it they did. In the Bahamas, they were moreover facing a team against which they had no previous Americas tournament record, the Bahamas having skipped Toronto last year. In the event, the USA had no previous scores to settle-- and they proceeded to post their own mark with a will.
Bahamas won the toss and invited the United States to bat first on a wicket that was still damp from the torrential rains over the last few days.
This time around, both Afzaluddin and Sheetal Pathak, who had performed creditably in the incomplete game against Argentina two days ago, failed to impress. Afzaluddin, taking 12 runs in 3 balls, ran himself out for a non-existent single. Sheetal Pathak was caught behind for 8, trying to work the ball towards third man. But Amjad Khan and Rohan Alexander put on a quick 50 runs in 7 overs, taking the score to 82 in 14 overs. Alexander was trapped LBW for 39 from 93 balls, including 4 fours.
After a couple of quick wickets, the US were at 115 for 5 from 24 overs. But Rashid Zia and captain Faoud Bachhus put on 89 runs, with Zia hitting 2 sixes and 4 fours in an invaluable innings of 42 runs from 54 balls. Finally, Donovan Blake and Bacchus took the score to 255 for 7 from 50 overs-- Faoud Bacchus remained unbeaten with 83 runs to his name, hitting 2 sixes and 6 fours.
In reply, the Bahamas started badly, losing their first wicket at 11runs, D. Wheeler edging straight to US wicket-keeper Zia. Then, Amjad Khan brilliantly ran out the Bahamas skipper, L. Armstrong, with a direct hit from square leg. Bahamas were now looking down the barrel at 26 for 3. Bahamas never really recovered from the early debacle--after Donovan Blake's opening spell of 2/15, J. Zinto and Nasir Islam (2/15) tightened the screws and reduced the Bahamas to 75 for 8, and Zinto (3/15) wrapped up the innings -- Bahamas were all out for 78, with only one batsman reaching double figures; leaving the US winners by 177 runs, and with F. Bacchus named man of the match for his 83 not out.
On March 13, the USA played its second match against cup holders and traditional rivals Canada in one of the most important games of the tournament at the beautiful Hurlingham Cricket ground.
The past record of US vs. Canada jousts, which in fact dates from 1844 as the oldest international cricket match on record (see the 300 year history of US Cricket), did not augur well for the USA. Canada has had much the better of its encounters with the USA in recent years-- the abject collapse of the USA against a resurgent Canada, which then made it into the ICC World Cup (see ICC Trophy, Toronto 2001), was a memory that still rankled in the minds of most US cricket afficionados.
But the USA was able to exorcise those demons, by beating Canada by 3 wickets.
USA made one change from the team that beat Bahamas yesterday, bringing in David Hoilett to replace Nasir Javed.
USA maintained a tight line and length all through, conceding only 12 wides in difficult conditions. Canada opened with I. Maraj and Z. Surkari, against tight bowling by the US opening bowling pair of H. Johnson and D. Blake. At the total of 18, Z. Surkari mistimed a pull off a Johnson delivery straight to Alexander at square leg. On the other end, I. Maraj mistimed a drive to Naseer Islam at mid on, D. Blake being the bowler. I. Billcliff came in next but lasted only 2 deliveries, having his stumps rattled by Johnson for a duck. At this stage, Canada were in serious trouble at 24 for 3 in 13 overs.
Skipper N. Degroot and F. Samad then put on a brilliant 114 run partnership for the 4th wicket. But Rashid Zia made two vital break throughs within 3 deliveries to remove both Degroot and Samad. Both were caught behind by Bacchus. Zia had come onto bowl his off breaks after having kept wickets for 25 overs.
The remaining wickets could muster only 27 runs. The innings finally came to a close at 165 for 9 in 50 overs.
USA started off disastrously, losing Amer Afzaludin LBW to A. Patel in the second over. Amjad Khan also fell LBW to A. Patel to a ball that kept low and crept along the pitch. Next man, Sheetal Pathak was caught at backward point to a very good catch by Z. Surkari off a full blooded drive. A. Patel again was the man to get the wicket. USA were at 18 for 3 in the 8th over.
David Hoilett joined Rohan Alexander and took the attack to the Canadian bowlers, scoring 21 runs before being bowled by I. Maraj Skipper Bacchus joined Alexander and the two took the score to 109 when Bacchus fell LBW to Degroot going for a sweep. So with 5 wickets down and another 67 needed for victory, the game was wide open.
Rashid Zia joined Alexander, and they took the score to 120 when Zia was stumped by Samad off Seebaran for 10. Donovan Blake and Alexander scored some quick singles mixed with some lusty blows to take the score to 160 in the 43rd over. Alexander finally went, reverse sweeping Bagai straight to point. Alexander had just completed a well deserved 50.
Howard Johnson and Blake, USA's opening bowlers, scored the remaining 6 runs to give the USA a well-earned victory .
On March 15, playing their third match of the Americas 2002 tournament At Hurlingham, the United States stayed at the top of the championship table after a comfortable 36 run win over hosts Argentina.
The USA compiled a more than useful 207 for 8 in their allotted 50 overs, with major contributions coming from Pathan (43), Hoilette (36) and Bacchus (38). Pick of the Argentine bowlers was young Lucas Paterlini, with 3 for 37, and Paul Ferguson with 2 for 28.
Three decisive early wickets for the USA proved to be a major setback for Argentina, one from which they never really recovered, despite a classy 63 from man of the match Donny Forrester, and 20 from skipper Kirschbaum
Johnson, with 2 for 23, and Bacchus, 2 for 34, were the principal wicket takers.
On to their fourth match of the Amercas 2002 tournament-- the USA game against Bermuda was aptly described as : USA WIN THRILLER WITH TITLE IN THEIR SIGHTS.
In what was probably the game of the tournament thus far, at Longchamps, the United States pulled off a thrilling last over victory over a spirited Bermuda to win by 1 wicket off the last ball of the match.
Bermuda batted first and compiled 140 for 6 in their allotted 40 overs, reduced from 50 due to a delayed start due to early morning rain. Oliver Pitcher top-scored with 43 from 110 balls, while opening bat Aaron Adams made 36. Joy Zinto proved to be the most miserly of the five USA bowlers used, conceding only 12 runs in his 8 overs with one wicket.
The Bermudan bowling proved just as effective, and the USA struggled to take control in their run chase of what was a relatively modest target. It was left to tailenders Zinto and Narine and a 10th wicket partnership of 9 runs to see the US team home. Earlier Khan with 33, Hoilett (31), and Bacchus with 33, all made important contributions to the cause.
Herbie Bascome bowled superbly for figures of 8 overs, 3 for 19, and was well backed up by Durham, 3 for 31, and Leverock, 2 for 21. This win for the USA, coupled with the Caymans loss against Canada, leaves the US clear at the top of the table with only one game remaining, a vital clash, again at Longchamps.
This left the USA with one more Americas 2002 match-- against the Cayman Islands on May 16. But the Cayman Islanders lost to Canada on March 15, so they would have started the match at a distinct disadvantage-- they would not only have to defeat the USA but also beat them on their Tournament run rates to win the Americas 2002 Championship.
As it turned out, the same fickle weather gods that had ruined the start of the Americas 2002 Tournament intervened at the end, making no play possible on the final day. And the USA, with an untarnished 4-0 record, was clearly the champion of the Americas, for the year 2002.
Looking back, the weather was of miraculous help to the USA. If its first match against Argentina had lasted another ten overs, the USA could have started the tournament at 0-1 with its most formidable rivals still to be played-- and again, the last day's washout spared the USA from tangling with what (upto that time) had been their strongest rivals for championship honours. Still, the USA's real success must be ascribed to teamwork of a very high order-- something that has been missing in its past international appearances. While there were standouts such as skipper Bachhus and all-rounders Rashid Zia and Donovan Blake, many others rose to the occasion and made valuable contribtions when these were needed. It was this changed attitude that made the real difference-- and one hopes this new spirit will carry over into the future.
LOOKING BACK at US CRICKET HISTORY
A Commentary by Deb K. Das
First, as Sergeant Friday might have said: "Just the facts"....
For the first time ever in its 300-plus years of cricket history ( see The 300-year History of US Cricket: 1700 - 2000 AD), the USA has won an official international cricket championship overseas. It did so, morever, by the widest possible margin, 4-0, staying undefeated throughout the course of a strenuous tournament which called for playing practically every day because of weather delays and postponements. Counting its pre-tournament tour of Antigua, USA's record was 7-1, its best-ever performance on an international expedition. And all this was achieved not by a few individual stars, but near-virtuoso performances by many who were able to rise to the occasion at the right place and the right time.
Oh, and one more thing. Canada and the United States have been playing each other since 1844 ( see History of US Cricket ); but the Canadians have had much the better of these jousts in recent years. This was the first time that the USA has defeated Canada in 10 years-- and the fact that this occurred the same year that Canada made it into the ICC World Cup in over a decade [ see ICC Trophy, Toronto 2001) made this victory all the more memorable.
So, why have worldwide reactions to this US success in the Americas 2002 Tournament in Argentina been less than overwhelming?
In stories outside the USA leading up to Americas 2002, much had been made of the fact that this was the first ICC-sponsored international tournament held for AND in the New World. But there had been speculation that it might not take place, because of political problems in Argentina. When it was known that the tournament was being held after all, much was made of the absence of several top players from various Americas sides. Finally, the disruptions caused by the unexpected weather led many to think the entire tournament might end up in a wash-out, and whatever residual interest remained in the tournament seems to have evaporated. That the USA did win was, for many non-USA observers, almost an non-event-- it was attributed to circumstance, and worth no more than a passing mention.
Well, there it is-- an important milestone in the history of US cricket, one that will be remembered with USA's 9-wicket victory over the West Indies in 1888 in Guyana. It might not have been quite the epiphany that the most ardent supporters of US cricket wished for, but it may have been an important crossroads-- where US cricket, having been handed a golden opportunity to re-establish itself as a respectable contender in the international cricket arena, is able to take the road to eventual success.
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Date-stamped 29 March 2002 - 20:52
