The Cricket Council USA website confirmed on Monday (August 18) that Smart Choice beat Somerset CC in Sunday’s 2014 Niagara Cricket Festival Final. I saw parts of Sunday’s Final through the online web streaming facility, including the start of the Somerset innings when Canadian internationals Jeremy Gordon and Rizwan Cheema were bowling. During a later look, some of the Somerset batsmen got themselves out in a hurry, which kept the Smart Choice players happy.

Scoring details about three of Saturday’s third round of qualifying matches as well as Sunday’s semi-finals and final was not readily available on Sunday. Some of the highlights may emerge later in the week from the scoring social network that provided the app used for computer scoring.

A scoreboard with just the runs appeared on the internet streaming during the Somerset innings. During the course of an over from Canada’s Hiral Patel someone must have realized Smart Choice were now bowling so the run board changed from “Somerset 196 Smart Choice 60” to “Somerset 60 Smart Choice 196”. It would have been useful to include overs bowled and wickets lost on the online run/score board, but the game was accessible and the grounds at the Niagara Cricket Centre seem to be well maintained.

A grass wicket or two would be a welcome addition, but that requires work and ongoing maintenance. Perhaps if crowds pick up and even visit on going Hamilton and District Cricket League games the might be an infusion of sponsorship funds to support Niagara Cricket Club’s enterprise and efforts. (EN)