Report from CCA By Avinash Ghirnikar
A CCA (California Cricket Academy) U-13 team from the San Francisco Bay area in California completed a whirlwind weeklong tour of the Greater Toronto area from June 24th through June 29th, playing six games in a span of six days with just one rest day! It was a fantastic experience for the young guns testing their staying power, fitness, team spirit and above all their love of the game. They played teams from different leagues from the area and won four of their six games displaying some high quality cricket against some high quality opposition. It was also an occasion for the cricket management of the two areas to get together, share notes on growing cricket at the grassroots level and in general enjoy some fun-filled cricket.
The CCA U-13 team has traditionally dominated all of the National tournaments that have been played in California over the last five years. Incidentally, it was only the one team from Toronto that had visited in 2008 that gave them any serious competition. Fearing that the team may not face significant competition on its home turf again this year, the CCA worked hard to arrange this tour working closely with the CCO (Cricket Council of Ontario). Several weeks of planning on both sides was required before all the i’s were dotted and the t’s were crossed. It was a testament to the hard work on the part of CCO that accommodations were arranged very close to where the games were played minimizing travel logistics and maximizing cricket time! This was again one of several (national and international) tours arranged by CCA to provide its players an opportunity to play in different conditions against different teams.

The team was 13-person strong with an accompanying parent coach (Mr. Sukalpa Biswas) and manager (Dr. Srikantan Nagarajan). There were several other parents too who accompanied the team and played the role of support staff.

The team was greeted with some typical Toronto weather on their first day with gray skies, strong winds and a hint of rain constantly in the air! As the team had flown in late the previous night, they began with a 25 over a side warm-up (not to the players mind you who played every game with verve and energy) game against the Presidents Eleven of CCO. This team comprised players from several of the leagues and was put together against the challenge of the schools still running in the area! The game was played under the rules of 2 runs being awarded for a wide but a bowler only requiring to bowl six balls to complete an over! Interestingly, the CCA boys had never played with this rule in effect.

CCA won the toss and elected to bat. They tried to spend some time in the middle and gauge the pitch and conditions. But wanting to give as many batsmen a chance to get in the middle and score some runs they continued to lose wickets and ended up with 87/y in their 25 overs! No player made a contribution exceeding 20. This type of total was not going to be a challenging one but the CCA boys always fight hard. When it was their turn to field, they had a hard time bowling straight under the windy conditions and conceded several wides. But there were some really good balls interspersed with these wides. Along with some sharp fielding they kept taking wickets and restricted the runs to push the game to the last over! Ironically, the first ball of the 25th over turned out to be a wide giving the CCO Presidents Eleven victory with less than an over to spare. Gaurav, Akhil, Parth and Akhilesh got a wicket each and the CCA eleven certainly missed the services of their left-arm spinner Mohak who couldn’t bowl as he had injured his hand while batting. For the CCO Presidents Eleven Mohemmed Arslan shepherded the chase remaining not out on 14 and was ably supported by Amit Sharma who scored 11.

The second game on Saturday against the Qasra Cricket Club was played in only somewhat better conditions; with the threat of rain receding some but windy conditions and gray skies persisting. This game was also a 40-over a side game: testing the staying power of the boys. Note that all 13 players were allowed to bat – maximizing participation – but there were only 11 fielders at any given time. Bowling was restricted to 8 overs per bowler and a wide counted only for one run with a bowler having to bowl six legitimate balls to complete an over.

CCA was sent in to bat and a number of their batsmen got starts to double figures but couldn’t capitalize. Only Shankara Srikantan played a long innings and was the sheet anchor during the middle overs leading to the slog overs with a top score of 28 which included two stunning sixes allowing CCA to get to a competitive total of 142. Qasra used a total of ten bowlers with the bulk of the bowling shared by their four top bowlers. Autul Sriram and Harsh Thakker particularly bowled spin very impressively in tandem and never let the CCA batsmen get away.

CCA’s bowling could have been more disciplined but the conditions were blustery with a strong wind blowing. On the other hand the CCA boys seemed to have come to terms with the harder ball and colder conditions with quite a few catches being taken; the standout being the blinder that Mohak took at short mid-wicket to get rid of Ram Wishal – their most accomplished-looking batsmen – off Samet Ghirnikar. This broke the really solid partnership between Ram and Autul which was threatening to take the game away from CCA. Autul stayed on to score a heroic 38 off 45 balls which included 3 fours and 2 soaring sixes but wickets kept falling at regular intervals at the other end which kept up the pressure. In the end Qasra could not last their 40 overs and fell short by 15 runs. Several CCA bowlers chipped in with wickets as there were twelve to go around with Samet Ghirnikar leading the pack with 3. The CCA boys were thrilled to put one victory under their belt but realized that sterner tests lay ahead.

The first game against BDCL on Sunday was shortened to 35 overs as another club expressed an interest in playing CCA. CCA again batted first but after winning the toss. Their batting really clicked and they stamped their authority on the game very early on with Maulin Vazir sending the third ball of the innings to the boundary. They reached 77 in ten overs with Maulin scoring the bulk of the runs with 47. Unfortunately, he fell three short of his fifty getting a back edge to the slips. Parth Patel came in at number three and CCA continued to score at almost 7 an over with Akhil Ghirnikar really opening up in one over which went for 17 runs! Parth and Akhil had a century run partnership (116 to be precise) with both of them helping themselves to half centuries. Parth fell soon after completing his fifty and then Akhil for a top-score of 71 off just 75 balls. CCA lost a bit of momentum in the late overs but still reached an imposing 233/6 in 35 overs with Mohak and Shopnavo helping themselves to a few lusty blows in the end.

[pictured right] Parth Patel is proudly raising his bat after scoring his first 50
CCA bowlers again did not bowl as straight as they should have and conceded quite a few wides though the conditions were a lot better compared to the previous day. This was true for CCA spinners and pacers alike. Fortunately this did not hurt CCA as they had built up such an imposing total. The tall asking rate coupled with good bowling ensured that wickets fell at regular intervals. In the bowling department, Akhilesh Shridhar was particularly brilliant snaring four wickets. Again, some very good catches were taken but a few regulations ones were missed. Again CCA’s opposition did not last their full quote of overs and were bowled out for 123 in the 30th over. Sidhant Sharda was BDCL’s standout batsman scoring 36 during a patient stay that lasted 53 balls.

The second game on Sunday was restricted to 20 overs a side; understandably so as the CCA boys had just completed a game! This game was against Toronto Cricket Academy – the same club that had visited California in 2008 and they certainly wanted to revive their rivalry! With just a half an hour break the CCA boys were back again on the field. This game was restricted to 11 players a side as the opposition had only eleven players. CCA decided to rest a couple of their senior players: allrounders Parth Patel and Akhil Ghirnikar. The coach also got a chance to experiment with the batting line-up sending some of their younger up and coming players up the order. This strategy seemed to have run into some rough weather as CCA found half their side back in the hut with barely 60 runs on the board, again batting first! But Mohak and Nandan consolidated and with scores of 22 and 36 respectively took CCA to the respectable total of 111. Akhilesh Sridar was the other player from CCA who reached double digit during this game. Ansh Patel, youngest leg spinner impressed all with his control and took 3 wickets while Mathew Sriprasud grabbed 2 wickets from TCA.

CCA bowlers again kept things tight during the chase and restricted Toronto Cricket Academy to about 103 in 20 overs. From TCA, Arslan Khan scored 22, while Maz Patel and Jeevan Chima scored 12 each. Anirudha Shankar was most successful bowler from CCA taking 3 wickets giving away only 3 runs, Maulin tried as a bowler first time in the tournament took 2 wickets. Samet, Shopnavo and Mohak took 1 wicket each.

The game on Monday was again a 35 over game against the Mississauga Ramblers. They certainly proved to be a better bowling side than the one CCA faced on Sunday (BDCL). Maulin was rudely awakened to that fact when he tried to aggressively play across the line too early and was bowled in the very first over. In fact, two (the other being Akhil) of CCA’s high scorers from Sunday could not open their accounts. But such is the humbling power of cricket: hero one day, and zero another! After that early loss, Nandan and Shopnavo began rebuilding gradually. But they found the going tough as the bowling and fielding was tight and even singles were hard to come by. Nandan finally lost patience and holed out trying a big hit. Wickets fell at regular intervals helped by a couple of spectacular catches in the short mid-wicket area. CCA again found itself in a bit of bother with six down for 66 at the end of the 22nd over. But then it was followed by CCA’s most productive partnership of 51 runs. Parth, continuing with his form from Sunday, played confidently in front of the wicket and Samet used very clever nudges and deflections to keep the score board moving. Akhilesh then hit a six and helped by a generous serving of wides throughout the innings CCA reached a somewhat competitive total of 134/9 in their allocated 35 overs: a far cry from the 233 they had scored the previous day. Aarun Senathirajah from the Ramblers was particularly devastating with figures of 3-1-3-3!

But things began dramatically in the Ramblers’ innings as Nandan picked up a sharp catch (standing up to Samet) of a top-edge off the very first ball of their innings! This was the right tonic that the CCA team needed to perk up their spirits defending a modest total. Despite a dropped catch in the very next over the Ramblers lost their second wicket soon after: Akhil bowling Aarun (and exacting revenge for his dismissal at the hands of Aarun) with a swinging and dipping full toss. But then they seemed to rebuild with a couple of their senior batsmen – Reuben Wahab and Andre Madella. Each of them hit a six and they seemed to grow in confidence. But then a mistimed lofted shot came about and Gaurav held a well judged catch at long off to dismiss Andre. At the fifteen over mark things were poised very interestingly at 51/4 and it was anybody’s game with their most accomplished bat Wahab still at the crease. But then a brilliant piece of fielding right after the drinks break tilted the balance firmly in CCA’s favor. Asam Malik hit a forcing shot through mid-wicket and thought he had pierced the field only to find that Akhil had fielded the ball behind him and in one fell sweep threw the ball to Nandan to effect a runout with a diving Wahab short of his ground! After that wickets fell at regular intervals and CCA tightened the noose via some tight spin bowling from Parth and Mohak. CCA again did not let the opposition last their quota of overs and in a game where they needed to take only ten wickets got the Ramblers all out in 31 overs to win by a comfortable margin of 38 runs! All the bowlers chipped in with no one taking more than two wickets and Nandan was particularly good behind the stumps pouching two edges and effecting a smart stumping! The visiting CCA team had won four in a row and had really earned their break to see the breathtaking Niagara Falls the following day.

That evening the boys also got to relax and enjoy excellent food at a banquet that CCO had arranged for the visitors. CCO President Mr. Leslie Soobrian, Secreatry and tour liasion Mr. Nasser Khan, Vice President Mr. Shaik Mohammad and Canada senior team selector Mr. Ranjeet Chaudhari were present at the banquet. Mr. Leslie Soobrian from CCO and Mr. Hemant Buch from CCA from both sides gave speeches and expressed a fond hope that such tours between the two geographies would continue; helping to promote cricket in North America among the younger generation. CCO officials also noted the high quality and understanding (field placements in particular) of cricket on display. Plaques commemorating the tour were also exchanged between the two organizations expressing gratitude and goodwill and an assurance that such mutual tours would continue. The historical significance of this trip was not lost on the participants with both sides recalling a bit of intriguing cricketing history: the first international match ever played in cricket is interestingly between Canada and the USA!

The real highlight of the evening though was the CCA boys getting to meet in close quarters two of Canada’s leading players from the recent World Cup squad – Henry Osinde and Hiral Patel! The CCA boys enjoyed asking them all sorts of questions and the players were more than willing to even reveal some of their tips with Osinde even demonstrating how he bowled some of his swinging deliveries!

After a welcome trip to the Niagara Falls on Tuesday the CCA boys were down to 10 players for their final game against TDC as some of the boys were combining their summer break with this tour! But that didn’t matter as CCO was magnanimous enough to lend CCA one of their players in keeping with the positive spirit of this tour. CCO was also kind enough to move the last game to a field in Mississauga that had an excellent outfield and making all travel arrangements to the ground.

CCA again batted first in this 35 over game and got off to a bright start using the fast outfield to their advantage. They lost their first wicket early but the momentum continued until the 10th over with Akhil and Samet rotating strike with Akhil hitting a few boundaries. Akhil was again amongst the runs top-scoring with 37 but then got out to a rash shot trying for quick runs; edging to the keeper! CCA did not come to terms with this faster outfield (especially in the middle and slog overs) and realizing that well-timed strokes in gaps would fetch them more runs; rather than trying to loft the ball. Nandan and Shehara (borrowed player) had a fruitful stand in the middle overs and Maulin Vajir and Shashank Dholakia played a cameo towards the end but excellent fielding by TDC restricted CCA to 156/9 in the allotted 35 overs which seemed 15-20 runs short given the fast outfield.

CCA boys still defended their modest total fiercely. But the TDC boys seemed to know these conditions a lot better. They played along the ground and only dealt with the loose balls with venomous lofted shots that carried easily for sixes. Andre Madella, Reuben Wahab, Arslan Khan and Abrash Khan all scored twenties and though they lost eight wickets they eventually won comfortably with four overs to spare. One standout dismissal in their innings was Reuben shouldering arms to Akhil after facing two away swingers only to see this one swing in to disturb the bails! Also, Shehara fielded his heart out making several diving stops in the point region and effecting one runout! From CCA Akhil took 2 wickets, Samet, Akhilesh Sridar and Mohak took one each to end the last game of the tour.

In summary, this was an unforgettable tour for the CCA U-13 team which gave them an opportunity to play six different teams in a span of six days relatively close to home against the super power of cricket in North America. It is everyone’s fervent hope that such tours continue from both sides nurturing young crickets to play under different conditions.