Team USA got their first points on the board in the 2019 Super50 after an impressive win over West Indies Emerging Players at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy Stadium in Trinidad.
Yet again Head Coach James Pamment continued to ring the changes with several changes to the starting XI including a first appearance for Rusty Theron after his recent arrival into the Caribbean.
Team Captain Saurabh Netravalkar was rested, meaning that again vice-captain, Steven Taylor stepped in and he won the toss choosing to bat first despite the threat of some rain from the overcast skies above.
After a pleasing start from Marshall and Sagar Patel, Steven Taylor combined well for a partnership of 39 with Patel before wickets began to fall at regular intervals leaving USA in trouble batting first at 134 for 7.
Almost all the batsman got starts but nobody Monank Patel (27), Taylor (22) and Sagar Patel (22) all fell in the 20’s whilst Marshall (17) and Nisarg Patel (14) also couldn’t convert good starts.
There is good depth in the American batting however and Timil Patel combined in a fighting rearguard action with firstly Rusty Theron, who made 14 before a game-changing partnership with Cameron Stevenson who came in and smashed 33 off just 22 balls giving the innings crucial late momentum.
Timil Patel was out in penultimate over finishing as the leading scorer on 35.
A fighting performance from the middle and lower order has helped #TeamUSA🇺🇸 up to 216 for 9 from our 50 Overs vs @WindiesCricket Emerging Players
35 from Timil Patel and 33* from Cameron Stevenson led the way
FULL SCORECARD➡️: https://t.co/PMQm0FCKa1 pic.twitter.com/6ZuJvQdlhp
— USA Cricket (@usacricket) November 19, 2019
After 4 near-misses in Group B so far for the United States, it was a determined looking USA that took to the field looking to take a first win this season. And that elusive win never looked in doubt after a professional bowling and fielding performance throughout the second innings.
Big left-armer Elmore Hutchinson set the tone right from the off with two wickets in the powerplay. He was backed up by a tight opening spell from Rusty Theron before Cameron Stevenson continued his brilliant day by making the third breakthrough.
Nosthush Kenjige made a pleasing return to form and claimed the crucial wicket of Joshua Da Silva who has been one of the stars of the tournament so far. Kenjige’s left-arm spin worked beautifully in tandem with Steven Taylor as the West Indies side was stifled throughout the run chase.
When Taylor had Kevin Sinclair caught for 44 the writing was on the wall and USA closed out the win strongly with Timil Patel taking the final wicket as USA took a much deserved win by 43 runs.
USA take the WIN!!
A fantastic all-round performance from #TeamUSA🇺🇸 closes out a 43 run win vs @WindiesCricket Emerging Players
FULL SCORECARD➡️: https://t.co/PMQm0FCKa1 pic.twitter.com/iygRBkuoEp
— USA Cricket (@usacricket) November 20, 2019
It is a rest day tomorrow for Team USA before a return to the Queen’s Park Oval in front of the ESPN cameras taking on the home side, Trinidad and Tobago Red Force.
Score in brief:
USA beat West Indies Emerging Players by 43 runs at Brian Lara Cricket Stadium, Trinidad
USA 216 for 9, 50 Overs (Timil Patel 35, Cameron Stevenson 33*, Monank Patel 27,)
West Indies Emerging Player 173 All Out, 44.2 Overs (Kevin Sinclair 44, Nosthush Kenjige 3 for 34, Cameron Stevenson 2 for 27, Elmore Hutchinson 2 for 28, Steven Taylor 2 for 40)
Team USA’s schedule for the Super 50 is as follows:
November 9 USA vs West Indies Emerging Players – Lost by 6 Wickets
November 11 USA vs Guyana Jaguars – Lost by 13 runs
November 13 USA vs Windward Island Volcanoes – Lost by 43 runs
November 15 USA vs Trinidad & Tobago Red Force – Lost by 43 runs
November 19 USA vs West Indies Emerging Players – Won by 43 runs
November 21 USA vs Trinidad & Tobago Red Force
November 23 USA vs Windward Island Volcanoes
November 25 USA vs Guyana Jaguars
See the full schedule by clicking here.
Team USA squad:
Saurabh Netravalkar (C – Marin 1, Northern California Cricket Association)
Steven Taylor (VC – Sheffield Cricket Club, New York Metropolitan Cricket League)
Karima Gore (Antigua)
Ian Holland (Hampshire, England)
Akshay Homraj (Galaxy Cricket Club, Eastern American Cricket Association)
Elmore Hutchinson (Caribbean CC, Southern California Cricket Association)
Aaron Jones (Atlantis Cricket Club, New York Metropolitan Cricket League)
Nosthush Kenjige (Atlantis Cricket Club, New York Metropolitan Cricket League)
Xavier Marshall (Triggers Cricket Club, Houston Cricket League)
Monank Patel (Freedom Cricket Club, Cricket League of New Jersey)
Nisarg Patel (Vijayta Cricket Club, Southern California Cricket Association)
Sagar Patel (Indian Lions, ArkTenn Cricket League)
Timil Patel (Vijayta Cricket Club, Southern California Cricket Association)
Jasdeep Singh (Smashers Cricket Club, Cricket League of New Jersey)
Cameron Stevenson (Carlton Cricket Club, Australia)
Rusty Theron (Potomac Cricket Club, Washington Cricket League)*
*Rusty Theron will join the squad from Game 5 onwards
