Back Row: L-R ; Jonathan Bonner; Dwayne Henry; Ramaal Lewis (capt) and Earl Anthony Henningham.
Front Row: L-R; Antonio Persaud; Morris Lennon; Bruce Blackwood and Junior McKenzie.
Cricket Hall of Fame
Six-A-Side Tournament Report 2022
Sportmen’s Athletic Club and the Cricket Hall of Fame, the-first-in-the-world, staged a two-day Six-A-Side tournament at Keney Park, Hartford, Connecticut on June 11 and 12.
The tournament was sanctioned by Cricket Council USA (CCUSA) of Florida and staged with the blessing of Connecticut Cricket League (CCL) and Connecticut Professional Cricket League (CPCL).
Four teams participated, West Indian Foundation Youths; George and Diane Helping Hands; Cricket Doctors and All-Stars.
The teams were presented to the Hon. Luke Bronin , Mayor of Hartford and Ms. Viola Haldane President of the West Indian Foundation. Mr. Patrick Hamilton, Sports Coordinator for Sportmen’s Athletic Club bowled the first ball to start the tournament.
On Saturday the teams competed in a round robin format so that seedings could be established for the playoffs.
All-Stars and George and Diane Helping Hands advanced to the final which was played on Sunday June 12.
Match Report – Tournament Final
All-Stars v George and Diane Helping Hands
All-Stars was the toss and elected to bat but only managed to score 43 runs as they were restricted by the miserly bowling of captain Ramaal Lewis, Junior McKenzie and Earl Anthony Henningham. The trio conceded a mere thirteen runs from their combined three overs.
Bruce Blackwood 22 not out and Junior McKenzie who hit the winning runs with a massive six, scored 17 not out to power George and Diane Helping Hands to a total of 49 runs to achieve victory with five balls to spare despite facing good bowling by Adil Sardar and Salim Satar.
Blackwood faced 10 deliveries and his 22 included two fours and one six while McKenzie made his runs off nineteen deliveries with a four and one six.
Scores;
All-Stars 43- 3 :
George and Diane Helping Hands 49-1 ; won with 5 balls remaining.
Tournament Director Mahadeo Ajodhi presented the prize money of three thousand dollars ($3,000) to the winning captain Ramaal Lewis while Brian Ajodhi presented the championship trophy to skipper Lewis.
Jerry Goulbourne was the tournament umpire assisted by Courtney Hinds.
Prizes were given in the following categories for outstanding performances.
- Tournament MVP – Adil Sardar (All-Stars) for making the highest individual score (64 runs); scoring the second highest aggregate (103 runs) conceding only 39 runs in five overs and for his excellent fielding.
- Finals MVP – Junior McKenzie (George and Diane Helping Hands) for conceding only four runs in his over and then guiding his team to victory with an unbeaten 17.
- Most Runs – Stephan Pink (118 runs) – (Cricket Doctors)
- Best Bowler – Salim Satar (All-Stars) and Ramaal Lewis (George and Diane Helping Hands) shared the award.
Michael Chambers Cricket Hall of Fame Executive Director was pleased with the execution of the tournament which was returning to Keney Park for the first time in over two decades. Referencing the annual induction ceremony, Chambers noted that the event gives the Hall of Fame another option to build on.
He also thanked the local organizing committee (LOC) of Tournament Director, Mahadeo Ajodhi; Curtis Clarke; Jatin Patel; Brian Ajodhi; George Steir; Aubrey Campbell and Dale Brown.
The tournament was sponsored by Vylla Home (Mahadeo Ajodhi);West Indian Foundation; George Steir; Brian Ajodhi Esq; Michael Chambers Esq; Loan Depot (William Palazzolo); Advocacy For Legacy; Trinity Health; Express Auto Supply Doctors; Total Care Physical Therapy; Salim’s Trucking; Law Office of Kevin B. Carroll; Sam’s Food Stores and Millat Sporting Goods.
Announcements and commentary on the games was provided by Aubrey Campbell of Second Base Media.
Food and refreshments were provided by Janet’s Kitchen and music by DJ Winston Morgan aka the Black Hustler.
The unofficial tournament all-star team:
- Adil Sardar – All- Stars
- Stephan Pink – Cricket Doctors
- Jonathan Bonner –(wk) – George and Diane Helping Hands
- Ramaal Lewis (capt) – George and Diane Helping Hands
- Salim Satar – All- Stars
- Junior McKenzie – George and Diane Helping Hands
By: Dale Brown and Aubrey Campbell
Second Base Media
