Photos may be used by American College Cricket players, college clubs and colleges without further authorisation. All others contact Lloyd. Click on photo to see whole.

If you do not see yourself, Im sorry. Some photos came out blurred or washed out by the bright sunshine etc.

Photos may be used by American College Cricket players, college clubs and colleges without further authorisation.All others contact Lloyd.

More to come. Click on photo to see whole

Back in 2010 I wrote an article about “America’s first Cricket Star in 100 years – Adil Bhatti” . Here is an updated version of it, upon his selection to the USA team – Lloyd Jodah 

In his first year of American College Cricket Adil Bhatti made the Front page story of the Sunday Washington Post, and also the New York Times, Voice of America News, Sun Sentinel and his college and local media, after leading his team to the Chanderpaul Trophy. 

2009 

After winning the first American College Cricket Championship in 2009, Bhatti and his team received a Proclamation from the Montgomery County Council and accolades from his school Montgomery College. The team’s, and American College Cricket’s story appeared in countless Indian media, on Pakistan and Afghanistan TV as well as various American and International cricket media. 

Bhatti was also selected as the Captain of the 2009 College Cricket All America 1st Team and declared 2009 College Cricketer of the Year. It’s easy to see why Adil Bhatti could be considered the first American cricket star since the great John Bart King a hundred years ago. 

A talented all-rounder, Adil Bhatti broke onto the scene when he led Montgomery College to the Chanderpaul Trophy at the inaugural American College Cricket Spring Break Championship in March 2009. In the Finals he came at number four when his Team looked shaky ,and together with Finals MVP Mohammed Kamran put on 108 runs to steer MC to a defendable total of 175 for 3 off 20 overs, scoring 36*. His fast bowling, and astute captaincy then ensured MC defeated University of South Florida for the first National Championship. 

Before the Championship the MC players had never played as a Team before, nevertheless Bhatti motivated and managed the Team with a professionalism that was impressive. 

Bhatti said “Winning the Chanderpaul Trophy was unbelievable. Getting water poured on me….well, I had seen that kind of excitement in College football but I never thought I would lead a Team to any kind of Championship. I was so proud of my Teammates, Kamran’s innings in the Finals was match winning.” 

When asked how he knew to captain so well his first time at it he acknowledged, “I learned a lot from the Captain of my WCL team, Anurag Sharma of the Bengals.”

A tremendous fielder Bhatti is fast and extremely athletic. “I played basketball a lot in high school- in fact I thought I was going to be a basketball player,not a cricketer….and I workout in the gym 4 times a week ” . 

Until 2006 Bhatti had only played tape-ball cricket! He began playing “hardball” in 2006 in the Washington Cricket League as an allrounder and excelling as a bowler. In 2009 his batting blossomed , first in the College championship, then in the WCL where he was one of only 2 batsmen to score 2 or more centuries. 

2009 also saw Bhatti lead MC on 3 trips to New York. Bhatti, leading an under strength Montgomery excelled with the bat and ball, and captained well in 2 tight losses. “That was a lot of fun though, as we got to meet Bollywood Stars like Tanushra Dutta” Bhatti said. The 3rd they won helped by a devastating opening spell by Bhatti when he took the wickets of Akeem Dodson and Any Mohammed. Then he smashed 32* out of a 41 run partnership to seal the win for Montgomery against a New York All Star team. 

2010 

In the 2010 American College Cricket Championship Montgomery had their moments but didn’t make it to the final four. Against the University of the West Indies fiery pace attack, on a fast bouncy pitch Bhatti blasted 60* including 21 in one over. A hook off the helmet was as fine as you’ll see. Bhatti’s batting temperament is mature, holding his end when appropriate, or decimating the bowlers when the time is right. 

Later that summer ,with some of his team mates,Bhatti initiated a vist to St Patrick’s Episcopal Day School, to teach elementary school kids about cricket, exemplifying the best of American College Cricket players. Any sport needs stars for kids to look up to, and wish to emulate. 

2011

Bhatti was selected as co -MVP, with Adrian Gordon, of the 2011 American College Cricket Spring Break Championship, where he smashed 3 fifties, steering his team to victories on a number of occasions. Montgomery College returned to the Finals where, though Bhatti scored 50 runs, they lost the Championship to George Mason University. 

In April 2011 Adil then went with American College Cricket founder and President Lloyd Jodah to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, to open the historic Cricket Exhibition, “Swinging Away – how Cricket and Baseball connect.” Never before had cricket been honored by baseball ,the Hall of Fame, or America. 

He has been a College All American in 2009, 2010 & 2011.

I have watched Adil hold his end whilst his fellow batsman go after the bowlers, then take over when neccessary – he is a very smart cricket player, America’s best T20 player and, through American College Cricket, became America’s first cricket star in 100 years – we are happy he’s finally getting an opportunity he said he wanted since 2009 – to play for the USA (in the ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier).

UNIFORMS : will be provided FREE to all teams registered, but we must order by Jan 31st (contact Lloyd Jodah to register). We will need your size requests, school logo & colors.

TELEVISION : In USA & Canada, TV Asia will televise the Semis & Finals of the Spring Break Championship (nationals). It will be a 9 cameras production, just like Tests & IPL with slow-motion replays, professional commentary (we may bring an International commentator such as Sunil Gavaskar ), graphics etc (even better than our 4 cameras productions done in Oct 2011).
Additionally highlights will be shown from other matches, and interviews with players from all of our clubs. Awards will be given out on TV.
TV Asia will host a Bollywood concert after the Finals on March 18.

SPONSORS: We can provide priceless exposure for your sponsors on TV. We can give them Stadium Banner space for 9 hours of advertising, & mention on TV Asia in commentary & interviews……..sponsors subject to approval. Contact Lloyd.

WHERE & WHEN : Ft Lauderdale, Florida…….March 14 – 18, 2012. March 13 is available for practice.

FIELDS : As in the past 3 Championships we will use the CBRP (Central Broward Regional Park) Cricket Stadium (ICC-Certified for ODIs) & its satellite fields, as well as Brian Piccolo fields in Ft Lauderdale Florida
http://www.broward.org/Parks/CentralBrowardRegionalPark/Pages/Default.aspx

The Stadium’s wicket is TURF. The satellite fields are ARTIFICIAL (not matting or carpet) that drain well and play fast and bouncy. Brian Piccolo wickets are TURF . The outfields are the best in the USA. The grass is cut low.

HOTEL : Quality Inn Sawgrass Conference Center – $ 79 per night, 4 to a room allowed (just $ 20 per person). Free hot breakfast. Free transportation to & from the Stadium fields. Free Wi Fi (improved). You can start reserving your rooms by calling , giving your school name & saying you’re with American College Cricket.
http://www.qualityinn.com/hotel-plantation-florida-FL798?promo=pmfgqifl798&chain=Q&seg=stAFYfl8i|pmt|b&aid=10327316233&pkw=quality%20inn%20sawgrass%20conference%20center&tid=1547ere10489

NEARBY BEACHES etc – The beaches and attractions of Ft Lauderdale, South Beach and Miami are all close by. Players in our 2009, 2010 & 2011 Championships said it was the BEST Spring Break they have ever had !

WILD CARD Teams :  if you were not able to play, or do well in a Regional,or are a new team, you may still able to play in the Nationals based on certain criteria – contact Lloyd.

BONUS POINTS :  teams can start earning Bonus Points for the Nationals by posting AmericanCollegeCricket.com articles on their profiles on Facebook & Google +.

TEAM COMPOSITION : Undergrads, Grads, MD & Phd students, & up to 2 alumni in the playing XI (if your school rules allow). A minimum of 2 Undergrads is recommended. The touring squad may be as large as you wish.
As in all our tournaments, ROSTERS are verified by the school. Teams must be picked regardless of nationality.

DOWN THE LEGSIDE : this is not baseball,with a known strike zone. Balls deemed playable on the legside (within about 3 inches of the leg stump) will NOT be called a wide – so practice your leg-side shots !

FACEBOOK : Every player must “like” the Facebook Fanpage of our website: “AmericanCollegeCricket.com”.

SCORING : Each team will provide a scorer for each game. The games at the Stadium will be computer-scored.

MEDIA INTERVIEWS : Many of our players have been interviewed by their college & other media such as New York Times, Washington Post, NY Daily News, India Times, etc. TV Asia will also be interviewing you so be prepared to speak in front of a camera, as a representative of your College team, and American College Cricket. Do NOT refer to cricket as a “gentleman’s game” !

CLUBS ON THE WEB: I suggest every club have a Facebook group or Fanpage (you figure out which is better), and a page on your College’s website. You can also send major info to AmericanCollegeCricket.com.
I DON”T recommend you have your own website – its too much work, & often difficult to get someone to maintain it.

CONFERENCES : Last year we webcast the drawing of the groups. This year we will either televise on TV Asia or webcast the drawing. This year the Top 8 seeds will be separated, so we don’t have the “Group of Death” like last year.

Therefore your Ranking going into the Championship is important – how can you help your ranking outside of tournaments ? Post AmericanCollegeCricket.com articles on Facebook & other Social Media.
Do other off the field activities – get an article in your college media ! This will also help your team earn Bonus Points going into the Championship.

UMPIRES, FIELDS, BALLS,STUMPS,WATER : are provided by American College Cricket.

HELMETS : mandatory against all medium & fast bowlers. Mandatory for in close fielders & wicketkeeper standing up.

TIME LIMITS : Each game will finish in 3 hours or less – we have done this for the past 3 years, & it works well. We’re adding penalties for delays by batting or fielding side.

NUMBER OF GAMES : In 2010 we played 47 games, in 2011 over 65 in 5 days. In 2012 each team will play a minmum of 3 or 4 matches, plus the playoffs & Finals if you make it.

REGISTER for the American College Cricket Spring Break Championship : Contact Lloyd Jodah,President. Dogevpr2@aim.com , 646 515 0712

EQUIPMENT : our preferred vender is www.CricketzoneUSA.com , contact Ravi 347 387 2381,who promised to match any online price you can find. Another authorised vender is www.CricketBestBuy.com 

American College Cricket GEAR : is now available for purchasing through CricketzoneUSA.com , also check our website.

The legendary Dilip Shenoy (Gators) with one of our Spokesmodels