by Lloyd Jodah

I met Ravin Moorthy in 2008. Later, in early 2010 Ravin played a significant role in Toronto’s York University participating in the 2010 American College Cricket Spring Break Championship. 

My goal was to stimulate the development of cricket at the University level in cricket – Ravin immediately understood my vision and encouraged York University, which came, saw, and conquered, winning the Chanderpaul Trophy.

Indicative of his cricket foresight, Ravin joined the American College Cricket Advisory Board, and put the webcasts of the 2010 American College Cricket Spring Break Championship on the Cricket Canada website.

York U Cricket was catapulted onto the pages of Canada’s top newspaper, Globe & Mail, and into the University media. York U stars such as Khushroo Wadia and Raza Rehman have been selected to play for Canada. 

A Canadian Universities tournament was started, and I began more teams at McGill and Queens University. Ravin was particularly pleased when I started the team at McGill, his alma mater. McGill was later was featured on CBC, and Ryerson is now a new strong force. 

It is with pleasure therefore we see Ravin Moorthy was elected as the new President of Cricket Canada ! 

In brief remarks on Monday, Cricket Canada’s new President was grateful for the responsibility given by the board. 

“I would like to thank the Board of Directors for showing their confidence in me to lead Cricket Canada through this important period of growth and development.  Cricket is cross-cultural, generational, and connects millions of Canadians in communities across the country.  Cricket Canada will be calling on all stake holders including Canadian Corporations and the Government of Canada to support the organization through these exciting next steps.” 

Ravin is the first Albertan to assume the post of President and has established a solid reputation for consistent success in both program & portfolio managment and organisational governance.  He has held multiple executive positions within Cricket Canada, Cricket Alberta, and the Calgary & District Cricket League and is a member of the American College Cricket Advisory Board, during a period of 15 years volunteer service to the sport in Canada.

Ravin Moorthy is a graduate of McGill University.                                   

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As part of the opening pair with Jai Patel, Wadia set the tone for York University Lions innnings and always played a major role in the victories that got the Lions to the final four. When he was out for 32 in the Semi finals against University of South Florida, hope seemed lost for York U. 

Fall of last year Ryerson University got a nailbiting win over York University, the 2010 American College Cricket Champions. Ryerson Rams, led by 2012 “Leadership Award” winner Hassan Mirza, then came to the American College Cricket Northeast Championship, which featured 10 regional schools, and won that title.

Preparations immediately began for the Rams to come to the Spring Break Championship, which this year was sponsored by Coca Cola.

York U Lions in the meantime was seeing their American College Cricket success leading to opportunities for their star players: Khushroo Wadia was selected to represent Canada, then later Raza Rehman and Rustam Bhatti got the nod. In fact Rehman and Bhatti are currently on tour with Canada at the ICC t20 World Cup, and so missing the Spring Break Championship.

In the group stages both teams looked professional and strong, and either appeared to be a contender for the Chanderpaul Trophy.

By the previously announced formula the 2 teams met in the Quarter Finals for a highly anticipated battle. Ryerson was playing its first game at the CBRP Cricket Stadium, whilst York University was looking for revenge !

The best opening pair in USA & Canada, Khushroo Wadia and Jai Patel then got York U off to an incredible start with a century partnership. Jai Patel himself is an American resident, and hoping to play for the USA.

Refreshed with Powerade,left hander Jai Patel stroked 56 (6 fours, 2 sixes) and right handed Wadia hit 53 (5 fours,3 sixes) before pacer Sufi Chaudhary got them both. But the pair had done enough on the large Stadium field, and with York skipper Hassan Chogthai adding 31 (2 fours, 3 sixes) the Lions posted a formidable 169 for 7 wickets in 20 overs.

Though Ryerson lost the early wicket of Kyle Edgehill,Farhan Khan 34 (3 fours) and skipper Hassan Mirza 13 steadied the ship and Ryerson looked threatening. However astute bowling changes at both the Coca Cola and Dish Network ends by York University kept the wickets falling, and Ryerson Rams were all out for 126 in 19.5 overs. Noman Aslam contributed 18, and Rayyan Pathan 11.

Tehseen Shah, who just made the squad, swung the ball well, and has been the bowling find for York University.

All of York’s bowlers, Jaiveer Chauhan, Hassan Chogthai, Zubair Zia, Hasan Adil,Tehseen Shah and Arsalan Qadir shared wickets, as York University savored sweet revenge over Ryerson University, and advanced to the final four, for the 2nd time in 3 years.

Watch York University play the University of South Florida in the Semi Finals on Saturday, March 24 on TV Asia. TV Asia is available in the USA & Canada on ALL major cable systems and Dish Network.

TV Asia reported on the 5 College Players of 2011. Previous winners in 2010 & 2009 were not eligible to repeat.