Canada wins the 1844 Jodah Trophy vs USA in Dream11 Series!
Its appropriate that Memorial Day Weekend saw the celebration of one of the most momentous events in history, the 1844 cricket match between Canada and the US. The very first International sports event, it was the first time young men from 2 countries battled each other on a playing field, instead of a battlefield, giving the world a different outlet for national fervor and pride.
The American College Cricket Dream11 Series was for many years in the thoughts of Lloyd Jodah, American College Cricket Founder & President and this year it was planned in a short space of time following the National Championship. Simultaneously an American College Cricket player from Ryerson University, Hassan Mirza, with Lloyd’s motivation & mentorship, launched Canadian College Cricket on the principles of American College Cricket. The Series was promoted as a joint event, in association with the supportive Toronto and District Cricket Association.
Anja Catrine presenting the 1844 Jodah Trophy to Numan Aslam,Canadian College Cricket, with Lloyd looking on.
All 3 matches were Live streamed on Youtube, with commentary by Lloyd aka the first American Cricket Commentator on TV & Espn :-), Hassan & Waji Mirza . The USA team received lots of compliments for their uniforms, specially designed by Anja Catrine, who was also present as sideline Reporter & Photographer. Josh and the video crew did an admirable job..
The weather on Saturday May 23 was gorgeous with clear blue sky as the Dream11 USA Team batted first. The pitch was soft from a severe winter, and heavy rain in the days before and the spinners wrecked havoc with a USA team full of talent,but players who had never played together before. USA made just 90 with Jerin Chack (Embry Riddle) top scoring.Nikhil Dutta (Ryerson) continued his trail of destruction of abtting lineups over the past year by getting 5 wickets. Shahroze Shah (Ryerson) dispatched the USA bowlers to the fence with ease and took Canada to an easy victory.With at least 6 pacers and just one spinner USA couldn’t do anything on the soft pitch.
After a motivational speech at the break by the Coach, theUSA team bowled well but still Shahroze Shah in particular was unstoppable and Canada made 201 ! A remarkable score considering how well USA bowled. Captain Manik Kuchroo, leading from the front opened the batting with Adrian Gordon and got off to an excellent start.
After Kuchroo went Gordon continued his onslaught, including a huge 6 that clattered high up on the Pavillion roof. USA looked to be heading for a win when Gordon got out, and Canada was back in the game. But then 6’5 Az Cheema, who had opened his account with a glorious cover drive for 4, took up where Gordon left off and he too hit a 6 of similar height & distance to Gordon’s (but away fro mthe Pavillion). It was a cornucopia of stroke play on some good bowling, as Gordon & Cheema smashed 50’s.
With Cheema in charge it was only 50 -odd to win at the 15th over, but when he got out in the 17th over Canada was able to pin down the batsmen for the remaining overs and won.
Sunday, the weather was just as beautiful, though hotter as USA looked to get their first win. But that at first appeared to be a lost cause as they only made 112. The bowlers, seeing pace was impossible on the pitch, bowled tight & moving the ball making it tough going even for Shahroze, and it took until the 18th over for Canada to win the game.
The Presentation ceremony noted the contributions of many to making the event a success, not least of whom was Josh & his video crew who worked around the challenges of a first time live Youtube broadcast. The sponsors & supporters were indispensable : Dream11.com, Black Ash.biz, Care World TV, Renegade Cricket (Procricshop.com), Starship Courier. Toronto District Cricket Association, Cricket Zone USA, MagikPrint.ca.
In 1844 Canada won the first International game, and this time they won the Series ! However cricket as a whole won as the USA vs Canada Series will be an annual event, on Memorial Day Weekend, and Lloyd said it was possible it will be held twice a year, the 2nd event possibly in December in the southern USA, to give the Canadians a winter cricket getaway.
Facebook Photo album : https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152996074019331.1073741859.264550834330&type=3
Renegade Cricket MVP Shahroze Shah receives his Award from Rizwan Cheema, longtime Canadian superstar with the bat, & current Captain.
Two American College Cricket (now also Canadian College Cricket) Ryerson’s Hasan Mirza & Farhan Khan who helped make the Series happen, with Anja & Lloyd
