Volume 1 November 15, 2010 Issue 13

SCCA Elections - Editorial

Kiwi Shines

SCCA Play off Finals

SCCA Season-end Statistics

Club Profile - Ventura Cricket Club

Player Profile – Aijaz Ali

The Performers

SCCA Elections for 2011-12 Cricket Season Editorial by K.C.S. Rao

It has been announced that SCCA will hold an Annual General Body meeting to elect the

officers of the association for the next two years.

All of you are aware and have experienced that many of those who get elected start off

enthusiastically in the first couple of months of their term and then neglect their fiduciary

duties. The patent answer one receives from failed SCCA Executives is that they do not have time to spare as

they are busy at their work place. This is unacceptable. No one coerced the individual(s) to compete for the

elections. It was purely voluntary. If one cannot find time, besides their normal work, one should not compete

for an executive position. There are various ways one could serve the cricketing community and the game. It is

not necessarily by being on the Executive.

In the past two years we have heard members of SCCA talking about the absentee President. But no one in

power came forward to set the rumors straight. It is understood that the President met with an accident in the

first year and was not able to devote as much time to SCCA duties as he thought, he would. In the beginning of

the second year term, he lost one vice-President. It appears the President also stated in one of the Board

meetings (may be February, 2010) that the change in his career did not leave him with much time to fully

function as President, SCCA. He had, as I understand, apparently tendered his resignation. It was a good

gesture on his part to have come forward and tender his resignation when he cannot fully function as President.

It was then up to the Board and the first Vice-President to act upon the resignation. Unfortunately, we have a

vice-President (only vice-President available) who did not step in and take over the association and run the

operations. Neither did he take over the administration nor did he let the membership know the facts behind the

President’s inability to function fully. Presidency is not just a manual labor. It calls for decision-making skills,

planning and getting work done by others. Apparently this stood in the way of the vice-President taking over

the administration.

I am not batting for the outgoing President (I am sure he does not seek for a second term!) but am just letting

the membership at large to know the facts. SCCA Executive should have done this long time ago through their

web page.

In order not to have history repeat itself (prefer not to get into names and incidents) it is suggested that SCCA

should make every prospective candidate to fill in an application which details out the minimum requirements

for the position such as the availability of time, etc., have the candidate sign it. The candidate will have a

person in good standing with the club and SCCA nominate him and another person in good standing with the

club and SCCA second such nomination. A specimen of the Nomination form is attached.

This may weed out some of the candidates who just take up the position and do not fulfill their obligations

throughout their term. Let’s try this in the ensuing elections.

Additionally, SCCA should stagger their elections to provide continuity. Make the election a fair one and not a

selection! A selection hurts the association and its activities. Let us play the game to enjoy the game and

promote the game in this country. Let us not bring in politics into the game and its administration. Let us at the

outset, ask, in writing, from the candidates who volunteers (or get nominated) about the job he currently holds

and the additional time at his disposal. Also ask at the same time his experience in volunteering services for a

non-profit organization. With this process, we could minimize, if not totally eliminate, catastrophes later on.

Staggered executive election process should be implemented from this year’s election: Election should be held

once in two years. The first year the elections are for (a) President, (b) one Vice-President and (c) Treasurer.

(This could start of from December, this year)

Second year hold the election for (a) one Vice-President and (b) Secretary. . (Extend the term for these two

positions by one year to facilitate implementation of staggered elections effective 2011)

In this process, there is election every year but for different executive positions. This also provides continuity

in the executives. Annual General Body meetings every year will attract membership’s attendance.

NOMINATION FOR SCCA EXECUTIVE POSITION

YEARS 2010 & 2012

Position: ……………………………………………………………………………………….....

Candidate’s Name: ...……………………………………………………………………………

Candidate’s club: ….…………………………………………………………………………….

(Start with the most recent club and the years with each club)

……………………………………………………………………………………………………..

List positions held with the club/SCCA ….…………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Candidate’s work history:

(Present employer and your title) ………………………………………………………………

Is there a possibility, in the next two years, of your not fulfilling your SCCA duties

because of promotions and/or transfer (re-location)? If so, please indicate the percentage

of such a thing materializing:

………………………….………………….………………………………………………………

Approximate hours in a week the candidate could spare for SCCA activities without

burdening his present job:

……………………………………….……….……………………………………………………

I, ………………………………………………………………, do hereby solemnly declare

that the above information is correct to the best of my knowledge and belief and that I am

competing for an Executive Position in SCCA for the next two years, on my own will and

that I have not been coerced by anyone else.

In the event of any unforeseen circumstances that would prompt me to discontinue

working for SCCA, I would apprise the SCCA Board (however confidential that

circumstance may be) of the circumstances and seek their guidance.

Place: Los Angeles ………………………………………

Date: Candidate’s Signature

Nominated by: Seconded by:

(Print name)…………………………… (Print name) ………………………………….

Name of the club…………………… …. Name of the Club……………………………..

………………………………… ………………………….

Nominator’s signature: Seconder’s signature

Note: This application should at all-time be with the SCCA Secretary along with other records.

Kiwi Shines Dr. V.V. Giri

Brendon McCullum, played one of the most memorable innings of world cricket to save a test match. I would

rate this innings as the best by any Kiwi batsman played at any time. The situation was precarious with NZ

already losing the opener in their second innings, facing a deficit of over 120 runs.

McCullum, with a tight defense and controlled aggression, moved the score board in the company of McIntosh.

When they lost 4 wickets, he partnered Williamson and stabilized the innings. Both batsmen displayed perfect

technique and kept the bowlers down. McCullum scored a double century and made sure that NZ forced a

draw in this test too.

Earlier, Kiwis bowled well to remove the Indian top order. Skipper Vettori was the pick of the bowlers. He

dismissed the dangerous Sehwag, Tendulkar and foxed Raina. But the new find of Indian batting- Harbajan had

other ideas. He continued from where he left in Ahmadabad. He played his shots with ease and in the company

of Sreesanth, scored a magnificent century and increased the lead to 120 runs.

Indians need to tighten their bowling, batting and fielding departments. The Kiwis handled the Indian bowlers

with ease. Zaheer was once again unfit and could not complete his 5th

over. Sreesanth was very effective but is

impatient. He was trying too much and was very wayward. He wants wicket with each delivery which is

impossible not only in test cricket but in any form of cricket.

Harbajan was not effective and bowled lots of lose deliveries. Though Gambir and Pujara dropped catches in his

bowling, he was not the same Bhajji. Ojha has very good line and length, but without variation. He has to learn

to bowl deceptive flighted ‘arm balls’. Instead he bowls fastish straight deliveries which can be easily handled.

I feel Dhoni failed to utilize Raina to the maximum. Whenever Raina was called to bowl, he gave

breakthroughs. Dhoni should have given Raina more bowling, especially when the regular bowlers posed no

threat. I am sure Dhoni has a valid reason for not utilizing the bowling of Sehwag.

This test belongs to the Kiwis. Though, Harbajan sparkled with his batting, the Kiwis out played India in all the

departments.

SCCA Play off Finals

Division-I VIJAYTA SCRAPES THROUGH!

WINS THE TIE SCORE GAME BY A SOLITARY WICKET!! - By Staff Reporter

It was Vijayta Vs Hollywood, two of the most consistent teams in the Division, both having big names, fresh

legs, young blood and good cricketing head between their shoulders. A rivalry worth watching. The first

surprise of the day came when the two captains opted for a 40-over game. Vijayta won the toss and elected to

bat, with a hope of putting up a high total on the board that would test the reputed batting line-up of Hollywood.

With the early moisture on the pitch aided by slightly windy weather, the Hollywood fast bowlers should have

pitched the ball up to exploit the conditions. Instead they were in a defensive mode from ball one. They were

happier to bowl back-of-length in a containment mode. Not surprising, the first break through came in the form

of a run-out when Ankit Parmar’s excellent throw beat Sanjay who was pushing for a 3rd

run.

The wicket was holding a bit and was slow off the wicket. This cost Tarun Reddy, his wicket. He played early

to a wide delivery outside the off stump and ended up giving an easy catch to Aditya at covers for a well made

31. This brought together the most experienced pair of Ravi Timbawala and Mehul Dave at the crease.

Surprisingly the Hollywood bowlers chose to continue their focus on containment. This gave the Ravi – Mehul

pair ample time to get themselves in. Aditya came on a trifle late to bowl than one would have expected.

The pair grew in confidence and starting milking the bowling without worrying about the run-rate. With 83/2 at

the end of 20 overs, it was time for the well set pair to press the gas pedal and that is what they did. Brilliant

hitting by Mehul Dave and a good percentage cricket by Ravi Timbawala, who scored 81 and 77 respectively,

gave a good launching pad for the rest of the batsmen to free their arms. The duo put on a 147 run partnership.

Vijayta put up a score of 233 for 8 in their allotted 40 Overs.

For the strong batting line-up of Hollywood, especially with the wicket drying up, this total should only be

considered a moderate one. Hollywood started briskly with both their openers, Nikhil Iyer and Ritesh Kadu got

on with their business straight away. Ritesh, the aggressive of the two blasted 67 runs of 48 deliveries and was

well supported by Nikhil who made 58 runs. The openers put on a partnership of 132 runs in 22.4 overs. The

game was surely heading one-way at this stage.

After every big partnership, the next wicket goes of very quickly. This has happened on many occasions in

various levels of Cricket. This game was no different. After losing Nikhil, Hollywood lost Ritesh when the

scoreboard read 137. Aditya who came at the fall of Nikhil’s wicket, needed time to settle down and all of a

sudden the runs were hard to come by. When Aditya fell, the Hollywood score was 187 for 4 in 32.4 overs.

With 47 runs required of 7.2 overs, the middle order panicked and the collapse was orchestrated by Mehul Dave

who bowled a brilliant second-spell taking 3 wickets.

Few lusty blows by the tail brought the game to the wire. With 10 required in the last over with the last pair

batting, it was almost certain that Vijayta would cross the winning line. The never-say-die spirit of Hollywood

was on display and the No. 10 batsman Parth Shastri and No. 11 batsman Ankit Bhakta scratched 5 runs in 5

balls leaving 5 to be scored of the final delivery. Parth Shastri stroked the final ball to the covers for a boundary

to level the score at 233.

With both teams scoring 233 in their allotted overs, Vijayta were declared winners as they lost only 8 wickets to

Hollywood’s 9. Truly a great game of Cricket for a Play-off Final.

Mehul Dave was declared the Most Valuable Player of the Finals, a well deserved recognition, for his

contribution in this game.

It was unfortunate that Hollywood who fought hard in the last few overs of their batting to reach 233 were not

able to share the Trophy. May be the SCCA should consider changing the rule to have a Bowl-out or a 1-over

inning during such ties. Declaring both teams as the Joint Winners would have been appropriate under the

circumstances.

With the season coming to an end, one hopes that bowlers have their practice pitches ready before the start of

the next season. The number of wides being sent down in every game is alarming. The finals saw a total of 31

wides from both sides. Hollywood bowled 14 and Vijayta 17. Suresh Nair of Vijayta sent down 9 of those. A

major game with so many wides conveys many wrong signals.

Scores: Vijayta 233 for 8 (Mehul Dave 81, Ravi Timbawala 77, Tarun Bhoomi Reddy 31, David Pieters 2 for

29, Aditya Thyagarajan 2 for 46, Anup Desai 2 for 50) Hollywood 233 for 9 (Ritesh Kadu 67, Nikhil Iyer 58,

Mandeep Singh Dhillon 25, Mehul Dave 3 for 29)

Result: Vijayta declared winners for losing less number of wickets than Hollywood.

Division-II The game was between CSUF and Century CC at Wright. Due to wet and slippery wicket, the game was called

off and both the teams agreed to be the Joint Champions.

Division-III The game was between Westwood CC and Colts CC at Marder. Due to wet wicket and slippery outfield, the

game was called off and the teams have agreed to play again on December 4, 2010

Division-IV The game was between Citrus Valley CC and Friends CC at Wong. Due to wet wicket and a wet outfield, the

game was called off and both the teams agreed to be the Joint Champions.

Division-V The game was between South Bay CC and Hollywood-III at Severn. Due to damp wicket and outfield, both the

teams agreed to play a Twenty20 game. South Bay CC won the game by 6 Wickets and were declared

champions of the Play off.

SCCA Season-end Statistics Staff Reporter

Awards Division I Division II Division III Division IV Division V

Div.

Champion Hollywood I CSUF CC Inland Empire I Citrus Valley CC Hollywood III

Div. Runner

Up Vijayta CC Orange County Colts CC Friends CC Inland Empire II

Playoff

Champion Vijayta CC

Playoff

Runner Up Hollywood I

M V P

Ritesh Kadu

(Hollywood-

1)

Nagaraj Inamati

(Victoria CC)

Ajay Garyali

(Colts CC)

Salman Ahmad

(Citrus Valley CC)

Nandish Patel

(Inland Empire II)

Most Runs

Ravi R.

Timbawala -

740

(Vijayta CC)

Divyesh Bhakta

- 606

(Hollywood-II)

Viren Patel - 567

(Inland Empire I)

Salman Ahmad -

615

(Citrus Valley CC)

Nandish Patel - 696

(Inland Empire II)

Batting

Average

Ali Shafi -

61.18

(Pegasus CC)

Parbhjot Singh -

49.50

(Ventura CC)

Sunil Nair - 46.17

(Westwood CC)

Aijaz Ali - 90.60

(Citrus Valley CC)

Nandish Patel -

53.54

(Inland Empire II)

Most Wickets

Hasan Imam -

34

(Pegasus CC)

Rishi G. Desai -

39

(CSUF CC)

Manoj Arora - 37

(University CC)

Salman Ahmad -

43

(Citrus Valley CC)

Janek Patel - 48

(Inland Empire II)

Best Economy

Nikhil Iyer -

3.42

(Hollywood I)

Ravi Singh -

3.07

(CSUF CC)

Ronak Patel -

3.09

(Deccan CC)

Mahmood Khan -

2.74

(Pioneer CC)

Ajay Thakur - 3.08

(South Bay CC)

Best Fielder

Theo

Mavrokefalos

- 21

(Pegasus CC)

E.

Venkatachalam -

13

(Orange County

CC)

Nishant Patel - 11

(Deccan CC)

Jason Broaster -

11

(Cal-Bel CC)

Manish Bhatt - 19

(BnB CC)

Sowrirajan

Sampath - 19

(Hollywood-IV)

Jay Chaudhari - 19

(Regal CC)

Best W.

Keeper

Tarun

Bhoomi

Reddy - 26

(Vijayta CC)

K.C. Manawadu

- 29

(Century CC)

Vijay Raju - 33

(University CC)

Nadeem Ahmed -

29

(LA Bangals CC)

Lakhwinder Singh -

23

(South Bay CC)

Ventura Cricket Club – Celebrating 25th

Anniversary Staff Reporter

Ventura Cricket Club, started 25 years ago, the brainchild of cricket enthusiast friends from

Calcutta, India. Satyanarayana Karra, Jayadev Tumuluri & Vibhakar Verma living in Ventura

established the Club, bringing Cricket to Ventura County and its residents. They were soon

joined by Shankar Rao, Arif Modin, Ramesh Rao, Stuart Bollen, Vibhakar Verma, Dr. Sanjiv

Verma, S.K. Rangarajan, Ishwar Gordhan, Pankaj Patel, Leon Lamprecht, Rudy Clark and

Clive Wayne who are the original Core group of Ventura Cricketers! Over the course of 1985,

traveled to San Diego and Las Vegas as well as hosting teams as diverse as the visiting

Australian Baseball team!!

K.C.S. Rao joined the club and with the help of Wally Jayasinghe (Captain of Santa Barbara Cricket Club)

Ventura CC became a registered member of the Southern California Cricket Association (SCCA) and began

playing competitive Cricket in the SCCA League. Having initially played in about 4 successive school grounds,

the club finally settled and succeeded in obtaining permission to use El Camino High School, as their home

ground. In a short time, trio of Satya, Stuart and Wally developed El Camino high School grounds into a good

turf wicket. Just after 2 seasons, the home ground had to be relocated to Balboa Middle School. Joined by Santa

Barbara Cricket Club, it was developed into one

of the best turf grounds outside of Woodley.

Visiting teams enjoyed playing in cool

conditions and welcoming temperatures at times

15 to 20 degrees cooler than the hot San

Fernando Valley. Nearby, Victoria pub became

the gathering joint for teams after a full day’s

game.

Joining the SCCA league in the third division in

1986, the team was led by Satya, as the

Founding President and Vibhakar as the first

Captain. Over the next 5 years the team grew

with players drawn from California State

University, Northridge and other college

students under the captaincy of Jayadev

Tumuluri, Sanjiv Verma and Shankar Rao.

Around 1992 the club suffered from continuity of core players as each member retired or moved from Ventura

County. Madhukar ‘Mark’ Sood, who had played earlier for Britamer Cricket Club and Santa Barbara Cricket

Club took over the helm of failing club and restored its membership with SCCA paying the outstanding dues,

thus, saving the club from certain suspensions and losing its seniority status. By now, the team declined to the

4th

division. Madhukar sought assistance from local social cricket players, enabling the club to rise in ranks.

Maintaining club seniority, he was also successful in getting Woodley Cricket grounds for the club. Madhukar

later served as Vice President of SCCA league for 8 years and 2 years as the President.

Under Madhukar (Mark) Sood’s captaincy & leadership, the Club advanced from Division 4 of SCCA to

Division 2, winning division titles and many individual trophies and awards. He was rated the best wicket

K.C.S.Rao, Chanda Roy, Shankar Rao, Sathya Karra, Dr. Sanjiv

Varma, and Mark Sood (present President)

keeper for 3 successive years. The team was ably supported by Jayesh Patel, Raj Shah, Vineet Dua, Malay

Wadhwa, Vishal Sood, Jiwanmall brothers, Jatin Bhasin, Navin Jain and many other good players.

Once the club reached the 2nd

division, there was no looking back and top

players, likes of Ricky Singh, Yudhvir Kang, Abhimenyu Rajp (USA

national Youth player) & Gurtej Singh ‘Gary’ steered the club to its glory

days. Trio of Kang brothers led by Sabi Kang joined Ventura CC. Sabi’s

passion for cricket, financial help and unconditional support resulted in the

club advancing and winning the Division I trophy for successive years and

even the international tournaments such as the LA Open. The club, at one

stage, had boasted of players like Franklyn Rose- former West Indian pace

bowler, Gangashetty Arvind Kumar- former Hyderabad and India ‘A’

team player, Asela Jayasinghe- former Sri Lanka ‘A’ team player, Mithun Minhas- Delhi Ranji & IPL player,

US national player- Jignesh Desai & Nasir Islam, leagues best wicketkeeper- Kartik Patel and many former

West Indies and Indian players. Ventura CC played as the Punjab Blues team in the LA open tournaments and

was led by former West Indies captain Richie Richardson. Key players included Curtley Ambrose, Stuart

Williams, Adam Stanford, Jermaine Lawson, Meryvn Dillon, Orlando Baker, Leon Gerrick, Reon King,

Lambert (Current US selector) besides our local stars. On lookers wondered and were heard commenting `Why

not Punjab Blacks’. To which we responded, mixed with Punjabi browns- all have become `Punjab Blues’.

Ricky Singh & Franklyn Rose was the

most feared opening pair in the SCCA

supported by a talented list of players that

followed. Between the years 2005 to 2008

club set many records- highest score in

one day games, won MVP, best bowler,

best batsman, best average awards and

more.

Celebrating its 25th

anniversary in 2010

Club is currently ranked 6th

in 2nd

division.

Current Players in contention of division

trophies are- Prabhjot Singh, best batsman

& MVP, Imran Server- best batting

average, fastest century and most no. of

sixes scored in just 7 games. The club is

supported by Amardeep Singh & Navin

Jain, who helped both financially and

otherwise in the last few years. The club is thankful to Amarjit Sekhon, Victor Vimal Desai and Pramod Sutrave

amongst many others for their support as well.

Player Profile – Aijaz Ali Staff Reporter

Aijaz Ali was born in Karachi, Pakistan on 20th

of June 1968. He developed his cricketing

skills there and later moved to USA. Aijaz is a good right-hand batsman and an effective

right arm medium-fast bowler. He played for the US National Cricket Team between 1993

and 2005. He also played 2 ODIs for them in 2004.

Aijaz first played for the Ventura CC in SCCA League. Some prolific scores and useful

contributions with the Ball caught the eyes of the Selectors, who promptly picked him for

the USA side in 1993. He was under utilized in the national side both with the Bat and the

Ball. It was unfortunate that he was often sent lower down in the batting order while

playing for the Country. Image from cricinfo.com

He has represented USA in the 1994 ICC Trophy in Nairobi and the 1997 ICC Trophy in Kuala Lampur. He

made his List A debut in 2000 Red Stripe Bowl, playing matches against Jamaica, Canada and Trinidad &

Tobago.

He also played in the 2001 ICC Trophy in Ontario. He was out of favor for a while and after good

performances in the domestic circuit was brought back into the National side to play in the ICC 6 Nations

Challenge in the United Arab Emirates. His much awaited First-Class debut came in 2004, when he played in

the ICC Intercontinental Cup against Canada in Fort Lauderdale against Bermuda. He also played in the

Americas Championship in Bermuda.

Though he was consistent in the domestic circuit, he was not able to transform his form in the International

Stage. Though he was a regular in the side, he got few chances to Bat or Bowl and was not able to impress

whenever given a chance.

He still continues to dominate the local league. He currently plays for Citrus in the SCCA Division 4 League.

In the recently concluded League season, he played only 8 Innings and scored 3 centuries and a fifty with an

aggregate of 453 runs averaging 90.60.

For the USA National side, he played 2 ODIs scoring a total of 5 runs and did not bowl. In the 2 first class

games he played he scored a total of 82 runs with 36 as his highest. He bowled a total of only 8 overs and failed

to take any wicket after conceding 19 runs. He played a total of 11 List A games but got to bat only in 8 innings

and scored a total of 88 runs with 35 as his highest. He bowled only 3 overs in these games and gave away 29

runs without taking a wicket.

Aijaz is a story of a promising cricketer failing to live up to the reputation in the International arena. A talent

spotted early but failed to transform.

The Performers

Divyesh Bhakta (Hollywood – II)

Most Runs (606 Runs) in Division II

Tarun Bhoomi Reddy

(Vijayta CC)

Best Wicket-Keeper (26 Victims) in

Division I

Salman Ahmad (Citrus Valley CC)

Most Wickets (43 Wkts) in Division IV

Most Runs (615 Runs) in Division IV

Most Valuable Player – Division IV

cricinfo.com

Aijaz Ali

(Citrus Valley CC)

Best Batting Average (90.60) in Division

IV

Ritesh Kadu (Hollywood 1)

Most Valuable Player – Division I

Nagaraj Inamati

(Victoria CC)

Most Valuable Player – Division II