Southern California
Cricket Association Retains California Cup
Van Nuys, CA: The
2006 California Cup, hosted by Southern California
Cricket Association, was played on Easter weekend
(April 14 - 16, 2006) at Woodley Cricket Fields
in Van Nuys, California.
This year’s format featured four talented
teams representing four regions: North Texas Cricket
League, North West Cricket League, Northern California
Cricket Association, and Southern California Cricket
Association. The tournament originally scheduled
over three days was cut short by one day due to
heavy rain on Friday (April 14th). Consequently,
each team played two matches, and the team with
most points after two games was crowned champions.
SCCA, winners in 2005, recorded two comfortable
and impressive wins to retain the trophy.
SCCA lead by the batting of Captain Aditya Thyagarajan
and the bowling of former West Indian international
Franklin Rose proved too much for the competition.
Aditya scored an impressive 95 and 62 in two games,
while Rose blew away the opposition with some hostile
pace bowling capturing 6 wickets in 2 matches. SCCA
stars Rashid Zia, Abishek Powar, and Sandeep Patel
provided excellent support throughout the tournament.
Former Pakistan captain and wicketkeeper, Rashid
Latif, who is on a month-long fund-raising trip
on behalf of Islamic Relief (earthquake fund) took
time out of his busy schedule to visit Woodley and
watch the SCCA stars in action. Rashid met with
SCCA officials and the SCCA team, including fellow
international and one time Scotland teammate Franklin
Rose. Rashid congratulated the SCCA on establishing
a strong cricket base and encouraged the cricketers
to continue their efforts in promoting the sport
in the US.
SCCA President, Mr. Veman Reddy presented Rashid
with a plaque commemorating his first visit to Woodley,
and also presented the SCCA team the winners trophy.
Aditya Thyagarajan was declared man of the tournament
for his outstanding performance with the bat.
For more information about the SCCA and cricket
in Southern California, please visit: www.sccacricket.org
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