This is Cricket Championship Week in Hartford, a special time in the city wrapping up the annual celebration of all things West Indian in the capitol city.
A fast-growing sport in Connecticut, the diaspora has meant a region-wide appeal to everyone enjoying the game to bring a lawn chair and enjoy following their favorites and seeing which team walks off with the trophy and bragging rights this year.Players from many area towns will be in action at Keney Park in Hartford starting at noon. Admission is free. Several East Hartford players are participating in the Connecticut Cricket League (CCL) final and the sport means many others will not want to miss the play this weekend.The West Indian Social Club will face defending champions, the Caribbean Cricket Club. The two teams of 11 made it through the semi final matchups last weekend into the finals of the CCL Josh Guthrie Super 40 overs competition Sunday.
All eyes will be on Nick Hay who narrowly missed out on a century after playing a defining knock of 99, but then careless gave away his wicket in the semi finals against Riverside. WISC batted first and made 212 for 6 wickets thanks his steady innings. Early in the game Hay lofted a simple catch to fielder Brian Ajhodi at mid-on who spilled it unto the grass. This appeared to have broken the morale of he Riverside team and they paid the price.
Hay was supported by Nickoy Samuels who made 34 and Jonathan Bonner who contributed 31 runs. Riverside fought gallantly in reply to make the game competitive, but the Social Club held on to win by 4 wickets.
In the other semi final game defending Champions Caribbean CC held on to win a closely-fought contest with the Concord Eagles Cricket Club. Caribbean made 174 all out in 39.1 overs and bowled out the Eagles for 154.
The finals will be an all West Indian and Caribbean event which is a fitting conclusion to West Indian week. The Riverside team is perhaps the most visible group of cricket players in Connecticut as their players can be viewed in action on their pitch at the Riverside Park boat launch area next to I-91.
Spectators attending the championships at Keney Park should know the game is not played in the rain, and the pitch is covered just like a baseball infield when it rains. To get to the championship, enter at the Windsor Street entrance to Keney Park, take exit 34 off I-91.
The management of the Connecticut cricket league is very grateful to all the towns and East Hartford’s Discount Trophy who are showing their continuous support to the game of cricket.
