Meet Team USA, Ready for Dubai

This is a profile that assesses each squad member that was either selected or not considered for UAE and Nepal.

Steve Massiah: (Captain, Right Hand Bat, Right Arm Off spin)

One of the longest serving members of the squad; highest run scorer in US history with a record 7 hundreds to his credit.

Steve Massiah has proven his style of captaincy to be successful. He commands the respect of his men through his actions and demeanor. His record for the US is outstanding; he has served the US for over a decade and has now matured into a complete cricketer. He plays for the team and leads from the front.

A stylish middle order bat he follows a long line of Asian-Guyanese batsman with an impeccable technique, wristy stroke-play and nimble footwork. Confident against both pace and spin he spearheads a formidable middle order for the US.

Steve is also an accomplished off-spinner and bowls with great knack in the death over’s but tends to underutilize himself.

Captained the US team to an unprecedented 2^nd ICC Americas Cup 2008 triumph.

Steve has matured both as a player and a captain. Tactically astute his ability to read the game has often strangled oppositions into changing tact and losing wickets at crucial periods. He knows the capabilities of his squad and was one of the senior selectors for the tours to Guyana and The ICC Americas Cup 2008.

Massiah sets high standards for both his players and administrators to follow and thus those who have failed to achieve them will have been aggrieved by his demands.

Sushil Nadkarni: (Vice Captain, Left Hand Bat)

Sushil is a powerful left handed opening batsman who plays the ball late and has the knack of finding boundaries at regular intervals. He pulls and cuts with immense power and his front foot pull over square leg for maximum runs has become legendary.

His ability to occupy the crease for long periods of time has resulted in innings of mammoth proportions. He recently scored back to back hundreds in the ICC Americas Cup 2008; His epic197 against Surinam is the highest individual score in a one day match. He was also voted man of the match twice, won the MVP and the highest run scorer award at the ICC Americas.

Sushil was also chosen by the ICC in a dream world X1 after the Jersey tournament in May 2008.

Sushil is a very tempered individual who is well respected and quite clearly appreciated by the squad. Sushil has also played to a very good level in representing India ‘U’ 19s against Australia and has three hundreds to his credit against them.

Sudesh Dhaniram: (Right Hand Batsman, Right Hand Off-Spin)

Sudesh is a former first class cricket of some caliber.  USACA should do all it can to involve players of this level to continue servicing the US in some capacity. A classic middle order bat he is as graceful at the wicket as he is destructive. His elegant cover drives and masterful flicks are a joy to watch. He is quick on his feet and still extremely fit. However, in the ICC Americas Cup 2008 he was more noted for his bowling performances than his batting. He bowled at an economy rate that was a shade under 2 and tied down all opposition.

His maturity and experience have been a balancing factor in the squad.

Aditiya Thyagarajan: (Right Hand Bat, Right Hand Leg Spin)

Aditya is a tall burly all-rounder with a wonderful cricketing sense. He plays very straight and has the ability to score quickly in singles. He is known in the US team as the ‘finisher’ who seals the fate of his teams’ innings by often carrying his bat to the end. He has scored for the US in vital matches at crunch moments to swing the games US’s way. On the tour to Guyana Aditya scored a chanceless 42 against a formidable Barbados attack that included the likes of Tino Best, Colleymore and Collins. However, his innings of 42 against Bermuda and 84 against Canada were his most important and best to date.

In Guyana Aditiya established his spinning repute and then bowled some fine spells in the Americas tournament.

Aditya is an intelligent thinking cricketer who has matured and grown in stature as a dependable player that the team relies upon.

Carl Wright: (Right Hand Bat, Right Hand Medium Fast, Wicketkeeper)

Possibly the most effervescent member of the squad, he is an unorthodox opening batsman who finally scored his first hundred for the US against Stanford 20/20 outfit Cayman Islands in a 194 run stand with Sushil Nadkarni.

A player of Jamaican origin he has the ability to curtail his natural attacking instincts but can be brutal as his innings progresses. Mainly an off side player, his trademark shots are immaculate drives through the covers and lofted drives over mid off. He is confident against pace and will be the aggressor if challenged.

Also keeps wicket and is comfortable standing up to the quick’s. Reads his spinners well and has collected some remarkable stumping’s. He is athletic and leads from the front. A competitor on the field but a humble man off it! Carl is a great team man who is a joy for any captain to have in the side. Carl is a unique character, the heartbeat of the team and a born fighter. The USA is extremely fortunate to have a man of Carl’s stature and experiences represent them at the highest level.

Imran Awan: (Right Arm Batsman, Right Arm Fast Medium)

Imran single handedly spearheads the US attack and was the best bowler of the ICC Americas Cup 2008. Imran bowls at a lively pace with the ability to swing and seam the ball both ways. He is particularly deadly at the latter stages when he is able to reverse the ball at good velocity. Imran has a very economical action that allows him to bowl long spells without any visible reduction in speed or accuracy. A captains’ dream Imran is willing to bowl at any stage of the game. His fantastic spells against Canada and Bermuda produced remarkable combined figures of 6/30. Imran visibly matured as an attack bowler and added to his repertoire over the course of the two tours.

Imran is a bubbly character whose presence provides for a great source of camaraderie and conversation.

Lennox Cush: (Right Hand Bat, Right Arm Off-Spin)

Lennox is a wonderfully gifted first class cricketer who brought a wealth of experience and knowledge into the side. An unfortunate knee injury has plagued him of late but that did not deter him from competing in the ICC Americas Cup 2008. He is a front line bat who can bat in accordance to any given situation. However, with the ball he excels and his economical returns are a near enough a factor in most of the dismissals which occur at the other end. Lennox is a smart cricketer who has imparted his experience on to the younger members of the squad.

Lennox was also part of the select Stanford X1 team that beat a full strength England.

Orlando Baker: (Right Hand Batsman, Right Arm Fast Medium)

Orlando Baker is the premier US all-rounder. Although he is renowned more for his batting, his bowling has often changed the course of an entire innings. He possesses what can only be described as a golden arm. He swings and seams the ball at a lively pace that is hard to get adjusted to. His five-for against Canada was a match winning performance. However, his 4/40 against Barbados on a flat track in Guyana was even more impressive.

He has dropped down the batting order due to some form issues but it seems this may have helped him regain his touch. His battling 39 in a 105 run partnership with Aditya was an innings of some substance.

Possibly the best all rounder in the world at the ICC associate level of cricket last year!

Rashard Marshall: (Right Hand Bat)

Marshall is a destructive middle order bat! A few over’s of Marshall can completely change the tempo of any match. His 71 against Bermuda changed the entire complexion of the match for the US. His ability to repeatedly cross the boundary ropes both aerially and on the ground is a priceless asset.

Marshall possesses a gun shot throwing arm and proved its worth in a direct hit run out from a distance of 70 yards. Marshall is a calm and confident individual whose presence in the changing room provides for great team harmony and much banter.

Timroy Allen: (Right Hand Bat, Right Hand Fast Medium)

Timroy Allen at 21 is possibly the find of the recent USA tours. He is a fantastic future proposition for the US but he must realize his own ability before he can claim such glory. Timroy has the ability to bowl at a very brisk pace and generates lift and bounce from length. He has a tall fluid action that generates speed in the air and cut of the surface. His astounding figures of 5/7 blew away the Surinamese. Also has the ability to bat and should develop into a solid middle order bat. Great in the field and very athletic Timroy Allen has all the physical attributes for success.

Glen Hall: (Right Hand Bat)

An exciting young prospect from NY region, Glen has been selected for the T20 whilst he is in the reserves for the Nepal campaign. An opening bat Glen is solid and possesses a wide array of stroke play. Needs to develop some patience for the 50 over game but is a bright prospect for the future.

Kevin Darlington (Right Hand Fast Medium)

An experienced campaigner Darlington has played for Guyana in the WICB first class system and is probably the most versatile seamer in US cricket. Has excellent control and variations, his know-how alone will prove to be vital during the course of the next two months. Bowlers such as Timroy and Bilal Khan will do well to learn from him.

Saurabh Verma (Right Hand leg spin)

A talented young leg spinner, Verma has the opportunity to cement his place as the leading spinner in the nation.

He has improved his attitude and approach to the game and seems to be getting more confident.

Has the potential to be a very effective middle order bat.

Cleon Williams (Right Hand Bat)

A solid middle order bat, Cleon has displayed maturity and patience at the crease.

He is another young prospect that has been drafted into the Nepal squad for his ability to bat for long periods. Cleon has the opportunity to develop into an international player after this experience. He is a standby for the T20.

Khuwaja (Usman) Shuja (Right Hand Bat; Right Hand Fast Medium)

Due to personal issues Usman had to withdraw his participation from the ICC Americas Cup 2008.

He has proven pedigree and was named in the ICC Division 5 world eleven after the Jersey tournament.

A probing opening bowler who swings and seams the ball at a lively pace Usman is accurate and has the knack of taking wickets. Along with his much improved batting ability Usman provides a wonderful option in the squad in both versions of the game.

Imran Khan (Manager)

Imran is originally from the UK and played his cricket to a decent level without ever breaking through the ranks due a number of career destroying injuries.

Therefore, he switched to coaching and managing sports teams in a number of disciplines and experienced considerable success. His portfolio of sports teams encompasses soccer teams in the Bay Area, Martial Artists and the USA Cricket team. Imran joined the senior men’s USACA squad as a selector and manager on the Guyana tour and the ICC Americas Cup 2008 in Florida. Professionally Imran acts as a consultant to government agencies and corporations in the areas of Leadership, management and performance enhancement programs.

Clayton Lambert (Head Coach)

Former West Indian Test cricketer with a wealth of experience and knowledge, Lambert has been involved with the US for nearly the best part of the last decade. Lamberts intuitive insight and patience has developed a relatively inexperienced side into a mature, calculated and professional outfit that will realistically be seeking a world cup berth and qualification from Division 5 of the ICC championships into Division 4 in Nepal. Clayton Lambert is a practical coach that gets involved with his men and is well respected within the USACA squad.

Reserves

B Khan (Right Hand Fast Medium)

An up and coming fast bowler Bilal is a wicket taker. On his day he is the quickest in the US. He misses out on a place in the squad due to other more senior and experienced players. With a great amount of cricket coming up Bilal will definitely feature very soon. He has the potential to form a formidable new ball pairing with Timroy Allen.

A Mehdi (Right Hand Bat, Wicketkeeper)

A new discovery at the nationals Mehdi is a fighter with the bat and has superb hands behind the stumps. A definite future player for the US Mehdi was unfortunate in missing a spot in the squad.

S Shah (Left arm orthodox spin)

A tall wiry left arm spinner from the Seattle region, Shah has excellent control of flight and placement. However, his lack of athletic ability in the field hampers his chances of appearing at this level.

R Timberwala (Right Hand Bat)

He was extremely unfortunate in missing out on a place in the squad. Ravi is a former US ‘U’19 who has played in the world cup in Sri Lanka. Ravi is a bright prospect for US cricket and will eventually become a regular US opener. Ravi possesses a composed and balanced temperament whereby he values his wicket and places a heavy price upon it. Ravi must be developed to take the role of the opening spot once Nadkarni and Wright move on.