would like to congratulate Staten Island Cricket Club on 150 years.
Mo Ally
Michele Warren
Howard Smith
Deborah Ally
Thomas Lark
A BRIEF HISTORY
The Staten Island Cricket and Baseball Club, as it was first named, was founded on 22 March 1872. This early name was due to the fact that the club was deeply involved in amateur baseball. The club was founded by a group of British men who were traders on Wall Street. Unfortunately, any history of the club will always fall short due to a fire in 1932 which destroyed the club house and with it most of the club’s records. Later, with no central storage facility many records have gone adrift.
For its first cricket and baseball grounds the club leased the George Law property at Port Washington on the North Shore of Staten Island near today’s ferry. In his book, History of Richmond County, Staten Island, New York, Richard Mather Bayles describes the grounds as follows: “A lovelier and more picturesque ground it would have been hard to find, for it extended to the very water’s edge.”
In the early 1880s a railroad company purchased the Law property and the Staten Island Cricket Club found it necessary
By Clarence Modeste
to find new grounds. The club purchased the Delafield property on Bard Avenue, New Brighton, almost 5 acres, for the sum of $40,000 and moved there from the flats. The first cricket match played on the new grounds was against the Merion Cricket Club of Philadelphia on 18 July 1886. And this marked the beginning of a wonderful relationship which saw the Staten Island Cricket Club make Annual visits to that city to play matches with Merion, Belmont, Germantown and Philadelphia cricket clubs. Staten Island considered these the great matches of the year and noted the splendid hospitality provided by those clubs. The facilities at these clubs, with the exception of Belmont, are the finest to be found in the United States.
From its early days the club was active in the introduction of sports to the people of Staten Island. That was the time when many people in this country first began accepting that exercise in the form of outdoor activity was good for one’s health and well-being. The club played a number of sports other than cricket, baseball and tennis. Some of the others were: football (soccer), golf, rugby, field hockey, lacrosse, boating and others. Members of the club played golf at Fox Hills. The club entered the baseball world in 1874 and became deeply involved. According to Walker, that was when the baseball team made a “Grand Tour”, visiting cities such as Louisville, Syracuse, St. Louis, Springfield and others. One publication pointed out in 1886 that the Metropolitan Baseball Club, a professional club, was playing out the Staten Island Cricket and Baseball Club’s facilities. That was the club that later became the New York Giants who now play in the National League as the San Francisco Giants. The Staten Island Cricket Club was the first organization in the country to take up Lawn Tennis. Mary Ewing Outerbridge, daughter of a club member, saw the game being played by members of the British Constabulary,
The Club House from Bard Avenue CIRCA 1886
In 1888 the club made a tour of the West Indies and played 8 to 10 matches and reported that they were the recipients of the most lavish hospitality at the hands of their hosts.
while on vacation in Bermuda in 1874. She found the game sufficiently interesting that she made inquiries and ordered a set from England. With permission of the Directors of the club the net was put up on the Grounds of the club. Almost immediately the game became very popular among club members. The Club was the first organization in the country to take up lawn tennis. In 1880, the first Open Tournament, Davis Cup, was played on the grounds of the Staten Island Cricket Club.
Available records show the Staten Island Cricket Club playing host to many touring teams over many decades on its grounds. Among the many clubs hosted at the Staten Island Cricket Club’s grounds are the following: R. Dafts XI 1879, Gentlemen of Ireland 1879, 1888, 1892 and 1909. English Touring Team 1881 and 1897. West Indies 1886. Australia Test Team vs All New York Team 1893. Australians 1912, 1913, 1932 (Don Bradman). The Australian Cricket Society made at least 2 visits in the 1970s and 1980s. Through the 1990s and in the first decade of the twentieth century overseas visiting teams came from the Caribbean, especially Trinidad & Tobago. Our most recent overseas visitors were as follows: an English team in 2011, an Australian team in 2013, a New Zealand team in 2015, an Australian in 2016, a South African team and an Australian team in 2017 and a British Marines team in 2019.
A number of famous cricketers have graced the Staten Island Cricket Club over the decades with their presence as well as played on its grounds. Among them Sir Donald Bradman in 1932, K.S. Ranjitsinghji, Sir Everton Weeks in 1967, Sir Garfield Sobers in 1988 as the club’s guest of honor at its (belatedly held) 100th celebration, Deryck Murray (Trinidad & Tobago and West Indies), a young Geoffrey Boycott and Alan Border. Club lore has it that W.G. Grace also played on the club’s grounds. The club has produced
no records in support of such a claim.
For many club members one of the club’s attractive features has been tours made to other clubs both within the country and overseas. In 1888 the club made a tour of the West Indies and played 8 to 10 matches and reported that they were the recipients of the most lavish hospitality at the hands of their hosts. During the 1960s and 1970s the club made Annual visits to Montreal,Toronto,Springfield (Mass), Hartford, Baltimore and Washington, as well as to England and to the British Caribbean: specifically to Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago. The club has also made tours to the Bahamas and exchanged tours with the Bermudas over several years. These tours continue off and on and lately have added Florida, to which the club has made its most recent two visits.
The Staten Island Cricket Club has for some decades believed that the game of cricket should be spread beyond the province of men to include boys, girls as well as ladies. In 2010 the club launched its Youth Cricket Program. Participants in the program are boys and girls 5-18 years of age.
The coaching sessions take place at Walker Park from June through August, on Saturday mornings 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
The club also firmly believes in the inclusion of women in the sport. The first step in this direction was taken in 2021 when the club invited a women’s team to play a match at Walker Park. The match took place much to the delight of both the female and male players. The second step is expected to take place on 28 and 29 May 2022 when, as part of the club’s sesquicentennial observations, the club plans to sponsor a women’s tournament. ■
Current Club House
SICC 150 YEARS PLANNING COMMITTEE
President: Mr. Clarence Modeste
Club Secretary: Mr. Rajadurai Bavanandan
Youth Cricket Director: Mr. Radhakrishna Mohan
First Vice President: Mr. Joseph O’Neill
Asst Secretary: Mr. Sunil Nayyar
Friendly XI Captain: Mr. Shankar Ramakrishnan
Second Vice President: Dr. Kumar Balakrishnan
Treasurer: Mr. Deo Ganesh
Captain: Mr. Shaffikul Sackroolar
Friendly XI Captain: Mr. Glenford Shangie
Youth Coach: Mr. Sew Shivnarine
Vice Captain: Mr. Salim Khan
Deborah Ally Danish Asif
Prashanth Nandavanam
Abdul Choudhury
Ravi Ramachandran
Glen Felix
Chris Sargeant
Alan Miller
Michele Warren Supriya Shankar
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Enormous thanks to all officers, members, friends and supporters, past and present, who have ardently worked and generously contributed to keep the Staten Island Cricket Club alive to celebrate its 150th year. We, who are here and can now mark this momentous year owe profound thanks to those who got together and in 1872 decided to form this club so that they could engage and indulge in the great game of cricket which, no doubt, they found as entrancing as we do today. As we have inherited their legacy we are determined to carry it forward. While we play and enjoy the matches of today, we work and plan to ensure that the club will be here tomorrow, assuring members of continued participation in a club where they can enjoy both the play and outstanding camaraderie.
The Staten Island Cricket Club has historically been a welcoming place. In its earliest days it was named the Staten Island Cricket and Baseball Club. The club welcomed baseball into its fold and while nurturing an amature baseball team arranged cricket matches between the baseball players and the cricketers. Later, the club welcomed tennis into its ranks and even changed its name to the Staten Island Cricket and Tennis Club. At some time during the nineteenth century the club had enough American members to field an American team and was able to organize Americans vs Britons matches.
MBy Clarence Modeste
The club was started by a group of Britons who were traders on Wall Street
The club was started by a group of Britons who were traders on Wall Street. By the 1960s though, its membership included West Indians, Indians, Pakistanis. Australians, South Africans and New Zealanders. In New York City, the Staten Island Cricket Club remains the most diverse among cricket clubs. And to further expand the club’s view that cricket belongs to everyone, ten years ago the club started a Youth Cricket Program to which invite boys and girls, ages 5 through 18. There they receive coaching in the skills of cricket as well well as pointers in keeping fit to play the game. The club has, more recently, begun the process of including women cricketers in its teams. And in this, our sesquicentennial year we will witness, for the first time, women’s cricket matches at Walker Park. Again we say thanks to our donors, contributors, members, friends and supporters for bringing our club this far. We depend on you and trust that you will continue your support of our efforts to expose our youth and women to this glorious game in which we have found such joy. ■
any congratulations to Staten Island CC for reaching this extraordinary milestone. Having begun as a cricket and baseball club, and hosting the first national tennis tournament in the US in 1880, SICC has been, and been a part of, a lot of US sporting history in its 150 years. Playing for the club both at home and in other cities in the US, in Canada, in the Bahamas and in England were some of the highlights of my very amateur cricket playing days. To still be associated with the Club is a joy and I very much hope to continue that association as it heads off toward its bicentennial.
Best Wishes,
Bill Dinning
Congratulations to SICC on your unbeaten 150 so Far!
Sincerely,
Jean & Andrew Waud
PROCLAMATIONS
PROCLAMATIONS
PROCLAMATIONS
PROCLAMATIONS
PROCLAMATIONS
THE ANNUAL 9/11 MEMORIAL CRICKET MATCH
By Clarence Modeste
The tragedy of 9/11 did not spare the cricket community of New York. Among the many lives lost in that diabolical event was an enthusiastic cricketer and friend of the Staten Island Cricket Club, Sushil Solanki. The Staten Island Cricket Club came to know Mr. Solanki through cricket matches arranged between his cricket club and Staten Island CC. Those encounters were always pleasant; the atmosphere between teams was friendly; and the camaraderie during and after the games warm. Having established such a relationship, it was a small but significant step, after the tragic end to Sushil’s life, for both clubs to agree on an Annual cricket match in his memory. The following 2 paragraphs tell a story of Solanki from the perspective, an inside perspective, of his relatives and close friends.
Sushil, those who knew him well simply called him “Sush”. He was a devoted father, loving husband, caring son and brother, but to you and me, he was a friend. He came to America in the early 1980s, and as happens with many immigrant groups, we all gravitated to each other, forming a special bond and started a new journey in this country. It was the start of beautiful friendships among many of us, and Sushil was a vital part of our lives. His journey started in Brooklyn, and he graduated from John Jay high school. Our lives revolved around church and related activities such as youth group, Christmas pageants, carol singing, and we always had a great time. Sush was passionate about Bollywood cinema and music. He liked to dress up and had a unique style of fashion which he tailored after his favorite Bollywood star, “Jitendra”. Sush loved life and if there was a party you would find him on the dance floor, shaking it up. He loved his cars as most teenage boys do, and I still remember how he cared for his Silver Metallic Toyota Celica. He also fell in love easily and often as teenage boys do. And who can forget his love for White Castle onion rings? Some of the best times we spent were on the cricket
ground. He was an opener and insisted on facing the first ball of the inning. He loved the game and was always there for each practice and was the ultimate team guy. As time and life started, he understood his responsibilities to family and community. He could not stop talking about his son, and he was a proud father. At a very young age he started to teach him cricket.
On that fateful day, a cowardly act tore apart families, and we lost our dear Sush. As we gathered at his home that evening and the following, you could see how much he was loved and by so many. He is survived by his wife Esha who he loved dearly; son Brandon, who he adored; his Mom; Satis, his brother and Sunita, his sister. We play in his honor every September since 2002, and we are grateful to the Staten Island Cricket Club for accommodating us and always treating that day with such respect. Time has passed, but we continue to remember not only Sush but all those who lost their lives on that day. His life was cut short, and whenever we get together, inevitably Sush comes up in conversation and soon we are reminiscing. It is such a comfort to know he gave his life to our Lord & Savior Jesus and we have a blessed hope that those of us who are “born again” will see him again. I can’t wait to see that smile again. We miss you SUSH.
The Staten Island Cricket Club has committed to this Annual Memorial match, and on a date as close as possible to 9/11, as agreeable to both clubs. Sushil’s family and friends are warmly welcomed by the Staten Island Cricket Club to remember and mourn Solanki’s tragic loss and celebrate his life in which we were privileged to participate. Sushil’s family and friends have established a tradition of providing appetizing foods, for the occasion, which delight our palates. This event is cherished by all participants. ■
This page made possible by Sushil Solanki 9/11 memorial foundation
THE KNOWLES FAMILY AND SICC 1983 TO PRESENT
My first awareness of the Staten Island CC was when I moved from Yokohama, Japan, to New York in 1983. This was a great pity because I was a keen club cricketer and had spent a year in New York in 1970 with no cricket.
After arriving in New York in 1983, I played squash at the Uptown Squash Club with one Englishman and one American. Post squash we went to the bar for a beer. Another group was at the bar and one of them came over and asked “Are you guys English?” To our response that two of us are, came the question, “Do you play cricket?” I said that I did and the two groups joined. That other group consisted of Clarence Modeste and three of his friends. By the time we left the bar I had committed to play for the British Schools and Universities Club X1 vs the SICC at Walker Park the following Saturday.
On that Saturday, I set off on public transport (with my wife, Judy, and our 3 sons—Luke 12, Paul 10, Ben 5), for Walker Park. We got lost several times and arrived very late. BS&UC were fielding so I quickly changed and joined them. After a while I was asked to bowl. I got George Quow LBW when he was in the 90s (for which he has probably never forgiven me), and I got a couple more wickets. In the after-match social session SICC
By Keith Knowles
members, Kamraj Ramlal and Michael Emamdi, asked me to join the club. I said yes, and that I was available for the next Saturday. A phone call during the week informed me that the next fixture was in Washington DC. I phoned Judy expecting her to say “No way”. Instead her reply was “That sounds like fun”. With Judy alone at home during the week, a phone call now and then for a chat from Clarence, Michael and Kamraj broke up the monotony, And thus began friendships that have lasted for almost 40 years.
I was club captain for a couple of years and secretary for about 4 years. Judy scored for several years. All of the boys played for the club as they became old enough. And between 1983 and 2015 we regularly joined the club on tours and became very good friends with Bala and Sushila.
We congratulate Staten Island CC on its 150th Birthday and, more importantly, thank the club for many years of cricket and warm friendships. ■
*Staten Island Cricket Club vs Air Canada from Montreal in 1989 at Walker Park – Last Wicket partnership was 79 (Habib Rehman& Keith). Habib got out in the last ball at 99. Sir Everton Weekes was the chief guest of the game.
This page made possible by Judy & Keith Knowles
Standing L to R: Acmar Singh, CV Kumar, Nimal Bajan, Charu Choudhury, Clarence Modeste, Keith Knowles, John Ghuman, Seated L to R: Habib Rehman, Late Wahid Mohamed, Kumar Balakrishnan, Andrew Coad
YOUTH CRICKET AND OTHER ACTIVITIES
Discussions of a Youth Cricket Program had taken place among club officials for some time prior to 2010, then in that year the club launched its program: “A Youth Cricket Program, for boys and girls 5-18 years of age.” With the exception of the COVID-19 interruption, the program has operated each year, from May through August, introducing cricket to youngsters of our city. In its second year, in 2011, the club held its first Youth Cricket Festival and went on to host several more of these.
In the latter part of the 19th century the Staten Island Cricket Club encouraged and participated in a number of sports. Perhaps the most noteworthy were baseball and tennis. But the club also engaged in football (soccer), golf, lacrosse and others. Now, in the early part of the twenty-first century, the club engages in other activities. As noted elsewhere, the club is discussing a Women’s Cricket Program. The club also engages with the family members of players and their friends in an Annual Family Day, which, like the Youth Cricket Program, allows for community outreach. The club organizes an Annual Golf Day, an important part of the club’s fundraising efforts. The club, since 1988 has published a Yearbook which carries the schedule of matches for that year and the happenings
By Radhakrishna Mohan
“A Youth Cricket Program, for boys and girls 5-18 years of age.” With the exception of the COVID-19 interruption, the program has operated each year, from May through August, introducing cricket to youngsters of our city.
of the previous year and other stories. The Yearbook is also a steady fundraising source. The largest voluntary project, 400,000 strong, which takes place in New York city, is the Daffodil Project. This project got underway in the Spring of 2002 following 9/11, when a Dutchman provided New York city with 1 million bulls to help beautify the city. The bulbs are planted mainly in city parks. In 2009, under the Bloomberg administration, Staten Island Cricket Club was honored for our early participation with a special award by the mayor’s office at a luncheon ceremony which took place in Bryant Park in Manhattan. Each Spring flowering Daffodil bulbs can be enjoyed at Walker Park. ■
SICC Youth 2022 with Coach Sew Shivnarine
This page made possible by Sathanayagam Family
SICC Youth vs Philadelphia CC 2011
SICC Youth members 2017 with Coach Linden Fraser
College of Staten Island Students learning Cricket
SICC Youth members 2019
SICC 150TH SQUAD
Abdul Choudhury
Abiman Thayaparan
Alex Miller
Aneal Roopal
Angelo Perera
Atif Baig
Chris Sargeant
Deo Ganesh
Dillon Mataraarachchi
Glen Felix
Glenford Shangie
Jaydip Dudhatra
Kirthi Bala
Kumar Balakrishnan
Malan Karunaratna
Mithran Tiruchelvam
Mohan Kissoon
Mohan Radhakrishna
Nakula Ratnayake
Omar Foysol Fahim
Prashanth Nandavanam
Rajaduari Bavanandan
Rajiv Ahamad
Salim Khan
Shaffikul Sackroolar
Shanjay Mohammed
Shankar Ramakrishnan
Sunil Nayyar
William Teague
Aravind Coomarasingham
Muhammed Shaikh
Mohamed Shaikh
Ahmed Shaikh
Maahi Shaikh
Rohan Christian
Hemant Christian
Mohamed Raayen
SICC WSL Team
GENTLEMEN OF PHILADELPHIA 150TH SQUAD
We are so pleased and proud to support this wonderful cricket club! Congratulations on 150 years of keeping cricket culture alive and thriving. — Modeste-Hespel Family
Day 1 - Saturday July 16 (SICC vs GOP)
11:00 AM:
Opening Ceremony - 150th Anniversary Plaque unveiling, Introduction of Players
11:15 AM: Commemorative Game - Gentlemen of Philadelphia vs Staten Island Cricket Club (25 over)
2:00 PM: Refreshments - Tea
5:00 PM: Dinner - (Players, Invitees, Guests) under tent at Walker Park, Speeches, Awards
Day 2 - Sunday July 17 (SICC vs Old Timers)
1:00 PM: Introduction - Players to Chief Guest 1:30 PM: Old Timers vs SICC (25 over)
3:00 PM: Refreshments - Tea 6:00 PM: Dinner - Speeches, Awards
Closing Remarks
SOLD TIMERS
ICC is blessed to have such a loyal and supportive set of ex members who have moved away or retired from cricket. Many of them still maintain their affiliation by being dues paying Associate members. A few of them provide a much-needed financial backing for the club (coaching, equipment and anything not covered by membership dues). To honor their past and present contributions, we have dedicated one day of the 150 celebration as an “Old Timers Day”.
Majid Arab
Nirmal Bajan
Stefian Boney
Henderson Bourne
Tahir Butt
Ron Byfield
David Chamberlain
V Chance
Andrew Coad
Brian Compton
Douglas Cook
Paul Corballis
Dave Cox
Ishwar Daram Singh
Palav Desai
William Dinning
Michael Emamdie
Earl Ewart
James Ferguson
Bill Fullylove
Jimmy Gabriel
Krishna Gathwai
George Quow
Steven Gross
Madura Gunasekara
Daryl Harper
Roger Harper
Saeed Hatteea
Phil Hollick
Brian Hopkinson
Wasim Ilyas
Soma Janarthanan
Ruchira Jayasuriya
Shaffie Jayman
Vinay Jepal
Lou Khan
Raymond King
Glen Kishundat
Ben Knowles
Judy Knowles
We were able to get enough of them to commit to a visit to the festival and participate in a game of cricket. Even though we have a pretty good social media presence, we were not able to reach few of our important alumni who were also responsible for maintaining our continued viability in the recent past. We also thank those alumni who made nice donations towards the club and the Anniversary Celebration. ■
Luke Knowles
Paul Knowles
Upali Kodithuwakku
Mathew Lamont
C Maraj
M Modi
M Mohabir
Amir Mohamed
Saheed Mohamed
Farouk Mohammed
Julie Mohammed
John Moore
Roy Morrison
Fahad Mughal
Charlie Murrell
Kevin Murrell
Shri Nambiar
Prashanth Nandavanam
Ali Nayyar
Luv Parikh
Lomesh Prasad
Tom Priall
George Quow
Nitin Rai
Ranjan Rajadurai
PV Ramachandran
Ravi Ramachandran
Anil Ramdeo
Khamraj Ramlal
Ralph Ramlal
Tackoor Ramlal
Oscar Ramsingh
Dyon Ravello
Ricky Redhead
Michael Robbie
Georgre Rock
Madhan Sackichand
Sase Sackichand
Sharaz Sackroolar
Harish Saikara
Carlton Saney
Christopher Sargeant
Lloyd Scott
Sanjay Sharma
Acmar Singh
Omendath Singh
Reuben Sivagnanam
Bill Smith
Abdullah Syed
Mohamed Talha
Ricardo Taylor
Dave Turner
Leenus Varughese
Kavi Virk
Sundar Vishwanathan
Sachin Wagh
John Wales
Andrew J Waud
Ibrahim Zahoor
Celebrating 150 years
Don Bradman (Seated 3rd from right) The Australian Team visited Walker Park in 1932
SICC Cricketer Habib with Sir Garfield Sobers of West Indies in 1988
1908 The Baseball Nine of the SICC
SICC at Barbados-1965
Bahamas
Mad River Valley Cricket Festival 2005
The Centennial Game at Walker Park 1988
NYPD, Royal Marines, SICC with District Attorney
Rookies 2022
B R: M. Shaikh, Abiman S, M. Tiruchelvam, W. Teague, M.Sheikh, A.Sheikh, Louis, K.Bala - F R: Pravidu, A. Coomarasingham, R. Bavanandan, Mohamed Sr., S. Thhayaparan
Back Row: Akiel, Abdul, Mohan, Fahim, Rajiv, Sanjay, Mithran, Glen, Salim - Front Row: Bala, Aneil, Shaffi, Bill, Sunny, Arvind, Danish
Michael McMahon at Walker Park 2019
Back row left to right: John Wales, Doug Cook, Tom Priall, Bill Brook, unknown, Clarence Modeste, John Brebner, Dave Cox, Brian Hopkinson, Sundar Viswanathan. Front Row left to right: Bill Fullilove, Phil Hollick, PV Ramachandran, Dave Turner, Dave Chamberlain SICC circa 1963
Celebrating 150 years
Philadelphia Cricket Festival 2015
SICC at Prior CC on 10-05-2019
Ramlakan Ramlal 2013
Kitchener Trophy
SICC England tour 2001
SICC at Merion 2001
Clarence Modeste (Seated far right) CIRCA 1964
SICC en route to Antigua at Kennedy Airport 1965
The old grounds at camp Washington 1872
A Trinidad Tour
The Roosevelts, Nellie Janssen, Gertrude Williams, Mr. Randolph Walker, Lunch Party on 10-1-1892 Royal Marines 2019
SICC won Wanderers Challenge Cup 2021 on 9-25-2021
The Soccer Team 1910-1911
Tony Rosy Pereira 1966 SICC at Prior CC
Staten Island Cricket and Tennis Club
Farewell to Kamraj at Dr.Bala’s place 2002
A REPORT ON THE “INAUGURAL WOMEN’S INVITATIONAL”
Staten Island Cricket Club Women’s Invitational for the Clarence Modeste Trophy, made possible by the JAMES GLEICK CYNTHIA CROSSEN TTEE AROUND FOUNDATION
Was held on May 27th and 28th 2022.
Honorary Guest: Hon. Michael McMahon The invitees were “New Milford Tigers” from Connecticut USA and the “Striking Spartans” from Canada Striking Spartans from CANADA: Coach -Reupert Stephenson Tamala Azmat Mash Khan - Habeeba Bader - Hiba Shamshad Maliha Baig - Saniyah Zia - Krima Divya Saxena - Ridhima Budhwar (Addy ) - Monali Patel Amarpal KaurNew Milford Tigers from Connecticut USA: Manager: Jay Singh Team: Izzy Slade- Jones, Dolly Syan, Aditi Shah, Avni Shah, Kerry Slade- Jones, Priya Bhavsar, Sreeja Terala, Himaja Terala, Berleen Syan, Supriya Shah, Ujwala Khajhanis, Priya Patel Format: T20
Umpires: Roselyn Emmanuel and Thermal Charles Game 1 (5/28/22):
Striking Spartans: 204 for 4 wkts. (Divya Patel 119); New Milford Tigers: 49 all out (Spartans won by 155 runs) Game 2 (5/29/22):
Striking Spartans 174 for 4 (Amarapal 43): Tigers 44 All out; Spartans won by 130 runs Game3 (5/29/22):
Spartans: 193 for 4 (Divya46); Tigers: 20; Spartans won by 173 runs Trophy winners: Striking Spartans of Canada
With 120th Precinct Commander Inspector
With District Attorney Michael McMahon
Tania Kinsella
A YOUNG TOBAGAN
It is fair to say that SICC might not be enjoying our 150th anniversary without the leadership of Clarence Modeste, a member of the Club for 61 years and our president for at least 35 years.
Clarence was born in 1929 in Tobago; was educated in Trinidad and England (where he spent two years at Eton). In 1959, he moved to New York and embarked on a successful career in the radiology department of the Presbyterian Hospital of Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, where helped to found and run a school for radiographers.
Clarence joined SICC in 1961, after a season or two playing cricket in Brooklyn. At that time, Clarence recalls, the club had around sixty-five members, including women, and was able to field up to three teams. Most of the members were English, with sprinklings of South Africans, Australians, and a few West Indians, notably Roy Huggins and Jimmy Gabriel. Clarence operated mainly as a bowler of medium-pace away swing, often taking the new ball in friendly matches.
Walker Park, Clarence recalls, was much as it is today, with basketball courts, a playground, and a baseball diamond, and (clay) tennis courts. Tugs, at Bard Ave and Richmond Terrace,
By Joe O’Neill
was used as an informal clubhouse: tea and sandwiches would be consumed between innings, and beer and other refreshments after the match. This continued until the mid-80s.
In around 1986, Clarence was elected SICC president. In 1988, he oversaw the first edition of the Yearbook. The next season Clarence stepped down on account of other commitments, but after a year in which the club nearly collapsed, he and Dr. Bala and Raj Ramlal paid off the club’s debts and assumed the responsibility for running it. Clarence has remained president ever since. He arranges SICC’s superb fixture list, deals with the Parks Department, organizes tours, leads Committee meetings, and takes care of a million other matters. Clarence opened the batting last year at Merion CC aged 92, and played at the Club’s Golf Day. If that were not enough, he remains an active supporter of British Schools and Universities CC (of New York) and Northwood CC (of England).
Clarence is very proud of the results produced by hard work of SICC’s committees, in particular the Family Day, the annual dinner dance, the Golf Day, the Youth Program, the Women’s Cricket program, and the great diversity of the club membership, which Clarence views as a uniquely valuable part of SICC’s identity. It is largely thanks to Clarence that SICC enjoys a great local and international reputation for sportsmanship and hospitality. Congratulations and thank you, Clarence. ■
John Brebner, President 1954 to 1985
Clarence Modeste, Member 1961 to present President, 1987 to Present
Shaffikul Sackroolar, Club Captain 1999 to 2015, 2017 to Present
The legends: Khamraj Ramlal, Clarence Modeste, and Kumar Balakrishnan
Legends of SICC
THE GENTLEMEN OF PHILADELPHIA
By Tom Culp
Although the game of cricket came to the United States in the 1700s, it didn’t really gain a foothold until the mid-1800s when four “cricket clubs” were established in Philadelphia. Those four clubs, Philadelphia (1854), Germantown (1854), Merion (1865), and Belmont (1874), provided in 1878 the basis for the “Gentlemen of Philadelphia” (GOP) team of amateurs. They represented Philadelphia in the highest levels of international first-class cricket competition.
For about fifty years the GOP hosted and competed against the best teams and players from around the world. In addition to matches in Philadelphia throughout this period, the GOP played matches in Canada and Europe. Notably the team played matches in England in 1889 and in 1897. By the 1920s cricket playing was waning in the United States due to the increasing popularity of baseball, basketball, and hockey. The four cricket clubs also changed as they converted their facilities to lawn tennis and golf.
The GOP was essentially on hiatus until the 1990s when cricket experienced a re-birth in the clubs of Germantown, Merion, Philadelphia, Belmont, and the British Officers Cricket Club which plays at the Evansburg Grounds. These clubs began playing matches among themselves, with other regional and national teams, and revived the GOP to play international matches.
Notable tours and matches played by the GOP during this
For about fifty years the GOP hosted and competed against the best teams and players from around the world. In addition to matches in Philadelphia throughout this period, the GOP played matches in Canada and Europe.
current period have included trips to Argentina (Buenos Aires 2004), England (London and elsewhere 2008), California (Marin 2013), South Africa (Cape Town 2015), and Canada (Toronto 2019). During the tour to England the GOP played at Chipperfield, Fletching, Radlett, and at Lord’s Cricket Grounds which is known around the cricketing world as the home of cricket. The GOP was the first American team to play at Lord’s (the practice ground) in about 100 years.
Enthusiasm for cricket in the United States and in Philadelphia in particular seems to be increasing. One hopes that this will continue to create tour opportunities for the GOP.
The GOP congratulates the Staten Island Cricket on reaching this very significant landmark and we are proud to participate in its celebration. ■
This page made possible by Petal Hespel Modeste
Tom Culp (PCC Captain), Mike Gatting (All England Captain)
L to R: Hugo Mazzalupi, George Connelly, Tom Culp, Clarke Thomas
Front L to R: Steve Peikin, Fred Levin, George Connelly, Hugo Mazzalupi, [Unknown] Back L to R: [Unknown], Clarke Thomas, Walter Palmer, Tom Culp, Clive Anderson, [Unknown], [Unknown], Chris Spaeth
Front: Chip Butler, Front Row, George Connelly, [Unknown], Shri, Steve Peikin, Clarence Modeste Back: Chuck Gupta, [Unknown], Tom Culp, [Unknown], Doc Miller, Craig Joss
L to R: Paul Hensley (Haverford), Mike Marcus (Merion), Tom Culp (Philadelphia), Chuck Gupta (Germantown), [Unknown], Alfred Reeves (British Officers)
Tom Culp
CELEBRATING 150 YEARS 1
50 Not Out – Staten Island Cricket Club Story
By Shankar Ramakrishnan,
What do the greatest cricketing legends KS Ranjitsinhji, Sir Don Bradman, Sir Everton Weekes, Joel “Big Bird” Garner, Deryck Murray, Geoffrey Boycott and Sir Garry Sobers have in common? They all played cricket on an unassuming cricket field hidden in the suburbs of New York that is now over a century old.
The Staten Island Cricket Club, which maintains the hallowed Walker Park ground, is celebrating 150 years – a sesquicentennial - of existence this year, making it the oldest continuous club in the US, a country where cricket as a sport is starting to slowly emerge from the shadows.
The sport of cricket is still a rather private club affair in the US – played between some old British clubs and smaller new ones made up mostly of immigrants from the Caribbean and
By Shankar Ramakrishnan
Many local Americans still think of cricket – in jest as the name of an insect - and as a long-drawn affair with complicated rules that lasts several days.
South Asia on pint-sized fields with matting wickets. There was hope initially for something more when cricket first landed on this country’s very shores in the 1700s and the first international cricket match in the history of sport was played in 1844 between Canada and the United States, in the grounds of the St George’s Cricket Club which was then located in Manhattan, New York.
Staten Island Cricket Club - Club House
But growth of the sport stunted over the years thanks partly to some top cricket board administrative tussles, and broadly due to a lack of acceptance with a population that was more attracted to baseball – in some sense a version of cricket – American football, and, with the advent of European immigrants, soccer.
Many local Americans still think of cricket – in jest as the name of an insect - and as a long-drawn affair with complicated rules that lasts several days.
So while the rest of the world celebrates cricket and takes it to the next level through Twenty20 internationals where billions of dollars are exchanged in English Soccer Premiership-style auctions for clubs and players, US cricket is making a fresh attempt to fit in with Major League Cricket and a host of tournaments that aim to attract international players.
Through all this top-level attempted rejuvenation, one constant has been Staten Island Cricket Club. The club has overcome numerous existential crises through its 150 years and kept the cricket flag flying high by hosting matches from international teams and locals - even through the Covid crisis – and through a concerted youth development program, and a mission to maintain diversity in its playing ranks.
“When I first joined in 1961, the club had over 65 members and this membership was predominantly White, most of whom were British. Now they probably constitute 10% of the overall pool and wehave players who are from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Trinidad, Ireland, Guyana and even Americans,” said Clarence Modeste, a 92-year old active cricketer who was recently re-elected as President of the club for the 31st year in succession.
It has been a hard-fought road to tread for the club which at its 150th anniversary is making yet another attempt to become a beacon of hope for young cricketers looking to find a meaningful sporting pursuit through an extensive youth development project – a gratis program for local boys and girls which along with cricket skills, “instills respect, cooperation, and self-belief”.
The club is planning to set up its very own women’s cricket team and organizing a Women’s Cricket tournament – a first for New York - as part of the 150-year celebrations. The club incidentally is the first in the US to host an all-men versus allwomen cricket match in August 2021.
Cricket as such is also an escape for hard-working immigrants in the US who want to continue playing the sport on their weekends as a break from the rigmarole of working life and establish a network of friends and colleagues from different backgrounds and cultures.
One version of the typical working man looking to play cricket for a sense of purpose and relief was memorialized along with the Staten Island Cricket Club in an international best-seller “Netherland” written by Joseph O’Neill, these days a First Vice President of the club.
The book, which features a commendation from US exPresident Barack Obama on the cover, is a tale of a Dutch banker playing New York club cricket. The book talks about
The club is planning to set up its very own women’s cricket team and organizing a Women’s Cricket tournament – a first for New York - as part of the 150-year celebrations. The club incidentally is the first in the US to host an all-men versus all-women cricket match in August 2021.
overgrown outfields that impede the course of any ball struck along the ground and why it necessitates slogging. It also mentions a disparate group of enthusiastic spectators out in the open and a basic lack of infrastructure that arguably should have been par for course for a club of such historic pedigree.
Staten Island Cricket Club has major plans this year to change all that. The construction of houses on the land surrounding Walker Park, in combination with the growing distances that batters strike the ball, has created safety hazards. The cricket club’s existence is now dependent on an overhaul that includes building a small but iconic pavilion for the players and a mile high fence to prevent balls from raining onto the nearby houses. An extensive revamp of its Facebook page and website is now expected to lead into a widespread donation and recruitment campaign.
Interest is already building, and messages are pouring in from around the world from ex-Staten Island Cricket Club players. Then there are also those who know and respect its history like Ireland’s cricketing legend Ed Joyce, fastest World Cup century record-holder Kevin O’Brien and England international Ollie Robinson, all of whom have passed on video messages of support to this club.
The continuing growth of Cricket, which is said to have started as a kids’ game is and now the second most popular sports in the world with over 2.5bln viewers creating some of the richest sports superstars, is in some ways dependent on the strength of its foundations and its widening reach into the 400-million sports audience in the US.
It only makes sense that institutions like the Staten Island Cricket Club that have stood the test of time to keep alive this sport over a century, and then look to evolve into a breeding ground for future superstars to thrive as cricket finds its way into Yankee land. ■
Every October, SICC hosts a Golf Day at one of the local golf courses. The outings have been most helpful in funding the youth coaching program and with meeting the equipment and material needs of the club. We thank all of the supporters, most of whom have been there on many of the outings.
Our heartfelt thanks to all
Alan George
Bob Dunn
Clarence Modeste
Diva Sandrasagra
Dr. Manny Lagmay
Dr. Suji Chakravarthi
Farley Chase
James Gleick
John Cassidy
Kyle and Lucas Horton
Mark Marsan
Mo Ally
Nitin Das Rai
Ravi Ramachandran
Sam Cohen
South Brooklyn Lions
Tony Stoyanov
Avi Basdeo
Bob Greenspan
Damian Lanigan
Dr. Fawzy Saleem
Dr. P.C. Wick
Dr. Thiru Siva
Dr. Holocomp
Bavanandan Rajadurai
Casey Sinnwell’ Chris Cox
David McCormick
Dr. K. Iswara
Dr. Ponn Kathir
Dr. Tindalo Adaniel
Bill Eisenhardt, Biodiagnostic Labs
Christopher Sargeant
Deo Ganesh
Dr. Kumar Balakrishnan
Dr. Ram Reddy
Dr. Elmo Samuel
Hon. Drs Al and Aurelia Curtis Jake Beinecke
Jane Balakrishnan Joe O’Neill
Kaushal Majmudar
Luna Media
Mark Singer
Mohan Radhakrishnan
Paul Benne
Rich Benjamin
Sam Kline
Steve (Lions)
Tony Thandi
Krishna Andavolu
Luv Parikh
Matt Gohd
Nico Israel
Prashanth Nandavanam
Richard Bowditch
Sam Singh
Steve Gross
Vinay Jepal
Jofie Ferrari-Adler
Krishna Andavolu
Monishkumar Patel
Matt Lieber
Niranjan Pavan
Rajiv Naug
Rueben Sivagnanam
Shankar Ramakrishnan
Sunil Nayyer
Zero Gravity Corporation
Drs Kathir, Siva, Saleem and Swamy
SICC HISTORY TIMELINE 1872 -2022
1872, March 22: ..... Staten Island Cricket and Baseball Club founded.
1872, July 7: ........ First cricket game for Staten Island against St. George Cricket XI
1874, March 20: ..... Lawn tennis is introduced in the United States after Staten Islander Mary Ewing Outerbridge brings the sport back from a winter trip to Bermuda. The first court in America is set up on the grounds of the Staten Island Cricket and Baseball Club in St. George. By 1880, tennis is so popular that the first National Lawn Tennis Tournament is held at the same club.
1874 Spring: ........ First tennis game played at Camp Washington, St. George. Mary Outerbridge and her sister first to play tennis in her community.
1880, September 1: .. First national Tennis tournament played at St. George. The tournament was the stimulus for the formation United States National Lawn Tennis Association (now USTA)
1885, January 18: ... Purchased part of Delafield property for $40,000 bounded by Bard and Davis Avenues and First Avenue (now Delafield Place)
1886, May 31: ....... First Tennis game at Walker Park.
1886, July 4: ........ Grand opening of the club house at Walker Park. The membership was 664.
1886, July 5: ........ Formal opening of Cricket field (now Walker Park)
1886, July 6: ........ First Cricket game played in Walker Park (Merion Cricket Club of Philadelphia)
1890: .............. Staten Island CC becomes a founding member of the NY Metropolitan Cricket League
1906: .............. The name of the club was changed to the Staten Island Cricket and Tennis Club
1917: .............. The Staten Island Cricket Club was featured in a famous silent movie Raffles the Amateur Cracksman with famous star John Barrymore.
1925: .............. Building and grounds were purchased by Staten Island Academy.
1930: .............. New York City purchased the property for 110,000 dollars.
1931: .............. The name changed again to Staten Island Cricket Club (the present name)
1932, July 18: ....... Don Bradman and the Australian Team play New York at Walker Park
1932: .............. The clubhouse burned in 1932, and was replaced in 1934 by the Tudor-style structure still standing.
1934 May 27: ....... The name officially changed to Walker Park in honor of Pvt. Randolph St. George Walker Jr. who died in the last attack in the Hindenberg line in 1918.
1988: .............. The Club celebrates its 100th year at Walker Park hosting an International XI led by legendary Sir Garfield Sobers
2000: .............. Staten Island CC along with 4 other clubs founded the World Series League
2001: .............. A $196,000 renovation, completed in 2001
2010, June 26: ...... The club celebrated its 125th Anniversary at Walker Park hosting Merion Cricket Club of Philadelphia
2010: .............. Launch of Staten Island CC Youth Cricket Coaching Program
2018: .............. New fence erected by NYC Parks with assistance from Councilwoman Debbie Rose
2020: .............. Cricket season cancelled for COVID 19 pandemic. However SICC maintained its record as the oldest continuous cricket club in north America with a 9/11 memorial game in Long Island and a tour to Florida .
2021: .............. The club changed its long standing league membership from NY Metropolitan League(Founding Member 1890) to Garden State Cricket League
2021: .............. SICC hosted its first women’s’ cricket game at Walker Park (Lady Strikers)
2022: .............. 150th Anniversary. Back to New York Metropolitan Cricket Association.
THANK YOU TO OUR WONDERFUL 150TH ANNIVERSARY DONORS
FOUNDATIONS
RICHMOND COUNTY SAVINGS FOUNDATION
JAMES GLEICK, CYNTHIA CROSSEN “AROUND” FOUNDATION
WINSTON - SALEM FOUNDATION (Deborah Ally-Novant Community Benefit Program)
Greater Houston Community Foundation BEN KNOWLES FUND
PATRONS
Prashanth Nandavanam
Christopher Sargeant
Joseph O’Neill
Bedessee Sports
William Dinning
Gaston Lifestyles
BENEFACTORS
Sathanayagam Family
Irene Horton Family
Keith and Judy Knowles
Friends and Family of Sushil Solanki
Balakrishnans
Bavanandans
British Schools
Clarence Modeste
Petal Hespel Modeste
Saravanabavans
FRIENDS
Mano and Dhileeni David
Dr. Nirupa Harin
Nirmala and Dr Vamadevan
Drs Dharini and Para Ahilan
Giovanni Upil
Andrew Waud
Dr. Juliet Jegasothy
Dr. Arjuna Ponnambalam
Dr. Fawzy and Loulou Saleem
Saheed Mohamed
St. George Society of New York- SGSNY
British Schools
Siu and Avi Basdeo
Kamilla Basdeo
Drs Rajam and Shan Theventhiran
Supriya and Shankar Ramakrishnan
SUPPORTERS
Dr. Wickremasinghe
USHA Sweets & Snacks Inc
Geetha and Dr. Iswara
Vajantha Samuel
Mohan Kissoon
Sunil Nayyer
Diva Sandrasagra
Dr. Thiru Siva
Dr. Ponn Nathan
Rajendran Kanagaratnam
Srihari Satchi
Arun Vora
The Staten Island Cricket Club
gratefully acknowledges the assistance of Richmond County Savings Foundation
