National Youth Cricket League (NYCL) conducted its inaugural national tournament in Dallas between July 4th and 7th, 2014. The tournament was independently hosted by the Dallas Cricket League (DCL).

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National Youth Cricket League (NYCL) conducted its inaugural national tournament in Dallas between July 4th and 7th, 2014.   The tournament  was independently hosted by the Dallas Cricket League (DCL).   DCL's thorough planning ensured that nine games could be held simultaneously on four consecutive days.  All games started at 7:30 AM to avoid the mid-afternoon Sun.

The tournament was open to all teams regardless of their affiliation and included competition in U12, U14 and U16 age categories.   The NYCL event was conceptualized over a call in September of 2013 by four youth cricket leaders - Gopal Samant (EYCA), Priya Singh (MYCA), Rajesh Uppalapati (TCL) and Venu Palaparthi (CLNJ-Youth).   The buzz generated by the inaugural tournament has led to 21 youth programs joining this informal nationwide league.   More are expected to join in the coming months.

Eighteen teams participated in the event with the most number of teams (8) taking part in the U12 category.  Six teams participated in the U16 category and four teams participated in the intermediate U15 category.  Teams traveled from as far away as New Jersey and California to participate. 

World's largest cricket equipment manufacturer, SG Cricket, was the equipment partner for the tournament.  The tournament also saw numerous sponsors support the host league as well as the participating teams.  

CLNJ Colts (picture above) finished the tournament undefeated in the U16 age category which was played in the 30-over format.  CLNJ's sweep included a victory in the tournament's first game which saw them start with just nine players as two players were stranded due to Tropical Storm Arthur.   In the final game against DYCL Cricket Masters, the home team were bowled out for 71 runs inside of 26 overs.   For DYCL, Bikramjeet Singh dazzled with a 20-ball 24 that included two sixes.   

Bowling for CLNJ in the final, the brothers Richard and Raymond Ramrattan who took two wickets each lit the fire but it was Gauranshu Sharma, who took 3 wickets in the space of 1.4 overs who put the finishing touches.  Akil Ponnambalam and Humzah Khan displaced the opening batsmen at the start.  CLNJ did not sweat in their chase as Richard (21) and Vivek Narayan (27*) put on a strong partnership at the start making it easy for the target to be overhauled with 7 wickets and 10 overs to spare.    Southern California Youth Cricket Club, NTCA Youth Tigers, Missouri Youth Cricket Association and Indoor Cricket Rising Stars were the remaining participants in the tournament and finished in that order.  See below for summary results in the U16 category. 

In the U14 category, the ACA Avataars defeated DYCL All Rounders in the final after losing a close match to the same team in the league phase.   Batting first, ACA Avataars scored 88 in their allotted 25 overs thanks mainly to Mit Mehta made mince meat of the bowlers by scoring 43 not out, a knock that included five 4s.  The other batsmen were content with playing a support role.  Bowling for DYCL, Burhan Nadeem impressed with his 3 wickets for just nine runs at an incredible economy rate of 1.8. 

Requiring 89 to win, DYCL All Rounders never got going and eventually collapsed for 62 in 21.2 runs despite a late-stage 18-run effort by Harris Nadeem.   Ateendra Subamanian, who had troubled the DYCL batsmen in an earlier game, proved equally efficient once again taking another 3 wicket haul for 10 runs.  Santosh Reddy put the finishing touches accounting for three batsmen for just 8 runs.  East Bay Youth Cricket and Cricmax Spartans finished third and fourth place respectively.  Here are summary results for the U14 age category.

California Cricket Academy (CCA) won the junior most U12 category, which was the most popular age group in the tournament with eight participating teams, an encouraging sign that shows that the numbers are growing as kids are picking up the sport earlier.   Cricmax Tigers and CCA excelled in the league phase winning all matches in their groups.  In the hotly contested finals, Cricmax batted first and mustered 65 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in their alloted 20 overs.  Saiteja Mukkamalla scored 16 runs at the start, a knock that included a boundary.  Bowling for CCA, Pratham Kataria excelled with the ball taking 5 wickets for 14 runs in a tightly bowled 4 overs. 

In the chase, CCA's openers Ved Patel (40 not out) and Rahul Jariwala (12) built a strong enough foundation and a defeat was never in doubt.  Shalinka Gunatilaka and Nayan Elamurgan took one wicket each for Cricmax.   Missouri Youth Cricket Association, DYCL Future Stars, Triangle Cricket League, East Bay Youth Cricket, Indoor Cricket Sons of Liberty and NTCA Youth Cubs were the remaining teams in the tournament and finished up in that order.

In another first, the NYCL also saw the participation of two youth female players: Ritu Singh (MYCA) and Katie Harris (MYCA).  

In a written statement, Priya Singh thanked DCL volunteers for their support including the umpires, scorers and ground staff.   NYCL also thanked DCL for doing an excellent job in conducting the games.   NYCL is expected to make an announcement soon regarding its plans for the remainder of 2014 and for 2015.