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USA Cricketer

USACA 'bans' Coach Linden Fraser. Fraser to challenge suspension.

By Orin Davidson

Sparks are about to fly in a potential ugly showdown that can once again undermine the operations of the United States of America Cricket Association (USACA).

At the center of the storm is recently re-elected USACA president Gladstone Dainty who dropped a bombshell by suspending longstanding New York coach Linden Fraser, indefinitely from all cricket activities related to the association.

The fireworks are a repercussion from the just concluded USACA Under-15 championships and the team selection, for which Fraser was one of three selectors named prior to the competition.

Following the team's selection on Sunday, after the series, to represent the United States at next month's International Cricket Council (ICC) Americas Under-15 series, Fraser said he received an email from Dainty informing him of the suspension.

Fraser, however is not taking it lying down and has vowed to challenge Dainty's action even if it means involving the world ruling body ICC.

The coach explained that he was accused by Dainty of releasing the team without approval, but Fraser explained that the USACA president is wrong on all counts.

In his email Dainty stated that Fraser released the team publicly without permission and should have known better.

"In my opinion your unauthorized action is damaging to our organization. I am therefore suspending you from all activities of the United States of America Cricket Association (USACA)", Dainty wrote.

However, Fraser countered by stating that he did not release the team to the public, stating that the email with the squad was sent to USACA operations manager Manaf Mohamed and by error also went to a list which had only USACA officials including Board members and a few regional cricket officials.

"I was asked by Manaf Mohamed (USACA cricket operations official and second vice president) to send the team to him and by mistake it also went to a list that included the names of the other cricket people," the coach explained.

He added that as far as he knew they (selectors) were never told that they were selecting a team that had to be approved by anyone.

"Why then did Manaf not tell me to send the team to Dainty for approval, instead of sending it to him (Manaf)" questioned the coach.

Fraser also queried whether Dainty has the authority to suspend him without agreement from the USASA executive.

In his email Dainty said the final determination of the suspension would be subsequently determined by the USACA executive Board of Directors.

It is left to be seen the type of support Dainty will get for the ban as already one official has deemed the action unnecessary and unwarranted.

Fraser has warned that he will go all the way to ensure that Dainty is stopped in his tracks.

Several attempts by telephone to elicit a reaction from the USACA president were futile.

The coach explained the situation developed from a disagreement among the three selectors over the final composition of the U.S. team.

He explained that the recently appointed coach Anwer Khan, of Pakistan, who along with Fraser and Prem Suri comprised the panel, was out-voted on the inclusion of one player.

Fraser said Khan wanted the player to be included and subsequently refused to sign off on the final list that the former and Suri had decided on last Sunday.

Fraser said he feels that Khan along with Akhtar 'Chick' Masood, the USACA representative from Central East had a plan to include a number of their favorite players.

When the final team list of was eventually released by USACA it contained three changes to the original.

Fraser said New York batsman Qwesi Edmondson who had topscored for his team twice in the three matches they played in the competition and ending not out in the other, was one of the casualties.

Pranav Pradham of California and Herno Smith were the others.

"They (three) are all good players, Smith is the fastest bowler around and can bat too," the coach stated.

He disclosed that one of the players was crestfallen after learning he was removed from the squad.

Whether the issues are sorted out and team is allowed to travel to Bermuda or not, it is left to be seen.

Comments

 

openingbat said:

Upon the request of the parents of the boys affected by recent selection decisions,  we have decided to unpublish the comments.  

Whatever the causes or repercussions,  we understand that the kids had nothing to do with  the recent events.  It is for that reason, and that reason alone, that we are taking this unusual step.   We appreciate free speech, but we do not wish for kids to be affected by what they read - especially because comments have included names.  

We are not taking any sides in this - just want to do the right thing for the kids.  It is not too late.

Generally speaking, we would like for our readers to continue commenting on our blogs.  All constructive dialog is still welcome.      

July 26, 2008 8:20 PM
 

Well Wisher said:

I wish you the team very best.

Does anybody have any idea how the opposition teams are? Their strengths and weaknesses?

Waht chances you give our team? Any comments?

July 26, 2008 9:21 PM
 

Dominic Ryan said:

You do run a very strange website -- free speech until someone gets upset.  Thank God the rest of America is not so messed up in this regard.  God help cricket in the US - it is an unqualified disaster.

July 27, 2008 12:39 AM
 

openingbat said:

The comments were not always about the process or its failures.   The boys (13-15 year olds) were being written about and they are not responsible for the mess.  Until we can figure out a way to moderate the comments in real-time, we needed to unpublish.

July 27, 2008 6:04 AM
 

ncalcricket@gmail.com said:

I think you should take the comments section off if you are going to remove some comments selectively. It does not matter even if names appear on comments, you are media, whom are you representing ?

July 28, 2008 7:19 AM
 

God help US said:

July 26, 2008 8:20 PM  

  Well Wisher said:

I wish you the team very best.

Does anybody have any idea how the opposition teams are? Their strengths and weaknesses?

Waht chances you give our team? Any comments?

Hello Mr. Well Wisher,

The competetion is so so. This team is loaded in batting and that should see it through. But bowling is on the opposite end. There is no fast bowler on the team (Kalim is okay) and no qulity leg spinner either. Teams from full countries will feast on our bowling attack. Remember what happened to Bermuda in World Cup. I hate to see that heppen to our team in Under 19 world cup. Granted the choices were limited in Chicago. However, there were a few promsing fast bowlers on display in Chicago, who should have been selected to groom the for U19 team. Now let's hope the batting will save this team

August 5, 2008 12:19 PM
 

usaca pushing the kids away said:

there is only 4 batter at the top of the order and once they fall the side will collapse. there is no balance. the match against Canada will tell the story. my friends in Toronto tells me that the CDN side is well prepared and has a strong bowling attack. we have no middle or lower order and weak bowling. I do wish our boys the best and once again thank-you dainty and regionally biased selectors.

August 6, 2008 8:27 AM

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