By Sham Samaroo
Everything seems to be coming up roses for United States of America’s Lennox Cush in 2010.
Just a few weeks ago, Cush wrote his name in the record books when he became the first and only player to take two hat tricks in T20 cricket.
Representing his native Guyana in the Caribbean T20 championship, Cush picked up his second hat trick (the first came in 2008 against Jamaica) in the final over of Guyana’s win over the Combined Campuses and Colleges team.
The South American nation went on to win the tournament and book a place in the IPL Champions League in South Africa next month.
In addition to his bowling feats, Cush also has hundreds to his name, making him a genuine all rounder and any coach’s dream player.
Prior to Guyana’s departure for the Caribbean T20 tournament, Cush along with his teammates, were in training at the Indoor Facility on the East Coast and the national stadium at Providence.
Invited by Coach Ravindranauth Seeram to the team’s practice session at the Providence national stadium, I was given a New York welcome by Cush with a big smile and a bear hug. Cush told me that he was most impressed with the “camaraderie” on the team and said that he was prepared to do whatever was requested of him to ensure that his native Guyana wins the tournament – something that has become somewhat of a habit for Cush in 2010 – winning that is.
The year started out with Cush delivering a few scintillating all round performances in Nepal in the International Cricket Council’s WCL Division 5 to help Team USA achieve its goal of qualifying for the next round.
After scoring a quickfire 50 in the opening game against Fiji, Cush delivered a match-winning all-round performance in the second game against Bahrain.
He fell nine short of a well-deserved hundred, scoring a masterful 91 in 90 balls and then returning to grab two valuable wickets to halt a spirited chase by Bahrain after USA had amassed a commanding 273 for 6.
Returning to the USA in June it was off to Bermuda and the ICC Americas T20 Cup where the battle with archrivals, Canada, awaited. Before that, however, USA needed to get past hosts Bermuda in the semifinals. And at 65 for 6, chasing a victory target of 138, they were on the verge of elimination, and hopes of the much-anticipated clash with Canada were fast fading. But Cush delivered a Man of the Match batting performance to save USA the blushes, and catapult the team into the final.
Asked to share the new ball in the final against Canada, Cush and fellow new-ball partner, Timroy Allen, answered the call with two quick wickets each to leave their neighbours to the north tottering at 16 for 4. USA would go on to claim a famous victory – winning the first ever ICC Americas T20 Cup. A win that many thought should have earned them a place in the Caribbean T20 tournament, but the WICB chose instead to invite the losers, Canada.
Luckily for Cush, and fortunately for Guyana, Cush was eligible for selection on the Guyana team. With his invaluable bowling, particularly in the shorter version, Cush played a crucial role in Guyana winning the title.
He finished as the tournament’s leading wicket taker and the only bowler to capture two four-wicket hauls including a hat-trick. Cush now gets the chance to strut his stuff at the IPL Champions League.
But, before that, he must help Team USA in its quest for a spot in the ICC WCL Division 3 as it looks ahead to World Cup 2015.
