AFTER two days of brilliant sunshine and the successful staging of the Legends and Masters finals, a torrential downpour on the final afternoon halted the Open All Stars final last Sunday at Baisley Park, Queens, New York, bringing an end to the 19th edition of the New York Softball Cricket League (NYSCL) Independence Cup.

When the skies suddenly “opened”, NYSCL All Stars were 90 for five in 13 overs, replying to the challenging 184 for eight made by defending champions Orlando All Stars in their allotted 20 overs.
Several attempts to restart the game proved futile, forcing the organisers to declare Orlando All Stars the 2024 champions based on run rate.

Orlando’s charge was led by Sewchand Budhu, who slammed five fours and a six in a top score of 44, while Vejay Surujpaul contributed 26 (two fours and two sixes) and former Guyana and West Indies Under-19 batsman Zamal Khan 20. R. Seepersaud took two for 36.
The winners took home US$4000 and the winning Eagle, while the runners-up received a trophy. Players from both sides were also the recipients of medals.
Eight teams participated in the Open All Stars category.