The Consulates General of India and Australia in New York organised the inaugural International Liberty Cup in Bronx
An Indian team, comprising members of the diaspora, recently won an inaugural cricket cup after beating an Australian diaspora side in a match held at New York as part of the 75th Independence day celebrations, reported PTI.
The Consulates General of India and Australia in New York organised the inaugural International Liberty Cup in Bronx.
The Liberty Cup tournament was held with the aim of bringing the cricket-playing nations together and to bolster the sport’s popularity in the US.
New York Thunderbolts Cricket Club represented team India on behalf of the Consulate General of India in New York while team Australia was represented by the New York Kookaburras Cricket Club.
Before the match, Randhir Jaiswal, Consul General of India in New York, emphasised the deep partnership between India and Australia. “To celebrate India’s 75 years of independence, we are celebrating it in a special manner through cricket which binds our two countries together. We want to enjoy cricket and we want to enjoy our friendship,” Jaiswal said.
Australia’s Consul-General in New York Nick Greiner described the match as a ”highlight” of his tenure in New York. ”It’s the first time that we’ve played a sporting activity so that’s always good for Australia. This is a small, symbolic way of celebrating the friendship between Australia and India, which is getting stronger and stronger. We’re now part of the Quad group and I think at every level the relationship is getting better,” Greiner said, making a reference to the India, the US, Japan and Australia grouping.
Jake List captained the Australian team while Raj Mohabe was the captain of team India. Nonprofit organisation 22 Yardsport, which promotes the game in the US, organised the tournament.
Jamaican legend Steve Buckner and Ramesh Lal were umpires for the match. Team Australia won the toss and put up a total of 146 in 20 overs at the loss of six wickets. The Indian team chased the target in 16 overs, with Santy Santosh scoring 81 in 48 balls, hitting 6 sixes and 3 boundaries.
Jaipur Foot USA Chairman Prem Bhandari described the inaugural match as ”cricket diplomacy” and said it is a great initiative to bolster the popularity of the game in the US and among the American audiences.
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