West Haven cricket team wins Philadelphia tourney

WEST HAVEN — The key to West Haven Cricket Club’s longstanding success isn’t down to pure athleticism, it’s also the camaraderie.

“A lot of clubs reach out to our players to try to recruit, but people stick with us because they know West Haven Cricket Club is more than just a sports team; it’s like a family,” said WHCC Vice President Surendaran Vishwanthan.

The club, founded in 2001 by Madhu Reddy, Raj Madugula, Rakesh Reddy, Manohar Raju and Manesh Prabh, won the 20th annual Philadelphia International Cricket Festival May 7. The victory earned the team some new hardware, which will be added to a growing collection of trophies, including seven victories in a 40overs championship and five victories in a 20-overs championship.

Among the founders, two remain on the board of directors. Vishwanthan said the West Haven club is unique in southwestern Connecticut in that many other cricket clubs in the area are managed by active players, whereas WHCC retains retired players who remain involved with the club by performing management and logistical duties.

“We support each other off the field, as well,” Vishwanthan said.

The club has been practicing on the Peterson Soccer Field on what the team has deemed the Ralph DeLucia Cricket Field in honor of a resident who loaned the team an equipment shed. Vishwanthan said the team also owes some of its success to the support of the West Haven Parks Department, especially parks and recreation staffer Kerri Ruocco.

Vishwanthan said the team is prolific in hardball and tennis ball cricket and participates in various leagues including the Southern Connecticut Cricket Association and the Connecticut Cricket League.

Although the team’s founders are of south Indian descent, Vishwanthan said the team is open to all.

“We are a very diverse team. We have people from all cultures and countries and we welcome all,” he said. “People like to play for West Haven because they know when they come to West Haven Cricket Club there’s no politics in the team.”

Contributed photo West Haven Cricket Club members Manesh Prabhu, Azher Ali, Raj Khatri, Abhishek Chitale, Nikhel Thapar, Suriya Rajamani, Rajesh Narayanan, Sriram Ramesh, captain Prasanna Ramaswamy, Ranganath Kanna, Gautam Anne and Shreenath Rajagopalan after winning the 20th annual Philadelphia International Cricket Festival on May 7.