U.S. CRICKETERS NEARLY MAKE HISTORY.

Byline: Kevin Modesti Daily News Staff Writer

United States cricketers absorbed one more good lesson in the final of an international tournament at Woodley Park in Van Nuys, though not before they taught the Jamaicans something, too.

The U.S. batsmen overcame a slow morning to post 210 runs for nine wickets in 45 overs, then bowled over the top of the Jamaican order and looked like upset winners Sunday. At one desperate moment the visitors had 100 for seven wickets in 26 overs, well below the scoring rate they needed to win the 50-overs-limit match.

U.S. cricket officials were loving it, because they remembered the confident statements of Jamaica's manager at a tournament banquet Saturday night. As one American said sagely, ``In cricket you never underestimate your opponent.''

No sooner was that lesson dispensed then Jamaica demonstrated that although humility is nice, experience is better. Franklyn Rose, Jamaica's captain and No. 8 batsman, strode confidently to the wicket and rescued the favorites from an embarrassing defeat. The lanky Rose beat the U.S. fast bowlers like a steel drum and piled up a team-high 59 runs.

At the end of the nearly eight-hour day, facing bowler Abdul Islam, Rose swept a ball to the leg side for a boundary four, giving Jamaica the victory with 214 for eight wickets in 40 overs.

Jamaica's triumph in the Independence Day Cup tournament - which included teams representing the Southern California Cricket Association and India - was expected. The United States' spirited showing was not.

``It's a big surprise for me,'' said Rose, named man of the match and bowler of the tournament. ``I didn't know cricket in the U.S. was so competitive. We've been playing cricket right through for years. The U.S. is just starting out.''

Earlier in the week, the United States had a similar chance to beat Jamaica before West Indian international Jimmy Rose turned in some batting heroics. Rose went home before Sunday's final because of a contract obligation, so the pressure was on Franklyn Rose.

He coolly came through in a way that none of the U.S. players - weekend cricketers drawn from countries where the sport is a bigger deal - could be expected to equal.

``Half an hour ago, I thought we had the game locked up,'' U.S. manager Bobby Refai sighed as evening - and defeat - approached. ``One guy changed the game around. It's just the experience they (the Jamaicans) have from playing the game day in and day out.''

The United States was led by Ali Aijaz, a Southern Californian who had 73 not-out on Sunday and was named the batsman of the week.

Had the United States actually won, the upset would have been compared to the U.S. soccer upset of England in 1951.

It certainly would have been the biggest cricketing accomplishment here since '79, when the United States nearly qualified for the sport's World Cup.

``It would have been significant,'' said Don Weekes, a former Barbados test player, who called the Jamaicans a representative team of professionals.

Leaders of the SCCA, the 27-team local league, put on the tournament to 1) try to show the multifield Woodley complex could host the 2001 World Cup qualifying matches, and 2) to give U.S. players some seasoning. Now they know they're on the right track.

``It (Sunday's near-upset) means the U.S. is beginning to live up to its performance capabilities,'' said SCCA treasurer David Sentance. ``And it means the team needs more resources to be able to play more often.''

CAPTION(S):

Photo

PHOTO Ozair Nana of the United States bowls against Jamaica in the Independence Day Cup Sunday.

Kirby Lee / Special to the Daily News