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October 11, 2008
Kenya aim for outright win
Posted
1 day, 4 hours ago in ICC Intercontinental Cup
Tony Munro
Kenya will be playing for a win in the Intercontinental Cup match against Ireland starting in Nairobi on Saturday despite needing just a draw to qualify for the final.
"My approach is to always play positive cricket and the Kenyan team will approach the game in this frame of mind,” Andy Kirsten, the coach, told Cricinfo. “There are a few scenarios which will see us reach the final, but the most clear one is to go and win the match, so that is what we aim to do.”
Continue reading "Kenya aim for outright win"
Comments (0) | ICC Intercontinental Cup
October 10, 2008
Getting closer to a dream
Posted
1 day, 17 hours ago in Afghanistan
Hamid Hassan, Afghanistan’s fast bowler, on taking a step nearer to the 2011 World Cup.
It would be the best moment of my life if I get to play at the World Cup and I am so happy I have taken a step closer to realising that dream today.
There was a lot of pressure on us ahead of the game against Italy, as we knew that if we lost the game we wouldn’t get promoted from Division 4. We played extremely well today and I am proud of the team and very grateful to all the help and support that our coach Kabir Khan has provided us.
My role in the Afghanistan team at this tournament is to come on after the opening bowlers have finished their spell.
I quite like the fact teams think that they have faced all the Afghanistan fast bowlers and then I come on to bowl even faster.
Continue reading "Getting closer to a dream"
Comments (0) | Afghanistan
Win or bust
Posted
2 days, 4 hours ago in World Cricket League
Hemantha Jayasena, Italy
Four games have now been completed in the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League and all our hard work now rests on the outcome of our final match.
After beating Tanzania we know that if we win on Friday we will get promoted to Division 3 and we are all desperate to play in Argentina next January – we will do everything that we can to qualify for that tournament.
We played Afghanistan in a warm-up game before this tournament which it won by three runs, but that match was our first in Tanzania and we were still getting used to the conditions, so we are not worried about that. It should be a fantastic game.
Continue reading "Win or bust"
Comments (0) | World Cricket League
Botswana are Division Two champions
Posted
2 days, 7 hours ago in World Cricket League
Botswana have won the World Cricket League Africa Division Two tournament, finishing unbeaten after their six-wicket win over Mozambique in Benoni yesterday. In the day's other matches, Zambia defeated Swaziland by 156 runs and Nigeria beat Ghana by 70 runs.
Botswana restricted Mozambique to 174 all out after they were 106 for 2 at one stage. Tshepo Mhozya was the most effective bowler, taking 5 for 32 for Botswana. Abdul Patel, the Man of the Match, then steered Botswana home with an unbeaten 71.
Continue reading "Botswana are Division Two champions"
Comments (0) | World Cricket League
October 9, 2008
Florida to host Americas Region Division I
Posted
2 days, 17 hours ago in ICC Americas
The Americas Region Division I is now confirmed to take place in Florida, November 24
December 1. Five matches will be played in the new stadium built for cricket in Broward County.
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Six countries, Argentina, Bermuda, Canada, Cayman Islands, Suriname and the USA will
compete for the title. For Suriname, an affiliate, it will be their first appearance in Division I. The team earned the right to compete having won Division 2.
Comments (0) | ICC Americas
October 8, 2008
Umpire boost for Mali
Posted
3 days, 15 hours ago in Mali
The Malian Cricket federation recently completed a five-day umpire training course. A total of 38 people attended the theory sessions during the course, covering the principle laws of the game and important variations in the rules e.g. Powerplays. The participants included representatives from the regional leagues in Segou and Sikasso as well as most of the Bamako-based clubs, and included five women. After the theory and practical sessions came the tests; six people succeeded in passing the level 2 test, 12 passed the level I test and eight others were considered to have reached the Assistant Umpire standard.
Comments (0) | Mali
Burger upbeat despite Ireland setback
Posted
3 days, 21 hours ago in Namibia
Louis Burger, the Namibia captain, chose to see the brighter side of a dispiriting eight-run defeat to Ireland in their Intercontinental Cup match in Windhoek on Saturday.
Read the full piece on Cricinfo
Comments (0) | Namibia
October 7, 2008
Botswana unbeaten in Africa World Cricket League
Posted
4 days, 22 hours ago in World Cricket League
By Tony Munro
Botswana are the only unbeaten team after three matches in the Africa World Cricket League Division 2 tournament being played in Benoni, South Africa this week.
Their five-wicket win over Nigeria yesterday give them six points, ahead of Mozambique, Nigeria and Zambia, with four points each, while Ghana and Swaziland, both promoted from Division 3 are yet to record a win.
In the other matches yesterday, Mozambique defeated Swaziland by 100 runs and Zambia defeated Ghana by 112 runs.
Play resumes tomorrow after today's rest day, with Botswana meeting Zambia, Mozambique playing Nigeria and either Ghana facing Swaziland.
Mozambique, who only began playing cricket in the early 1990s, beat Ghana in their first game before narrowly losing by 11 runs to Zambia. Both those countries have been playing cricket for much longer.
Comments (0) | World Cricket League
October 6, 2008
Surkari hit with two-match ban
Posted
5 days, 23 hours ago in Canada
Zubin Surkari has been handed a two-game suspension and fined by the Canadian Cricket Association for conduct and behaviour-related charges.
Comments (0) | Canada
Cricket takes the spotlight in Tanzania
Posted
6 days ago in Player diaries
Hamisi Abdallah
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Hamisi Abdallah cracks one through the covers during his 31 against Jersey
© ICC
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Today is the rest day in the World Cricket League and teams now have a better idea of what they need to do if they are going to progress in this competition.
After a fantastic win against Jersey on Saturday, we (Tanzania) were a bit disappointed to lose yesterday to Hong Kong who was an excellent team. There was a great crowd at that game and there has been lots of interest from the media on a daily basis; cricket has been back page news for the past fortnight which doesn’t always happen here.
Cricket in Tanzania is going from strength to strength and it is a sign of how far that we have come that we can stage this tournament, having held an ICC Africa event here back in 2006.
I play my cricket in Dar Es Salaam, where I work for the Tanzania Cricket Association as a Development Officer, and there is a thriving cricket community with the A league having two divisions, with 15 teams in total and four grounds with turf wickets.
But cricket is also popular in other areas as well and our national side is made up of players from across the country.
Lots of people used to think that only Indians played cricket in Tanzania, but the efforts of the national association to spread the games into schools, which is where I first experienced playing the game, means that the sport is popular amongst black Africans as well.
When I go into the schools and see the talent that is coming up, particularly those guys who come for extra coaching at our Academy, then the future is certainly looking very bright. At the opening ceremony of the event, over 100 children from the local cricket programme had the opportunity to showcase their skills to a watching audience, and I think everybody was very impressed by what they saw.
I spent my morning today going to visit a project run by the Tanzanian Youth Coalition, along with a player or representative from the other five teams, which provides an opportunity for young people in Tanzania to receive education.
The visit was part of the ICC’s partnership with UNAIDS and UNICEF on AIDS awareness, which is a big problem in Tanzania. It was great for the other players to have an opportunity to see a different side to my country and the great work that charities do here.
I don’t think many people at the centre had ever met anybody from the likes of Jersey, Afghanistan or Hong Kong either. Tomorrow the attention will go back on the cricket and it is a massive game for us against Afghanistan who has won their first two matches.
We have played against them in a warm-up match and I can’t wait to try and get another victory in this tournament. We just need to focus on the basics and I think we have a good chance of beating Afghanistan.
Hamisi Abdallah is the Tanzania allrounder, one of a number of players blogging for Cricinfo their experience of the World Cricket League in Tanzania
Comments (0) | Player diaries
Change of name in Kuwait
Posted
6 days, 2 hours ago in Kuwait
A restructuring will see the Kuwait Cricket Association become Kuwait Cricket. The move is part of a streamlining of the board’s structure
Comments (1) | Kuwait
October 3, 2008
Fiji's bankers and soliders prepare themselves
Posted
1 week, 1 day ago in Player diaries
Although we haven’t won any of our practice matches, the Fiji boys feel ready for the start of the tournament on Saturday.
Some of our players haven’t played on a turf wicket for 18 months so it has been useful to get to experience the conditions and adjust to the different bounce to the artificial wickets that we are used to playing on back at home.
I work as a bank officer back in Fiji and our team is made up of soldiers, a lecturer and a graphic designer. We are all lucky that our work has been very supportive in allowing us to prepare for this tournament and take the time off to represent our country.
Although rugby and soccer are probably the most popular sports back in Fiji, we have been receiving a lot of support. We even had the opportunity to go and meet the president before we departed which was a really good experience. It turned out that he used to play a bit of cricket himself, but I couldn’t find out too much more than that. In Fiji, it is tradition that when you are in the company of somebody so senior, you only speak when you are spoken to.
We play Afghanistan in our opening match of the tournament and we have heard that they have a really good bowling attack. I believe Italy are one of the favourites, while we found out yesterday that Hong Kong has a really strong team as well, with an excellent spin attack.
My main focus is to make sure I take plenty of wickets and try and make an important contribution with the bat at No.7, either taking my team to victory or rebuilding an innings if we have struggled early on.
It is the opening ceremony of the tournament today and I am hoping to have the opportunity to meet the players from other teams and talk to them not only about cricket, but what life is like back in their country. I have never been to any of the other five countries that we are playing against in the tournament so it is a good opportunity to learn about how other people live their lives.
I really enjoy having the opportunity to travel and meet people, so it is great that as well as getting a chance to play cricket in ICC events like this, I have the opportunity to experience different cultures.
My father used to play for Fiji and in his time there was never an opportunity to take part in events like the one we are playing in this week, which I think makes me appreciate being part of the squad at this tournament.
We are all desperate to do as well as we can in the next six matches and perhaps we can get the opportunity to experience some South American culture next January for Division 3 in Argentina.
Greg Browne is the Fiji batsman, one of a number of players blogging for Cricinfo their experience of the World Cricket League in Tanzania
Comments (2) | Player diaries
October 1, 2008
Jersey begin Africa adventure
Posted
1 week, 4 days ago in World Cricket League
Matt Hague
The Jersey squad arrived in Tanzania today full of excitement about the adventures that lie ahead. We have been talking about coming to play in this tournament ever since we qualified in May, particularly in the last couple of weeks when we have been meeting most days for training, so it is great to finally be here and I can’t wait for the tournament to start.
It was amazing on the journey from the airport to the hotel to get a taste of what life in Tanzania is really like. I, like many of the squad, have never been to Africa before; we couldn’t believe the amount of traffic, which meant we crawled along on the team bus, and the pace of life here seems different to home as well. It makes the island life of Jersey look like a rollercoaster in comparison. We have to play six games in eight days, so the tournament schedule is pretty tough, but I would love to try and see what Dar Es Salaam has to offer and experience some of the culture.
There were people selling all kinds of stuff next to the road. Somebody had even set up a mini shoe shop on the pavement – you wonder how they make a living – and there were lots of people at every traffic light trying to sell you all kind of different things. I think we’ll need to change some of our US dollars into local currency so we can buy some of the fresh fruit that was for sale by the side of the road which looked very appetizing and perhaps I’ll see if I can get some presents for the family as well from the street traders.
After checking into our hotel, which is located right next to the sea and only half-an-hour of all three venues, we went to our first practice session this afternoon, which we basically used to help recover from the jet lag and do some light fielding drills.
I’m looking forward to my first opportunity of seeing how the wickets play when we take on Fiji in a practice match tomorrow and examining what we need to adapt to the different conditions.
That’s not just dealing with how the ball bounces on the wicket, or the difference in the outfield in comparison to back at home, but looking at how we can adjust our tactics to local conditions.
Playing in Jersey it is quite common for a bowler to bowl his 10 overs straight through. I think the heat and humidity will make that a challenge for anybody to do in Tanzania, but until we’ve had the opportunity to experience the conditions ahead of our first competitive match on Saturday we really don’t know.
Being here at this level of ICC event really hits home how things have changed for cricket in Jersey. It is amazing to think that just three years ago our only international game of the season was against Guernsey.
Then when we became a member of the ICC in 2005 we had the opportunity to go and play in Scotland and Italy which was absolutely fantastic, but to think that a team of Jersey cricketers have travelled all the way to Africa, to play against countries like Fiji, Hong Kong and Tanzania, with a dream of progressing to Division 3 of this event in Argentina is unbelievable.
I think we have an even more talented squad than the one that played in Jersey, with the addition of some really promising youngsters which is a great sign for the Development Program that our Board has invested in so heavily.
At the age of 34, if we’re not successful in this tournament, I may never ever have the opportunity again of playing this level of international cricket, so while our youngsters are keen to make the most of their opportunities, the old timers in the squad don’t want this fairytale story of trying to qualify for the 2011 World Cup to end just yet! I quite fancy a trip to Argentina in January when the weather back home will be freezing.
With the experience of Peter Kirsten as coach, to help guide us through our African adventure, and a side full of confidence after our win at the European Championships Division 2, we’re a side ready for the challenges that the next fortnight will throw at us and I can’t wait for the real action to begin on Saturday.
Matt Hague is the Jersey captain
Comments (4) | World Cricket League
Burger sizzles with confidence over Ireland clash
Posted
1 week, 4 days ago in Namibia
Tony Munro
This weekend Namibia plays Ireland in the Intercontinental Cup. It’s Namibia's last qualifying match while Ireland has another against Kenya after this. Cricinfo spoke to the captain, Louis Burger.
Well, it’s your last chance to cement a place in the final and your opponents, Ireland, have a game in hand. Nothing like a bit of pressure to bring out the best out of the team, is it?
LB: Yes, we play every game to win and Ireland will be no exception in this regard. They will be coming at us really hard as they also want a place in the final. The pressure is a bit relieved on our side seeing that we are virtually assured of a spot in the final unless Ireland and Kenya finish in an outright tie, which is very unlikely, and we have to gain no points in the Ireland game.
Namibia hadn't hit a ball in anger for about five months prior to the Bermuda match. How did you rate the performance and in which areas would you like to see improvement?
LB: To us it was the beginning of the season and our preparations for the Bermuda game was intense seeing that we wanted the 20 points to relieve the pressure of having to gain points in our last game to go to the final.
Having said that, I was happy with our performance. We didn’t really know what to expect of the wicket and weather but eventually everything worked out, and we managed to get full points even though the wicket turned a lot and had half a day of cricket rained off.
Obviously the World Cup qualifiers next year would be in the back of your mind, but why is winning the Intercontinental Cup important?
LB: It’s all about reaching goals we set ourselves at the beginning of the year. Our first goal was to get into the final, which we are almost sure of at this moment. The next goal is to win the final. Our last goal is to qualify for the next World Cup and with the World Cup Qualifiers just a few months away, I feel that this is already a real confidence booster. To win this competition will give us the confidence to go into any game knowing that we can beat whoever the opposition is.
After this, Namibia start their campaign against the amateur South African provincial teams. How important is playing in this competition and in what areas does it improve your cricket?
The two seasons prior to the previous World Cup qualifiers, we did not play in this competition. Previously we did and it was called the Bowl Competition back then. Even though this is an amateur competition the standard of cricket is high and it gives us the opportunity to play against really tough opposition. To play as much competitive cricket as possible makes you a better team and help you cope in tight situations as you have been there before playing in this kind of competition. The competition consists out of a three day game followed by a limited overs match which gives one the opportunity to play both forms of the game over 4 days.
Ireland won the last meeting between the teams. How much will that enter into team planning?
LB: I don’t think that really bothers us. Quite a few of our players didn’t go on that tour due to working commitments, and also, both teams have a few new players. So yes, we don’t really look at what happened two years ago. We’d rather focus on what lies ahead. We do know that Ireland are a decent team and that they will be coming hard and so will we. Hopefully it will be a great contest.
Andre Botha has scored three centuries in the 07-08 Cup for Ireland , including 150s against Scotland and Holland . Does the team know much about him? Have you got plan in place for him?:
LB:Yes I know Andre very well seeing that we played together in Griqualand West in South Africa . We are good friends and he is a very good cricketer and you can’t take that away from him. Cricket is an interesting game and no one can predict what’s going to happen on the day and hopefully (laughs) he won’t score too many runs against us.
You must be in charge of one of the most versatile teams at Associate level. Why is it that Namibian cricket produces so many allrounders?
LB:It’s difficult to say why but, yes, it is very nice to be leading a team with so many individually talented cricketers. We probably have four to five individuals who, on their day, can take the game away from the opposition. And to top it all, we blend together as a great team with great team spirit which feels like one big family.
On a lighter note, I suppose that with the great (flat) batting wickets in Namibia, all the bowlers coming here eventually convert themselves into batsmen, which makes them good all-rounders eventually.
What is Ireland's greatest asset as a team?
LB: They have had the opportunity to play competitive cricket over the past 2 years. The World Cup, ODIs and so forth.
Comments (1) | Namibia
September 29, 2008
Confusion in Nairobi
Posted
1 week, 6 days ago in Kenya
Getting accurate scorecards from major matches in Kenya is not always a simple process, and that was underlined by confusion which followed the third and final one-dayer between Kenya and the Pakistan Academy side at Nairobi Gymkhana.
At the end of the match it emerged that there were three different versions of the final card. The match’s official scorer, who was not familiar with the Pakistan side, made several mistakes. The Pakistan scorer provided a different card, and Cricinfo’s scorer turned in yet another.
In the end, it was decided the scores kept by the official scorer would be accepted as the legitimate scorecard.
Comments (0) | Kenya
September 28, 2008
Canadians Down Under
Posted
1 week, 6 days ago in Canada
Tony Munro
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Trevin Bastiampillai will spend the winter playing cricket during the Australian summer
© Eddie Norfolk
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One member each from Canadian men's and women's national teams will each spend the northern hemisphere winter playing club cricket in Sydney.
Trevin Bastiampillai, the Sri Lankan-born batsman,who has played six first-class matches and five ODIs for Canada, will play with Blacktown in the Sydney Grade competition.
Nineteen-year-old Monali Patel, from Tranzac CC in the Toronto & District league, will play for St George-Sutherland in the Sydney women's competition.
Comments (0) | Canada
September 26, 2008
Namibia name squad for Intercontinental Cup game
Posted
2 weeks, 1 day ago in Namibia
Tony Munro
Cricket Namibia has named a squad of 13, with some changes from the team that beat Bermuda by 103 runs earlier this month, for its crucial Intercontinental Cup match against Ireland scheduled for October 3-6 in Windhoek, Namibia.
Offbreak bowler Wilbur Slabber replaces Bernard Scholtz while opening batsman Raymond van Schoor is unavailable due to end of year examinations.
Namibia squad:
JB Burger, Deon Kotze, Sarel Burger, Louis Burger (capt), Gerrie Snyman, Bjorn Kotze, Craig Williams, Tobias Verwey (wk), Nicholaas Scholtz, Kola Burger, Louis Klazinga, LP van der Westhuizen, Wilbur Slabber
Comments (1) | Namibia
September 25, 2008
Pakistan CC complete Austrian double
Posted
2 weeks, 2 days ago in Austria
While the Austrian Cricket Association has had a difficult year off the field, on it the competition has been stronger than ever.
Thirteen teams competed for the open league title with teams being split into two groups: the northern league, comprising the nine Vienna based teams, and the southern league consisting of teams from Graz, Ljubljana (Slovenia), Salzburg and Velden. With the exception of Salzburg CC, who won all of their games, the group stages were keenly contested. A sign of the closeness of the competition being that Vienna CC, who finished top of the northern league, lost three of their eight games.
The group stages were followed by quarter and semi-finals with Pakistan CC and Austria CC Wien overcoming Vienna CC and United Nations CC respectively in the semis.
The Open League final was played on a cold, damp, windy, grey Saturday. Austria CC Wien amassed 203 for 6 in their 45 overs (reduced from 50 due to the weather), with PCC knocking off the runs in the 43rd over for the loss of seven wickets.
To cap a memorable weekend for PCC, the following day they beat Pakistan Falken CC in the inaugural Austrian Cricket Association Twenty20 competition. Chasing 104 for victory Pakistan Falkens were unable to get the four runs needed off the last ball to win leaving Pakistan CC with the league and cup double.
Neil Foster
Comments (0) | Austria
Global invites for $100,000 Twenty20 in Florida
Posted
2 weeks, 3 days ago in
Days after the announcement of a Twenty20 competition in North East region, Cricket Council USA (CCUSA) unveiled what it described as "the richest Twenty20 tournament in the United States".
"We will give $100,000 prize money to the winner of the UST20 Cricket Tournament '09," said MAQ Qureshi, the chairman and chief executive of CCUSA, adding that the event was open to clubs from anywhere in the world. "I'm sure that this tournament will bring the best cricketers in the USA and abroad to display their cricket skills and of course the opportunity to win the prize money."
Click here for more.
Comments (0) |
Netherlands international found dead in Cape Town street
Posted
2 weeks, 3 days ago in
Former Netherlands international Maurits van Nierop has been found dead in a street in Cape Town. He was 25. The circumstances surrounding his death are unclear.
Click here for more.
Comments (0) |
September 24, 2008
Hague believes Jersey have no fears
Posted
2 weeks, 3 days ago in World Cricket League
After finishing second in the Division 5 tournament in May, including an impressive semi-final victory over the USA, and then winning a dramatic game against Guernsey to seal the ICC European Championships Division 2, the side is in confident mood despite Jersey only becoming an ICC Member back in 2005.
“I think when we started in ICC competitions in Scotland a couple of years, some of our players were in awe of the other teams. We’ve now got rid of that and we now think we can beat anybody,” said Hague. “We definitely think we can go forward in this competition.”
Boosted by the addition of young talents such as Anthony Hawkins-Kay, a fast bowler, and Ben Stevens, a promising spinner, the side has added some fresh faces to the side that performed well on home soil in Division 5, although Ryan Driver will again be a key player.
Hague, who will lead his side in a difficult opening day fixture against Tanzania, who host the tournament, is confident his side can adapt to local conditions. “I don’t know how tough it will be. It will be different and it might be hotter but we definitely have the talent to adjust,” he said. “We’ve played Italy, beaten them twice, but I am guessing Hong Kong, who has been playing against international teams in the Asia Cup – and Afghanistan will be competitive.”
Comments (0) | World Cricket League
Fiji enjoy high-level support
Posted
2 weeks, 3 days ago in World Cricket League
Fiji’s cricket team met President Ratu Josefa Iloilo as the side prepared to travel to Tanzania for the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 4.
Jone Salele, the Fiji Team Manager presented a whale’s tooth to the president as part of a reception at Government House. “Let the flags fly when you return and remember cricket is a sport for chiefs so keep that reputation,” said Ratu Iloilo, himself a former cricketer, reported the Fiji Daily Post News.
“It would be hard to let our country down knowing support is with us and with strong words from the President, we are hoping for a positive outing” added Salele.
Fiji face Afghanistan on the opening day of the tournament, which begins on October 4.
Comments (0) | World Cricket League
Expats boost cricket in Italy
Posted
2 weeks, 4 days ago in Italy
Cricket has a rather odd place in Italian sporting history, and that it used to be played widely by British expats indirectly led to football becoming the major sport in the country.
Several of the top football sides owe their existence to cricket, perhaps most famously AC Milan which was formed as a cricket club in 1899 by two British expats from Nottingham. But now Asian expats are reintroducing cricket to the country, and earlier this year the IPL was broadcast on an Italian satellite channel.
"There are loads of people playing cricket in the streets," the Italian board president Simone Gambino told Reuters. His organisation’s challenge is to foster the enthusiasm of the Asian community and spread it among the local population. There is also a problem with finding enough pitches to play on.
Gambino said he was confident that the Italian side was good enough to beat much better opposition. “If Zimbabwe played Italy in a series of five matches, we would certainly win one game yet they are Full Members."
As an Associate member of the ICC, Italy will benefit from increased funding which kicks in next year, However, it also faces problems from on high. Dependent on expats, cricket could well be affected by Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi’s well-publicied clampdown on immigration.
Comments (0) | Italy
September 23, 2008
MCC revamps touring policy
Posted
2 weeks, 4 days ago in
The MCC has announced an overhaul of its touring policy which will enable it to concentrate on areas of development.
Until now, the club has undertaken a number of trips each year with tours categorised as A, B or C status depending on the strength of the opposition. A tours were fully funded by the club while B and C tours were partially or fully paid for by the participants.
From 2009, the MCC will scrap the three tiers and only send a limited number of trips to countries which can fully benefit from MCC playing members’ coaching skills and passion. All such tours will be fully funded by the club.
MCC will send a team to a European country every year plus teams to three out of four ICC regions of Asia, the Americas, East Asia/Pacific and Africa. In 2009 teams will go to Croatia, Japan and Indonesia, Nepal and Mozambique. There will also be special tours to the USA and Canada to mark the 150th anniversary of the first cricket tour across the Atlantic.
The 2000 playing members of the MCC will be able to compete for a tour place. Teams will still be picked to reflect the strength of opposition in the destination country.
John Stephenson, MCC’s head of cricket, explained the thinking behind the changes: “MCC is committed to developing cricket across the globe and we believe the best way of doing that is targeting greater resources to slightly fewer tours. As well as playing for the club, tour members will provide coaching and expertise to leave a strong legacy in countries they visit.
“Representing MCC abroad is a pinnacle of many players’ careers and is both a privilege and an honour. We want to reward those players who have shown consistency and loyalty in MCC matches, whilst taking their ability to pay out of the equation. All tours are equally important to the club and have a great potential to develop cricket in the host country, and I believe this new system reflects that.”
Overseeing these changes will be ex-Somerset wicketkeeper Rob Turner, who will assume the chairmanship of the MCC tours sub-committee on October 1.
Comments (0) |
New Twenty20 tournament for USA
Posted
2 weeks, 5 days ago in USA
A new Twenty20 tournament is being launched in the USA and will feature teams from across the North East region.
The event, sponsored by dreamcricket.com, will feature 12 teams and runs from September 27 to October 18. The sides will be split into two groups with the top two in each progressing to semi-finals. The total prize money on offer is $10,000, of which $5000 will go to the winners.
The preliminary matches will be played on cricket grounds in Central NJ - Colonial Park, Weston Road-2, Edison Cricket Club ground and South Brunswick. The semis and the final will be played at Warinanco Cricket Park in Roselle, NJ.
Group A Tri-State Argonauts, Holmdel Hurricanes, NJ Royals, New York Knights, Edison Daredevils and Global Challengers
Group B North Jersey Renegades, Connecticut Patriots, Somerset Cavaliers, Mercer Warriors, Jersey Indians and Philadelphia Terminators
Comments (4) | USA
September 22, 2008
Davison looking forward to World Cup qualifiers
Posted
2 weeks, 5 days ago in Canada
Tony Munro
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John Davison: "I have never retired from Canadian cricket in any form"
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This article on Cricinfo on Sunday referred to Canada's use of overseas-based players and in particular, John Davison, the former captain. BTTW asked John, now 38, about his career with Canada, and his reaction to that article:
Are you still available for selection in Canada's squads for three- or four-day matches, ODIs and Twenty20s?
John Davison: I have never retired from Canadian cricket in any form. A falling out with selectors and commitments to my work and young family have restricted my involvement in recent times, but I would really enjoy being involved in helping Canada qualify for their third straight World Cup. I am trying to keep in shape with that as my motivation.
When did you last play the Toronto domestic season?
JD: I think it was about 2002, the season before the 2003 World Cup in South Africa. It has been a while.
Are you playing any competitive cricket this Australian summer?
JD: I am captain of Mosman CC in Sydney and am also performing a coaching role for the club. I am looking forward to it. We start on September 27.
Did you see the article on Cricinfo? Are there any surprises in that?
JD: I hadn't seen it. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. There were plenty of surprises in that ... plenty that I shouldn't really comment on.
I find it strange that overseas-based players would be so disruptive. The only guys that train together would be the Toronto-based players. Is it disruptive when players from other provinces are selected? The Canadian team have played their best cricket when they play in the big tournaments.
I will tell you why this is: the best players make sure they are available (take leave from work), and high-profile coaches want to be involved in events like the World Cup. The team spends quality time playing together and prepares well over an extended period of time.
Why does it have to be Cheema for Davison ... surely you could squeeze both into the current line-up?
It would be great if the Canadian team was made up of home-grown players and they were competitive, but it would be naive for Cricket Canada to turn their backs on quality overseas-based players when other Associates are embracing them. You can expect Dirk Nannes to make a big impact when he gets the opportunity to play for Holland.
Have you spoken to [Cricket Canada chief executive] Atul [Ahuja] or Cricket Canada about your role within the national team set-up recently?
JD: I have been in contact with Atul ... and it is my understanding that he is keen to have me playing.
Comments (1) | Canada
September 21, 2008
New season kicks off in Mexico
Posted
3 weeks ago in Mexico
By Yasir Patel
Cricket has been played in Mexico since 1827. It has mainly comprised of foreign expatriates just looking for a ‘knock’ on a free day. However, recent developments show a change in this pattern.
Currently Mexico City has four teams. There are also teams in Cancun and Puebla, with the aim of developing two more teams in Puerto Valleta and Guadalajara. The main cricket is played at the multi-sport Reforma Club in Naucalpan, which also hosts football and tennis. It has kindly let the association use its ground for free.
The current club captain is Yasir Patel, a British citizen who teaches mathematics at Lancaster School. Mexico City comprises of approximately 60 players of which there are only five Mexican born players.
The season consists of a cup competition (Brian Gay Trophy) where each team plays the others once, a league, started over 10 years ago, where teams play each other twice and the season opening 6-a-side tournament which helps integrate new players into the club. The current champions of both major competitions, going into the new season, which starts today, are the Aztecs.
Continue reading "New season kicks off in Mexico"
Comments (0) | Mexico
New season kicks off in Mexico
Posted
3 weeks ago in Mexico
By Yasir Patel
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Cricket in Mexico City
© Yasir Patel
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Cricket has been played in Mexico since 1827. It has mainly comprised of foreign expatriates just looking for a ‘knock’ on a free day. However, recent developments show a change in this pattern.
Currently Mexico City has four teams. There are also teams in Cancun and Puebla, with the aim of developing two more teams in Puerto Valleta and Guadalajara. The main cricket is played at the multi-sport Reforma Club in Naucalpan, which also hosts football and tennis. It has kindly let the association use its ground for free.
The current club captain is Yasir Patel, a British citizen who teaches mathematics at Lancaster School. Mexico City comprises of approximately 60 players of which there are only five Mexican born players.
The season consists of a cup competition (Brian Gay Trophy) where each team plays the others once, a league, started over 10 years ago, where teams play each other twice and the season opening 6-a-side tournament which helps integrate new players into the club. The current champions of both major competitions, going into the new season, which starts today, are the Aztecs.
Continue reading "New season kicks off in Mexico"
Comments (0) | Mexico
September 20, 2008
Kalev clinch Estonian title
Posted
3 weeks, 1 day ago in Estonia
By James Ramsden
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Oliver Slovodetsky bats for Reval
© James Ramsden
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Kalev Cricket Club retained their Westons Estonian Premier League trophy in dark and windy conditions last week, beating Reval CC at the Tallinn Hippodrome by 60 runs.
Looking at the dark clouds looming, it was always going to be an important toss to win, and Reval's stand-in skipper Oliver Slovodetsky had his first decision of the day to make when he won the toss. He decided to make full use of the cloud cover and put Kalev into bat.
Kalev batted solidly for the first 15 overs out of the 35, putting on 40 for no wicket. Slovodetsky then turned to his spinner with instant success. Phil Marsdale did what the experienced fast bowlers Obli and Shiva couldn’t do and dismissed the Kalev openers in successive balls. Shiva then followed up the impetus with a wicket in his final over to leave Kalev on 47 for 4 off 17.
This brought to the crease Hazelhurst and Mike Tiffin, the South African overseas player, who went about making up for lost time. Hazelhurst scored a quickfire 35 before holing out on the boundary and Tiffin remained undefeated on 68 after a few other useful lower-order scores. Kalev finished on 174 for 8 off 35 overs.
Continue reading "Kalev clinch Estonian title"
Comments (0) | Estonia
September 18, 2008
PNG's Maharu Dai to play in New Zealand
Posted
3 weeks, 2 days ago in Papua New Guinea
By Tony Munro
Papua New Guinea (PNG) batsman Maharu Dai will spend the 2008-09 New Zealand season playing for the Christchurch-based Marist CC.
Dai, who also bowls left-arm spin, will play under Stuart McCullum, the father of New Zealand wicketkeeper, Brendon McCullum.
Meanwhile, four of PNG's more promising youngsters will spend the Australian summer playing in the Townsville (North Queensland) competition.
Assad Vala (Wanderers CC), Willie Gavera (Wanderers CC), Kapena Arua (Western CC) and Joel Tom (Western CC), all from Port Moresby, are being groomed for the national team.
Right-hand opening batsman, Vani Vagi Morea, and left-arm swing bowler, Jacob Mado, will be returning to PNG after successful seasons with Nightcliff CC in Australia's Northern Territory Cricket Association competition in Darwin. The pair helped their club into the finals and also won the Twenty20 Cup.
Comments (0) | Papua New Guinea
September 17, 2008
Afghanistan make minor changes
Posted
3 weeks, 3 days ago in Afghanistan
By Tony Munro
Afghanistan have made only minor changes for the ICC World Cricket League Division Four tournament to be played in Tanzania from October 4 to 11. Afghanistan, along with the winner, Jersey, have been promoted from Division Five, and will join the host, Hong Kong, Fiji and Italy.
Nasratullah Nasrat, Shafiqullah Shafaq, Shahpur Zadran have come into the squad, which was runners-up in the Division Five tournament in Jersey recently, replacing Jalat Khan Naseri, Abdul Rashid Zadran and Gulbadin Naid.
Squad: Norooz Khan Mangal (capt), Karim Khan Sedeq, Rais Ahamdzai, Dawlat Ahamdzai, Ahamd Shah Ahmadi, Noor Ali Noori, Mohammad Asghar Stanikzai, Hasti Gul Abed, Mohd. Nabi Eisakhil, Samiullah Shenwari, Hamid Hassan, Nasratullah Nasrat, Shafiqullah Shafaq, Shahpur Zadran. Coach: Mohammad Kabir
Comments (2) | Afghanistan
Tanzania persist with youth
Posted
3 weeks, 4 days ago in Tanzania
By Tony Munro
Tanzania has continued its recent youth policy, with their squad for the ICC World Cricket League Division Four tournament having an average age of 21.35.
The captain, Hamisi Abdallah, who led Tanzania on their tour of the Kingdom, is 20.
Squad: Hamisi Abdallah (Capt.), Issa Kikasi, Benson Mwita, Khalil Rehmtullah, Riziki Kiseto, Rashida Amri, Abdulkadir Dossaji, Athumani Kakonzi, Abhik Patwa, Hasnain Damji, Kassim Nassoro, Rishen Patel, Kelvin Nasibu, Shaheed Dhanani; Coach - Zully Rehmtullah.
Comments (1) | Tanzania
September 16, 2008
Family affair in Jersey squad
Posted
3 weeks, 5 days ago in Jersey
By Tony Munro
Jersey has named four sets of brothers in their squad for their World Cricket League Division 4 campaign in Tanzania next month.
One of those pairs is opener Steve, and medium-pacer, Tony Carlyon, who were unavailable for Jersey's successful European Division 2 tilt on home soil recently.
The other inclusions are left-arm spinner, Ben Stevens, who was named Player of the Tournament at the European under-17 event in Belfast earlier this year, Meeku Patidar and reserve wicket-keeper, Matt Hanley.
They replace Nigel and Ian Crocker, Bradley Vowden, Sam de la Haye and Chris Jones who is unavailable due to a shoulder operation.
Chris Minty, Jersey Cricket Board's director of cricket, said: "It's a young energetic squad who can all field and bat - nine players under 26 - all good for the future." The team will be coached by former Derbyshire batsman, Peter Kirsten.
Jersey squad: Mathew Hague (capt), Tony Carlyon, Steve Carlyon, Jonathan Gough, Peter Gough, Robert Minty, Thomas Minty, Andrew Dewhurst, Sam Dewhurst, Meeku Patidar, Ryan Driver, Anthony Kay, Ben Stevens, Matthew Hanley.
Comments (0) | Jersey
September 14, 2008
Scuderi to lead Italy in World Cricket Division
Posted
3 weeks, 6 days ago in World Cricket League
By Tony Munro
Joe Scuderi, the former Lancashire allrounder, will captain Italy in the ICC World Cricket League Division Four tournament in Tanzania early next month. Vincenzo Pennazza, who represented South Africa at the 2004 Under-19 World Cup is also in the 14-man squad.
Squad: Joe Scuderi (capt), Din Alaud, Andrea Corbellari, Gayashan Munasinghe, Hemantha Jayasena, Samantha Ketipe, Thushara Kurukulasuriya, Andrew Northcote, Nicholas Northcote, Vincenzo Pennazza, Kelum Pereram Peter Petricola, Luca Poli, Nicola Puccio.
Comments (0) | World Cricket League
Championship decider in Germany
Posted
4 weeks ago in Germany
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The Hamburg players ahead of the championship game
© Khawaja Rauf
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By Sven Hansen
The 2008 German cricket season is nearing its end with the national club championship taking place on Sunday, September 14 in Hamburg.
Hamburger Sportverein (HSV) will play hosts to the Sports and Social Club (DSSC, Berlin) at their ground in Hamburg-Billstedt (Beim Saaren, 22115 Hamburg). Both are reigning champions of their regional leagues, Northern Germany and Berlin respectively.
DSSC had a rather easy semi-final win against the Hessen champions (Olympia Cricket Club, Frankfurt) reaching their target of 112 runs with eight wickets in hand. Olympia had qualified for the semi-final by beating the Munich International CC (Bavaria league).
HSV however, had a close encounter with Cologne Cricket Club (Champions of Northrhine-Westphalia league). Having bowled Cologne out for 103 runs in just 18 overs, HSV took things lightly and with four runs needed for victory, lost wickets N o.8 and 9 consecutively. Two wides and a boundary then turned the outcome once more in their favour much to the delight of their supporters. Both batting line-ups will be looking to resist some effective bowling with the DSSC boys having four top batsmen in their favour.
Continue reading "Championship decider in Germany"
Comments (0) | Germany
September 11, 2008
ten Doeschate is ICC Associate Player of Year
Posted
on 09/11/2008 in ICC
The Netherlands allrounder, Ryan ten Doeschate, has been named as the Associate Player of the Year for 2008 at the ICC Awards in Dubai.
Click here for more
Comments (0) | ICC
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