Fiji's Easter extravaganza, and ICC - 96 not out

A dashing 107 from Iniasi Cakacaka gave Suva 1 a comfortable six-wicket win in the final of Fiji's most prestigious event, the Dewar Prasad Shield, which took place over the Easter weekend. Cakacaka struck 10 sixes to lead his team to a comfortable win over Suva 2 in the 30-over contest.

The event attracted 10 representative teams from all parts of Fiji, including Moce and Ono-I-Lau from the outlying Lau islands group, a traditional stronghold for Fijian cricket, and a source of national team players. The defending champions, Nadi, tumbled out in the semi-finals, which also comprised three Suva combinations, selected on club affiliations.

Cakacaka aside, the other outstanding individual feat came from the Suva 1 medium-pacer, Atunaisa Tawatatau, who snared six wickets in two overs, conceding five runs.

It was only a lack of ground availability that prevented more teams from Suva and Moce taking part in what is a popular event. Suva-based residents from the Lau group were on hand to see players from their home villages take on the "city folk".

A reversal of their early form was fortuitous for Bali Geckos, but not for Jakarta Rebels, in the 10-team Bali Sixes, also held over Easter.

The Geckos gained revenge for an earlier loss to Rebels in the group stages to win the final by 16 runs, their second Cup success in three years. It was, painfully, the Rebels' first defeat of the competition, although Geckos had struggled throughout the early stages. Captain Dan Metcalfe (27 retired) lifted Geckos to 66 before some controlled bowling left Rebels requiring 38 from two overs.

Chad Paul had earlier propelled Geckos into the final with a barrage of sixes against the defending champions Darwin Top-Enders, who replied to a stiff target of 71 by making just 30. In the other semi-final, Jakarta Rebels held Cairns to 49, before the Man-of-the-Tournament, Rebels' "Musti" shone to ensure two Indonesian teams in the final.

The Plate Final was also dominated by Indonesians, as Udayana overcame the tournament regulars Surabaya, capitalizing on a surfeit of wides to win in three overs.

Magnificent weather and playing conditions ensured another enjoyable tournament. If you would like to play cricket in Bali please email Ian Jasper at ianwj@attglobal.net

Nigeria will appear at its first West African Championships since 2002 when it joins the hosts and defending champions, Sierra Leone, as well as Gambia and Ghana at the annual tournament from April 23 to 30.

The traditionally dominant Nigerians were mysteriously excluded from last year's event in Banjul, Gambia, viewed by some as retaliation for not taking part in the 2003 tournament.

The ICC's family is expected to nudge closer to the 100-member mark this year when it hears Affiliate membership applications from Guernsey, Jersey, Mali and Slovenia in June.

Should all applications succeed, the ICC membership would total 96 and the world governing body would be likely to bring up its century in 2006.

The secession of Guernsey & Jersey (both of whom are expected to receive Associate membership status relatively quickly) from the England & Wales Cricket Board leaves Wales as the only major geopolitical unit of the British Isles still under the jurisdiction of the ECB.

Meanwhile, the Associates' ranks could swell to 33 - applications have been received from Belgium, Belize, Botswana, Japan, Kuwait and Thailand.

We asked officials of the prospective members to give us a brief summation of their strengths:

Belgium
"Junior development and performances in junior ECC Championships; geographically located between France, Germany, Holland (all Associates) and Kent, strong cricketing ties with all four, and a cricketing tradition stretching back almost 200 years. Belgium has often been viewed as an ideal bridgehead into Europe." Ken Familoe

Belize
"Successfully developed over the past several years a large number of cricketers in all levels, including U13; U15; U19; U23; and Senior - 100% Belizeans and numerous grounds that can be developed into good quality cricket pitches. Our association is of the view that we need the impetus of the Associate membership to move cricket to the next level." Elston Wade

Botswana
"Botswana's strength lies in her strong showing at recent regional tournaments, including finishing second at the 2001 Africa Cup ahead of Zimbabwean & Kenyan XIs, defeating current Tanzania at last year's African Associates World Cup Qualifying tournament as well as ensuring proper facilities around the country for our busy domestic programme." Jack Sands

Japan
"A cricket history dating back to 1868, ICC Affiliate membership since 1989, 705 men and 225 women playing in senior competitions, 215 boys and 225 girls in junior competitions and over 2,500 children in junior involvement activities and 22 competition grounds. Japan represents a large market with a population of approximately 130 million people and is deemed to be an important and powerful country in the global economy." Yosuke Hatanaka

Kuwait
Kuwait fulfill all the technical criteria necessary for elevation from their current Affiliate status, have shown tangible improvement on the field of play at junior and senior level and the administrators have demonstrated considerable ability by hosting successful regional tournaments. Asad Baig

Thailand
"We have an extensive junior development program utilising quality coaching in both Bangkok and Chiang Mai, and existing facilities in both centres of exceptional standard and as good as any in Asia as well as another ground which is being developed." Peter Goodchild