Beyond the Test World
Youngsters provide the foundation
The Bangkok Post has reported on the state of cricket in the Thailand, quoting the board’s Mohideen Kader.
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
The Bangkok Post has reported on the state of cricket in the Thailand, quoting the board’s Mohideen Kader.
“While many Thai youngsters are getting latched on to the game, Thailand is now busy preparing to stage three Asian tournaments, including an Asian Women's competition in which an all Thai team will take part,” he said. “The tourneys are being lined up to be held before the end of the year. They include an Under-17 boys competition, a seniors tournament, in which Thais and sons of expatriates (who have the required residential qualifications according ICC rules) will take part.”
''The progress achieved in spreading cricket in the Kingdom has been tremendous,'' said Kader. ''Girls from schools and universities have taken to the game.” The paper estimates there are 2800 cricketers in the country
“Encouraged by the development of cricket, we have schools which have included cricket in their curriculum,'' said Kader. ''That's the exciting keenness which has been created for the sport. It is true we cannot create champions overnight but step by step, cricket is being embraced by Thais.”
Full postWest Indies legends win Florida tournament
West Indies All-Stars defeated the Canada All-Star Team by 38 runs in the MAQ T20 International Cricket Tournament Championship Match at Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill, Florida
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
West Indies All-Stars defeated the Canada All-Star Team by 38 runs in the MAQ T20 International Cricket Tournament Championship Match at Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill, Florida. West Indies made 128 for 4 in 18 overs and Canada managed only 90 in reply.
“I'm very proud of my team. They all contributed to the victory," said West Indies captain Richie Richardson after the match. Courtney Browne was voted the Most Valuable Player of the Tournament, scoring the second most runs (67) as well as taking three catches and stumpings.
Thousands of fans who braved rain to watch former international players including Javed Miandad (Pakistan), Richardson and Browne (West Indies) and Mohammad Azharuddin (India).
Full postBotswana select development squad
After holding development programmes for primary schools in and around Gaborone for about a year, Botswana have now selected a development squad
Will Luke
25-Feb-2013
After holding development programmes for primary schools in and around Gaborone for about a year, Botswana have now selected a development squad.
The team is seen as a future strong national team for the country. According to the Botswana Cricket Association's development officer, Girish Ramakrishna, the squad is made up of 30 promising players that would eventually be trimmed to the normal number of 12.
“Imagine, from all the schools we had more than 800 kids who were provided with cricket skills almost every Saturday,” he told the Sunday Standard. “Now we selected thirty kids that are seen to be having a lot of potential for the sport. The kids will be equipped with the necessary specialized skills every week to prepare them for tough international competitions. We are optimistic that these kids will make a strong team.”
Ramakrishna also noted that those who don’t make it to the final 12 will be monitored regularly so that the talent does not go to waste.
Full postLeaders cement their positions
The third round of the ICC World Cricket League Division Five in Jersey again produced wins for the favourites, and with two rounds remaining, it seems that Afghanistan, Jersey, Nepal and USA are the teams likely to make the last four.
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
The third round of the ICC World Cricket League Division Five in Jersey again produced wins for the favourites, and with two rounds remaining, it seems that Afghanistan, Jersey, Nepal and USA are the teams likely to make the last four.
A fantastic innings of 92 from Jersey's Ryan Driver helped his side maintain their winning streak with a comprehensive 128-run victory over Bahamas.
Driver, who has county experience in English cricket with Lancashire and Worcestershire, hit five fours and five sixes in his 85-ball innings as the home side made 206-4 in a 32-over game, before Andy Dewhurst destroyed the Bahamas batting order with 6 for 20.
"The team is confident at the minute but we're not being complacent at all. We've turned up every single day and beaten whatever opposition is against us. We're getting better with every game," said 29-year-old Driver. "We know the tournament is going to get a lot tougher but we want to rise to the occasion."
USA defeated Vanuatu by seven wickets, reaching a target of 89 with 4.4 overs to spare in a game in which rain prevented any play in the morning.
Full postSixes success the focus for new Hong Kong chairman
The continued success of the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes is a key focus for Darren Tucker as he takes up his new role as chairman of the Hong Kong Cricket Association.
ESPNcricinfo staff
25-Feb-2013
The continued success of the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes is a key focus for Darren Tucker as he takes up his new role as chairman of the Hong Kong Cricket Association.
"Obviously, the Sixes is an important revenue stream for the HKCA - but it amounts to much more than that," he said. "The tournament also gives Hong Kong cricket global coverage and provides a huge boost to the Hong Kong cricket community.
"It gives the game great exposure locally and is a key component of our drive to develop and expand cricket at grassroots level."
Tucker, 45, comes from a strong cricket background, having played to a high standard in his native Australia. An allrounder, he played A-grade club cricket in his native Sydney and made two representative appearances for New South Wales. Early in his career, he enjoyed two seasons in the highly competitive Central Lancashire League in England. Since moving to Hong Kong, he has turned out for Hong Kong Cricket Club sides Nomads and Wanderers.
Full postSvanholm win Danish Cup title
Svanholm beat defending champions Herning by eight wickets in the first Danish Cup final to be played on a grass wicket
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
Svanholm beat defending champions Herning by eight wickets in the first Danish Cup final to be played on a grass wicket. Herning made 134 and Svanholm cruised to victory, led by 47 from Chris Hewey, their new Australian player/coach.
Full postUSA and Afghanistan power on
While there was frustration that yesterday's rain caused all but one of the second round matches to be carried into what should have been a rest day, Nepal's Mahaboob Alam was not complaining after taking 10 for 12 in 7.5 overs
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
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It was again a day for the favourites as, in addition to Nepal, there were wins for Afghanistan, USA and Jersey.
Former West Indies batsman Clayton Lambert, coach of the USA team, hailed his side as they comprehensively beat Norway by 10 wickets but said that the players were not going to become over confident despite two comfortable wins. "We're not going to underestimate anybody. We're the ones who have played a higher level of cricket so everyone expects us to win so there is a lot of pressure on," said Lambert.
The USA bowling attack looked extremely threatening with the wickets shared around its pace attack. Khawaja Shuja, the 19-year-old right-arm fast medium bowler, was the pick with figures of 5 for 15, although Steve Pitter (2 for 24) and Imran Awan (2 for 36) were also looking dangerous with some aggressive short-pitched bowling.
Full postGermany beat the rain
Rain all but washed out the second day of the ICC World Cricket League Division Five in Jersey
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
Rain all but washed out the second day of the ICC World Cricket League Division Five in Jersey. In the only match to finish, Germany beat Vanautu by six wickets.
It is proving to be a tough tournament for Vanautu, who need two wins against Associate members if their own application for Associate membership of the ICC is to be successful next month. Yesterday they went down by 183 runs to Norway, and today's loss will set alarm bells ringing as it was again by a significant margin against one of the sides they would have been aiming to beat.
Yesterday it was their bowling, but today Vanautu's batsmen let them down as they were skittled out for 75 with Ehsan Latif the pick of Germany's bowlers with 4 for 27.
An aggressive 32 from 34-year-old opener Anees Butt, who struck five fours and two sixes, helped Germany to their target in nine overs as they raced to beat the rain.
"It was the first Man-of-the-Match award I've got in my life and I'm pretty happy about my performance," said Latif. "I was just bowling normally and I didn't try any kind of variety. I just put it on the stumps and thankfully I got wickets."
Full postSt Joseph’s win inaugural Hazel McCallion Trophy
By Eddie Norfolk
ESPNcricinfo staff
25-Feb-2013
By Eddie Norfolk
St Joseph's girls won the inaugural Annual Hazel McCallion Trophy at what proved the appropriately named Iceland Cricket Oval on Thursday, May 22. A stiff wind blew across the ground on a cool day, but this outdoor girls’ tournament, named in honour of Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion, went ahead, following the spirit of cricket.
St Joseph's beat Rick Hansen in the third game of the day, after beating Port Credit in the day's opening match. Rick Hansen edged out Port Credit by just one run in the second game.
The match was hosted by the Mississauga Ramblers Cricket, Sports and Cultural Club in partnership with the Region of Peel Secondary School Athletic Association, the City of Mississauga and the Mississauga Sports Council.
Full postRock attack causes abandonment
Violence caused a club match in the Bahamas to be cancelled after rocks were thrown by the members of one side into an area of the pavilion occupied by their opponents.
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
Violence caused a club match in the Bahamas to be cancelled after rocks were thrown by the members of one side into an area of the pavilion occupied by their opponents.
The incident occurred in a game between St. Agnes and Castrol Commonwealth when the Bahama Journal reported that “players from Castrol Commonwealth were forced to run for cover as the unwarranted attack resulted in rocks being thrown and one player and a fan being injured. The players from St. Agnes who initiated the violence hurled stones on the porch of the shaded area where players, fans and officials were seated. Fortunately no further injuries were sustained.”
At the time of the attack Castrol Commonwealth were 104 for 1 in reply to St. Agnes’ 315.
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