Beyond the Test World
Oman's nomads have a base
Oman’s 1100+ cricketers, growing in number and with an increasing number of native Arabs, need more places to play
Cricinfo
25-Feb-2013
© ACCOman’s 1100+ cricketers, growing in number and with an increasing number of native Arabs, need more places to play. With two of its four grounds lost this season to the demands of housing, the need has become even more pressing. A solution will present itself in December when Oman Cricket leases two grounds at Al Amerat to the south of Muscat, all league matches will now be played at the same place. “We do not want to have this nomadic life anymore,” says Oman Cricket’s Pankaj Khimji.
This season 61 teams are in the Oman League. “Last year we had 52 teams and we had faced difficulties and we don’t want such problems to happen again. We will have a good cricketing infrastructure at the new grounds,” says Mr.Khimji, who is also the Asia region’s Affiliates’ representative at the ICC. “We are extremely delighted at the way the popularity of the League is increasing every year. To have 61 teams in the League is not a small thing. The response by these teams shows the popularity of the League,” he says.
Desert scrub no more than 12 months ago, the grounds at Al Emarat will be unturfed. Oman have recently built a turf-practice facility in Muscat, and will be hoping to make good use of that under new coach Roy Dias in the years ahead as they aim to qualify for the T20 World Cup, ICC Intercontinental Cup, and the World Cup.
Full postUSA women in showdown with board over World Cup cash
Thirteen of the 18-player USA women’s squad for the forthcoming 2011 ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier which is being held in Bangladesh next month have written to USACA to complain about proposed payments for the tournament
Cricinfo
25-Feb-2013
Thirteen of the 18-player USA women’s squad for the forthcoming 2011 ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier which is being held in Bangladesh next month have written to USACA to complain about proposed payments for the tournament. There is now a chance that USACA will be forced to name a second-string side for the prestigious event.
Such is the level of concern that the cricketers have threatened to boycott the final pre-event training camp this weekend. In return, USACA has said any of them who do not attend will be considered unavailable for the trip and will be replaced. With the deadline for submission to the ICC of the squad set for this Saturday, time is running out for both sides.
The players’ gripe is not so much the amount as the fact that they are paid less than their male counterparts. The offer to the women is $100 a day whereas the men get $175 a day for an equivalent event. They also claim a bonus promised to them for a series against Canada earlier this year has not been paid.
“We are thrilled at representing the USA at this prestigious tournament and looking forward to achieving the goal of going to India,” an email on behalf of the 13 said. “But we are feeling very much under-appreciated, disrespected, and simply disregarded for the achievements we have made thus far in our short history and underestimated, for what we can accomplish in Bangladesh.”
Full postThailand prepares to unveil new ground in Phuket
The Phuket News reports that significant progress has been made on the Phuket Cricket Group’s (PCG) new home, the Alan Cooke Ground (ACG).
Cricinfo
25-Feb-2013
Work on the Alan Cooke Ground continues
© Phuket NewsThe Phuket News reports that significant progress has been made on the Phuket Cricket Group’s (PCG) new home, the Alan Cooke Ground (ACG).
The grass and the concrete base for the pitch has already been laid and the high-tech synthetic turf pitch, being provided by the Cricket Association of Thailand, will follow shortly.
“It won’t be long now before the Island Furniture cricket season gets underway, and the players are eagerly awaiting trying out the new ground,” said Pat Cotter, chairman of the PCG, who recently visited the site to view progress. “The PCG is extremely proud of our new home, provided by Alan Cooke, one of Phuket’s long-time residents and most avid cricket supporters.
Full postBoycott slams substandard Bermuda pitches
Geoffrey Boycott has said Bermuda needs a complete overhaul of its sporting structure if cricket on the island is to improve.
Cricinfo
25-Feb-2013
'Ask golfers if they can putt on bumpy greens, they wouldn’t putt so bloody good then would they'
© Royal GazetteGeoffrey Boycott has said Bermuda needs a complete overhaul of its sporting structure if cricket on the island is to improve.
Visiting for a golf tournament, he said the existing government policy on banning imports of soil left Bermuda’s cricketers suffering on below-par pitches.
“The soil you have is a reddish soil that crumbles too easily. I’ve already spoken to the Minister for Sport . The BCB needs to get them on board to let them bring in a different soil. You need to get a better type of soil that binds because the 22 yards we play on is everything. It's everything, it dictates what the ball does, how it reacts, it dictates the make-up of the team, do you bat first, bat second, are people going to be able to apply their skill or not.
Full postDubai announces Arabian Cricket League
The ICC Global Cricket Academy (ICC GCA) celebrated its first year of operation at its Dubai Sports City (DSC) facility this week by announcing its Arabian Cricket League (ACL) for corporate and club teams to take place in November and December 2011.
Cricinfo
25-Feb-2013
The ICC Global Cricket Academy (ICC GCA) celebrated its first year of operation at its Dubai Sports City (DSC) facility this week by announcing its Arabian Cricket League (ACL) for corporate and club teams to take place in November and December 2011.
The ACL, run under the auspices of the Dubai Cricket Council, will see 16 teams divided into four groups with each team playing a minimum of six matches ahead of semi-finals and a final.
The Twenty20 tournament will run on Monday to Thursday evenings every week from November 1, under lights at the ICC GCA Ovals, and will culminate with a final on December 29.
Teams wanting to get involved can call +971 4 448 1355 or email iccgca@dxbsport.com. Registrations close on October 30 but the event is likely to be popular so early enquiries are encouraged.
Full postRebel players spurned by franchises
ESPNcricinfo has learned that the eight Kenyan players who refused to agree to national contracts and were subsequently dropped by their franchises have had their request to rejoin the team rebuffed.
Cricinfo
25-Feb-2013
ESPNcricinfo has learned that the eight Kenyan players who refused to agree to national contracts and were subsequently dropped by their franchises have had their request to rejoin the team rebuffed.
The eight did not agree to the terms offered by Cricket Kenya, resulting in the board offering deals to alternative players. They also withdrew from the second round of matches in the two new East Africa competitions giving than 24 hours notice, resulting in them being barred by their franchises. With Kenya's selection based on performances in those tournaments that in effect ruled them out as far as the selectors were concerned.
In the past players have used similar tactics to hold the board to ransom, but now things have changed. Faced with CK's steadfast approach, the rebels approached their franchises to ask if they could return, but were told that would not be possible.
It is likely CK will look to broker a deal, but with only two rounds of games left, as well as a finals weekend, it seems unlikely if any of them will be back this year.
Full postNew York officials lead calls to fight Dainty
Two high ranking New York Region cricket officials sent letters out on Tuesday to US cricket stakeholders, urging them to band together and bring positive changes to the way the sport is run in the country
Cricinfo
25-Feb-2013
Two high ranking New York Region cricket officials sent letters out on Tuesday to US cricket stakeholders, urging them to band together and bring positive changes to the way the sport is run in the country. New York regional chairman Lester Hooper and Eastern American Cricket Association league president Rudy Persaud are some of the first people from outside the USA Cricket Association board to speak up against the recent actions of the USACA president Gladstone Dainty.
Full postDainty spreads confusion within US cricket
With the USA Cricket Association embroiled in confusion and controversy, it appears the country is again heading towards an international suspension with the ICC under increasing pressure to step in.
Cricinfo
25-Feb-2013
With the USA Cricket Association embroiled in confusion and controversy, it appears the country is again heading towards an international suspension with the ICC under increasing pressure to step in.
Elections, which should have been held in March, are due on October 15 but this now seems impossible after Gladstone Dainty, the USACA president, suspended John Aaron, the board secretary and the man who should have been coordinating the process.
Faced with growing concern at his behaviour, Dainty has in effect rendered the board redundant and run things with a small cabal. There has not been any formal meeting since April and no face-to-face meeting since November 2010.
He still has some allies but not enough to enable him to carry on without being called to account, even though some of those most vocal in their opposition to him are finding themselves replaced with Dainty-friendly faces of the past. Aaron’s removal from office, ostensibly for publicly criticising USACA, appears to be unconstitutional, according to the USACA Constitution and it is dubious Dainty even has the support of the majority of the board in any case. Dainty, it should be remembered, was instrumental in the removal of Don Lockerbie, the board’s first full-time CEO, last year. It is believed that matter is currently in the hands of lawyers.
Full postMichael Dighton named Canada's coach
Michael Dighton, the former Tasmania batsman, has been named Canada's new coach
Cricinfo
25-Feb-2013
Michael Dighton, the former Tasmania batsman, has been named Canada's new coach. Dighton replaces ex-Sri Lanka wicketkeeper Pubudu Dassanayake, who took over as Nepal's coach on October 1.
A handy batsman, Dighton, 35, has played 71 first-class matches, including some on the English domestic circuit for Derbyshire and Hampshire. He has also played the Clydesdale Bank 40 (England's domestic 40-over tournament) for Netherlands, as an overseas signing. He assisted the Netherlands squad during the 2011 World Cup, and has previously worked as head coach of Cricket Australia's National Emerging Talent Rookie Squad and batting coach of the Tasmania Under-23 side.
Vimal Hardat, Cricket Canada's vice-president, said the board were pleased to have Dighton heading the national team. "We are thrilled to have someone of Michael's background on board to direct our drive to the 2015 Cricket World Cup and restore our position as one of the top Associate Cricket Nations," he said. "Michaels drive and determination to succeed will be a welcome addition to our programmes."
Dighton said he would initially focus on the basics. "I will place much emphasis on physical preparation [fitness] and fielding, the two areas that we can control and always improve on," he said. "I will encourage an attacking and dynamic brand of cricket, combined with smart decision making."
Full postScotland to host England
Scotland will host a one-day international against England on August 12 next year in a continuation of the agreement between the ECB, Cricket Scotland and Cricket Ireland which sees England play their two Associate neighbours on alternate years.
Cricinfo
25-Feb-2013
Scotland will host a one-day international against England on August 12 next year in a continuation of the agreement between the ECB, Cricket Scotland and Cricket Ireland which sees England play their two Associate neighbours on alternate years.
The previous Scotland-England match took place in 2010 when the visitors won by seven wickets at the Grange in front of a 4000-strong crowd. The venue for the next fixture is still to be confirmed.
"It is fantastic news that England will again by heading north to take on the Scotland side in an ODI," Roddy Smith, the Cricket Scotland chief executive, said. "The match will be a highlight of our season and will enable the Scottish cricketing public to see the exciting young English one day side take on our national team. The game in 2010 was a great occasion and we will start our planning for next year’s game immediately."
Scotland captain Gordon Drummond, who is currently in Namibia with his team-mates, was equally pleased with the news. "Those of us that played last year can’t wait to have another opportunity to take on England," he said. "For our young side, it will be another important step forward, as we seek to continue our rise up the world rankings."
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