Beyond the Test World
Cayman Islands 20/20 tournament
Bragging rights belong to BrightStaff Greenies Too as they moved into the CLICO Cayman 20/20 Division 2 finals, having won their semi final match and looked on as their more illustrious counterparts went down
Will Luke
25-Feb-2013
Bragging rights belong to BrightStaff Greenies Too as they moved into the CLICO Cayman 20/20 Division 2 finals, having won their semi final match and looked on as their more illustrious counterparts went down. In an attempt to qualify for both divisions finals, the Greenies crew came out in their numbers but it was not to be.
It was tension at Table Rock or Smith Road Oval as both Division 2 semi finals had nail biting close finishes. BrightStaff Greenies Too overcame a strong challenge from Cayman Brac and rallied to victory by 8 runs. West Bay had a closer victory over youthful UCCI by only 1 run.
In Division 1 ESSO defeated Heineken Greenies 1 by 6 wickets in a low scoring game and By Rite benefiting from at least 4 dropped catches easily defeated Prison.
It’s on to the Grand Finals. Can BrightStaff Greenies Too continue their dream run and hold of 2007 champions West Bay, and will 2007 champions By Rite be strong enough to handle ESSO?
Full postBahamas Twenty20 side struggle
The Bahamas 20/20 side travelled to St.John’s, Antigua to face Jamaica in match 10 of the Stanford 20/20 on February 6
Will Luke
25-Feb-2013
The Bahamas 20/20 side travelled to St.John’s, Antigua to face Jamaica in match 10 of the Stanford 20/20 on February 6. The Bahamas was unfortunate again by drawing Jamaica who has current and former Test players in its side. The Bahamas had trained extremely hard by Coach Gary Brathwaite and Courtney Walsh.
The crowd of mostly Jamaicans were cheering wildly with their pom-poms, spectacular hair styles and clothing to match the colour of their flag. It was electrifying. Jamaica went on to score 191 runs.
The Bahamas struggled throughout their innings and lost four wickets via run outs. The good thing about the match was that the Bahamas held on for the 20 overs for the loss of 7 wickets. Jamaica tried everything to bowl out the Bahamas but could not. There is no doubt that the Bahamas was out played by a superior team and maybe next year the luck of the draw will enable them to play against countries that are not as experienced as Jamaica.
Taken from the ICC Americas newsletter for February 2008
Full postMid-season review of Chile's Metropolitan Cup
The 2007-08 season got off to a good start with six teams now competing for the Metropolitan Cup after the addition of newcomers Estacion Central
Will Luke
25-Feb-2013
The 2007-08 season got off to a good start with six teams now competing for the Metropolitan Cup after the addition of newcomers Estacion Central. La Reina CC currently lie in first position after a strong showing with 4 wins out of 5. More youth have come into the matches in the form of native born Chileans. The second half of the season is about to kick off with Santiago CC and Las Condes CC snapping at La Reina’s heels.
The Chilean Condors played host to touring side Craigengower from Hong Kong in January. It was a golden opportunity for the captain of the national selection (Simon Shalders) and President of the ACC (Guy Hooper) to do some talent scouting for the ICC Americas Division 3 Championship. Craigengower put up a brave fight but the Chilean team was far too strong and in form to ever feel threatened by the tourists.
Full postTurks & Caicos edge thriller in Americas Championship
They say every good book or movie should have a dynamic beginning, a solid middle to keep your interest and a surprise and thrilling ending
Will Luke
25-Feb-2013
They say every good book or movie should have a dynamic beginning, a solid middle to keep your interest and a surprise and thrilling ending. If the 2008 Americas Division 3 was a movie or book it had the perfect script.
The beginning, days 1 & 2, saw Chile upsetting the two co-favourites on consecutive days beating Belize and Turks & Caicos. The Chile captain, Simon Shalders, with a brilliant century (104) was the hero on the first day. He was back again on day two but this time in a supporting role (69) as he watched countryman Paul Wollocombe take the spotlight with another century (104). Chiles’s third match was against newcomer Peru and it was no surprise going into the rest day. Their perfect record of 3-0 had them comfortably in front, with only struggling Brazil in the path to Division 2. Meanwhile Belize and Turks & Caicos could only try to keep pace and hope for a miracle.
That miracle happened on day 4 when Brazil, led by the skipper Matt Featherstone (152 from 109 balls) posted a massive score of 359 for 6 in their 50 overs.
Chile knew all was at stake and gave it a valiant try again. Led by Shalders (80) the Chileans fell short of capturing the crown by 37 runs. This surprising loss opened up the gates for Belize and Turks & Caicos and set up the most exciting finish ever at an Americas Region tournament.
Full postIrish board to be known as Cricket Ireland
The newly-constituted Irish board cricket met for the first time this week, and announced that the trading name of Irish Cricket Union Ltd will now be Cricket Ireland.
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
The newly-constituted Irish board cricket met for the first time this week, and announced that the trading name of Irish Cricket Union Ltd will now be Cricket Ireland.
The board also confirmed that Belfast and Dublin would host the ODI matches against England in 2009 and 2011.
Full postFirst division Argentinian clubs make history
History was made by the four major first division clubs as they played their first ever in full coloured clothing
Will Luke
25-Feb-2013
History was made by the four major first division clubs as they played their first ever in full coloured clothing. The NEC Trophy introduced for the first season had a semi final line up of Belgrano Cavaliers vs. Hurlingham Hawks and St.Albans Sharks vs. Lomas Eagles.
In the first match played at Virrey del Pino, Hurlingham Hawks proved too strong for the Belgrano Cavaliers as they crushed the home side by 201 runs.
In the other semi-final, St.Albans Sharks proved too strong for Lomas Eagles who batted first and could only manage 160 all out in 31 overs. St. Albans Sharks made a solid start and cruised to a six wicket victory to set up a final against the Hurlingham Hawks which is scheduled for April 13.
Full postMad Dogs in Argentina
The Mad Dogs team from New York toured Argentina for 10 days in February and played a total of five matches
Will Luke
25-Feb-2013
The Mad Dogs team from New York toured Argentina for 10 days in February and played a total of five matches. The series was very even with local teams St. Albans, Lomas and Argentine Colts recording victories. The visitors won two matches against the ACA President’s X1 and Belgrano.
Full postRashid Khan to coach China
China have recruited former Pakistan Test player Rashid Khan to coach the national team for the 2010 Asian Games in Beijing
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
China have recruited former Pakistan Test player Rashid Khan to coach the national team for the 2010 Asian Games in Beijing. He has been coaching China's junior and women's teams since 2006.
"To prepare a cricket team for the Asian Games is a big challenge but the Chinese have a lot of pride in what they do," Khan told Reuters. "I have been given this responsibility now."
Full postVaradarajan poses a serious challenge
The USACA elections take place on March 29, and Gladtone Dainty and his incumbents face a tough battle against an organised group headed by Ram Varadarajan.
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
The USACA elections take place on March 29, and Gladtone Dainty and his incumbents face a tough battle against an organised group headed by Ram Varadarajan.
While Dainty has been so low key as to be invisible - much the same could be said of USACA under his leadership - Varadarajan, who was born in India and emigrated to the USA in 1982, has been on a media offensive as well as launching a slick website outlining his vision.
"The response to the announcement of our team and the ideas and energy we bring has been fantastic," Varadarajan said. "I am getting e-mails and calls from interested people all around the world telling me that US cricket needs new management and initiatives to take it to the next level. There is widespread support for our team and people are asking how they can help make change happen. We appreciate and are humbled by the outpouring of support.
"It pains me that USACA has not been able to bring corporate commitment to cricket, the world's second most popular sport. The last few years have seen a significant increase in the monies spent globally on cricket by corporate sponsors and commercial organisers. The new USACA will find a symbiotic way to match the support of corporate sponsors and professional cricket organizations with the grass roots development needs in America. My team and I are well suited for this task and are committed to its success."
Full postMore schools sign up to cricket in Botswana
The Botswana Cricket Association has embarked on the first leg of the development programme for government school kids in 2008
Will Luke
25-Feb-2013
The Botswana Cricket Association has embarked on the first leg of the development programme for government school kids in 2008. In February the board added seven new schools and 500 children, boosting the numbers to 27 schools and 1800 kids.
"Our Saturday clinic is progressing well too," Girish Ramakrishna, a spokesman for the BCA, told Cricinfo. "The number of kids participating is around 75 at the Gaborone Cricket Club and we have commenced the Saturday clinic at the Gaborone Youth Centre. Kings Foundation and NGO is assisting us with basic life skills and values to be imparted to the kids at the end of the training session."
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