Beyond the Test World
Israel announce squad for Croatia clash
Israel have announced their squad for the World Cricket League match against Croatia
ESPNcricinfo staff
25-Feb-2013
Israel have announced their squad for the World Cricket League match against Croatia. As the Haaretz website reports:
Israel will be captained by Stanley Perlman. The side also includes plenty of other experienced players. All rounders Isaac Massil and Sanjay Gupta will both be key players in the middle order, and there will be big expectations from Herschel Gutman to perform with bat and ball.
French teachers in Vanuatu take to cricket
The French speakers of Vanuatu schools could be in for a surprise when cricket coaches come calling, reports Nick Cassidy
ESPNcricinfo staff
25-Feb-2013
The French speakers of Vanuatu schools could be in for a surprise when cricket coaches come calling, reports Nick Cassidy
At the beginning of this week, cricket was as foreign as a cobra snake to the first and second year student teachers from the Vanuatu Institute of Teachers Education (VITE). But now they can count themselves amongst the millions of fans the sport has worldwide.
Fifty student teachers from VITE have spent the past week learning the intricacies of cricket, including the basic rules of the game and the skills needed to play, at an education course hosted by the Vanuatu Cricket Association.
When they graduate, the teachers will move into schools throughout the islands of Vanuatu armed with the skills to teach children about the game. And given all 50 of them will be moving into French speaking schools, the course has been an excellent opportunity for the VCA to establish connections with dozens of new schools around the entire country.
Full postDutch board faces mounting problems
Cricket Europe have reported that there are growing problems inside Dutch cricket with the mass resignation of the youth committee a sign that the Dutch board (KNCB) could face major opposition oat next month’s AGM.
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
Cricket Europe have reported that there are growing problems inside Dutch cricket with the mass resignation of the youth committee a sign that the Dutch board (KNCB) could face major opposition oat next month’s AGM.
The Umpires’ Committee has been dissolved and re-formed after splits within the existing group made its functioning problematic, and there have been further difficulties between the Board and its Accommodation Committee.
With continuing financial problems, little sign so far of increased sponsorship income, and a very restricted international programme which sees the national side idle between August 2007 and the next Intercontinental Cup matches in April 2008, the voices of criticism are mounting into a chorus.
Full postICC must go on funding cricket's expansion
Tony Cozier is, rightly, one of the most respected journalists in the game
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
Tony Cozier is, rightly, one of the most respected journalists in the game. His work to cover and promote cricket in the Caribbean has been unstinting for almost four decades. And yet even the best writers have off days, and his attack on the way that the ICC funds the Intercontinental Cup, the first-class competition for the Associates, is one of those.
Cozier's outburst in his Caribbean-syndicated column at the weekend in effect concluded that rather than waste money on Associate tournaments it would be better spent on aiding West Indies, a “well-established member with a great tradition presently fallen on hard times”.
Cozier attacked the ICC for doling out "heaven knows how much cash every year" to run the Intercontinental Cup. The overall annual cost of the tournament is actually around $400,000 on top of which the participants contribute another $120,000 between them. For that, the leading eight Associate countries get to play in a prestigious (for them) competition, to meet a variety of opponents across the world and to improve.
Yes, it has its faults and there are mismatches, but the same could be said for any competition or series involving the Full Members. When was the last time Bangladesh or Zimbabwe or, dare it be said, West Indies played in a gripping contest as opposed to occasional one-off successes. As seen at the World Cup, the gulf between the have and have-nots on the field may be large but it is nothing like as vast as the chasm between their respective funding.
Full postCozier slams ICC funding of Associate tournament
Tony Cozier, the veteran Caribbean journalist and broadcaster, has launched a scathing attack on the way the ICC funds global cricket outside the Test-playing countries.
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
Tony Cozier, the veteran Caribbean journalist and broadcaster, has launched a scathing attack on the way the ICC funds global cricket outside the Test-playing countries.
Writing in his column which is syndicated throughout the Caribbean, Cozier was angry at the way that established regions, such as West Indies, were not allocated more money instead of so much being spent by the ICC on Associate competitions.
“Certainly there is no ICC venture more illogical or costly than the one dubbed the Inter-Continental Cup,” he wrote. “It is an annual tournament, described by the ICC as its ‘flagship first-class competition’, comprising round-robin, four-day matches between its second tier members, those one below Test status. These are countries where the game has always been based on amateur, weekend, one-day club cricket. They play no four-day domestic matches and almost certainly never will.
“Yet the ICC doles out heaven knows how much cash every year to fly them, and their own entourage of officials, across the world and to house and feed them at venues as scattered as Aberdeen, Dublin, Namibia, Toronto, Sharjah and Windhoek.
Full postKit boost for Cayman Islands schools
The Cayman Islands Cricket Association’s drive to raise the standard of cricket got to another level when cricket equipment was distributed to eight high schools
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
The Cayman Islands Cricket Association’s drive to raise the standard of cricket got to another level when cricket equipment was distributed to eight high schools. CICA President Courtney Myles was pleased with the association’s initiative. He said “Our association is doing its part in providing a proper learning atmosphere for our youngsters.”.
Cricket uniforms will be handed out at a later date to all schools ensuring that the students are properly attired and with the equipment, protected during cricket practice and matches. Representing the CICA in the distribution were National Youth Coach Andy Myles and Technical Director Theo Cuffy.
Courtesy ICC Americas
Full postChile season off to a flier
Michael Meade reports on a busy start to the season in Chile
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
Michael Meade reports on a busy start to the season in Chile
The Homework Club School Cricket League
The first game of The Homework Club School Cricket League took place toward the end of October, with Lincoln International Academy and The International Country School playing at the Craighouse School ground. In total, 18 games will be played until November, with nine schools competing.
The first game of The Homework Club School Cricket League took place toward the end of October, with Lincoln International Academy and The International Country School playing at the Craighouse School ground. In total, 18 games will be played until November, with nine schools competing.
It is the first time that schools have competed in a formal hardball league, but all the signs point towards this being a successful initiative and providing an enviable base of junior cricketers, several of whom will go on to represent their country against Brazil and Argentina in 2008.
U-19 National Team
Following some excellent performances by Chilean junior players in this season’s opening fixtures, NDO David Mauro has decided to formalize a Chilean U19 national team. The squad of 20 players are currently training once a week, though this is expected to increase to three times a week as Chile look to take on neighbours Argentina in early 2008. It is hoped that this will be the first step towards Chile being included in future Americas U-19 tournaments.
Full postFollowing some excellent performances by Chilean junior players in this season’s opening fixtures, NDO David Mauro has decided to formalize a Chilean U19 national team. The squad of 20 players are currently training once a week, though this is expected to increase to three times a week as Chile look to take on neighbours Argentina in early 2008. It is hoped that this will be the first step towards Chile being included in future Americas U-19 tournaments.
Kenyan national league still on track
Samir Inamdar, the Cricket Kenya chairman, has told Cricinfo that the national elite league will proceed despite the ongoing problems affecting the Nairobi province.
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
Samir Inamdar, the Cricket Kenya chairman, has told Cricinfo that the national elite league will proceed despite the ongoing problems affecting the Nairobi province.
Full postMCC send Fleming to Afghanistan
Matthew Fleming, the former Kent and England allrounder, will travel to Afghanistan this week to try to identify ways in which Marylebone Cricket Club can help to further develop the sport in the region
Will Luke
25-Feb-2013
Matthew Fleming, the former Kent and England allrounder, will travel to Afghanistan this week to try to identify ways in which Marylebone Cricket Club can help to further develop the sport in the region.
Fleming, who sits on the main MCC Committee, is being sent by the club to investigate how MCC can strengthen its links with cricket in Afghanistan in accordance with its worldwide remit to help promote the game.
Full postPeru hosts Twenty20 tournament
An ICC Level 1 Coaching Course was held in Lima from October 22 to 27 and was followed by a Level 1 Umpiring Course from November 3 to 11
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
An ICC Level 1 Coaching Course was held in Lima from October 22 to 27 and was followed by a Level 1 Umpiring Course from November 3 to 11. The charms of Lima, including a wonderful and historic club for such events in Lima Cricket & Football Club, good hotels at low prices, rain free weather and a central position in South America, make this city an ideal venue for such events. The second Cricket Veloz, a Twenty20 competition fought out by four clubs, LCFC, the Kiteflyers, the Eidgenossen and the Indians, will take place on November 18 at Markham College, Miraflores.
Full post