Beyond the Test World
Government at loggerheads over Bermuda's pitches
The long-running saga of Bermuda's sub-standard pitch at the National Sports Centre, which has prevented the country hosting internationals, continues to rumble on - and is now in the hands of the government
Will Luke
25-Feb-2013
The long-running saga of Bermuda's sub-standard pitch at the National Sports Centre, which has prevented the country hosting internationals, continues to rumble on - and is now in the hands of the government.
The main concern surrounds the quality of the soil which was last year described by Andy Atkinson, the ICC's pitch expert, as "only suitable for growing carrots". His solution is to import better quality foreign soil, an idea supported by Bermuda's sports minister, Randy Horton, but roundly condemned by the acting Environment Minister, John Barritt who called it a "reckless" proposal.
"The United Bermuda Party disagrees in the strongest possible terms with Sports Minister Randy Horton's plan to change long-standing regulations against the
importation of soil," he said on Sunday. "Most Bermudians understand the dangers of introducing alien species to this country. The cedar blight that hit our shores in the late 1940s was caused by an imported scale insect that dramatically and speedily altered the look of the island, killing off forests of our national tree."
Full postKenya's youngsters underline their potential
Kenya Select 253 (Obuya 103, Obanda 57, Muzarabani 4-51) and 312 for 7 (Obanda 114, Mishra 68, Ouma 67) drew with Centrals 282 (Chkunya 53, Nyathi 53*, Varaiya 6-68, Luseno 3-38) and 78 for 4 (Odihambo 3-19)
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
Kenya Select 253 (Obuya 103, Obanda 57, Muzarabani 4-51) and 312 for 7 (Obanda 114, Mishra 68, Ouma 67) drew with Centrals 282 (Chkunya 53, Nyathi 53*, Varaiya 6-68, Luseno 3-38) and 78 for 4 (Odihambo 3-19)
Kenya Select finally got some points on the board in the Logan Cup after two successive defeats, but they were unable to force a victory against Centrals at Kwekwe Sports Club. But it was the performance of three of their youngsters - Alex Obanda, Tanmay Mishra and Hiren Varaiya - which really stood out.
For the first time, Kenya had the better of a match, even though they conceded a first-innings lead. On the first morning they slid to 9 for 3 before Obanda and Mishra stopped the rot and then Collins Obuya struck his maiden first-class hundred.
Centrals reply was solid, with their top five all making starts, but the last three wickets produced 105 runs to give them a slender lead. Varaiya was the outstanding bowler, with 6 for 68 off 33.2 overs.
Full postLautoka claims gold medal
Lautoka beat Suva at Albert Park in Fiji yesterday, taking the gold medal in the Fiji Games competition
Will Luke
25-Feb-2013
Lautoka beat Suva at Albert Park in Fiji yesterday, taking the gold medal in the Fiji Games competition. The Fiji Times Online has a full report:
Led by Herbert Christopher, who was named player of the tournament, the side won by eight wickets. Suva batted first and was all out for 57 runs. In reply, Lautoka managed 58 runs.
Christopher, who captained the Fiji Under-15 side in 2005, was well assisted by former Indian national Gaurang Patel.
Full postBermuda's pitches
We've long known of the poor state of Bermuda's pitches , and the situation doesn't appear to be improving
Will Luke
25-Feb-2013
We've long known of the poor state of Bermuda's pitches, and the situation doesn't appear to be improving.
There is light at the end of this soily tunnel, though: Randy Horton, the Bermuda's Sports Minister, is attempting to push through a proposal to allow all groundsmen in the country to import the type of soil "deemed by experts as necessary to prepare a first-class wicket," as reported in today's Royal Gazette:
The problem of perfecting a first-class wicket at the NSC has been with us for more than three years. We’re no closer to finding a solution than we were before qualifying for the World Cup.
Why the debate continues to drag on, and why it’s taking so long to find an answer that will please everyone, nobody seems able to explain. It really shouldn’t be that difficult, or even controversial.
Full postIreland plan World Cup film
The Irish Cricket Union and film maker Paul Davey have announced that the principal photography has been completed on a behind the scenes documentary following the Irish team at the World Cup.
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
The Irish Cricket Union and film maker Paul Davey have announced that the principal photography has been completed on a behind the scenes documentary following the Irish team at the World Cup.
“We have enjoyed working with Paul and look forward to seeing the completed work” Irish Cricket Union spokesman Barry Chambers commented. Post production will commence once Davey secures the necessary funding.
For more information about the documentary click here.
Full postTanzania to play series of friendlies against Kenya
Tanzania are gearing up for a series of friendlies against Kenya in preparation for division three of the World Cricket League which will be held in Australia, in June
Will Luke
25-Feb-2013
Tanzania are gearing up for a series of friendlies against Kenya in preparation for division three of the World Cricket League which will be held in Australia, in June.
Zully Rehemtullah, the Tanzania Cricket Association’s chairman, told The Kenya Times that he expected his side to arrive on May 10.
More details at their website.
Full postCricket in Sweden
It may not draw quite the same attraction as ice hockey, but cricket's appeal in Sweden is growin according to one website , thanks to the country's thriving immigrant population
Will Luke
25-Feb-2013
It may not draw quite the same attraction as ice hockey, but cricket's appeal in Sweden is growin according to one website, thanks to the country's thriving immigrant population. The number of those playing cricket has increased a lot in the last two years – interest has developed," Rashid Zafar Waraich, chairman of the Swedish Cricket Federation (SCF), tells The Local.
Around 98% of the some 250 adults playing cricket in Swedish clubs are ex-pats, many of whom have roots in major cricketing nations, predominantly Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the West Indies, Australia and England, Waraich says.
Some 100 juniors - under 19s - also play. With backing from the International Cricket Council (ICC), the SCF has overseen the establishment of a cricket academy in Malmö where 30 youngsters between the ages of nine and 14 are given the chance to nurture cricketing greatness. A second academy is planned for Stockholm during the 2007 season.
Full postKenyans slide to another defeat
Kenya Select went down their second defeat in the Logan Cup, losing to Easterns by seven wickets at Mutare
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
Kenya Select went down their second defeat in the Logan Cup, losing to Easterns by seven wickets at Mutare. We are unable to get more than scant outlines of what happened.
Easterns 382 (Mutizwa 107, Mawoyo 69) and 140 for 3 (Mawoyo 59*, Marumisa 59) beat Kenya Select 199 (Ouma 116, Maruma 6-40, Utseya 3-50) and 332 (Obuya 105, Obuya 69, Utseya 6-91) by seven wickets
Atherton slams 'ridiculous' numbers of Associates in World Cup
Mike Atherton, the former England captain, has attacked the inclusion of the Associate nations in the 2007 World Cup
Will Luke
25-Feb-2013
In today's Sunday Telegraph Mike Atherton, the former England captain, attacks the inclusion of the Associate nations in the 2007 World Cup. "I think it's ridiculous, the number of Associate Member countries that have been involved. The World Cup should be about showcasing the very best," he said.
His comments are made in a revealing teleconference with Scyld Berry, Ian Chappell, Kumar Sangakkara and Andrew Strauss.
"To go back to the original point, if you look at the Canadian team, they were all ex-Caribbean or ex-Asian players," Atherton said. "This World Cup hasn't done much for cricket in Canada."
Sangakkara was equally disenchanted with the "minnows" represenation. "The game can spread," he said, "but that doesn't mean you have to let other teams into the World Cup and dilute the quality."
Full postIndonesia aims to broaden cricket's appeal
The Indonesian cricket board has announced an ambitious US$200,000 three-year development programme aimed at spreading the game outside its traditional base of expats.
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
The Indonesian cricket board has announced an ambitious US$200,000 three-year development programme aimed at spreading the game outside its traditional base of expats.
A report in The Jakarta Post quoted Cricket Indonesia chairman Sachin Gopalan, who said that the campaign would target "individuals and middle-sized companies who are interested in the development of cricket in Indonesia. The idea is to prove to those involved in cricket development that this program is a serious and long-term one.”
Board secretary Prakash Vijaykumar said that the association was planning to publicise the game across the country. “We are starting to introduce the sport in new areas in cooperation with National Sports Council provincial chapters in places such as Banten, Riau, East Kalimantan, Yogyakarta and Surabaya. We want to transform cricket into a popular sport for Indonesian people.”
Full post