Beyond the Test World
Cricket helps Afghan women spread their wings
Although Taliban-led insurgency is going on unabated in the war-torn country, Afghan girls and women have been exercising their rights envisaged in the post-Taliban country's constitution.
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
Although Taliban-led insurgency is going on unabated in the war-torn country, Afghan girls and women have been exercising their rights envisaged in the post-Taliban country's constitution.
"I want to be flag bearer in the upcoming competition due in February in Kuwait," said Noshin, a member of Afghan women cricket team.
An energetic Noshin, 19, like many Afghans, uses only one name and attired in sport costume, told Xinhua that "I don't want the conflicts to destroy my dreams and ruin my future. I hate the war."
Noshin like many others, looks ambitious and was playing cricket in Bagh-e-Zanana, the only women park in the capital city Kabul where women even could not go inside during Taliban regime which collapsed in late 2001 by the NATO-led military campaign.
Full postCricket Kenya pushes ahead with elite league
Cricket Kenya chief executive Tom Sears has told ESPNcricinfo that plans are progressing to introduce a new national tournament in the country with the aim of improving the domestic structure and helping bridge the current gulf between the local and
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
Cricket Kenya chief executive Tom Sears has told ESPNcricinfo that plans are progressing to introduce a new national tournament in the country with the aim of improving the domestic structure and helping bridge the current gulf between the local and international game.
At present, the Nairobi Provincial Cricket League is the country's main competition, but standards are widely regarded as being poor and not conducive to bringing on young players. An attempt by CK to start a provincial event in 2009 failed for a variety of reasons, but Sears believes now is the time to try again.
"We are looking at basing it around a club structure primarily in Nairobi. The plan is to have eight teams in two pools of four. Six would be Nairobi-based clubs and we would probably invite the top six teams from the Nairobi league and a combination side from the Rift and a combination side from the Coast … but this is just a proposal at the moment and has yet to be ratified. If it is, we would put the Coast and the Rift in opposite pools to limit the amount of travelling and the top two in each pool would go through in semi-finals and a final."
"It'll create an opportunity for our national players, best club players, and also we have a good clutch of Under-19s and Under-17s and it will give them the chance to play in good, hard cricket because the standard of league cricket here is just not good enough at the moment."
Full postBermuda open UAE tour with easy win
Jason Anderson struck a composed 73 and Lionel Cann a blistering, unbeaten 46 as Bermuda opened their five-match tour of Dubai with a five-wicket victory over the United Arab Emirates Under-19s on Tuesday.
Liam Brickhill
25-Feb-2013
Jason Anderson struck a composed 73 and Lionel Cann a blistering, unbeaten 46 as Bermuda opened their five-match tour of Dubai with a five-wicket victory over the United Arab Emirates Under-19s on Tuesday.
Chasing the UAE's 213 in a 50-over game at the ICC Global Cricket Academy, Bermuda were in trouble at 36 for 3 with Dion Stovall (13), skipper David Hemp (5) and Fiqre Crockwell (12) all falling cheaply. However, they were rescued by Anderson, who shared an important 123-run partnership with Chris Foggo (44) for the fourth wicket as the target was reached with more than three overs to spare. The 38-year-old Cann hurried the end by belting 46 from 29 balls to provide support.
Earlier, UAE suffered three run-outs which saw them collapse from 101 for 1 at one stage with Zamin Jaleel (67) and Dan D'Souza (42) the main run-getters. Fast bowler Stefan Kelly was the pick of Bermuda's bowlers, finishing with 3 for 37 from nine overs.
Full postUSA cancels national Under-19 tournament
The National Under-19 tournament scheduled for Woodley Park in California was called off because teams coming from New York and the South East Region were unable to get flights to California.
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
The National Under-19 tournament scheduled for Woodley Park in California was called off because teams coming from New York and the South East Region were unable to get flights to California.
A USACA statement said: "Every opportunity is being made to engage those players in California along with the North West and South West Regional teams, in practice matches under the watchful eyes of the national selectors.
Meanwhile in New York, Krish Prasad, USACA’s Cricketing Committee chairman said that a New York indoor camp is tentatively being organized for the weekend of January 8-9, 2011 for the New York, North East and Atlantic Region players. A select group of those players will then be short-listed to join a group from this week’s California scrubby matches in a national camp of 24 players, and including players scouted in the other regions. The camp will be held sometime in mid-January in Florida. The selectors will then pick the final squad to represent the USA at the ICC Americas Under-19 tournament scheduled for February 6-13, 2011 in Florida.
Full postA mixed year for Ugandan cricket
Ugandan cricket enjoyed a mixed year in 2010
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
Ugandan cricket enjoyed a mixed year in 2010. Off the pitch, there was significant progress, particularly in the establishment of administrative structures that will improve the running of the game.
The Monitor reviews Ugandan cricket in 2010
Full postUSA plans to add paid staff to each region
USA Cricket Association president Gladstone Dainty has said he wants his organisation to hire staff at the regional level with money generated from the recent multi-million dollar deal that formed Cricket Holdings America.
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
USA Cricket Association president Gladstone Dainty has said he wants his organisation to hire staff at the regional level with money generated from the recent multi-million dollar deal that formed Cricket Holdings America.
What do you think ... a sensible idea of more hot air from those running US cricket?
Full postAssociates and Affiliates umpires announced
The ICC has announced that umpires Theunis van Schalkwyk (Namibia), Courtney Young (Cayman Islands), Mark Hawthorne (Ireland) and Richard Smith (Cyprus) have been added to the ICC Associate and Affiliate International Umpires panel following the
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
The ICC has announced that umpires Theunis van Schalkwyk (Namibia), Courtney Young (Cayman Islands), Mark Hawthorne (Ireland) and Richard Smith (Cyprus) have been added to the ICC Associate and Affiliate International Umpires panel following the annual review and selection process.
The four new umpires have replaced Subhash Modi of Kenya, who retired earlier this month after umpiring in international cricket for nine years, Paul Baldwin of Germany, who has resigned following his selection in the ECB reserve umpires' panel for the second successive year, and Karran Bayney, who has failed to retain his position. An additional umpire in the Europe Region was also appointed following a request by the region to meet its growing needs and requirements.
The umpires on the ICC Associate and Affiliate International Umpires panel can be assigned to ODIs and T20I matches involving Associates and Affiliates Members as well as officiate in Under-19 and women's cricket.
ICC Associate and Affiliate International Umpires panel 2011
USACA hit with multi-million dollar lawsuit
Although Gladstone Dainty has announced an ambitious plan for a national Twenty20 tournament in the USA starting in 2012, the USA Cricket Association has been hit with a multi-million dollar lawsuit filed by the North American Cricket League (NACL).
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
Although Gladstone Dainty has announced an ambitious plan for a national Twenty20 tournament in the USA starting in 2012, the USA Cricket Association has been hit with a multi-million dollar lawsuit filed by the North American Cricket League (NACL).
NACL, which describes itself as a "sports media and entertainment company dedicated to promoting cricket throughout the world, including so-called Twenty20 format cricket in the United States" claims that it has an existing deal with USACA which is in direct conflict with the board's new initiative.
A statement from NACL said that there were "nine causes of action" including breach of contract, fraud, misappropriation of proprietary business information and theft of trade secrets. It accuses USACA of embarking on a "fraudulent scheme to extract money from NACL and its investors".
NACL's case centres on an agreement it says it entered into with USACA to promote and organise an official Twenty20 league in the United States. "The parties signed an interim agreement that granted NACL an exclusive period of negotiations during which USACA was contractually bound to cease negotiations with any third parties for the same rights.
Full postEast Asia-Pacific Under-19 talent heads to Queensland
Maroochydore Cricket Club on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast will be the next stop on the road to the Under-19 World Cup for Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Fiji, Japan and Indonesia
Liam Brickhill
25-Feb-2013
Maroochydore Cricket Club on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast will be the next stop on the road to the Under-19 World Cup for Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Fiji, Japan and Indonesia. From February 6 to 11 the club will host a 50-over round-robin tournament, with the top two teams earning a spot at the World Cup qualifiers to be held in Ireland later in the year.
“This will be a fantastic opportunity for the Australian public to witness some of the amazing International talent that other countries in our region are producing,” said ICC East Asia-Pacific Regional Development Manager Andrew Faichney.
“Preparation of the grounds began during October and the aim is to produce our customary first class pitches for all the ICC Trophy matches,” added Maroochydore club secretary Mike Burke.
Club President Mark Hall and Burke have had meetings with local Council and report that the whole region is honoured to play a part in making the occasion a memorable and enjoyable experience for all. “Make no mistake, ICC international teams & officials will all receive the world-renowned Sunshine Coast welcome,” said Burke.
Full postBermuda batsman Deunte Darrell banned for six months
The Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) has handed batsman Deunte Darrell a six-month ban from international cricket and placed him on probation until October 2011 for misconduct on a tour of Barbados.
Sahil Dutta
25-Feb-2013
The Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) has handed batsman Deunte Darrell a six-month ban from international cricket and placed him on probation until October 2011 for misconduct on a tour of Barbados.
A disciplinary committee punished Darrell for breaching the board's code of conduct while representing Bermuda Under-19s at this summer's Sir Garry Sobers Tournament during which he is said to have broken curfew and the BCB's non-drinking policy.
According to the Bermuda Sun, Darrell's parents intend to appeal against the suspension which has deprived Bermuda's Under-19s, currently preparing for February’s Under-19 World Cup qualifiers in the United States, of one of their leading players.
Bermuda Under-19 coach, Andre Manders, said Darrell's services would be missed but is confident other players can fill the void.
Full post