Beyond the Test World
A terribly disappointing defeat
Paras Khadka - Nepal captain
Cricinfo
25-Feb-2013
Paras Khadka - Nepal captain
It was horrible the way we played today. We may have bowled Tanzania out for 117 but our batting was horrendous. Nobody pulled their weight out there and I’m hugely disappointed in myself and the team.
The only positive I think we can take from this match is that it isn’t the last one of the tournament and we still have the opportunity to show the true skills that we know we have.
Rahul’s (Vishvakarma) bowling was good today but out fielding was not up to scratch, we let catches go, our run-outs didn’t hit the target and we were just not sharp enough.
Full postKenya A go down in Kampala
Uganda 294 and 156 for 3 decl
Cricinfo
25-Feb-2013
Uganda 294 and 156 for 3 decl. beat Kenya A 91 and 153 by 206 runs
Kenya put up a fight in a bid to save but could not deny Uganda in their three-day match at Lugogo Oval, Kampala.
Uganda batted into the final morning and reached 156 (Roger Mukasa 65, Arthur Kyobe 80) before declaring three wickets down to set Kenya A's batsmen, who had been toppled for 91 the day before, 360 runs to win.
The opening pair lasted until lunch, scoring 42 along the way, before Frank Nsubuga grabbed the first of his five wickets, dismissing Ken Owino lbw for 20. Another wicket, that of Rashab Patel for 0, put the Kenyans on the defensive. Opener Duncan Allan and Irfan Karim departed in quick succession to put Uganda in the driver’s seat.
Full postToday was an awesome day
Paras Khadka - Nepal captain
Sahil Dutta
25-Feb-2013
Paras Khadka - Nepal captain
I think we had an awesome day today – our bowlers were superb and our fielding was out of this world. We bowled in the right areas and that gave us the ‘zip’ we need. We’re confident but cricket is a funny game and we can’t take any team lightly and so after tomorrow’s rest day, we have to continue being focused on winning every game.
Amrit Bhattarai bowled a very good spell and l think everyone of my bowlers performed for me today and our fielding was just on target.
I found batting difficult particularly because the pitch was very bouncy and with the high winds as well it wasn't easy! I think as a side we played one too many rash shots which meant players got out cheaply but in the end we got the victory and that’s all that matters in this campaign.
Full postNowhere left for Kenya to hide
Anyone who hoped Kenya’s wretched performance at the ICC World Cricket League Division One in the Netherlands was no more than another minor glitch can now be in no doubt the magnitude of the problems facing the side.
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
Anyone who hoped Kenya’s wretched performance at the ICC World Cricket League Division One in the Netherlands was no more than another minor glitch can now be in no doubt the magnitude of the problems facing the side.
For all the positive spin coach Eldine Baptiste might put on things, the stark reality is Kenya are now in the same position Bermuda were four years ago. With a World Cup looming they are woefully deficient in every department of their game and face sound thrashings at the hands of New Zealand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
In four limited-over matches over the last fortnight against decent but far from awesome representative sides from Gujarat and Baroda, the Kenyans were outplayed in all but one game, and even that they lost by 32 runs. They were barely competitive.
The greatest humiliation came when they faced Gujarat in a four-day game, aimed at preparing the Kenyans for the Intercontinental Cup. They were bowled for 221 and 295, of which Collins Obuya 199 in his two innings. In reply, Gujarat amassed 710 for 4 before calling off the slaughter. Spare a thought for PK Panchal, Gujarat’s opener who was run out for 0 and so missed out on the feast.
Full postHere's hoping the sun will shine tomorrow
Paras Khadka - Nepal captain
Liam Brickhill
25-Feb-2013
Paras Khadka - Nepal captain
We arrived here in Italy a week ago, which has been a good move I feel as we’ve got to know the grounds and some of the conditions to expect. Obviously today has been disappointing with the thunderstorms and the fact we couldn’t finish our match against the USA but hopefully we will be able to play tomorrow.
The conditions at the Pianoro ground are different to Bologna and Medicina, as the pitch has concrete base under the artificial surface whereas the other two are sand based. It almost feels slightly uneven but I think we adjusted well to the surface despite losing two wickets early on.
It was obviously not great that Mahesh (Chhetri) and Shakti (Gauchan) didn’t manage to get runs on the board but it was good to see Anil Mandal adding runs just as he has done for us in the warm-up games. He’s been playing really well with the bat, scoring 55 in our first warm-up and 94 in our second, so I’m hoping he keeps this run of form for the tournament.
Full postA festival of cricket for the Falklands
The cricketers of the Falkland Islands may become regular visitors to Scotland if plans for further stagings of the 'Festival of the Three Falklands' cricket festival are realised.
Tony Munro
25-Feb-2013
The cricketers of the Falkland Islands may become regular visitors to Scotland if plans for further stagings of the 'Festival of the Three Falklands' cricket festival are realised.
Last month, teams representing the Falkland Islands, Falkland in Newberry, Berkshire, England and Falkland in Fife, Scotland played a series of matches.
"Tentative plans are in hand to make this triangular tournament a regular feature every 3 to 4 years which would be an excellent idea providing we can manage the logistics of fielding teams for ICC competitions and also for friendly overseas tours," Roger Diggle, Falkland Islands Cricket Association official and player, told Cricinfo.
Although it was in some respects a tournament, it's success wasn't measured by the customary wins and losses. "The Festival of the Three Falklands was a very sociable affair. It started with a traditional Scottish ceilidh (a fancy term for a good meal, lots of drink and Scottish dancing). Speeches were given by representatives of all three clubs and also the provost of Fife, Councillor Frances Melville," Diggle explained.
Full postSeychelles announce plans for new cricket ground
A month after securing Affiliate member status of the ICC, Seychelles have announced plans to build an international standard field to encourage the growth of cricket on the island nation.
Liam Brickhill
25-Feb-2013
A month after securing Affiliate member status of the ICC, Seychelles have announced plans to build an international standard field to encourage the growth of cricket on the island nation.
At a gathering to celebrate the Seychelles Cricket Association (SCA) becoming the 105th member of the ICC National Sports Council chief executive Alain Volcère declared that a plot of land has been demarcated on Ile Persévérance for the construction of a new field.
“We believe that this is a significant asset which will hopefully provide a source of motivation towards the development of the sport,” said Volcère.
“It is our hope that the SCA will seize the opportunity of its new position and the growing popularity of cricket worldwide to try to generate more interest and participation amongst all those longing to get involved in a sporting activity as players, volunteers or even sponsors.”
Full postMali holds third National Cricket Championship
The third edition of Mali’s National Cricket Championship was held in Bamako, the capital city, from July 15 to 19 at the National Institute of Youth and Sport.
Liam Brickhill
25-Feb-2013
The third edition of Mali’s National Cricket Championship was held in Bamako, the capital city, from July 15 to 19 at the National Institute of Youth and Sport.
Four teams competed in the competition’s final stage, with two from Bamako (All Stars and Vampire Cricket Club), Sikasso’s regional team (Tata) and a team from Ségou (Reverend Père Bouvier). After a round-robin stage, Vampire Cricket Club and All Stars met in the final, with All Stars prevailing by 45 runs in a 30-over game to secure the trophy and the equivalent of US$200 in prize money.
As an indicator of the importance of the event to cricket in Mali a number of important officials were present at the closing ceremony, including the British and Burkina Faso Ambassadors, representatives of the Youth and Sport ministry and the general secretary of the Students Association. The event was covered by ORTM (the national television broadcaster), The Africable (a pan-African channel), and several local radio stations and newspapers.
Full postMorocco take cricket into schools
The Moroccan Royal Cricket Board, in its development plan, has started introducing cricket in schools
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
The Moroccan Royal Cricket Board, in its development plan, has started introducing cricket in
schools. In April cricket was introduced in five schools in Rabat, Sale, temara and now cricket
has been taken to an other city named Marrakech. On July 5, cricket was taught to
about 300 kids in Marrakech, and the players of the Australian team who were visiting Morocco
from June 29 to July 9 assisted the board in coaching the kids.
Full postMCC helps Argentina prepare for Division 4
Ellie Fielding
Cricinfo
25-Feb-2013
Ellie Fielding
On Tuesday August 10 the Argentinean Cricket team were due to play MCC at Wimbledon Cricket Club. As the rain fell however it became less and less likely that a ball would be bowled and so to help the side prepare for the ICC World Cricket League Division 4 competition, which will be played in Italy next week, Mike Gatting, MCC match manager, answered Argentina’s questions on everything from mental preparation for batting, how to play spin and the best way to recover from a day in the field.
Cricket has been played in Argentina since 1806 with the international side making its first appearance in 1868 against Uruguay. The first first-class match was played against MCC in 1912 and a strong relationship has existed between the two sides ever since with MCC tours visiting Argentina in 2001, 2006 and 2008.
Full postMost Read
Writers