Beyond the Test World
Cricket expands its horizons in South Korea
A boom in player numbers has resulted in a record number of teams playing in this year's Seoul competition and the likely creation of the country's first league outside Seoul
Tony Munro
25-Feb-2013
A boom in player numbers has resulted in a record number of teams playing in this year's Seoul competition and the likely creation of the country's first league outside Seoul.
Such is the demand, Korea Cricket Association officials had originally omitted three teams. However, the unexpected acquisition of a second ground at Ajou University in Suwon has allowed all 13 teams to play.
KCA official, Daami Cagney, attributed the increase to several factors: "2009 saw a lot more awareness of cricket in Korea through several events throughout last year - the Sixes tournament, junior coaching clinics as well as elementary and high school clinics. There are also more ex-pats living in South Korea than ever before, and the network is likewise expanding - information gets around."
Ulsan, on the southern coast, is likely to become the second city in South Korea next year to have its own competition. "A group of mostly expats with some Koreans have been playing cricket for several years in the Gyoungsangname province, mostly out of the city of Ulsan. The standard has mostly been 'backyard' or 'street' cricket. The plan is that they take this year to sort things out, develop an appropriate organisational structure, and commence a competition next year," Cagney said.
Full postScotland, Ireland and Afghanistan open with wins
The ICC World Cricket League Division 1 tournament began in Netherlands with Ireland aiming to defend their title, but Afghanistan sensing another trophy.
Andrew McGlashan
25-Feb-2013
The ICC World Cricket League Division 1 tournament began in Netherlands with Ireland aiming to defend their title, but Afghanistan sensing another trophy.
Scotland prevailed in a nerve-wracking contest against hosts Netherlands, winning off the penultimate ball with one wicket in hand in Amstelveen. Their chase of 235 had been dealt a serious blow when the first six wickets fell for 121, but the lower order set about pulling things back.
Afghanistan put in an admirable batting display to overcome a challenging target of 258 set by Canada in Voorburg. Captain Nawroz Mangal led the charge with an unbeaten 70, off just 58 balls, and the innings was also supported by half-centuries from opener Noor Ali and Mohammad Shahzad. Noor and Shahzad were involved in a 87-run stand, though both fell in quick succession. Afghanistan recovered quickly from those jolts, thanks to an attacking knock from their captain, who ensured victory was achieved with eight balls to spare.
A collective bowling effort and a solid opening performance from Paul Stirling kicked off defending champions Ireland's campaign on a successful note against Kenya in Rotterdam.
Full postAfrica set sights on continental tournament
Africa is likely to have its own continental tournament in the near future
Tony Munro
25-Feb-2013
Africa is likely to have its own continental tournament in the near future. Cassim Suliman, the CEO of the Africa Cricket Association is understood to be organising a tournament involving South Africa A, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda, Namibia and possibly a combined Africa team.
Africa is the only one of the ICC's development regions not to have its own biennial tournament for non-Test nations. The proposed event would not be the long awaited World Cricket League Africa Division One event. Officials from Namibia and Tanzania had recently told Cricinfo they saw no need for the latter as their national teams already had sufficient tournament play. Namibia also plays in the United Cricket Board amateur three-day and one-day competitions.
When Cricinfo contacted Suliman this week, he was travelling in Asia and unable to confirm the reports of plans for the tournament or elaborate on specific detail.
Full postDwayne Leverock set for international return
Dwayne Leverock, the burly left-arm spinner that flew to fame during the 2007 World Cup, has come out of international retirement to join Bermuda's squad for the Intercontinental Shield game against UAE next month.
Sahil Dutta
25-Feb-2013
Dwayne Leverock, the burly left-arm spinner that flew to fame during the 2007 World Cup, has come out of international retirement to join Bermuda's squad for the Intercontinental Shield game against UAE next month.
Leverock, 38, became an one of the few positive icons from a maligned tournament in the Caribbean when he hurled his generous frame at slip to take a stunning one-handed catch and dismiss Indian batsman Robin Uthappa.
After Bermuda failed to qualify for the 2011 World Cup in Asia during qualifiers in South Africa last year, Leverock announced his international retirement but stayed within the game by captaining club side Southampton Rangers. Now he is a surprise inclusion in the 25-strong squad that Bermuda national coach David Moore says he wants to form the basis of his team for the next year.
"He's made himself available," said Moore. "He approached me about being involved. He told me that he was interested in being part of the programme and that's where we are at the moment. We'll just see how he goes, how he trains, and so on, but it's good to have him back in the squad, although the competition is quite stiff from the likes of Rodney Trott and Joshua Gilbert."
Full postBack to the dark days
Kenyan cricket has experienced more than its fair share of setbacks in the past decade, but ever since Sharad Ghai and his ilk were removed from office in 2005, things have been slowly improving
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
Kenyan cricket has experienced more than its fair share of setbacks in the past decade, but ever since Sharad Ghai and his ilk were removed from office in 2005, things have been slowly improving. Until today.
News that the side had refused at the 11th hour to travel to England for a short tour arranged by supporters in Lancashire was not only incredibly rude to the volunteers who had organised it, but also showed a complete lack of understanding for the realities of the wider world. Financially, it is estimated to have left Cricket Kenya $50,000 out of pocket; the damage to Kenya cricket is considerably higher.
Five years ago Kenya's reputation internationally was mud. It has slowly recovered and the players are better rewarded than they have ever been. Their salaries, low by international standards, nonetheless dwarf the average of their countrymen. They also get perks such as medical insurance.
If the decision to boycott the tour was surprising, when you look at who was involved the motives become clearer.
Full postMexico to play Costa Rica in T20 final
ICC Americas Division Four Twenty20
Tony Munro
25-Feb-2013
ICC Americas Division Four Twenty20
Mexico 130 for 8 (Gupta 57*) beat Falkland Islands 101 for 9 (Collins 22, Marlor 20) by 29 runs
Costa Rica 165 for 5 (Crisp 56, Smith 52) beat Falkland Islands 100 (Crisp 2 for 6) by 65 runs
Mexico will meet Costa Rica in the final of the Americas Division Four Twenty20 event today after both teams won their matches against the Falkland Islands.
Full postMexico lifts WCL Division 4 title
WCL Americas Region Division Four
Tony Munro
25-Feb-2013
WCL Americas Region Division Four
Mexico 242 (Sharma 72, Ahuja 53, Sherman 41; Clapp 5 for 34) beat Falkland Islands 31 (Collina 8*; Gupta 6 for 13, Sharma 2 for 10) by 211 runs
Mexico clinched the ICC Americas WCL Division 4 title with a resounding victory over the Falkland Islands by 211 runs on Thursday at the Reforma Athletic Club in Naucalpan, Mexico.
The Falklands won the toss and elected to field, perhaps to give their batsmen time to recover from the celebrations following their victory over Costa Rica a day earlier. However, Falkland’s fielders struggled from the outset, dropping ten catches in the first twenty overs alone.
Full postTaylforth shines for Falkland Islands
WCL Americas Region Division Four
Tony Munro
25-Feb-2013
WCL Americas Region Division Four
Falkland Islands 131 (Pickup 24, Smith 4-32) beat Costa Rica 92 (Smith 24, Taylforth 6-14) by 39 runs
The Falkland Islands blew Costa Rica away on the second day of the Americas Division Four competition at the Reforma Athletic ground in Mexico City on Tuesday. A devastating spell of medium-pace bowling from Falkland Islands’ David Taylforth caused all the damage, as he picked up 6 for 14 and wrapped up the game with a four-wicket maiden which included a hat-trick.
The day started with the Costa Ricans winning the toss and electing to field in cloudy conditions. In the third over, Sam Arthur bowled Falkland Islands’ opening batsman Mike Summers for just 2. Martin Collins then came to the crease and he faired a little better before he too was bowled the same bowler and Falkland Islands were up against it.
Full postMexico win despite Ben Smith ton
Americas Division Four
Tony Munro
25-Feb-2013
Americas Division Four
Mexico 187 for 7 (Garrity 34, Sharma 45, Baker 3-43, Prasad 2-57) beat Costa Rica 186 (Smith 104, Crisp 11; Gupta 5-32) by three wickets
Mexico beat Costa Rica by three wickets with more than 14 overs to spare in the opening game of the Americas Division Four tournament in Mexico City on Sunday.
This was despite the efforts of Man-of-the-Match, Ben Smith, who hit 104 from 127 balls to provide the base for Costa Rica's 186 from 46.5 overs. Smith struck two sixes and 12 boundaries in his stay which lasted for all but the first four balls of the Costa Rican innings. Smith entered in the first over when Barry Ashworth was bowled, and flourished while all around him succumbed to Tushar Gupta (5 for 32) and Tarun Sharma (2 for 28 from 10 overs).
Full postMexico, Costa Rica and Falkland Islands to debut
Three countries, Mexico, Costa Rica and Falkland Islands make their official debuts at the Americas World Cricket League Division Four tournament in Mexico City this week.
Tony Munro
25-Feb-2013
Three countries, Mexico, Costa Rica and Falkland Islands make their official debuts at the Americas World Cricket League Division Four tournament in Mexico City this week.
Although their representative teams have been active playing in informal tournaments such as the Central American Championships, this is the first ICC event Mexico and Costa Rica have taken part in. Most recently, Costa Rica played a Colombian XI in April in Bogota while Mexico visited Brazil for a friendly series last July.
It will be a case of going from famine to feast for Falkland Islands, who break their isolation in this tournament and soon after head to Falkland in Fife in the United Kingdom. From July 19 to 24 they will be one of three locations called Falkland to play in a triangular series. The others are Falkland (Fife) and Falkland (Newbury, Berkshire).
Only close followers of Mexican and Costa Rican cricket might be aware cricket in both countries dates back to the 19th century. Both countries have four-team leagues. Mexico has a handful of locally born players while Costa Rica has a couple, that is apart from Limon players who are descendants of West Indians who came to the country in the 1800s to work on the Limon-San Jose railway.
Full post