Beyond the Test World
Japan wants in for Asian Games Twenty20
Tony Munro
Tony Munro
25-Feb-2013
Tony Munro
The Japan Cricket Association intends to submit an application to be included in the cricket sector of the 2010 Asian Games.
The Guangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee (GAGOC) has asked countries who wish to take part in the tournament to make a submission and it will then decide which countries will participate.
CricInfo understands the GAGOC has not yet decided how many countries will feature in the tournament, although the Asian Cricket Council had at one stage suggested the men's event be confined to eight teams - the four Test-playing countries, the hosts China and three non-Test qualifiers.
Full post'Nepal's domestic structure must improve'
Nepal’s new captain, Paras Khadka, believes his country’s players must be given more opportunities against stronger opposition if Nepalese cricket is to improve.
Cricinfo
25-Feb-2013
Tony Munro
Nepal’s new captain, Paras Khadka, believes his country’s players must be given more opportunities against stronger opposition if Nepalese cricket is to improve.
"We must improve our domestic structure - there is so much talent but this talent drains out due to lack of exposure.... I want to see our players pitted against better teams and better opponents," Khadka said.
National team players are scattered throughout at least 16 regional leagues across Nepal, with the annual inter-district competition being the only time they are tested.
Full postHuge potential for growth in Indonesia
Tony Munro
Cricinfo
25-Feb-2013
Tony Munro
Former Surrey left-arm-spinner Keith Medlycott thinks giving Indonesian cricketers exposure to longer forms of cricket and continued coaching would bring huge rewards for the game after leading the Marylebone Cricket Club on a four-game tour of the country last month.
As expected, the MCC won all four games in Jakarta and Bali handsomely between conducting extensive coaching sessions, where Medlycott was struck by the enthusiasm of both children and adults.
"The Indonesian players listened and questioned on every available opportunity and if they can receive these types of tours on a regular basis they will improve at a significant pace," Medlycott told CricInfo.
Full postEuropean programme for 2010 announced
The ICC European Development Programme has announced its 2010 tournament schedule which will see a number of European countries participate in an exciting and challenging programme of tournaments during July and August next year.
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
The ICC European Development Programme has announced its 2010 tournament schedule which will see a number of European countries participate in an exciting and challenging programme of tournaments during July and August next year.
Following the programmes’s bi-annual rotational process, it is the turn of Divisions 1 and 2 to take to the stage at senior level.
Jersey have taken the opportunity to host Division 1 for the first time in early July. The six participating teams will play a round-robin format and participation is based on ICC global rankings.
Division 2 will be hosted by Guernsey in mid July and again participation is based on World Cricket League (WCL) rankings and will also include Israel, who having won 2009’s Division 3 Championship then went on to triumph at the play-off in October with Division 2’s sixth-placed side Croatia and were consequently promoted to Division 2.
Full postUSA sign partnership with New Zealand
The USA Cricket Association has announced an intention to establish a “strategic partnership agreement” with New Zealand Cricket
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
The USA Cricket Association has announced an intention to establish a “strategic partnership agreement” with New Zealand Cricket. The proposed partnership covers a variety of activities, ranging from the sharing of coaching and development resources through to the staging of international fixtures involving the two countries.
“We are very positive and excited about the benefits our relationship with NZC can bring to USA cricket,” Don Lockerbie, USACA’s chief executive, said. “USA cricket can learn greatly from the experience and knowledge of NZC, and we believe there are real and significant cricketing benefits and commercial opportunities possible through this partnership.”
“We are looking forward to a long-term partnership with USACA,” added NZC chief executive Justin Vaughan. “Cricket in the United States is at a very exciting stage, and we are enthusiastic about the prospect of helping USACA significantly grow the game in their country. The benefits of cricket becoming more established in the USA are globally significant for the sport.”
Two years ago USACA appeared to have thrown in its lot with neighbours West Indies, but the latter’s internal political and financial problems have made it a less appealing prospect for the ambitious Lockerbie.
Full postKuwait to host ICC WCL Division 8
The ICC Development Committee has confirmed that the ICC World Cricket League Division 8 will take place in Kuwait.
Judhajit
25-Feb-2013
The ICC Development Committee has confirmed that the ICC World Cricket League Division 8 will take place in Kuwait.
For the tournament to be held in late 2010, the eight teams will be split into two groups of four, with the finalists gaining promotion to Division 7. Incidentally, the tournament will also be a qualification pathway to the 2015 World Cup.
In addition to Suriname and Gibraltar, the two relegated sides from the World Cricket League Division 7 tournament played in May 2009 in Guernsey, all regions will be represented by one additional team, apart from Asia, who have been allocated two berths based on the strength of the teams' performances in recent ICC World Cricket League events.
The ICC East Asia-Pacific region has already completed its qualifying tournament for the event – the ICC EAP Trophy - with Vanuatu being the top-ranked team outside the World Cricket League rankings, and they will be represent the region in Kuwait.
Full postKhadka to captain Nepal in ACC Twenty20 Cup
Tony Munro
Judhajit
25-Feb-2013
Tony Munro
Allrounder Paras Khadka will be leading Nepal in the Asian Cricket Council Twenty20 Cup to be held in the UAE from November 22-30. In a move, which had been widely anticipated, the 22-year-old replaced Binod Das as captain, ending the latter's four-year tenure.
Khadka, who bats in the middle order and bowls medium pace, was elevated to Nepal's senior team in 2004 after playing a key role in the Under-19 team's successes in the World Cups. He has played 30 international matches for the senior team, scoring 630 runs at 30 and has taken 27 wickets at 16.44.
Nepal's successes at the Under-19 level and the promise of emerging talent led to expectations from the senior team led by Das. However, they were not met, as Nepal lost the semi-finals of several major tournaments last year, including the World Cricket League Division 5 in Jersey and the ACC Trophy in Malaysia.
Full postPakistan invited to Corfu cricket festival
The Hellenic Cricket Federation (HCF), cricket’s governing body in Greece, is to invite Pakistan for a new Twenty20 international cricket festival
Sahil Dutta
25-Feb-2013
The Hellenic Cricket Federation (HCF), cricket’s governing body in Greece, is to invite Pakistan for a new Twenty20 international cricket festival. The event, which features teams from across the non-Test playing world, will be held in May, June, September and October 2010 in Corfu and the nearby Ionian islands.
“We aim to celebrate the spirit and diversity of cricket by bringing together cricketers across continents, countries and communities,” Nikitas Iosif, the HCF president, told PA.
Pakistan, the Twenty20 World Champions, will be star attractions, though established players will be missing on full international duty.
Cricket was introduced in Corfu in April 1823 when a match was played between the British Navy and the Garrison. The HCF was founded in 1996 when Greece became member of the European Cricket Council and affiliate member of the ICC.
Full postSigatoka crush Western Bulldogs in opener
The Sigatoka Dunes have stamped their mark on the Elite Player League with an impressive performance resulting in a comfortable victory over the Western Bulldogs in the competition’s first match.
Cricinfo
25-Feb-2013
The Sigatoka Dunes have stamped their mark on the Elite Player League with an impressive performance resulting in a comfortable victory over the Western Bulldogs in the competition’s first match.
The Player of the Match award was shared by the two players who led the Dunes charge to victory: David Kachor scoring an unbeaten century and Lee Waqa claimed 7 for 16.
The Dunes batted in a style expected of players aiming for selection in the national squad. Opener Joji Bulabalavu (30) got the Dunes off to a good start before a 71-run partnership between Patrick Tuidraki and Kachor set the groundwork for a big Dunes total. The pair worked the ball around well during their partnership and regularly turned the strike over to keep the Bulldogs bowlers frustrated.
With the help of some late-order hitting from Waqa (17) the Dunes were able to add 87 runs for the last 12 overs to finish on 6 for 206 from their 50 overs, with Kachor unbeaten on 100.Peni Rika was the best of the Bulldogs bowlers claiming 3 for 56 with his legspinners.
Full postUSA face selection dilemma
When America's most talented players begin play in Fort Lauderdale on Friday for the USA Cricket Association (USACA) National Championship, each one will be full of hope about their team's chances of walking away with the title
Sahil Dutta
25-Feb-2013
When America's most talented players begin play in Fort Lauderdale on Friday for the USA Cricket Association (USACA) National Championship, each one will be full of hope about their team's chances of walking away with the title. They'll also be desperate to impress selectors at the grounds each day because the tournament is also acting as trials for the USA national squad to compete in February's World Twenty20 Qualifier in Dubai and the World Cricket League (WCL) Division Five in Nepal.
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