Beyond the Test World
Fiji launches Elite Premier League
Fiji will become the latest non-Test country to run a domestic competition for its best players when the Elite Player League commences on Saturday.
Siddhartha Talya
25-Feb-2013
Fiji will become the latest non-Test country to run a domestic competition for its best players when the Elite Player League commences on Saturday.
The best 39 players from the islands will be placed into three teams - the Suva Capitals, the Sigatoka Dunes and the Western Bulldogs with each team playing four matches according to international ODI rules.
“The aim of the competition is to get the best players playing against each other on a regular basis,” said Cricket Fiji’s High Performance Manager, Steve Jenkin. “That way we will know who has earned their place in the national squad.”
Previously, national team players were spread throughout three or four leagues across the islands, and the better players only played each other at the annual Easter tournament.
Full postAfghanistan and China in Asian Twenty20 Cup
Sahil Dutta
25-Feb-2013
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Afghanistan and China will be star attractions in the 12-nation Asian Twenty20 Cup which starts in Dubai on November 22.
Afghanistan surprised the world by finishing among the top six in the 2011 World Cup qualifying tournament to gain one-day international status earlier this year, while China will be making their debut in an Asian Twenty20 event.
The tournament serves as a qualifying round for next year's Asian Games and Mazhar Khan, administrator of Emirates Cricket Board, is hoping it will help expand cricket in Asia. "It's great to have China and Afghanistan in the event and a step forward towards promoting the game in Asia."
Full postRyan Watson declines Scotland contract
Ryan Watson, the former Scotland captain, has rejected a full-time contract in favour of employment outside cricket
Sahil Dutta
25-Feb-2013
Ryan Watson, the former Scotland captain, has rejected a full-time contract in favour of employment outside cricket. In an 18-man squad announced on Wednesday, Majid Haq replaced Watson as one of three players to be offered a full-time 12-month deal. Four more players were given six-month contracts.
For the full story click here.
Full postNew competition launched in Vanuatu
The Vanuatu Cricket Association has announced it will stage a new top-tier league starting on November 14.
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
The Vanuatu Cricket Association has announced it will stage a new top-tier league starting on November 14.
The President's Summer League, which will have limited-over and Twenty20 format competitions, will consist of four teams (Kingfishers, Hawks, Monarchs and Falcons) with the country’s players evenly spread between them.
This will be the first time that cricket has been played over the summer break in Vanuatu.
Full postNew ground in Tanzania
The Tanzania Cricket Association has announced it will be building a new ground in the northern town of Arusha, roughly 400 miles north of Dar-es-Salaam
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
The Tanzania Cricket Association has announced it will be building a new ground in the northern town of Arusha, roughly 400 miles north of Dar-es-Salaam
The ground will have an astroturf/concrete pitch and a pavilion and will be ready for use in February 2010.
A board statement said: “The new ground in place will also give TCA … an opportunity to host regional and other international events at an optional venue in Tanzania.”
Full postICC announces Intercontinental Shield fixtures
The ICC has announced the remaining fixtures in the inaugural Intercontinental Shield, the second tier first-class competition for Associates.
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
The ICC has announced the remaining fixtures in the inaugural Intercontinental Shield, the second tier first-class competition for Associates.
The one remaining match this year sees Namibia host UAE from December 8, and then UAE have a home tie against Uganda starting on January 20. In April Namibia take on Bermuda, in June Bermuda host UAE and next September Uganda are at home to Namibia in the final round-robin match. The final will be played in Dubai between November 25 and 28, 2010.
However, there is little at stake as the ICC has decided that there will be no promotion between the Intercontinental Shield and the senior Intercontinental Cup.
Full postSwamibapa secure Super League title
Swamibapa A have won the NPCA Super League title, ending five years of domination by Kanbis A.
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
Swamibapa A have won the NPCA Super League title, ending five years of domination by Kanbis A.
Needing only maximum points from their final game, Swamibapa A easily beat Stray Lions A, bowling them out for 108 after setting a target of 216 to win. Kanbis A finished second after a well-fought last-day win over SCLYL.
The problems facing Kenyan cricket were summed up by the newspaper coverage of the final round of games. While Sofapaka secured Kenyan football’s Premier League title in front of 10,000 spectators, and gained a full page of coverage in the Sunday Nation, Swamibapa’s achievement didn’t even warrant a mention.
Full postRed faces as Uganda fire new CEO
Mpeke Muhumuza has been sacked as Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) chief executive just three months into his tenure following what was described as “a failure to meet expectations”.
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
Mpeke Muhumuza has been sacked as Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) chief executive just three months into his tenure following what was described as “a failure to meet expectations”.
Given Uganda’s rising profile – many tout them as the rising force in African cricket – the news will be a blow to the standing of the board and questions have to be asked about the appointment in the first place. Muhumuza was picked after a long selection process which involved the UCA and the ICC.
“The first thing we expected him to do was to set targets for the employees and give them job references,” said board chairman Kato Sebbaale. “He’d spent over two months in the office and he had not done anything about this. If he failed in the start, how could he professionalise the entire game?”
Sebbaale and administrative officer Martin Ondeko will fill in while the red-faced UCA start the whole recruitment process again.
Full postIreland in hot pursuit of Full Member status
Ireland have announced an ambitious plan to ascend to Full Member status within the ICC
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
Ireland have announced an ambitious plan to ascend to Full Member status within the ICC. The Irish will seek to become the ICC's eleventh Full Member nation, and the first to rise from the Associate ranks since Bangladesh in 2000.
Warren Deutrom, Cricket Ireland's chief executive, has sent a letter to the ICC stating his board's intention to apply for Full Membership - a potential pathway to Test cricket - and to seek clarification on the process. The ICC have since informed Ireland of the council's criteria and expectations, and the matter will now be discussed at the next chief executives' meeting, scheduled for later this month.
Full postCricket the Maasai way
An interesting report in Kenya’s Nation newspaper on attempts to take cricket to the Maasai tribe in Mukogodo.
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
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The Maasais, known world over for their native style of dressing up and living among the world animals of East Africa, have already accepted the game with the formation of several teams from within the local schools and community.
Aliya Bauer, who is coaching in the area, told the newspaper that the early signs were good. “It’s very encouraging for me as there are already well over 100 people who turn out for practices at venues around the area. This include children as well as older Morans who are very keen and enthusiastic about the game.’
“The children were first introduced to soft ball cricket before graduating to the hard ball version. They have shown phenomenal amount of potential and natural talent.’’
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