Beyond the Test World
Internal fighting holding back Netherlands
The ongoing failure of the Netherlands board (KNBC) to appoint a chief executive rumbles on, with the issue spilling over into the public domain following the decision not to offer the post to Jan Zwart who has been fulfilling the post on an interim
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
The ongoing failure of the Netherlands board (KNBC) to appoint a chief executive rumbles on, with the issue spilling over into the public domain following the decision not to offer the post to Jan Zwart who has been fulfilling the post on an interim basis.
Andre van Troost was appointed to the role in September last year but quit five months later. Zwart stepped in pending another permanent choice being made, but according to a report on Cricket Europe the whole affair has opened a rift inside the board.
The latest conflict stemmed from suggestions that a CEO would be brought in from abroad, possibly England, with Zwart implying that was as a result of pressure being put on the KNBC by the ICC.
Those suggestions brought an immediate denial from board chairman Marc Asselbergs. He insisted that the selection process had been fair, while pointing out that as the ICC provides about 80% of the KNBC’s income, it had a right to have its views taken seriously. There are existing ICC regulations on appointments which apply to all Associates.
Full postWomen's team lights up Brazilian cricket
The ladies' two wins and third place were impressive enough for the women's team to score an invite to next year's edition
Tony Munro
25-Feb-2013
Tony Munro
A car proceeds along the road adjacent to the huge rectangular expanse of green that is the Esplanada, a seemingly a giant traffic island in the middle of Brasilia, the capital of South America's largest country.
The driver has a wary eye out for those red balls which he has occasionally seen thwack into the side of other cars whose drivers are oblivious to the possible danger.
So who are these people all clad in white apparel? Dentists? Possibly. Cyclists who scoot across from time-to-time, and a fellow with a sharp stick from the local council, who skewers any litter, all add to the mystery, along with a group of these 'dentists' who are all female.
Full postTikolo set to make Logan Cup debut
Zimbabwe's Southern Rocks received a major boost on Tuesday with the arrival of former Kenya captain Steve Tikolo.
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
Zimbabwe's Southern Rocks received a major boost on Tuesday with the arrival of former Kenya captain Steve Tikolo.
Tikolo flew in from Nairobi and was whisked away to the Rocks training session at Harare Sports Club where he was introduced to his new team-mates. He will feature in the Rocks’ Logan Cup game with Mashonaland Eagles at the Zimbabwe Cricket Academy.
Full postUganda coach blames ICC and selectors for defections
Uganda’s coach at the recent ICC Under-19 World Cup Qualifiers has said the ICC needs to look at where events are staged if players are to be discouraged from jumping ship and seeking political asylum.
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
Uganda’s coach at the recent ICC Under-19 World Cup Qualifiers has said the ICC needs to look at where events are staged if players are to be discouraged from jumping ship and seeking political asylum.
Sam Walusimbi was speaking following the disappearance of six of the Uganda squad who remained behind in Toronto when the remainder of the team flew back home. There whereabouts remains unknown, as does that of five of the Afghanistan squad who also went into hiding.
“The ICC may have to re-think where such qualifiers are hosted,” Walusimbi told Uganda’s Observer newspaper. “When we went to Sri-Lanka, no players disappeared. I guess qualifiers should be in less developed countries.”
Earlier this week an ICC spokesman told Cricinfo: "[It] is the responsibility of each of those members. It is also the responsibility of those members to have knowledge of each of their players and their likely behaviour."
Full postBlow for Kenya as players head to Zimbabwe
Allrounder Thomas Odoyo h as been confirmed as the second Kenyan joining new Zimbabwean franchise Southern Rocks
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
Allrounder Thomas Odoyo has been confirmed as the second Kenyan joining new Zimbabwean franchise Southern Rocks. Former Kenya captain Steve Tikolo is arriving in Harare on Tuesday afternoon after signing as player-coach for the Rocks.
The news will be a blow to the game inside Kenya where the NPCA league has for a long time not been considered tough enough to bring on young players. The decision of two of the country’s best cricketers to play abroad will only further weaken it.
Full postNetherlands accept ECB 40-over invite
The Netherlands board (KNCB) has confirmed that it will be entering the ECB’s new 40-over competition, sparing the England board more embarrassment after Ireland yesterday turned down the invitation.
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
The Netherlands board (KNCB) has confirmed that it will be entering the ECB’s new 40-over competition, sparing the England board more embarrassment after Ireland yesterday turned down the invitation.
“We’re greatly looking forward to profiling Dutch cricket in this challenging competition,’ Jan Zwart, the KNCB’s interim chief executive, said. “We welcome the opportunity it gives to renew our bond with English cricket.”
The Irish declined to take part citing player workloads and the desire to concentrate on the 50-over game. The KNCB had no such reservations, although after much-publicised unhappiness when it was shut out of the English game it would have been bizarre had it not accepted.
There are two big problems now facing the board. One is the cost of participating in the tournament, which some estimate could run into a seven-figure sum. The ECB is happy to invite the Netherlands to the party, but it won’t pay for the privilege. However, the increased exposure should make it easier to attract a sponsor.
Full postIreland decline ECB's 40-over invite
Cricket Ireland has declined the ECB's invitation to join the new English domestic 40-over one-day competition in 2010
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
Cricket Ireland has declined the ECB's invitation to join the new English domestic 40-over one-day competition in 2010. The ECB has ditched 50-over cricket in favour of a shorter format, but Ireland feel their development will be better served by concentrating on the international version.
"Notwithstanding any possible changes to its format down the line, international cricket is our bread and butter and the means by which we are measured on the global stage," Warren Deutrom, the Cricket Ireland chief executive, said. "Therefore, we felt that we needed to focus our limited financial resources on preparing for our international programme."
Ireland's developing reputation on the international stage - they reached the Super Eights of the World Twenty20 in June and the same stage of the 2007 World Cup - also means they are forging their own fixture list ahead of the 2011 World Cup.
"We are very lucky to have England as the Full Member in our region. They have been nothing but incredibly generous with the opportunities they have afforded Ireland at all levels, both within the domestic competition and at full senior level," Deutrom said. "That generosity is now beginning to pay off, and we are starting to take the stabilisers off the bike and stand on our own two feet as a country that has an improving record of achievement against some of the best teams in the world."
Full postScotland to face Zimbabwe in Dubai?
The Scotsman has reported that Scotland’s ICC Intercontinental Cup match against Zimbabwe A is likely to be played in Dubai
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
The Scotsman has reported that Scotland’s ICC Intercontinental Cup match against Zimbabwe A is likely to be played in Dubai. If so, that would avoid the politically difficult situation of Scotland playing in Harare and the even more troublesome prospect of hosting the game in Scotland given the government’s hardline towards allowing teams from Zimbabwe into the UK. Peter Chingoka, the Zimbabwe Cricket chairman, and Ozias Bvute, the chief executive, are both barred from entering the European Union because of their links to the Mugabe regime.
Full postIreland set to snub ECB's 40-over plans?
There remains uncertainty about which three sides will make up the numbers in the ECB’s new-old40-over tournament in 2010
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
There remains uncertainty about which three sides will make up the numbers in the ECB’s new-old40-over tournament in 2010. While Scotland are sure to be there, pending a formal announcement from the rather secretive England board, and rumours abound the Netherlands have also been offered a place, it seems increasingly likely that Ireland will turn down the chance.
While there is no certainty the Netherlands would accept either – although for them not to do so after so many years of pushing for a place would be rather odd – Ireland are increasingly uneasy with entry to a 40-over tournament when the bulk of their cricket – at least their cricket that matters – is over 50 overs. Their other worry is the increasingly packed international schedule and how another 12 matches would fit in with that. With games at weekends, it would mean ODIs and Intercontinental Cup matches, for example, would be shoved to midweek slots.
Any answer is likely in the next few weeks. If Ireland say no, it makes the Netherlands’ participation even more important for the ECB. It is already facing the need to find an extra team – a Minor Counties XI or a British Universities XI are the favourites – but to find two fillers would leave the competition looking rather desperate before it had even got off the drawing board.
Full postICC critical following player defections
An ICC spokesman has criticised players from Afghanistan and Uganda who absconded at the end of the recent ICC Under-19 World Cup Qualifiers in Toronto, and who are believed to be looking to claim asylum in Canada.
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
An ICC spokesman has criticised players from Afghanistan and Uganda who absconded at the end of the recent ICC Under-19 World Cup Qualifiers in Toronto, and who are believed to be looking to claim asylum in Canada.
Reacting to concerns that the players' action will have a detrimental effect on future tournaments, a spokesman told Cricinfo: "The ICC does not condone the act of players absconding during or after playing in an overseas tournament. Such an action does not benefit anyone: it affects the member from whom the players come as it means it is weaker for subsequent events.
"It affects the country where they come from as it damages its reputation and, potentially at least, makes it harder for nationals and players without intentions to remain in a country illegally to obtain travel documents in the future; and it damages the reputation of cricket. Even those that abscond are potentially worse off as they become illegal within that country."
There has been growing concern that the recent defections will make it harder for players from some countries to obtain visas for future events. "The ICC does not play a role in obtaining visas for member boards," the spokesman said. "That is the responsibility of each of those members. It is also the responsibility of those members to have knowledge of each of their players and their likely behaviour."
Full post