Beyond the Test World
Vanuatu take strides towards WCL Division 8
Vanuatu won a vital playoff match against Samoa at the ICC East Asia-Pacific Trophy to take a step closer to the World Cricket League Division 8
Judhajit
25-Feb-2013
Vanuatu won a vital play-off match against Samoa at the ICC East Asia-Pacific Trophy to take a step closer to the World Cricket League Division 8. Andrew Mansale was once again the hero for Vanuatu, smashing his second century of the tournament, while receiving excellent support from Jonathan Dunn and Damian Smith.
Though Samoa never gave up during the reply, Vanuatu comfortably recorded a victory which was reward for their investment in youth development in the past decade.
According to Seb Kohlhase, the Samoa Cricket president, the team had achieved their aims even before the first ball was bowled in the finals. "Our main goal was to go up the rankings and making the finals is just phenomenal," Kohlhase said. "Along the way, we have finally, after 10 years of trying, defeated the Cook Islands and that's historical. With new and younger players coming through, cricket has a vision to become a major sport in Samoa's sporting landscape.
"We have clear national and international pathways with lucrative contracts available to players overseas. We just have to build those 'roads' so our players have the exposure and right coaching to get them there. It's exciting times and definitely with cricket, players have a much longer lifespan than in the full contact games."
Full postChile gear up for World Cricket League
Tony Munro
Nishi Narayanan
25-Feb-2013
Tony Munro
Chile began their preparations for the World Cricket League Americas Division 3 tournament next month with a seven-wicket loss to an Argentina Under-25 team in a Twenty20 game in Santiago on Friday.
The bright spots for Chile were the performances of national U-19 players Cristian Eyzaguirre and Tristan Bradbrook - Eyzaguirre took one of the three Argentinian wickets to fall, while Bradbrook hit a useful 21.
Bowling had been identified as a potential weakness for the hosts and this was the case as the visitors struck 150, and losing just three wickets in its 20 overs. Alejo Tisera (46), Carlos Gibson (38) and David Mauro (29) were the main contributors for Argentina A.
Full postPapua New Guinea steamroll Japan
Papua New Guinea continued their dominance in Apia with another convincing win to take the World Cricket League section of the East Asia Pacific (EAP) Trophy.
Nishi Narayanan
25-Feb-2013
Papua New Guinea continued their dominance in Apia with another convincing win to take the World Cricket League section of the East Asia Pacific (EAP) Trophy.
From day one Papua New Guinea have exuded class, professionalism and a team-first attitude to be by far the best team in the EAP Region. Led superbly by rookie captain Chris Amini, Papua New Guinea again excelled today, knocking over Japan for just 60. Amini was the standout, grabbing 3 for 6, well supported by Loa Nou (2 for 18 from nine overs) and young leg-spinner Vali Albert (1 for 15). In reply, Papua New Guinea chased down the required 61 in just 7.1 overs, with star opener Vani Vagi Morea smashing an unbeaten 41.
In the all-important round 5 clash of the non-World Cricket League competition, Vanuatu were looking to continue their unbeaten run against a Cook Islands team desperate to notch another win and progress to the final ahead of Samoa. Cook Islands began well, with Etita and Tangimatua putting together a partnership of 51, before Kenni Tari got the all important breakthrough of Etita to a skied outfield catch by Damian Smith. From there the Vanuatu bowlers applied excellent pressure, with medium-pacer Edy Mansale (2 for 25) and his younger brother Andrew (3 for 25) bowling particularly well. Cook Islands eventually dismissed for a disappointing 119. In reply, Vanuatu aptain Andrew Mansale followed up his century in round 4 with a stylish 47, while allrounder Jonathon Dunn steered the team home with an unbeaten 31.
In the final match, Tonga and Indonesia went head to head with both desperate to take their first points of the competition and make the third v fourth play-off. Indonesia won the toss and elected to bat, and following from a solid batting performance in round 4, were looking to again get above the 200-run mark. Unfortunately, the Indonesians were unable to hold firm against star pace duo Mafi Langi (4 for 22) and Simione Latu (4 for 33), crumbling to 29 for 5, before eventually being dismissed for 112 in the 33rd over. Indonesian wicketkeeper Thenuara was the only batsman to show resistance with a fighting 37. Tonga began their chase poorly, losing Holi and Mau with the score on 21, before inspirational captain Aisake Haukina strode to the crease with only one intention, to hit the ball hard and far. Haukinima looked at ease at the crease before unleashing against spinner Gede Suda Arsa, smashing three sixes, including two in consecutive balls, before finally being bowled for a quick-fire 34. Moala (43) and Valu (21*) added to the scoring spree, the Tongans passing the required target in just 14 overs.
Full postSmoke and mirrors surround ex-pats
An interesting article on Cricket Europe website regarding the ongoing debate surrounding Associates and Affiliates whose national sides are made up of more expats – usually from Asia or the Caribbean – that home-grown players.
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
An interesting article on Cricket Europe website regarding the ongoing debate surrounding Associates and Affiliates whose national sides are made up of more expats – usually from Asia or the Caribbean – that home-grown players.
It cites Norway as one of the worst examples – not one of the national side is Norwegian born – and if teams were limited to only five players who qualified through the ICC’s generous residency rules, then the Middle East would go from being an up-and-coming force to being wiped off the map.
It is only to be expected that on cricket’s frontiers, ex-pats will sow the seeds of a growing sport. But they must show willing to develop the sport beyond their enclaves and introduce locals both to the game and to national representation, even if this may, at least in the short term, have a detrimental impact on results.
The article cites the example of Japan, who have imposed their own quotas on the number of home-grown players, but the ICC has shown an unwillingness to tackle the problem. Cricinfo has made more than one request to establish how many players in a side have qualified through residency but such questions rarely produce the requisite answer.
Full postMansale ton hands Vanuatu big win
Vanuatu captain Andrew Mansale smashed his maiden East Asia-Pacific Trophy century to lead Vanuatu to a strong victory over Tonga at Samoa Gardens on Thursday
Judhajit
25-Feb-2013
Vanuatu captain Andrew Mansale smashed his maiden East Asia-Pacific Trophy century to lead his team to a strong victory over Tonga at Samoa Gardens on Thursday. Mansale was in fine form and played a superb innings, belting the Tongan bowlers to all parts of the ground. His 115 included 10 boundaries and three sixes, and with the support of Simpson Obed (32), opener Lazarot Carlot (29) and Jonothan Dunn (26), Vanuatu were able to reach a competitive 245.
In reply, Tonga lost an early wicket before captain Aisake Haukinima steadied the ship. Haukinima was dismissed for a quickfire 21 before middle-order batsman Ofahulu played a fantastic lone hand, belting some enormous sixes in the pursuit of quick runs.
With little support, Tonga were eventually dismissed for 140; Ofahulu standing out with a fine 71, 50 of which came from boundaries and sixes.
On Oval #2, Samoan skipper Geoff Clarke won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first against Indonesia on a beautiful sunny day.
Full postBaptiste aims to rekindle Kenya's glory days
Eldine Baptiste has said he aims to return Kenya to the top as the No
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
Eldine Baptiste has said he aims to return Kenya to the top as the No. 1 Associate country during his two-year spell as national coach.
"It is a great privilege and honour to be in Kenya," he told the media on his arrival in Nairobi. "I know the cricket is not what it used to be but I want to achieve the winning team.
"I will personally take charge in identifying young players and the selection of the players into the national team, and hopefully, we will put Kenya back as the number one in the Associates."
Baptiste takes charge of a side in transition, with the selectors looking to ease out the old guard who have served the team so well and bring on the next generation of players.
Full postVanuatu ease past Samoa
A round-up of matches from the Non World Cricket League
Siddhartha Talya
25-Feb-2013
Vanuatu young gun Simpson Obed followed up his fine form in the ICC U-19 World Cup Qualifier with an inspiring century to lead Vanuatu to an 87-run victory over Samoa at the 2009 EAP Trophy in Apia, Samoa on Tuesday.
Obed, who was finally dismissed for 109, displayed a combination of class and power throughout his fine innings including 12 fours and two sixes. He combined well with lower-order batsmen Trevor Langa (23) and Patrick Matautaava (41) to carry Vanuatu to a competitive 233 from 47.2 overs.
Earlier, talented openers Lenika Natapei and Damian Smith were dismissed cheaply, Faasao and Lautala doing the early damage.
In reply, Samoa began disastrously with opener Kaisala run-out in the very first over after a superb piece of work in second slip from the experienced Pierre Chilia.
Full postSamoa overcome the Cook Islands
Samoa took control of the ICC EAP Trophy Non World Cricket League section after an excellent eight-wicket (D/L method) win over the Cook Islands on Monday.
Siddhartha Talya
25-Feb-2013
Samoa took control of the ICC EAP Trophy Non World Cricket League section after an excellent eight-wicket (D/L method) win over the Cook Islands on Monday.
The victory was Samoa's first over the Cook Islands and they now face a crucial match against Vanuatu if they are to top the group and improve their chances of making the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 8.
Samoa were set up for their historic win by a near-faultless spell of medium pace bowling by Man of the Match Lautala Fuimoana, who bowled six maidens in his spell, as the Cook Islands were dismissed for 135.
"With figures of 2-wickets for 7 runs off ten overs, that's just phenomenal", said team mate, Dean Seuoti.
Full postAwaiting El Salvador's fifth season
Each squad has about 14 players, with the percentage in each about 50% locals and foreigners, numbering to around 28 local players so far
Cricinfo
25-Feb-2013
Andrew Murgatroyd
Season five in El Salvador is expected to be the best yet with the trend of growth in the sport continuing. The country’s cricket board is conducting negotiations in the hope of realising two very interesting possibilities; a second field with a local Polo Club and a residential village only a few miles from the sea.
International competition is slated for December and March and, most importantly, the intake of local players has more than doubled since this time last year.
To meet this demand, a fourth club 1821 Jaguars now joins the Cuscatlan Chiefs, Atalcatl Knights and Ceiba (formerly known as Team Dell) in the El Salvador Cricket League. It is good also to see the clubs being run along the franchise model rather than centrally for the first time.
Full postAfghanistan players latest to go missing
It has emerged that five members of Afghanistan's Under-19 side who were in Toronto to take part in the ICC Under-19 World Cup Qualifier failed to return home with the rest of the squad and may be seeking asylum in Canada.
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
It has emerged that five members of Afghanistan's Under-19 side who were in Toronto to take part in the ICC Under-19 World Cup Qualifier failed to return home with the rest of the squad and may be seeking asylum in Canada.
This news comes days after it was revealed seven of the Uganda U-19 squad had gone missing. They are also believed to be planning to seek asylum.
Reports are confusing, but Pajhwok Afghan News claimed five players and a coach were not among the squad who were given a reception at the presidential palace in Kabul on their return home. The agency went on to say that President Hamid Karzai expressed anger when told of the missing members.
Sources laid the blame on the tour management for failing to keep hold of the squad's passports, making it far easier for them to disappear.
Full post