Beyond the Test World
Estonia hope to attract more local talent
Tim Heath, the captain, is alleged to have attracted dozens of native-born Estonians to cricket during visits to Tallinn's nightclubs, and perhaps he did, but that might be glossing over the Estonia Cricket Association's (ECA) comprehensive schools
Siddhartha Talya
25-Feb-2013
Tony Munro
When no less an authority than Wisden Cricketer's Almanack says the game started in Estonia in a pub, then you're probably also entitled to believe the national captain's nocturnal activities had something to do with the high number of locals playing cricket.
Tim Heath, the captain, is alleged to have attracted dozens of native-born Estonians to cricket during visits to Tallinn's nightclubs, and perhaps he did, but that might be glossing over the Estonia Cricket Association's (ECA) comprehensive schools programme.
It is from this the ECA hopes to attract the next wave of players to eventually replace the seven Estonian-born players representing their country in the European Division Five tournament in Corfu this week. Among the locals are three 19-year-olds: top-order batsman Marko Vaik, opening bowler Kalle Vislapu and Gleb Bihanovs, a medium-pacer and lower-order batsman.
The trio are usually joined by about 20 other players who were born in the Baltic state and play in the fledgling four-team national league each week. In all, there are 50 registered Estonian players. There'll be further development when a schools tournament will be held at the Tallinn Hippodrome, the main venue for cricket, on September 20.
Full postShahzad sparkles in Afghanistan win
Mohammad Shahzad struck his maiden one-day international century to lead Afghanistan to a six-wicket victory against the Netherlands in Amstelveen and level the two-match series at 1-1
Will Luke
25-Feb-2013
Mohammad Shahzad struck his maiden one-day international century to lead Afghanistan to a six-wicket victory against the Netherlands in Amstelveen and level the two-match series at 1-1. Chasing 231, Shahzad ensured that Afghanistan kept pace with the asking-rate and his innings of 110 off 112 balls eventually helped them reach the target with 20 balls to spare.
Click here for the bulletin.
Full postSingapore promoted to Division 5 of World Cricket League
Buddika Mendis continues to shine for Singapore, who remained unbeaten in the fourth round of matches in the ICC World Cricket League Division 6
Will Luke
25-Feb-2013
Buddika Mendis continues to shine for Singapore, who remained unbeaten in the fourth round of matches in the ICC World Cricket League Division 6. Botswana and Malaysia also notched wins, but Guernsey suffered yet another defeat. Click here for the full round-up.
Full postWe're loving the winning feeling
Mulewa Dharmichand
Will Luke
25-Feb-2013
Mulewa Dharmichand
Wow. What a couple of days this has been. We’ve won two matches in two days, that four wins in a row and have now guaranteed ourselves promotion to the World Cricket League Division 5.
I wasn’t too happy to get out today for only four runs but I was very pleased to see Buddhika and Narender clock up the runs for us and secure us the win (Click here for the bulletin).
It’s been a good few days for us and we’re looking forward to having a day off tomorrow and I might go watch one of the other matches that are being replayed because of the rain on Tuesday.
Full postWins for Singapore, Malaysia and Bahrain
There were wins for Singapore, Bahrain and Malaysia in the second round of matches of the ICC World Cricket League Division Six, currently underway in Singapore
Will Luke
25-Feb-2013
There were wins for Singapore, Bahrain and Malaysia in the second round of matches of the ICC World Cricket League Division Six, currently underway in Singapore. Here's the full round-up.
Full postVisa delay forces Afghanistan U-19s out of tournament
Unfortunately, a delay with visas has cost Afghanistan their place in the Under-19 World Cup Qualifiers in Toronto
Will Luke
25-Feb-2013
Unfortunately, a delay with visas has cost Afghanistan their place in the Under-19 World Cup Qualifiers in Toronto. The tournament gets underway tomorrow and there is still a chance Sierra Leone might join Afghanistan on the sidelines, as they too have had visa problems. Here's the full story.
Full postIt's hot, it's humid, and we've lost another match
Stuart Le Prevost
Will Luke
25-Feb-2013
Stuart Le Prevost
So today hasn’t been a great one for us, we lost our second match in the tournament and this time to Bahrain.
We didn’t play well today and that’s the fact of the matter, if we had played well and still lost then I maybe would feel better, but we didn’t we simply failed to perform, that’s all there is to it.
It’s obviously upsetting for us to lose to Bahrain again, as we lost twice to them in Division 7 and now its happened in Division 6.
Full postUnder-19s prepare for World Cup Qualifiers
The most talented young players in Associate and Affiliate cricket gather in Toronto this week in an attempt to qualify for the 2010 Under-19 World Cup, staged in New Zealand.
Will Luke
25-Feb-2013
The most talented young players in Associate and Affiliate cricket gather in Toronto this week in an attempt to qualify for the 2010 Under-19 World Cup, staged in New Zealand.
While the opportunity of competing against the best young squads from larger nations, such as Australia and India, is at the forefront of the players' ambitions, the tournament gives them a chance to impress and perhaps even press for a place in the senior team. Ireland's Paul Stirling, a highly regarded left-hander, turns 19 September 3 and displayed his potential during his senior side's three-run defeat to England on Thursday, cracking 30 from 26.
Click here for the full story.
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