Beyond the Test World
'The most famous day in Afghanistan cricket' - Hassan
Will Luke
25-Feb-2013
Hamid Hassan
It is the proudest day of my life knowing that I am going to have the opportunity to play one-day international cricket for Afghanistan. I feel absolutely wonderful – it is a brilliant achievement for our country.
Full postTikolo to bow out before World Cup
Kenya captain Steve Tikolo, who has played in four World Cups, has said he will not play in the 2011 World Cup
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
Kenya captain Steve Tikolo, who has played in four World Cups, has said he will not play in the 2011 World Cup. In Tikolo Kenya had a batsman of genuine class at the top of the order with a wide range of strokes and the void will be a massive one to fill when the side meets bigger teams in two years.
"My legs are going now and I'm getting a little too slow. I think it's time to let the youngsters come through," said Tikolo after Kenya's win over Ireland in the ICC World Cup Qualifiers. "I will probably play until the end of this season but I will not be around for the next World Cup. There is plenty of young talent coming through in Kenya so I think the time is right for me to step away."
Full postCanada, Kenya and Netherlands book World Cup spots
Ireland, Canada, Netherlands and Kenya have qualified for the 2011 World Cup, but the headlines will once again be stolen by Afghanistan who have secured ODI status with victory over Namibia
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
Ireland, Canada, Netherlands and Kenya have qualified for the 2011 World Cup, but the headlines will once again be stolen by Afghanistan who have secured ODI status with victory over Namibia
Kenya ensured they would be at their fifth successive World Cup with an impressive six-wicket win over Ireland in Pretoria. Wednesday's humiliation at the hands of Namibia had left their place in doubt, but against an Ireland side already assured of their own qualification, they eased home with 12 balls to spare. It wasn't easy, though, and chasing a target of 209, they slid to 96 for 4 with the loss of the talismanic Steve Tikolo. Their batting has often been brittle, but Collins Obuya and Thomas Odoyo combined to add 113 for the fifth wicket to guide them home. Man of the Match Obuya hit an unbeaten 66 off 73 balls while Oboyo struck 50 off 68.
Niall O'Brien was the top-scorer with 59 during Ireland's innings. John Mooney (34), Andrew White (25), Kevin O'Brien (22) and William Porterfield (21) got starts without really pressing on. Tikolo was the most successful wicket-taker with 3 for 11. Ireland will be without Eoin Morgan for Sunday's fairly meaningless game against Canada.
Full postLara to visit Uganda in June
Brian Lara is expected to visit Uganda in June, according to the Daily Monitor
Judhajit
25-Feb-2013
Brian Lara is expected to visit Uganda in June, according to the Daily Monitor. He has been invited by the Trinidad & Tobago High Commission and the Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) to visit between June 2 and 10.
"The provisional schedule includes a meeting with the sports minister, cricket sponsors and also hold two training sessions with the national team," a source told the newspaper.
Lara will be visiting the nation's main cricket venue - Queen Elizabeth National Park in Kasese - as well as a number of schools. He is also expected to feature in a friendly game at Lugogo Oval and attend a dinner hosted by the UCA.
Uganda recently finished 10th among 12 teams at the ICC World Cup Qualifiers, losing to Bermuda by eight wickets in the 9th place playoff.
Full postNigeria gears up for WCL Division Seven
Tony Munro
George Binoy
25-Feb-2013
Tony Munro
Nigeria will hold a two-week pre-tournament training camp in London ahead of next month's World Cricket League Division Seven tournament in Guernsey.
They will play two games against Ghana in Accra next week before travelling to the UK to play five matches against various London-based teams during the camp which will run from April 30 to May 14.
The other teams in Division Seven, which will be played from May 17 to 24 are Guernsey, Gibraltar, Bahrain, Japan and Suriname.
Full postArgentina A win South American Championships
Tony Munro
Cricinfo
25-Feb-2013
Tony Munro
Argentina A has won the eighth South American Championships (SAC) after an emphatic seven-wicket win over hosts, Brazil in Sao Paulo yesterday.
Brazil batted first and were skittled for 65, thanks to Sergio Ciaburri's 3 for 6 from four overs and Alejo Tissera who took 3-13. Tissera – who was Man of the Match - remained unbeaten on 19 to guide Argentina 'A' to their target in the 16th over.
The win allowed Argentina A to reclaim the championship, after losing the last two tournaments to the Miami Masters, who did not play this time.
Full postSevou steers Suva 1 to Easter tournament title
A Man-of-the-Match performance by Jone Sevou with both bat and ball was the difference for Suva 1 in the final of Cricket Fiji’s Easter tournament against Suva 2 in Suva
Cricinfo
25-Feb-2013
A Man-of-the-Match performance by Jone Sevou with both bat and ball was the difference for Suva 1 in the final of Cricket Fiji’s Easter tournament against Suva 2 in Suva. Sevou took 5 for 20 and then backed it up with an unbeaten 62 to steer Suva 1 to a four-wicket win over Suva 2.
With the start of play delayed by half an hour due to overnight rain, a low-scoring match was expected on a still damp outfield. Suva 2 won the toss and elected to bat hoping for a good start from national players Joe Rika and Joji Bulabalavu.
However, it was Samu Draunivudi who made the first break claiming Rika with the total on 5. While Bulabalavu held down one end wickets fell regularly at the other, with Sevou cutting a swathe through the middle-order to claim his five wickets.
Kiti Tavo mopped up three wickets, while Waisake Tukaha eventually dismissed Bulabalavu for 40, the only Suva 2 batsman to reach double figures in an otherwise uninspiring batting performance. In the end, they posted 107 which was hardly a total that struck fear into the Suva 1 batsmen.
Full postBrazil closer to hosting Championship
Brazil has kept alive its chances of winning the South American Championships on home turf by defeating Peru by 10 wickets in Sao Paulo on Saturday
Nishi Narayanan
25-Feb-2013
Brazil has kept alive its chances of winning the South American Championships on home turf by defeating Peru by 10 wickets in Sao Paulo on Saturday. It must now beat Argentina 'A' tomorrow in the Twenty20 format to celebrate hosting the tournament for the first time, by winning the trophy. In the other match tomorrow, also played to Twenty20 rules, Chile meets Peru.
Winning the toss and choosing to field, the Brazilian bowling attack limited the Peruvians to 140. Captain Harry Hildebrand top-scored with 37, while Nick Appleyard (21) and Kashyap Nansi (15) made useful contributions, as did extras.
The pick of the Brazilian bowlers was Sunny Randolph (4/31), but as a unit, the Brazilian attack restricted the scoring very well.
So with a target of 3.5 per over, the openers for Brazil started steadily and finished the job strongly in the 31st over. Greigor Caisley played some great shots on his way to 77 not out, while Matt French supported him perfectly to make a confident 42 not out.
Full postIt's all Suva for the final of Fiji's Easter tournament
The final of Cricket Fiji’s Easter tournament will be an all Suva affair after the final pool games were played on Saturday.
Cricinfo
25-Feb-2013
The final of Cricket Fiji’s Easter tournament will be an all Suva affair after the final pool games were played on Saturday.
The main action of the day was at Suva Grammar where Suva 2 was playing Moce 1, with the winner to go through to Monday’s final against Suva 1. The match turned out to be the second thriller in a row for Moce as they fought to chase the Suva 2 total of 117.
Mosese Tale (19) and Vuli Babiau (11) got the islanders off to a good start but some cheap middle order wickets left Suva in a good position to polish off the game. Tukana Tavo took 3 for 29, while Malcolm Bossley took 3 for 39.
At 86 for 9 it all looked over, but like yesterday the Moce tail wagged, and Vulawalu Sigala and Tagilala Rakuita took the score beyond the 100 mark with a solid tail-end partnership.
Full post'This is our greatest win'
Hamid Hassan
Cricinfo
25-Feb-2013
Hamid Hassan
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It is hard to describe how I feel after helping Afghanistan beat Ireland at Krugersdorp – probably the greatest win in the history of Afghanistan cricket. To take five wickets in such an important game for my country if a fantastic feeling and I am very proud of all my team-mates.
When I came back onto bowl with six overs of the match remaining, we knew that we had to get some quick wickets if we were to have any chance of winning the match.
Full post