Beyond the Test World
Uganda call on services of motivational speaker
Uganda's principle aim in the forthcoming World Cup Qualifiers is to earn themselves ODI status (read the full piece with their captain, Junior Kwebiha, here .) However, they've gone one step further in their quest by bringing on board a
Will Luke
25-Feb-2013
Uganda's principle aim in the forthcoming World Cup Qualifiers is to earn themselves ODI status (read the full piece with their captain, Junior Kwebiha, here.) However, they've gone one step further in their quest by bringing on board a professional motivational speaker, Kader Amien:
"He is a sports motivator and motivational speaker," Mohammed made a brief introduction of the man who's been enlisted to buildup Uganda's fortitude.
"He'll be working with the boys for the first two or three games and has even expressed interest in continuing with the team if it qualifies for the World Cup."
The bit about qualifying for the World Cup is still a long way away but Mohammed is confident Amien's presence will serve to get Uganda closer to it.
Full postSierra Leone U-19s win ACA qualifier
Sierra Leone won the African Affiliates Under-19 Championship staged in Maputo, edging out Ghana on net run-rate
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
Sierra Leone won the African Affiliates Under-19 Championship staged in Maputo, edging out Ghana on net run-rate. They progress to the next stage of qualification for the 2010 U-19 World Cup when they are joined in Zambia by Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
Full postNetherlands beaten by Hampshire
Netherlands’ preparations for the ICC World Cup Qualifiers got underway with a 23-run defeat against Hampshire in Cape Town.
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
Netherlands’ preparations for the ICC World Cup Qualifiers got underway with a 23-run defeat against Hampshire in Cape Town.
Hampshire recovered from 147 for 6 to post 225 for 8 in their 50 overs, Chris Benham’s 78 not out, which included three sixes, leading the fightback.
Netherlands started well, and at 95 for 2 in the 19th over appeared well set. But two quick wickets stalled the momentum and from then on in they were always behind the required rate.
Full postSix teams confirmed for Fiji's Easter tournament
Tony Munro
Tony Munro
25-Feb-2013
Tony Munro
Fiji's annual Easter tournament to be held on April 9,10,11 and 13 is likely to feature six teams, with the possibility that one of those will be from Melbourne.
Five teams have so far confirmed for the event - Suva 1, Suva 2, Western, Moce and Tubou while either Victorian Fiji CC or a team from Rakiraki, on the northern coast of Fiji's main island, Vitu Levu, would be the sixth.
A Rakiraki team in the national tournament would complement the work of Cricket Fiji, which has been active in the region, which lies between Suva and Nadi. Past players have been trying to renew cricket activity.
Full postBrazil's fascinating tryst with cricket
Vincent Bastick
Cricinfo
25-Feb-2013
Vincent Bastick
Some background on cricket in Brazil may be useful before outlining the Brazilian men's league. Cricket began in Brazil with the creation of the Rio Cricket Club in Niterói in 1882. Matches were held here and other clubs in Rio de Janeiro, where Emperor Dom Pedro II was a frequent spectator.
Cricket was also played at British clubs in Vitória, Salvador and Barretos. A few years later Charles Miller introduced cricket and football at the São Paulo Athletic Club (SPAC). Using players from São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Charles formed the Brazilian national cricket team in 1888, and began staging international matches against Chile, Argentina and Uruguay, whose own British communities also had thriving cricket scenes.
In time, interest in cricket gave way to football, and combined with the declining British influence in Brazil, by the 1960s the sport was left with only two grounds - Rio Cricket and SPAC.
Full postInamdar re-elected unopposed
Samir Inamdar was re-elected unopposed as chairman of Cricket Kenya at the board’s AGM at Ruaraka Sports Club.
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
Samir Inamdar was re-elected unopposed as chairman of Cricket Kenya at the board’s AGM at Ruaraka Sports Club.
The elections should have been held in June 2007 but have been repeatedly delayed because of problems with the constitution of the Nairobi Provincial Cricket Association which were only resolved at the end of last year.
Shamji Patel was elected as vice-chairman with Nasoor Verjee as treasurer.
Full postKenya's press up to their old tricks
Kenya’s press are up to their old tricks, and on the eve of Cricket Kenya’s elections the Standard has printed an error-strewn and arguably mischievous article which appears to be aimed at undermining board chairman Samir Inamdar.
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
Kenya’s press are up to their old tricks, and on the eve of Cricket Kenya’s elections the Standard has printed an error-strewn and arguably mischievous article which appears to be aimed at undermining board chairman Samir Inamdar.
If this was a one-off, then it might be forgiveable. But ever since Inamdar ousted Sharad Ghai as chairman in 2005, the and the Nation have not failed to snipe at the new regime and present a rosy, some would say slanted, view of the old days.
That it appeared on the same day the Nation ran an article typical of it claiming the players were boycotting training is not a coincidence. Board insiders suspect this is the start of a weekend of scurrilous comment to coincide with the elections. Watch this space.
Among the worst of a string of misleading comments in the Standard is one that states there has been a “massive pull-out of sponsors” of late. This is simply untrue. As things stand, CK has sponsorship from Tusker and Nimbus. Not one sponsor has been lost since 2005, although a board insider fumed that such articles only served to dissuade potential commercial partners.
Full postBrazil gets ready for South American Championships
Tony Munro
Siddhartha Talya
25-Feb-2013
Tony Munro
Home team Brazil will play Chile in the opening game of the eighth South American Championships in Sao Paulo on April 8.
This year's tournament is significant for two reasons - it is being held in Brazil for the first time and the four-team event will be a warm-up for the World Cricket League Division Three tournament later this year.
Also, no 'festival' teams have been included, perhaps as a result of disquiet shown by the ICC Americas office after an 'Ecuador XI' played at the last tournament in Lima in April, 2007. Cricket has never been played in Ecuador and only one player in the squad lived in the country.
Full postCricket Scotland reports pre-tax profit
Cricket Scotland has announced a pre-tax surplus of £57,481 in the year to December 2008, compared to £40,121 in the previous year.
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
Cricket Scotland has announced a pre-tax surplus of £57,481 in the year to December 2008, compared to £40,121 in the previous year.
The most striking difference in the latest accounting period was the significant increase in the funds spent on the development and training of young cricketers. In 2008, this amounted to £531,058, an increase of 121,865 (30%) on the 2007 figure.
"This reflects the high priority we have placed on preparing the next generations of Scottish cricketers," said Roddy Smith, chief executive of Cricket Scotland. "We now have a total of 16 people working on community development programmes."
Full postFlamingos and beach cricket in Argentina
Argentina took part in a very successful and enjoyable beach cricket tournament in Vina del Mar, Chile, finishing in fourth place in the six team international event, behind winners India, runners-up England, and Australia
Will Luke
25-Feb-2013
Argentina took part in a very successful and enjoyable beach cricket tournament in Vina del Mar, Chile, finishing in fourth place in the six team international event, behind winners India, runners-up England, and Australia. Two Chilean teams also took part. Played on the sand in a sports arena metres from the Pacific surf, this second beach cricket event organized by Chile was also a ICC Centenary event.
The Argentina team was captained by Rodrigo Scioscia, with the rest of the team made up of members of the Argentina national women's squad, the Flamingos, namely Catalina Greloni, Cecilia Birnie, Delfina Canton, Brandy Auld and Belen Casas. As he was qualified as eligible, ICC Americas RDO Grant Dugmore also turned out for the team. A memorable event and a fantastic time spent in good company in a great part of the world - many thanks to the Chilean Cricket Association and especially Patricio Caamano for their wonderful organization and hospitality.
As a vehicle in order to further develop girls and women’s cricket in Argentina, as well as for preparation towards their participation in the Americas Women's Championship in May later this year, the Argentina national team, the Flamingos, have been taking part in the senior Second Division Championship, a 30-over competition. In the eight team league, the Flamingos are currently placed 6th after four rounds, but scored an important first victory recently and remain confident of notching up more in their remaining three games. The players have also expressed how positive the experience has been so far, and exercise that is obviously proving very beneficial. The team for the Americas tournament will be announced later in March.
Full post