Beyond the Test World
Hong Kong face tough decisions on loan
Plans by the Hong Kong Cricket Association (HKCA) to borrow more than US$125,000 to help build a more professional organisation by hiring a full-time chief executive may proceed despite the international economic crisis.
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
Plans by the Hong Kong Cricket Association (HKCA) to borrow more than US$125,000 to help build a more professional organisation by hiring a full-time chief executive may proceed despite the international economic crisis.
Although several members of the HKCA board have expressed concerns at taking on such a liability at the present time, chairman Darren Tucker has said he is keen to press ahead.
“There has been a concern with the economy and that will be a valid point for discussion,” Tucker told AFP. “However, there is an overriding belief that we have to take a tough path to achieve goals.”
The highlight of the local season is the Hong Kong Sixes, staged each November and usually featuring an array of club and international players. However, the event is believed to have lost money this year after organisers failed to find a major sponsor.
Full postZimbabwe A to tour Namibia
Zimbabwe will help out Namibia with much-needed preparation for April’s ICC World Cup Qualifiers by sending their A side there at the end of this month.
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
Zimbabwe will help out Namibia with much-needed preparation for April’s ICC World Cup Qualifiers by sending their A side there at the end of this month.
Zimbabwe A will play the full Namibia side in three one-day matches between February 28 and March 4 in Windhoek. A single Twenty20 could also be slotted on the whistle-stop tour.
The ICC World Cup Qualifiers get underway on April 1 in South Africa. Apart from giving Namibia a helping hand the Zimbabweans are also looking at exposing their second-string cricketers to increased competitive games in a bid to widen their selection pool.
Full postKamyuka to stay lower down the order
Ebrahim Mohamed, coach of Uganda, rejected assertions that the 27-year-old would be of more use batting higher in the order
Tony Munro
25-Feb-2013
Tony Munro
The Ugandan allrounder and player of the tournament at the recent World Cricket League Division 3 tournament in Argentina, Kenneth Kamyuka, is likely to continue batting in the lower order for the World Cup Qualifiers (WCQs) in South Africa in April. Ebrahim Mohamed, coach of Uganda, rejected assertions that the 27-year-old would be of more use batting higher in the order.
"Kenny batted in the correct place in Argentina - we needed him to come in and hit boundaries, during the batting Powerplay as well, so as the coach I will make the decisions as required. Kenny will bat at seven and will go higher when required," Mohamed said.
Uganda would stay home to focus on areas of concern regarding the batting, which Mohamed said needed improving. "I will look to the batters putting in a lot of one-day skill work such as keeping momentum after good starts, rotating the strike, hitting boundaries and the like," he said. "We need to improve in the middle order and get at least 250 to be competitive."
Full postNepal win Asian Under-17 tournament
Nepal beat Malaysia by ten wickets in front of 8000 spectators to win the ACC Under-17 Elite Cup.
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
Nepal beat Malaysia by ten wickets in front of 8000 spectators to win the ACC Under-17 Elite Cup.
Malaysia were always second best in front of a passionate home crowd and were bowled out for 124 in 37.1 overs. Nepal cruised to victory in 23.3 overs, Sagar Pun scoring 65 and Aakash Pariyar 53.
Organisers have been delighted with excellent crowds throughout the competition, and strict checking of all teams ensured there were none of the embarrassing rows over the age of players which have marred recent events.
That spared Nepal, who, it is reported, had 16 of their original 30-man squad outside the stipulated age qualifications.
Full postBermuda lose to club side
St Lucia’s club champions South Castries beat Bermuda a 50-run defeat in a one-day practice match at Beausejour Stadium.
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
St Lucia’s club champions South Castries beat Bermuda a 50-run defeat in a one-day practice match at Beausejour Stadium.
Twenty-three year-old Xavier Gabriel top-scored with 59 as South Castries scored 234 in 46.1 overs and then restricted Bermuda to 184 in 43.5 overs. Gabriel also took four wickets.
It was the first match on a four-leg Caribbean tour for Bermuda, who are preparing for the ICC World Cup Qualifiers in April.
Full post'We just did not play smart enough' - Aftab Habib
Hong Kong were one of the favourites at the recently completed World Cricket League Division Three tournament in Argentina
Siddhartha Talya
25-Feb-2013
Hong Kong were one of the favourites at the recently completed World Cricket League Division Three tournament in Argentina. They finished fourth. Here, their coach Aftab Habib reflects on what went wrong:
Which team impressed you the most during the tournament and why?
Papua New Guinea, Afghanistan and Uganda. The reason why - they had medium quick bowlers who used the conditions well. At the higher level, you need bowlers who put the ball in the right place and have the patience to do that. The wickets really played a big part, favouring swing and seam movement on all the grounds. Throughout the tournament, 180 was a winning score due to the pitches we played on, so winning the toss was crucial for the teams.
Papua New Guinea, Afghanistan and Uganda. The reason why - they had medium quick bowlers who used the conditions well. At the higher level, you need bowlers who put the ball in the right place and have the patience to do that. The wickets really played a big part, favouring swing and seam movement on all the grounds. Throughout the tournament, 180 was a winning score due to the pitches we played on, so winning the toss was crucial for the teams.
You had a couple of close results go against you, especially Uganda [by 1 run]. How much of it was bad luck, and how much just simply results reflecting the way Hong Kong played?
We did have some close matches, but we did not make use of the advantage to finish games off. We had an opportunity of qualifying, but slipped up and that’s due to pressure. We did not play well enough for a team who looked really strong on paper. We just did not play smart enough, and we need to think on our feet more in crucial situations.
We did have some close matches, but we did not make use of the advantage to finish games off. We had an opportunity of qualifying, but slipped up and that’s due to pressure. We did not play well enough for a team who looked really strong on paper. We just did not play smart enough, and we need to think on our feet more in crucial situations.
What did you think of the team's batting throughout the tournament?
The batting let us down on a lot of occasions. We just were not quick enough to adapt to the Argentine wickets. Simply, we did not have anyone who could bat through the innings and graft a match performance. We had one player who stood out and played well for us - Manoj Cheruparambil, who was excellent with the bat. As for the other positives, our spin bowlers bowled extremely well throughout the tournament, but we need to work harder on our batting, just work out how to play on different surfaces and have a game plan. Cricket is about having to read the game more and do the simple things right.
Full postThe batting let us down on a lot of occasions. We just were not quick enough to adapt to the Argentine wickets. Simply, we did not have anyone who could bat through the innings and graft a match performance. We had one player who stood out and played well for us - Manoj Cheruparambil, who was excellent with the bat. As for the other positives, our spin bowlers bowled extremely well throughout the tournament, but we need to work harder on our batting, just work out how to play on different surfaces and have a game plan. Cricket is about having to read the game more and do the simple things right.
Malaysia meet Nepal in ACC U-17 Elite Cup final
Malaysia beat Qatar by 55 runs to reach the final of the ACC Under-17 Elite Cup, where they will take on home side Nepal who beat UAE by 21 runs
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
Malaysia beat Qatar by 55 runs to reach the final of the ACC Under-17 Elite Cup, where they will take on home side Nepal who beat UAE by 21 runs. Click here for a full report.
Full postUSA broadcast deal struck
DIRECTV has secured broadcast rights in the USA for all ICC and IPL tournaments
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
DIRECTV has secured broadcast rights in the USA for all ICC and IPL tournaments. These rights include events such as the 2009 World Twenty20 in England, the 2009 and 2010 IPL tournaments and the 2011 World Cup.
Full postICC announces schedule for World Cup Qualifiers
Three ODI venues are among the nine set to host the ICC World Cup Qualifiers in South Africa, according to the schedule released for the 12-team tournament from April 1 to 19
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
Three ODI venues are among the nine set to host the ICC World Cup Qualifiers in South Africa, according to the schedule released for the 12-team tournament from April 1 to 19. Willowmoore Park in Benoni and Senwes Park in Potchefstroom will be used for first-round and Super Eight matches, while the final will be held at Centurion's SuperSport Park.
Fifty-four matches during the 19-day tournament will determine the four qualifiers to join the ten Full Members at the 2011 World Cup in the subcontinent. "It looks like it's going to be a great event," ICC president David Morgan said. "Many of the top Associates are very evenly matched and I am expecting some thrilling matches during the tournament.
"We know from experience that South Africa is a perfect place to host big multi-team tournaments such as this and I know the teams will have some of the best facilities at their disposal," he said. "Four years ago, Scotland deservedly overcame the opposition in Ireland so I'm sure they'll be anxious to hang on to the title. It's not going to be easy though. Many of the other Associates have made big strides since then so it's going to be a hard-fought tournament."
Among the teams that will be keenly watched will be Afghanistan, who have won the ICC World Cricket League Division 5, Division 4 and Division 3 in the past year en route to South Africa.
Full postArgentina women beat Brazil
Argentina Women comfortably beat their Brazilian counterparts in a three-match Twenty20 series in Buenos Aires.
Will Luke
25-Feb-2013
Argentina Women comfortably beat their Brazilian counterparts in a three-match Twenty20 series in Buenos Aires.
The considerably more experienced Argentinian squad won both the first day’s matches comfortably enough and made sure of the trophy, but the Brazilians showed in their enthusiasm and desire to learn that it would not be long before they were able to compete with the other Associates’ and Affiliates’ women’s sides in the region.
The visit returns one made by Argentina to Brasilia in 2007, soon after the formation of the Brazilian women’s team.
International umpire Karran Bayney, who had been officiating in the World Cricket League Division 3 tournament, said after the matches that he was impressed both by the spirit in which the games had been played and the improvement in the visitors’ performance as the day went on.
Full post