Beyond the Test World

China crisis

Afghanistan beat Oman by 42 runs to win the Asian Cricket Council's Under-17 Challenge Cup in Bangkok, but the event was hardly an inspiring advertisement for the sport in general, and China's development programme in particular.

Martin Williamson

25-Feb-2013

Click here for the full report of the tournament ... and China's nightmare

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Bermuda mourn Edwards

The flag at Somerset Cricket Club in Bermuda is flying at half-mast this week in honour of tge late all-rounder, Winton (Timmy) Edwards, whose "legacy will live on forever through his extraordinary exploits in Cup Match"

Will Luke

25-Feb-2013

The left-arm fast bowler and right-handed opening batsman represented Somerset in Cup Match between 1948 and 1962 and is best remembered for his unbeaten 170 achieved in the West End in 1950 that surpassed the previous highest individual score in the classic set by team-mate Lloyd Simmons (146) the year before at the newly opened Somerset Cricket Club ground.

The Royal Gazette has the story in full.

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Botha awarded by Irish writers

The Ireland allrounder, Andre Botha, has won the inaugural Irish Cricket Writers Club award for 2008.

Will Luke

25-Feb-2013

The Ireland allrounder, Andre Botha, has won the inaugural Irish Cricket Writers Club award for 2008.

Botha scored 756 runs at an average of 36, and also took 37 wickets at 17.97. he earned his his 100th cap in the Intercontinental Cup final victory over Namibia, was named in the ICC Associates team-of-the-year, and scored centuries against Kenya and Netherlands this season.

“I’m honoured to be the first recipient of this award. It means a lot to me, and it’s a privilege to be recognised by the Irish media," he said. "They have given the squad unparalleled coverage this past few years, and I know just how much the players appreciate it.”

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ICC expands World Cricket League

The ICC has agreed in principle to the launch of Divisions 6 and 7 of the World Cricket League, with the inaugural Division 6 tournament taking place in May/June 2009 in Guernsey and the Division 7 event in September in Singapore

Martin Williamson

25-Feb-2013

The 10 slots have been assigned by region, with three teams from Asia (two for Division 6 and one for Division 7), three teams from Europe (one for Division 6 and two for Division 7), two teams from Africa (one for each division), one team from the Americas (for Division 7) and one team from East Asia-Pacific (also for Division 7).

The teams in Division 7 will, be Guernsey, Nigeria, Japan, Suriname, Bahrain and Gibraltar, while Division Six will consist of Singapore, Botswana, Norway, Malaysia and the top two teams from Division 7.

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At last ...the USACA executive meets

Cricinfo has been told that an executive meeting of the USA Cricket Association was held on November 8 at which job specification for the new post of chief executive was agreed.

Martin Williamson

25-Feb-2013

Cricinfo has been told that an executive meeting of the USA Cricket Association was held on November 8 at which job specification for the new post of chief executive was agreed.

As with so much involving the USACA, there is no official announcement of the outcome of the meeting, or even that it was scheduled. Despite this, the column published at the end of last week did produce a couple of terse emails suggesting we check our facts before claiming that the executive hadn’t met … despite the fact that few emails to the association ever get as much as an acknowledgement.

So, for the sake of clarity, some seven months after elections, the new executive has finally met. Publication of the minutes are awaited with interest.

The USACA was due to have made the appointment of the chief executive by October 1, so it is already some way behind the agreed deadline.

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Division 7 for Guernsey

Guernsey will play in Division 7 of the World Cricket League next season, a reward for their runners-up place in the European Division Two tournament held in August

Will Luke

25-Feb-2013

Guernsey will play in Division 7 of the World Cricket League next season, a reward for their runners-up place in the European Division Two tournament held in August. BBC Guernsey has the full story.

ICC Europe development manager Richard Holdsworth told BBC Guernsey that the island deserves its place.

"Because of their good performances in the European league and their regional ranking they've been promoted into World League Seven," he said.

They will face Gibraltar, Bahrain, Japan, Nigeria and Surinam in a tournament next year at a venue that has yet to be announced.

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Groundhog day for dysfunctional USA board

Patience is running out in the international community with the continuing failure of the USA Cricket Association to fulfill obligations which followed the implementation of a new constitution and fresh elections in March.

Martin Williamson

25-Feb-2013

In those elections, Gladstone Dainty, who many hold responsible for the tattered reputation of the USACA and its suspension from the ICC in 2006, was surprisingly re-elected as president, although almost all of those most closely linked with him were booted out of office. Hopes the new members of the executive would be able to bring order to the USACA have already disappeared.

Despite a brief charm offensive in the weeks ahead of the March elections, the hallmarks of the old regime - a lack of accountability, a virtual media blackout, poorly-organised events - have resurfaced since. The new executive has not met and attempts to convene meetings have proved fruitless. The next one is scheduled for November but few believe it will actually happen.

Three-and-a-half years ago Malcolm Speed, at the time the CEO of the ICC, said "the governance of USACA appears to have reached a level that is dysfunctional". There is a suspicion that things are rapidly approaching that state again.

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Cricket course in Lesotho

A cricket course was recently held in Assumption High School, Lesotho , conducted by Graham McMillan and was attended by nine people

Will Luke

25-Feb-2013

A cricket course was recently held in Assumption High School, Lesotho, conducted by Graham McMillan and was attended by nine people. At the end of each module, participants were expected to conduct roles explained during the course and the systems introduced to them with regards to admin systems; basic strategic planning process; effective club admin system; understanding of basic accounting procedures; budget and a cash-flow projection; basic principles of marketing and communication; basic fundraising strategy as well as a basic understanding of dealing with sponsors.

In addition, an academy for juniors was held between September 16 and 18 in which Under-13 and Under-17s participated. The group were reported to be “very enthusiastic”, but a number of problems were discovered.

Their basic fielding was poor, due to no opportunity to practice on smooth outfields. And only about seven boys were identified to possess the necessary skills in which to progress. “I feel that no confidence has been created in an initial softball cricket programme,” McMillan said. “If they are introduced to softball cricket, and at the appropriate age group (i.e. six to ten years), then the boys will be taught the basic batting skills and these would be reinforced in the three years after in a continues yet safe softball programme.”

“Thabiso Mohapi was head and shoulders the best cricketer. Watching the game on Saturday morning, the keeper could not stop his balls and batsmen opted to get out of the way of the lightening bolts and run byes!”

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Rare turf wicket spotted in Papua New Guinea

Turf wickets are rarer then hen's teeth beyond the Test world, but Papua New Guinea are the proud owners of a brand-new grass wicket in Kimbe.

Will Luke

25-Feb-2013

Turf wickets are rarer then hen's teeth beyond the Test world, but Papua New Guinea are the proud owners of a brand-new grass wicket in Kimbe.