Argentina: Season reaches halfway stage

The traditional mid-season lull has been a welcome break for cricketers in Argentina, after a hectic first half, and in anticipation of an even busier second period.

First Division action kicks off again on Sunday 28th January, and results here could make or break the championship season for two of the sides.

The first round of fixtures were dominated by the Belgrano Cavaliers, and only rain perhaps prevented them from making a clean sweep of the first four games.

As it stands they maintain a healthy lead over second placed Lomas Eagles, who have proved to be somewhat erratic thus far.

In the fifth round of the nine round tournament, Belgrano take on Hurlingham Hawks, and Lomas meet St.Albans Sharks. Losses for Hurlingham and/or St. Albans will spell the end of their title aspirations, while a Belgrano victory and Lomas loss will make life very hard for anyone to catch the Cavaliers.

P W L NR Pts Belgrano Cavaliers 4 3 0 1 75 Lomas Eagles 4 2 1 1 52 Hurlingham Hawks 4 1 3 0 35 St.Albans Sharks 4 1 3 0 28

With two of the three qualification games for the Robin Stuart Shield having been completed, the berths in the final have already been secured by Belgrano Cavaliers and Hurlingham Hawks, with respective victories over Lomas and St. Albans.

Belgrano meet Hurlingham in the final round in what will be a dress rehearsal for the April 1st cup final day.

The Second and Third Divisions, as well as the Junior League, still have some outstanding matches to be completed, and these tournaments will be completed in February, ahead of the remaining two lower division tournaments, the Saturday Championship and the Dowson Cup.

Currently in progress is the 8-a-side Max Challenge, Argentina's version of Cricket Max. With two rounds completed, the final round takes place on Sunday 21st January, with Belgrano favoured to win this one. On Sunday, Belgrano meet Lomas and Hurlingham play St. Albans, and only Lomas are out of the running.

P 1I 2I Pts Belgrano Cavaliers 2 2 8 10 St.Albans Sharks 2 4 4 8 Hurlingham Hawks 2 2 4 6 Lomas Eagles 2 0 0 0

The 4th South American Championships, played in December in Buenos Aires, were a huge success, and the icing on the cake was Argentina A's victory in the final over Chile.

Brazil took third place by way of a bowl-out over Panama after rain washed out their playoff. The final placings were made up of Guyana Masters, Peru and Venezuela.

The annual three-match series between Argentina and the Foreignors was yet again won by Argentina by 2 matches to 1, making it three in a row by the same scoreline.

Australian friends, the Emu's, completed yet another successful and valuable tour of Argentina in November and December. The under 15 outfit from New South Wales proved too good for most of the local opposition, who nevertheless gained much from playing against and with the young Australians.

Now thoughts focus on the remainder of the season. The Buckingham Cavaliers, with former West Indies Test captain, Alvin Kallicharran, arrive for a February tour, followed up smartly by the much anticipated MCC visit in late February and early March.

The highlights of the MCC visit will undoubtedly be a three match one-day series, and a three-day challenge at the end of the tour, before the visitors depart for a short tour of Chile.

March will see the 102nd playing of the North v South three-day match, and two sides visit in April, the Ulster Grasshoppers from Ireland, and the Old Wellingtonians from England.

These two teams, along with an Argentina Masters combination, will take part in the triangular Hurlingham Cup.

Then, on the not so distant horizon, loom two huge events for Argentine cricket.

The ICC Trophy in Toronto in June and July will provide an acid test for the National Squad, as they endeavour to improve Argentina's international standing and image.

Shortly following that will be the Americas U19 Championship, which will indicate clearly how Argentina's cricket future is shaping up. Busy times for Cricket Argentina, exciting times, for Argentina and the rest of South America.