ICC grants South Korea ``New Territory'' status (19 Nov 1999)

19 November 1999

ICC grants South Korea "New Territory" status

The Korea Cricket Association has received a boost with granting of "New Territory" status of the International Cricket Council.

The status was attained following the visit of the ICC's East Asia-Pacific Development Officer, Mr. Andrew Eade. The KCA hopes the status will allow it to develop interest among the Korean community.

Olivier de Braekelaar, who will be moving in his employment to Yokohama, Japan, reports on off-field developments.

"Marketing Developments through the season have been a slow grind in that most Koreans think Cricket is something that you eat not play!.

Obtaining a suitable ground has caused huge frustration as local authorities do not want to give up such 'large plots' of value land to foreigners for such a long period of time. Soccer is the predominant sport in Korea and takes clear precedence over alternative sports. We have continually met with Government officials to secure a field but to no avail. Our next step is to approach the Korean 'Chaebols' (Korea's largest & family owned company's). We are looking for the possibility that some of their children may have gone to school or University in a Cricket playing nation and still have a desire to play the game.

Failing the above approach we are also in early talks with a team of native Korean baseball players who have expressed a desire to learn and participate.

This could possibly lead to the establishment of the first full Korean Cricket team playing in the infamous 'Kimchi Cup'. Keep your fingers crossed

Following last year's decision by the US military to exclude regular matches at the UN compound, we continued to play on a shale ground at a school in the middle of Seoul, with a rubber mat and a felt cover as the pitch, providing an interesting equation between bat and ball. The wearing of helmets is recommended!"

The PIA team, captained by Sikander Mirza, won both the Fall competition, avenging last year's loss in the final against Rest of the World, and thus regained the Korea Cricket Association Kimchi Cup.

The losing semi-finalists were Indian Tigers and All Stars.

The Fall Competition was marred by very wet weather, with many postponements, by bad light, with one game ending as the moon was already set and, on one Sunday, by the ground being used as a car park for a Mensa test, thus earning the most unusual reason to abandon a game, "Test stops play ".

This report from John Bourke was written after Round Three:

"We have just finished Round Three of our five round Fall competition. Two rounds have been delayed due to washouts occurring. High scoring and improved bowling accuracy however has seen the competition reach a level not seen for several years. With several new recruits across all teams this competition is going to be decided on skills and field placements rather then relying on the mistakes of others.

Results of the competition thus far have seen Pakistan Airlines and the Indian Tigers have moved to the top of the table by displaying some devastating form in both batting and bowling.

Worthy of note is Idris (opener) from Pakistan Airlines who currently has a season average of 55 and Shammi from Pakistan Airlines on a season average of 27. Other batsmen of note are the All Stars openers of Wotton (average 32) & Ross (average37).

Like wise in the bowling both teams have displayed a consistent string of bowling that has lead to early wickets and winning games.

Kashif,Nasir & Taimur, from Pakistan Airlines have already bagged 17 wickets between them. Strong bowling performances have also been seen from the Rest of the World who despite a loss last weekend still remain favorites for the Fall competition. Team members Nimal (seven wickets) and Rony (batting Avg. 29) are leading the team stats.

Despite the recruitment of some South Africans into the Embassy side they have show little glimmer of their former glory days, consistency of players remains there weakness link. The most outstanding player in this team is Dart who is currently the competition leading wicket taker with eight wickets off 11 overs.

So as we move into the 'business end' of the competition all teams at reaching their peaks in terms of fitness and finesse. If only they could display it on the field we would be all the better!"