Namibia in confident mood

Namibia have prepared for their opening Intercontinental Cup clash against Uganda at Windhoek in a confident mood with a near full strength side. Deon Kotze, Namibia's captain, said yesterday that his team's knowledge of the Ugandans was limited to their play-off match against the United Arab Emirates in the 2001 ICC Trophy, but added that that wasn't fazing Namibian preparations. "To have got that far, they must be a pretty good side, but we're not over-confident," Kotze said. "Coach Kevin Curran is a great believer that if you look after your own basics the result will take care of itself - we generally try never to worry too much about the opposition."

Kotze added that his side have been practicing under lights since returning from the ICC Six Nation's Trophy in Dubai. He nominated Kola Burger, the left-arm quick bowler, as a potential threat, despite the Windhoek pitch normally providing a "good batting track". Jan-Berre Burger, who is currently coaching in England, and Burton van Rooi, who has a back injury, are the only notable absentees from Namibia's squad.

Uganda, meanwhile, have had a strong build-up, playing against Johannesburg club teams, beating a Kagiso XI by six runs, and drawing against Lenasia CC. The squad has also been coached by Tom Tikolo, a legend in Kenyan cricket, for the past two months.

Meanwhile, Nepal go into their Intercontinental Cup game against Malaysia at Kathmandu weakened by the withdrawal of Binod Das, their key fast bowler. Das, who is also the vice-captain, was the highest wicket-taker against the United Arab Emirates in their first Intercontinental match with six wickets. But he is now sidelined following an injury sustained in practice last week. Nepal held out for a draw against UAE, losing five wickets in the last two sessions, before being steadied by Sharad Vesawkar (50) and Prasad Lohani (49). Malaysia's challenge is expected to be spearheaded by the allrounders Suresh Navaratnam and Rohan Selvaratnam.

The 2004 Japanese season promises to be the most exciting ever, the highlight undoubtedly being the East Asia-Pacific Challenge, an ICC World Cup qualifying tournament from May 25 to 29. Japan will compete against Fiji, Indonesia and Tonga, with the winner to go through to the ICC Trophy qualifying event in Malaysia in 2005.

The event will be staged at Fuji City, where the ground has been specifically built for the tournament. The flow-on effect of this new facility has meant an expanded domestic schedule. The Kanto Cricket League, Japan's premier competition, has split into two divisions of eight teams, who all play a minimum seven games before the finals in September. The Giants, the current KCL champions, will look to allrounders Mumtaz Alam and Ahmed Saeed, and left-arm spinner Tauseef Azhar to steer them to their fourth straight title. Gavin Beath, the New Zealander playing for Wyverns, and Munir Ahmed and Mohammed Rizwan, the Millennium players, are also expected to shine.

The university leagues have retained seven teams each from last year. Ema Kuri Bayashi and Mariko Yamamato are expected to stand out in the women's league, where Flying Flappers are the defending champions.

Elsewhere, the Japan Cricket Association hopes a new plan will have coaches for all age groups, from Under-15s to seniors, by the end of this season. As if that's not enough, the first national titles will be held in October, when regional teams compete using the popular super-eights format. For more information on next month's East Asia-Pacific tournament, please visit www.jca-cricket.ne.jp/eap/"

In Fiji, Nadi may have won the final, but as the cliche goes, the game was the winner, when the Dewar Prasad Trophy was somehow completed despite a week of torrential rain across the islands, in which eight people were killed. On the scheduled first day, Suva, the Fijian capital, was flooded leaving Albert Park, the venue, completely under water.

Miraculously, the competition got underway the following day, divided up into three groups of three and one group of four. The four pool winners, Suva Crusaders, All Tonga Cricket Association, Suva Rangers, and Nadi then met in the semi-finals. Nadi comfortably defeated the All Tonga Cricket Association by five wickets, while Suva Rangers beat the Crusaders. Nadi then went on to beat the Rangers in the final by 19 runs. The tournament was judged a success, with teams from Moce, Lautoka, Tubou and Labasa providing a national flavour. The Lau islands are the traditional stronghold of Fijian cricket, and their former residents, now living in Suva, ensured sizable and vocal crowds.

Deporte Hindu are the 2004 Panamanian league champions following their 55-run win over Ahir in the final last Sunday (April 18). A 75-run stand between Kamlesh Patel (39) and Vipul Bhakta (79) rescued Deporte Hindu, who had crashed to 72 for 5. Defending 172 for 9 from 30 overs, Deporte Hindu skittled Ahir for 117, thanks to Bhakta, the Man-of-the Match, who snared three wickets and three catches.

After bad news there was good news for Morocco. Their disappointment of being withdrawn from the African World Cup qualifying tournament was eased somewhat following their inclusion in next month's rescheduled West African Championships in Banjul, Gambia. In a move which is ominous for cricket relations in the region, Morocco replaced Nigeria.