Rumour Gossip and Innuendo

Well, this should actually be called 'Fact, Gossip and Rumour' because most of it is factually based. This is a compilation of snippets which on their own are not long enough to make a story, with a couple of unconfirmed reports thrown in.

East Asia-Pacific Development Officer, Andrew Eade, said this week that February's historic meeting of presidents from the East Asia-Pacific regions is not likely to see any progress towards a regional body.

"My personal view is that that is unlikely because the area I cover basically is two separate regions. It would also create another level of bureaucracy."

"However, if say the Pacific countries wanted to form their own association I would see no harm in that."

He said a proposal is currently being drafted for a tournament involving countries in the South Pacific region.

Positive news from Indonesia, where the Jakarta Cricket Association will next week propose the creation of a sub-committee "to start developments towards unifying the various cricket institutions in Indonesia under a single body." This body would be called the 'Indonesia Cricket Association.'

The JCA acknowledges the task will not be easy due to the backgrounds of the various bodies.

Cricket in Indonesia faces a problem similar to other non-Test countries where approaches vary in administrations towards indigenous development.

Michael Blumberg's email created interest in the last edition, especially comment in regard to Nigeria and Surinam.

Beyond The Test World heard a rumour a couple of months ago of the possible existence of cricket in Surinam and rang a West Indian ambassador in the capital, Paramaribo who was regarded as a contact.

The ambassador said Surinamese cricket a couple of years ago was well organised and in a healthy position.

Although he was not aware of the details, the official said there was now no cricket being played as former administrators were involved in legal action against each other.

'Beyond The Test World' has also pursued rumours that cricket is played in Uruguay and Paraguay.

The Argentine Cricket Association, which seems to have assumed an unofficial role as overseer of development in South America, (BTW only says 'seems' because this is an observation) is behind a junior development programme in Uruguay which is in its formative stages. There is no official senior cricket there.

In Paraguay, BTW has been told there is an individual who would reportedly like to get cricket going but outsiders are awaiting productivity.

Those who compile those lists of countries where cricket is played can apparently add Pitcairn Island.