Your E Mails (19 Dec 1999)

19 December 1999

Your E Mails

Hi,

I just wanted to say thanks for your 'cricket around the world/beyond the test world' pages and information. I read them with great interest and I was very sad when you had to stop doing them - so I'm overjoyed to find them back again!

Thanks,

Glen Barnett Sydney Australia

Gday,

A few years back I read in the paper that Italy were pursuing a place in the 2003 World Cup. Is this true? This article appeared in The West Australian newspaper a few years back. Ever since I have been keeping an eye out for any further developments as my father is Italian and they are basically my second team to go for in sporting pursuits, comes in handy for the Soccer World Cup.

How good are Italy, and how far would you think they are from taking part in a one-day competition?? And the perhaps Test level?

Cheers, sunny days and gold pitches,

Peter De Gennaro Perth, Australia

To answer Peter's enquiry, I thought it best to forward his email to the President of the Federazione Cricket Italiana, Dr. Simone Gambino. Here is Dr. Gambino's reply:

"The Federazione Cricket Italiana was founded in Rome on November 26th 1980 under the original denomination of Associazione Italiana Cricket. The change in name occured following recognition by CONI, the governing body for sport in Italy, on March 1st 1997. The Federazione is currently an Associate Member of the International Cricket Council having entered as an Affiliate in July 1984 and, subsequently, having been upgraded to Associate status on July 13th 1995.

The Federazione is currently composed by 24 clubs, nine of which take part in the full national activity (Campionato & Coppa Italia) and 16 in the youth program.

Italy are now a decent side. The work of coach Doug Ferguson, the finding of a few Italians round the world, Joe Scuderi being the most famous, and the growth of a generation of Italian sub-continentals have greatly helped in this respect. However, Italy are nowhere near the standards of the best Associates such as Holland and Scotland, not to mention Kenya and Bangladesh.

I believe Bangladesh will be the last Test playing country for ages. Test cricket is generated by first class cricket which, in turns, means the game being professional. Italy, in my opinion, will never get there or, if you prefer, cricket will change dramatically before this happens."

Hi!

I've been an ardent fan of your column for quite a while now. Just thought I'd say hello and wish you all the best in what you're doing!

Vinayak Nagaraj Madras India

Hello Tony

Yes, you at least have one reader and I must admit I look forward to reading your articles every fortnight.

I came across an interesting cricket story about the game being played in the most improbable place. Unfortunately I do not have any contact details, however if I am able to get further details I'll be happy to send them on to you.

There's a little bit of a tale to how I came across this rather peculiar cricketing story.

I recently captained the Australian Patent Examiner's team against the clerical officers. Although we suffered our worst defeat in years, we still enjoyed a warm Canberra spring day playing cricket. One of our players was an American who got the hang of fielding with no drama, but could not grasp bowling or batting.

Shortly after our match I spoke to a fellow patent examiner (originally from Canada) who enquired to how we fared. I told him jokingly that we had to rely on an American import and that next year the talent scouts would be looking at him for some Canadian talent. He then told me that he loved cricket and had played many years ago.

As a little bit of background patent examiners are qualified engineers or scientists, usually with several years industrial experience. So its not unusual for many of these people to have worked in odd places.

As it turned out this examiner had worked in Antarctica as a physicist and every year they had the "Australians versus The Immigrants" cricket match. The immigrants lost miserably every year but many Americans, Canadians, Russians, Swedes etc. were introduced to the game in this manner.

So in all it was a good day. We converted one American (he enjoyed it so much that he's asked to play for us again next year) and I learnt about cricket being played in the most obscure place.

I am hoping to get some contact details so that I can be updated on the annual Australia vs. Immigrants match. If I am able to get hold of these I'll gladly pass them on to you.

Kim Wellens Canberra Australia

Hi Tony,

I really enjoyed reading your column and I really missed it during the two months it was away. I am glad to know that it is a regular column now.

Thanks and keep up the good work.

Shamik Biswas Bombay India

Tony,

I need your help .... Some ago I had heard that Malaysia was a world class cricketing nation and had in fact beaten Australia and England in a Test series. ... This led to a bitter argument and a hefty wager ..... This is where I need your help .... I need to know if Malaysia have ever been a world class cricket team???

Terry Girgis Sydney Australia

I thought other readers may be interested so have included my reply to Terry's request.

Terry,

Thanks for your email.

I can tell you with great certainty that Malaysia has never played Test cricket or one-day internationals.

Indeed, on the all-time results scale of the ICC Trophy, which is contested by Associate Members of the ICC, Malaysia is ranked 21st out of 25 countries.

When it hosted the 1997 ICC Trophy, it finished 16th out of 21 countries.

It did well to make the final of the last ACC Trophy, which is for Asian and Pacific ICC Associate and Affiliate members but it has a LONG way to go before being a world power.

Collect your money NOW!

Regards,

Tony

If you have a suggestion to make or just want to have your say, drop me a line on tonymunro@cricinfo.com