Will Luke

Cricket rarely makes the pages of the New York Times, and if it does, it's usually related to the global game, not the sport in the United States. But today is the exception, with a wide-ranging piece on the power cricket can do for good.

Police Officer Jeff Thomson from the NYPD first got in contact with us a couple of weeks ago, and since then his force have staged a family day to launch their season.

But it is cricket's global appeal that can forge ties locally. With the game so popular in south asia and the Caribbean, those two communities in New York who sometimes struggle to integrate are given a vehicle to do just that.

“The Muslim community is not a community we had great outreach to in the past,” said Deputy Inspector Amin Kosseim, who runs special projects for the department’s Community Affairs Bureau.

And so the police decided to experiment with cricket, a game with a huge following across the Caribbean and South Asia. The response has cut across community lines. Tuesday’s opening match pitted the SuperStars — made up largely of players from Guyana — against the KnightRiders, a predominantly Pakistani team.

The NYPD have also had to make other adaptations to fit New York conditions.

For example, a strip of rolled and immaculately trimmed grass is normally used as the playing surface on which a ball bounces before it is struck by a batsman. But that strip is expensive and rare in this country. So the league’s matches, played at Spring Creek Park in Brooklyn and Kissena Park in Queens, use a substitute: a heavy, fibrous mat that is staked to the ground before a game.

At a SuperStars training session recently in Baisley Pond Park, youngsters on a neighboring basketball court looked on askance as the team carried the mat from a metal locker and used mallets to secure it to the damp earth. The bounce, according to the team’s coach, Ajaz Asgarally, was satisfactory.

It remains to be seen if the Police Department is able to nurture cricket talent in the way that other law enforcement agencies have. According to Keith A. P. Sandiford, a professor emeritus at the University of Manitoba who has written extensively on cricket, a police boys club established in Barbados to keep wayward boys off the streets once showcased the talents of a young Garfield Sobers.

Read the full piece and leave your comments below.

Comments (6) | USA

Scotland go for youth against Canada

Posted 5 days, 4 hours ago in ICC Intercontinental Cup

The Scottish selectors have invested in youth by selecting a young squad with an average age of 25 against Canada in the ICC Intercontinental Cup and two ODIs in Aberdeen over the next ten days. Scotland will play a four-day Intercontinental Cup match from July 2-5 before taking on Canada for two 50-over fixtures on July 7 and 8.

Scotland, looking to rebuild in the wake of their failure to qualify for the 2011 World Cup, have named two teams with distinctive challengers under two different captains. Gordon Drummond will lead the Intercontinental Cup squad for the four-day match and Gavin Hamilton will take over for the ODIs.

"With these selections, we are starting to look ahead over the next four years and, broadly speaking, we are seeking to give the younger generation as much experience as we can," said coach Peter Steindl. "We believe that some cricketers are more suited to the longer form of the game, while some flourish in the one-day variety. With more and more top-quality youngsters pushing for places in the national squads, those squads may show more differences as time goes on. It’s up to the players to make their case on the field."

Drummond termed this an exciting time for Scottish cricket. "I am delighted to have been asked to take responsibility for the Intercontinental Cup squad, where we need players who are in for the long haul. The matches against Canada and, next month, Ireland, will certainly be a test to be savoured. The players will, I’m sure, rise to the occasion."

Intercontinental Cup squad:

Gordon Drummond (capt), Ryan Watson, Fraser Watts, Jan Stander, Neil McCallum, Simon Smith (wk), Qasim Sheikh, Moneeb Iqbal, Majid Haq, Richie Berrington, Calum MacLeod, Ewan Chalmers.

ODI squad:

Gavin Hamilton (capt), Navdeep Poonia, Gordon Drummond, Ryan Watson, Fraser Watts, Jan Stander, Neil McCallum, Simon Smith (wk), Majid Haq, Richie Berrington, Calum MacLeod, Ross Lyons.

Comments (0) | ICC Intercontinental Cup

June 26, 2009

Kenya stripped of 2010 Under-19 World Cup

Posted 1 week ago in Kenya

Kenya have been stripped of the rights to host the 2010 Under-19 World Cup after an ICC report concluded that with only eight months to go before the event, it was "unrealistic" to expect Kenya to be ready to host the tournament. New Zealand will be hosts, subject to the agreement of satisfactory terms.

The decision was described by one leading Associate official as a "sad, sad day", while another accused the ICC of engineering "little more than a stitch-up".

ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat described the outcome as "a difficult conclusion to have reached and a regrettable one".

While Cricket Kenya has yet to respond, other Associates have privately told Cricinfo that the decision effectively kills the chances of a non-major country hosting such an event again.

Kenya, who have spent more than US$150,000 on ground improvements, now face a massive loss. The ICC was not able to provide anything by way of solace other than assurances it would look into the situation.

In theory, the U-19 World Cup is an event which is used to boost the profile of the game outside the Full Member countries.

Comments (6) | Kenya

Argentina begin recruitment of new coach

Posted 1 week, 1 day ago in Argentina

The Argentine Cricket Association have begun recruiting a new coach to replace Hamish Barton, who has left to join Cricket New Zealand.

In a press release, the board says:

The successful candidate will have two major challenges within the next twelve months, the World Cricket League Division 4 tournament, and an ICC Americas Division 1 championship. In addition to coaching the senior men’s national squad, the position will also include managing Argentina’s high performance program, which also includes working with the senior fringe players, the best players in the U23, U19 and U15 age brackets, as well as the senior women’s team.

The successful candidate will be expected to commence in October of 2009, and must be available for at least one year. An attractive salary and benefits package will be offered, including accommodation.

Applications are invited, and should include application letter, full CV, plus at least two contactable references. Short-listed candidates will be notified and may need to be available for an interview. Any enquiries and/or full applications should be sent to the following email address:

admin@cricketargentina.com

The closing day is Friday July 17.

Comments (1) | Argentina

Canada doubts over 2012 U-19 World Cup

Posted 1 week, 1 day ago in Canada

In the aftermath of the ICC’s decision to strip Kenya of hosting rights for the 2010 Under-19 World Cup, Cricket Canada, who are due to stage the following tournament in 2012, is believed to have expressed serious doubts about its abilities to act as hosts.

Officially, Kenya lost out because of a report stating the grounds would not be ready in time, although it is increasingly looking as if the decision was made some time ago, possibly for commercial reasons.

In light of that, Canada has flagged that it might struggle to meet ICC requirements which sources claim have become much stricter in recent months.

Comments (10) | Canada

June 24, 2009

Ireland A take on young Yorkshire side

Posted 1 week, 3 days ago in Ireland

The 2009-10 Intercontinental Cup is just around the corner, and Ireland are this weekend due to announce their squad for their first match against Kenya on July 3. Ahead of that, however, Ireland A are taking on a young Yorkshire team who yesterday compiled an impressive 337, with Chavez Younes top-scoring on 71. Cricket Europe has the full report and a scorecard.

Comments (0) | Ireland

June 17, 2009

Kenya search for new captain and coach

Posted 2 weeks, 3 days ago in Kenya

Cricket Kenya is looking for a national team coach after deciding not to offer Andy Kirsten a new contract.

Kirsten, who only took up the post in March 2008, will remain in charge until the end of July and will accompany the side when they visit Ireland for a short tour starting at the end of the month. A board official told Cricinfo that it had decided to start afresh and to seek a new coach to work with a new captain in the build-up to the 2011 World Cup.

Although Kenya qualified for that tournament at the recent ICC World Cup Qualifiers, results have not been consistent and they failed to reach the ICC World Twenty20.

A source close to the process denied reports that it was a two-horse race between Balwinder Sandhu and Alan Butcher, saying there had been a number of good-quality applicants.

Meanwhile, five players have been shortlisted in the search for someone to replace Steve Tikolo as captain. Collins Obuyo, Hiren Varaiya, Thomas Odoyo, Maurice Ouma and Jimmy Kamande will all be interviewed by the national selectors and an appointment is expected within a week.

Comments (5) | Kenya

Zimbabwe enters side into ICC competition

Posted 2 weeks, 3 days ago in ICC Intercontinental Cup

Zimbabwe Cricket has confirmed that it will enter an A side into the 2009-10 Intercontinental Cup, in accordance with the recommendations of the ICC's task force.

Continue reading "Zimbabwe enters side into ICC competition"

Comments (6) | ICC Intercontinental Cup

Saqib Ali banned for a year after umpire attack

Posted 2 weeks, 3 days ago in UAE

UAE international Saqib Ali has been banned for a year after he was found guilty of attempting to assault an umpire during a local Twenty20 cup tie.

The Dubai-based National newspaper reported that Saqib had a heated argument with Mohammed Asif, who was standing as the square-leg umpire, after an appeal for a catch behind was turned down by Asif's colleague. It is claimed that Saqib then grabbed a bail and threw it at the umpire - it missed, but Saqib had to be hauled away by team-mates.

"We do not tolerate such on-field behaviour from any player," Wajahat Husain, the new president of the Abu Dhabi Cricket Council, told the newspaper.

The ban means he will miss the ACC Twenty20 Cup and World Twenty20 Qualifiers, as well as most of UAE's Intercontinental Cup matches.

He does have the right to appeal.

Comments (9) | UAE

Netherlands' two-day competition dead in the water

Posted 2 weeks, 3 days ago in Netherlands

Cricket Europe has reported that the Netherlands’ attempts to introduce a two-day competition appear to be all but dead in the water as a result of a marked lack of enthusiasm and a problem finding suitable dates.

The announcement of matches at home to Canada in July may well be the final nail in the coffin as far as this season is concerned, and there is a growing feeling that it might not be resurrected in 2010.

“So inadequate has been the KNCB’s promotion of the proposed new competition that there were already rumours that many players were going to decline to take part anyway,” wrote Rod Lyall. “But the truth is that this experiment has not been given a fair chance, and it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that the will to make it work simply did not exist.”

The Dutch board hardly helped their own project, and one of the most controversial ideas was to have compulsory declarations after 65 overs in the first innings, something critics claimed made the two-day games effectively two one-day matches.

Comments (4) | Netherlands

June 16, 2009

Canada confirm European tour dates

Posted 2 weeks, 4 days ago in Canada

Canada have confirmed details of their European tour which will include four ODIs and the opening two games in the 2009-10 Intercontinental Cup.

The trip will start with the Intercontinental Cup tie against Scotland (July 2 to 5) and that will be followed by two ODIs, also against Scotland, on July 7 and 8.

From there the team fly to the Netherlands where they play two more ODIs (July 11 and 12), finishing off with their second Intercontinental Cup match between July 15 and 18.

Comments (0) | Canada

June 15, 2009

Cricket at the State Russian Museum

Posted 2 weeks, 5 days ago in Russia

William Elliott, the Consul General at the British Embassy in St Petersburg, has written to let us know about a match taking place in the city.

“We are holding the 'White Nights Ashes', a match between the Crusaders, an intrepid touring team from Melbourne, and 'England', a team made up from various local ex-pats and Consulate staff,” he says. “The second major match in St Petersburg for about 90 years; last year we revived cricket here by playing against Sir Tim Rice's Heartaches (including one A.J. Lamb).

“The main interest is the venue: a spectacular garden in front of the State Russian Museum, which makes for good photos.” William assures us it will be a “proper” match, in spite of the rough pitch.

If you have any cricket news from obscure parts of the world, do drop us an email

Comments (1) | Russia

June 10, 2009

Lara opens new ground in Uganda

Posted 3 weeks, 2 days ago in Uganda

A new cricket ground has been built in Mbarara, the south west of Uganda, which was opened by Brian Lara. The former West Indies batsman later gave training tips to cricketers from Ntare School, Uganda Martyrs Primary School and the Asian Community in Mbarara.

“Talent accounts for only ten percent, the rest you have to have love for the game and practice [sic]," Lara told the Daily Monitor. "I begun at an early age and by eighteen years I was already [a] star."

Ntare school’s deputy headmaster, Eliab Tumushabe, took the opportunity to remind the world that cricket remains quite out of reach for many in Uganda.

"The cricket equipment is very expensive and the game has many technicalities," he told the newspaper. "The old boys who played the game in the good days should come back and revive that glory."

Comments (22) | Uganda

June 9, 2009

Cricket and cucumber sandwiches in North Korea

Posted 3 weeks, 3 days ago in North Korea

	© Daily Telegraph

An interesting story about cricket in an altogether different part of the world

It started as a bet. Jon Newton, president of Shanghai Cricket Club wagered two of his friends that they would not be able to organise a cricket tour to the totalitarian state of North Korea. "One night in the pub, North Korea had come up as a suggestion for a place to tour and I said there was no way they would be able to pull it off," he recalls.

What followed was a tale of months of red tape before the necessary documentation was secured. Read all about it the Daily Telegraph.

Comments (4) | North Korea

June 8, 2009

Ireland strike another blow for Associates

Posted 3 weeks, 5 days ago in Associates

	© Getty Images

Three days after Netherlands embarrassed England, Ireland have taken another scalp for Associate cricket with a six-wicket win over Bangladesh at Trent Bridge.

Click here for Cricinfo's match report

Comments (10) | Associates

Kathmandu reach domestic final

Posted 3 weeks, 5 days ago in Nepal

Kathmandu have reached the final of the Springwood National T20 tournament with their fourth win in as many matches, beating Biratnagar by eight wickets. Nepalcricket.com has more.

Comments (1) | Nepal

Rwanda miss Kenya tournament

Posted 3 weeks, 5 days ago in Rwanda

Rwanda's failure to show up - for whatever reason - and some poor weather put a dampener on the first two days of the Africa Cricket Association (ACA) East Africa Under-13 boys' competition in Nakuru, Kenya.

Rwanda were flagged as one of the successes of the African development programme / Cricket Without Borders enterprise, so their absence, if only to gauge the team's progress, was a disappointment.

Matches were being played at Rift Valley Sports Club and Greensteds School, south of Nakuru.

Results
Day One - Kenya 108 for 3 beat Tanzania 96 for 7; Kenya 93 lost to Uganda 94 for 7
Day Two - Tanzania 92 lost to Uganda 93 for 6; Tanzania v Kenya (rained off)

Colin Macbeth

Comments (1) | Rwanda

Papua New Guinea win EAP U-19 title

Posted 3 weeks, 5 days ago in Under-19s

Papua New Guinea are the East Asia-Pacific Under-19 champions after they beat Vanuatu by 172 runs in the final at Amini Park, Port Moresby.

PNG won the toss and elected to bat in overcast conditions and scored freely early on, reaching 24 without loss before Lega Tau was well caught by Karl Laau from the bowling of Niko Unavalu. Heni Siaka was hitting everything in the middle, and started to free his arms, ably supported by middle-order batsmen Tony Ura (27) and Jason Kila (48).

The talented Siaka scored his maiden century for PNG, by far the best innings of the tournament. He was eventually dismissed for 101, but by then the damage had been done and PNG raced towards a huge total, batting their full 50 overs reaching 276 for 8.

It was to take a monumental effort by Vanuatu to chase down these runs, and early on the fielding talents of PNG rose to the fore, with two magnificent run-outs reducing Vanuatu to 31 for 2. They fought on valiantly before they were eventually dismissed for 103 after 34 overs. Jason Kila was the chief destroyer with 4 for 20.

In the battle for 3rd place at Colts Ground, Fiji beat Indonesia by six wickets in a game affected by rain.

PNG and Vanuatu will head to Canada to participate in the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup Qualifier.

ICC staff

Comments (4) | Under-19s

June 5, 2009

Netherlands stun England

Posted 4 weeks ago in Netherlands

	The celebrations inside the pavilion continued long after everyone else had gone home © Getty Images

Every Associate is entitled to their day in the sun, and for Netherlands it came in the opening match of the ICC World Twenty20, albeit it in the Stygian gloom of a chilly Lord’s. Much has already been written about the game, and more will follow. To check out our full coverage, click on the links.

Bulletin - de Grooth leads Netherlands to famous win
Plays of the Day
Gallery

Comments (6) | Netherlands

Odumbe takes swipe at Kenya's management

Posted 4 weeks, 1 day ago in Kenya

The increasingly-bitter Maurice Odumbe, who is in the final year of his ban for associating with a bookmaker, has launched a rather predictable swipe at the Kenyan board, blaming it for the country’s absence from the ICC World Twenty20. Kenya failed to make it after a poor qualifying tournament in Ireland last year.

“It’s because of the way cricket is being managed there,” the disgraced former captain said . “After our dream run in 2003, we should’ve become an even better outfit. Clearly something went wrong along the way. These days we’ve all sorts of people running the show, except for those who know the sport. Imagine our manager during the 2007 World Cup was a former hockey player. What could he possibly tell a Ravindu Shah about the sweep shot?

Continue reading "Odumbe takes swipe at Kenya's management"

Comments (10) | Kenya