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November 6, 2009
Red faces as Uganda fire new CEO
Posted
2 days, 13 hours ago in Uganda
Mpeke Muhumuza has been sacked as Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) chief executive just three months into his tenure following what was described as “a failure to meet expectations”.
Given Uganda’s rising profile – many tout them as the rising force in African cricket – the news will be a blow to the standing of the board and questions have to be asked about the appointment in the first place. Muhumuza was picked after a long selection process which involved the UCA and the ICC.
“The first thing we expected him to do was to set targets for the employees and give them job references,” said board chairman Kato Sebbaale. “He’d spent over two months in the office and he had not done anything about this. If he failed in the start, how could he professionalise the entire game?”
Sebbaale and administrative officer Martin Ondeko will fill in while the red-faced UCA start the whole recruitment process again.
Comments (0) | Uganda
November 4, 2009
Ireland in hot pursuit of Full Member status
Posted
4 days, 8 hours ago in Ireland
Ireland have announced an ambitious plan to ascend to Full Member status within the ICC. The Irish will seek to become the ICC's eleventh Full Member nation, and the first to rise from the Associate ranks since Bangladesh in 2000.
Warren Deutrom, Cricket Ireland's chief executive, has sent a letter to the ICC stating his board's intention to apply for Full Membership - a potential pathway to Test cricket - and to seek clarification on the process. The ICC have since informed Ireland of the council's criteria and expectations, and the matter will now be discussed at the next chief executives' meeting, scheduled for later this month.
Click here for the full interview with Warren Deutrom
Comments (2) | Ireland
November 3, 2009
Cricket the Maasai way
Posted
5 days, 13 hours ago in Kenya
An interesting report in Kenya’s Nation newspaper on attempts to take cricket to the Maasai tribe in Mukogodo.
The Maasais, known world over for their native style of dressing up and living among the world animals of East Africa, have already accepted the game with the formation of several teams from within the local schools and community.
Aliya Bauer, who is coaching in the area, told the newspaper that the early signs were good. “It’s very encouraging for me as there are already well over 100 people who turn out for practices at venues around the area. This include children as well as older Morans who are very keen and enthusiastic about the game.’
“The children were first introduced to soft ball cricket before graduating to the hard ball version. They have shown phenomenal amount of potential and natural talent.’’
There remain major obstacles.
Bauer cites several handicaps in her attempt to take the sport to wider circle with lack of proper playing and training facilities, uniforms, shoes and other equipments such as bats and balls. Children and elder morans play the game bare feet while others wear traditional ‘firestone’ sandals made from used car tyres. She is pledging for help from donors who can help cricket grow in other areas of the II Polei and its surrounding villages.
Comments (0) | Kenya
Swamibapa favourites to take NPCA title
Posted
5 days, 13 hours ago in Kenya
Swamibapa are within one game of securing their first NPCA Super League title in six years, and in so doing end Kanbis A’s five-year domination of the tournament, after the penultimate round of matches. Both teams won their games at the weekend, with Swamibapa needing only to take full bonus points against third placed Stray Lions A to be assured of winning the league.
Swamibapa crushed SCLYL by eight wickets after bowling them out for 72, but Kanbis A were forced to work harder for their seven-wicket win over Sir Ali A. Chasing 212, Rakeb Patel (78) and Alpesh Bhudia (68) guided them home
Stray Lions A, who can still overtake Kanbis A to take the runners-up slot, were left on the sidelines as their match with Kanbis B was abandoned.
Comments (0) | Kenya
November 2, 2009
Cricket Canada in crisis after loss of major sponsor
Posted
6 days, 12 hours ago in Canada
Struggling Cricket Canada has been dealt a major blow with the news that Scotiabank, its main sponsor, has terminated its three-year contract early because of what it claims is “unsatisfactory performance” by the board.
The deal is coming to the end of its first year and while on the field Canada’s performances have been improving, the conduct of the board continues to cause concern. A letter from Scotiabank to recently-appointed CEO Chandra Gocool did not deal in specifics, merely stating that the decision had been made “after careful review and analysis of the cost/benefit, the various program deliverables” and also a review of the board’s “internal/public challenges, and its future direction”.
Although Scotiabank will honour the first year of the contract in full, the second and third years were worth around US$500,000. Given the withdrawal of such a high-profile sponsor and the well-documented problems within Canadian cricket’s administration, it will prove hard to find a replacement, certainly in the short term.
One source was quoted in the media as warning the loss of Scotiabank would seriously impact on all levels of cricket, from the national team right through to the grass-roots game.
Comments (0) | Canada
November 1, 2009
Nigeria's exciting domestic calendar
Posted
1 week ago in Nigeria
The Nigerian season kicked off on November 1 with the traditional match between the winners of the National Club Championships, Ibejju Lekki, who clinched the title for the second year running, and a Nigeria Cricket Federation Select XI at the Tafewa Balewa Square in Lagos. The Lagos League will follow on November 7 where 14 clubs will play in limited-overs style coloured kits and white balls for the first time.
The Lagos League is in fact one of the four leagues in Nigeria. The Edo League, comprising four clubs, is in the south-south region of the country and is also expected to start sometime this month.
The North-West League and the Eastern Leagues are scheduled for early 2010 as they help in picking the regional qualifiers for the National Cricket Club Championships, normally played from April to June. The National Cricket Club Championships finals would also be played in coloured clothing and white balls.
Another important step in the development of the game in the country is the second National Secondary Schools Championships sponsored by DUFIL Prima. The tournament is expected to start in November-December with the finals slated for April. Sixty schools participated in the 2008-09 pioneer edition.
A turf wicket, the first in Nigeria, will also be constructed in Abeokuta, Ogun State with the help of a Cricket Kenya curator. It is expected the wicket would be in place by the end of 2009 latest.
At the regional level, there there is also a regional Under-18 boys tournament scheduled for April 2010 in Ghana and an Under-13 boys tournament in Gambia in December 2010. An allrounders' academy featuring the top two allrounders from Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Cameroon and Mali is also in the offing.
Comments (2) | Nigeria
October 29, 2009
Namibia performance pleases coach
Posted
1 week, 3 days ago in CSA Provincial Three-Day Challenge
Tony Munro
Coming into the 2009-10 CSA Provincial Three-Day Challenge, Namibia coach Johan Rudolph's main priority was that the batsmen score hundreds and spend time at the crease. And after just three games, they have exceeded Rudolph's expectations.
"Last season we scored only two hundreds in the competition," said Rudolph. "This season, the players have bettered the statistic in the first three matches, scoring three hundreds (Raymond van Schoor 141, Sarel Burger 125 not out and Craig Williams 123) and one player scoring three nineties (Gerhard Rudolph's 98, 96 & 92)."
There was further excitement for Rudolph as three hundreds were scored in the opening round of the Namibian domestic MTC 50-over Premier League. "Youngsters scored three hundreds last weekend and if we can get this culture going and do away with high risk cricket in our club setup, I believe we will be on the right track," Rudolph said.
Namibia's next game will be against Boland, starting on Thursday at home in Windhoek, and Rudolph believes it will be a tough test. "Boland will have a very strong team with most of their players playing for University of Stellenboch," Rudolph said. "Uwe Birchenstock and Henno Jordaan are two very good batsman."
Namibia will also play a one-day game against Boland on Sunday, and Rudolph said he was keen that the team perfected the key ingredient in the short format. "They just need to apply the basics in batting, bowling and fielding in pressure situations. Players need to know what is their role in the team and then also to play according to the set gameplan. We don't have superstars in the current squad so its vital for the team to perform as a unit."
Comments (1) | CSA Provincial Three-Day Challenge
October 28, 2009
North West African Championships postponed
Posted
1 week, 4 days ago in North West African Championships
Tony Munro
The next North West African Championships have been delayed to April 2010 due to the global financial crisis.
The economic downturn may also see the tournament restricted to its traditional participants, Gambia, Ghana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone, said the president of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, Kwesi Sagoe.
"It is likely that a review of participants would be undertaken given the cost of the event and the relative development standard of each of the North-West African countries. No decision has however been made on this yet," Sagoe told Cricinfo.
In recent years, Morocco and Mali have taken part with Mali experiencing some heavy defeats. At one stage, following the change of the tournament's name to the "North West African Championships", Egypt and Libya had been mentioned as possible future participants.
Comments (1) | North West African Championships
Jeroen Smits quits international cricket
Posted
1 week, 4 days ago in Netherlands
Jeroen Smits, Netherlands' 37-year-old captain, has announced his retirement from international cricket.
An old-style wicketkeeper who could bat a little, he was one of the most dependable members of the 2003 and 2007 World Cup side. In a career which started in 1992, he made 140 appearances for his national side, including 38 full ODIs.
"Of course it's tempting to stay on a little longer," he said, but admitted that with 18 months before the next World Cup, he wanted to give his replacement a chance to find his feet. "It's better that I make room for a new captain and a new keeper, and that the team gets a chance to adjust as it prepares for that challenge."
"He's been a terrific servant of Dutch cricket and an incredible support to me since I came into this role," coach Peter Drinnen told Cricket Europe. "That he's stepping down now is typically unselfish, evidence of the way in which he considers the bigger picture, and a mark of the quality of the guy."
Comments (1) | Netherlands
Swamibapa close in on NPCA title
Posted
1 week, 4 days ago in Kenya
Defending champions Kanbis A, who have dominated the NPCA Super League of late, maintained their challenge for a sixth straight title with a one-run victory over rivals Stray Lions A, a result which all but ends Lions own ambitions.
Swamibapa A, who have a 14-point lead over Kanbis A, crushed fourth-placed Telca by ten wickets, and with two rounds of matches remaining are favourites to win the league.
Comments (5) | Kenya
October 26, 2009
Four countries to make World Cricket League debuts
Posted
1 week, 6 days ago in World Cricket League Americas Division
Tony Munro
Cuba, the Falkland Islands and the hosts, Mexico, are among the four countries set to make their official debuts at the World Cricket League Americas Division Four next year.
The other participant will be fellow debutante, Costa Rica in the event tentatively scheduled between May and September.
Cuba were to make an international debut of sorts in the 2008 Stanford 20/20 tournament before an embargo by the US Government blocked their involvement.
For the Falkland Islands, it will be one of two tournaments they will play next year. The other is a triangular involving three locations named after Viscount Falkland, the commander of part of the Royalist forces at the Battle of Newbury in 1643 in the English Civil War between King Charles I and Oliver Cromwell. The triangular, to be played at Falkland in Fife from July 19-24 will feature Falkland (Fife), Falkland (Newbury, Berkshire) and the Falkland Islands. The tournament is part of Falkland Fife CC's 150th anniversary celebrations. Incidentally, the islands were named for Viscount Falkland as his son was the Secretary of State for the Admiralty when Captain John Davies sighted the Falkland Islands in 1682.
Meanwhile, in the coming 2009-10 season separate Twenty20 tournaments are to be played at the Islands' capital, Stanley, and military base at Mount Pleasant, with the winners of both meeting in a final. The traditional highlight of the season, the South Atlantic Ashes, between the Governor's XI (representing the civilans) and the Commander of the British Forces XI (representing the military) will be played as a three-match series in January, February and March.
Comments (1) | World Cricket League Americas Division
October 19, 2009
MCC whitewash Japan
Posted
2 weeks, 6 days ago in Japan
A strong MCC side completed their tour of Japan with wins in all four matches. They beat Sano CC, a Japanese Development XI and the national side in Twenty20 games, and rounded things off with a tight two-wicket defeat of Japan in a 50-over match.
Japan had every chance to win the limited-overs game after reducing MCC to 60 for 6 chasing 137 but a seventh-wicket stand between Gary Brown (46*) and Guy Bulpitt (26) enabled the tourists to sneak home.
The MCC squad completes the trip with games in Indonesia.
Comments (1) | Japan
Problems hamper USA preparations
Posted
2 weeks, 6 days ago in USA
USA's senior and Under-19 teams are scheduled to compete in several major tournaments over the next five months. However, USACA is currently struggling to figure out the best way to prepare them.
USACA is planning on having its National Championship in Fort Lauderdale, Florida from November 13 to 15. The tournament was originally scheduled to take place from October 9 to 11 in Houston, Texas, but officials wanted to move the event to Florida to give players competing for spots on the national teams the opportunity to play on turf pitches, as opposed to the matting wickets used in Houston and around most of the country.
Continue reading "Problems hamper USA preparations"
Comments (3) | USA
October 15, 2009
Rankin's ECB call-up concerns Ireland
Posted
3 weeks, 3 days ago in Ireland
The inclusion of fast bowler Boyd Rankin in the ECB's enhanced England Performance Programme has left Warren Deutrom, Ireland's chief executive, worried about a further depletion or resources. Ireland have lost batsmen Ed Joyce and Eoin Morgan to England in recent years, and Deutrom has warned that Rankin's following course would be a major loss to their cricket.
Rankin, who switched from Derbyshire to Warwickshire, was named in a pool of 41 players who will train in Florida, Loughborough and Chennai over the next few months. "In terms of Boyd's personal development, it is obviously terrific for him to have access to the sort of programmes that the ECB can provide," Deutrom told the Daily Express. "But for us it is a worrying development that he has obviously figured on the England radar. It is, of course, a source of pride that we continue to produce cricketers that England are interested in but, if we were to lose another player to follow Ed and Eoin, it would be a severe blow to Irish cricket."
Continue reading "Rankin's ECB call-up concerns Ireland"
Comments (7) | Ireland
October 13, 2009
Brazil and Belize finish off on a high
Posted
3 weeks, 5 days ago in World Cricket League Americas Division
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The Brazilian team celebrate winning the WCL Americas Division 3 tournament
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Tony Munro
Brazil and Belize won their matches on the final day of the World Cricket League Americas Division 3 tournament in Santiago on Monday, to seal the first and second places respectively. Brazil beat Peru by 18 runs in what was possibly the latter's best performance of the tournament, while the Belize beat hosts Chile by two wickets.
Captain Matthew Featherstone led the charge for Brazil, top scoring with 77 in his team's total of 251 for 6 in 50 overs, while Greigor Caisley (48) and Rubabul Islam (39) provided good back-up. Tony Sanford was the main wicket-taker for Peru, taking 2 for 51 from his 10 overs.
Peru ended the tournament in spirited fashion, managing 233 for 9 in reply. Michael Soulsby was their main contributor with 57, while Ahmed Ansari Nadeem chipped in with 29. Vince Bastick took 4 for 59 from 8.4 overs for Brazil.
Chile captain Simon Shalders won the toss and elected to bat in their battle for second place against Belize. Shalders led the way, top scoring with 59, as Tristan Bradbrook (48) and Guy Hooper (40) lent good support. Belize captain Dirk Sutherland bowled well to take 5 for 32 from nine overs, to keep Chile to 223 for 9 from its 50 overs.
Sutherland performed with the bat as well, staying undefeated on 39, while Robert Casasola (60) provided the backbone to the reply and saw them through with 21 balls to spare. Pablo Meijas was the pick of the Chilean bowlers with 2 for 37.
Scores:
Belize 224 for 8 (Casasola 60, Sutherlund 39*, Mejias 2-37) beat Chile 223 for 9 (Shalders 59, Bradbrook 48, Hooper 40, Sutherland 5-32) by two wickets
Brazil 251 for 6 (Featherstone 77, Caisley 48, Islam 39, Sanford 2-51) beat Peru 233 for 9 (Michael Soulsby 57, Ahmed Ansari Nadeem 29, Bastick 4-59) by 18 runs
Comments (0) | World Cricket League Americas Division
October 12, 2009
Brazil move to Americas Division 2
Posted
3 weeks, 6 days ago in Brazil
Brazil overpowered hosts Chile by 85 runs to win the ICC Americas Division 3 Championship in Santiago, Chile on Sunday and earn promotion to next year's Americas Division 2 tournament.
The victory was set up by a second-wicket partnership of 117 between Man of the Match Greigor Caisley and captain Matt Featherstone, with assistance from nine dropped catches from Chilean fielders.
Aftter electing to bat in a match reduced to 40 overs a side due to a delayed start, Brazil posted an impressive 213 for 6, with Featherstone firing an aggressive 95 in 86 balls, including four fours and six sixes. Meanwhile, Caisley made a polished 81 off 96 balls, with 11 fours and two sixes.
The pair were separated with the score at 164 in the 35th over, having set a fine platform for a challenging target for Chile to chase. John Fecci took 3 for 37. The pick of the Chilean bowlers, though was probably left-arm seamer, Tristan Bradbrook who took 1 for 18 from his eight overs.
Chile got off to the worst possible start, losing opener Ian Walker, second ball. Things only got worse when batting star Simon Shalders was run out in the 10th over sending Chile to a disastrous 24 for 3. Brazil tightened things even further in the field and by the 22nd over the match was effectively decided as Chile were on their knees at 55 for 7.
There was a late scurry from Jim Scarbrough who made 39 in 41 balls with four fours and a six, sharing an eighth-wicket partnership of 54 with Kamran Zeb. It was all too late as Chile were eventually all out for 128 in the 35th over.
The pick for the Brazilian bowlers was medium-pacer Rudyard Hartmann, who nabbed 4 for 25 in 5.4 overs with a fine display of swing bowling, while Ravi Chanchlani was miserly and effective, taking 2 for 18 in eight overs.
Continue reading "Brazil move to Americas Division 2"
Comments (2) | Brazil
Israel qualify for Europe Division 2
Posted
3 weeks, 6 days ago in Israel
Tony Munro
Israel easily won their Europe Division 2 play-off game against Croatia by six wickets in Zagreb on Sunday. The win means Israel will play in the Division 2 tournament in 2011, after winning this year's Division 3 tournament in Spain.
The visitors won the toss and a two-hour rain delay saw the match reduced to 36 overs per side. Israel elected to field and their opening bowlers, Eliezer Samson and David Massil restricted Croatia to 19 for 1 after 15 overs. Offspinner Steven Shein capitalised on Croatian attempts to accelerate, routing the middle order by taking 5 for 27 in eight overs. Eventually Croatia stuttered to 96 for 7 in their allotted 36 overs.
Israel started their run-chase positively, taking nine off the first over, but lost two wickets for 30. Herschel Gutman came in and scored 47 not out off 35 balls as Israel sealed the win by six wickets with 16 overs remaining.
Scores:
Croatia 96 for 7 (36 overs) (Steven Shein 5-27)
Israel 97 for 4 (19.3 overs) (Herschel Gutman 47*)
Comments (2) | Israel
October 11, 2009
Rain brings reserve day into play
Posted
4 weeks ago in ICC Americas
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Simon Shalders after making 195 not out against Peru
© ICC
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Matches on day two of the ICC Americas Division 3 tournament in Santiago were abandoned around 3.00 pm due to persistent showers. Both games started as scheduled but there were insufficient breaks in the rain for them to be completed.
The match between first-round winners, Chile, and Brazil had enough play for Chile to make 31 for 0 from 9.2 overs. The other game involving Peru and Belize had only five overs and Belize made 13 for 1. Both matches will now start afresh on Monday, previously the scheduled reserve day.
Meanwhile, Chile captain Simon Shalders' unbeaten 195 on Saturday against Peru is now (unofficially at least) third on the list of highest individual scores in official ICC cricket at the Associate and Affiliate level. Arshad Ali (United Arab Emirates) made 213 against Brunei in the 2006 ACC Trophy, while Gerrie Snyman (Namibia) hit 196 against the UAE in the 2007 World Cricket League Division 2 tournament. Thanks - Grant Dugmore and Andrew Nixon.
Comments (1) | ICC Americas
October 10, 2009
Wins for Chile and Brazil
Posted
4 weeks, 1 day ago in World Cricket League Americas Division
Tony Munro
An unbeaten 195 from captain Simon Shalders launched Chile to a 163-run win over Peru in Santiago in their first game of the World Cricket League Americas Division Three campaign on Friday.
Shalders smashed seven sixes and 24 fours to boost Chile to 323-5 from their 50 overs; Peru only managed 160 in reply. Such was Shalders' dominance that the next best scorer for Chile was Guy Hooper (32), while Tristan Bradbrook (21) also chipped in. Nadeem Ahmed Ansad was the only Peru bowler to hold out against the rampage, taking 1 for 29 from his ten overs.
Peru captain Miles Buesst (32) and Chris Abbott (20) were the main contributors against the Chilean attack led by Kamran Zeb (4-24) and John Fecci (3-23).
Continue reading "Wins for Chile and Brazil"
Comments (0) | World Cricket League Americas Division
October 9, 2009
Chile favourites in Americas Division Three
Posted
on 10/09/2009 in World Cricket League Americas Division
Tony Munro
The latest regional qualifying tournament for the World Cricket League kicks off on Friday when Americas Division Three involving hosts, Chile, Belize, Brazil and Peru commences in Santiago.
There'll be a touch of deja vu for three of the four teams - Chile, Brazil and Peru. This will be the third tournament where they have met in 12 months. Last October, all four teams met when Americas Division Three was staged, while the South American Championships brought three of the teams together earlier this year.
Chile go into the tournament arguably as favourites due to a combination of home advantage and recent results against the same opposition - they finished above these three teams in the corresponding tournament last year, and ahead of Brazil and Peru at the South American Championships.
Continue reading "Chile favourites in Americas Division Three"
Comments (2) | World Cricket League Americas Division
To Russia with love
Posted
on 10/09/2009 in Russia
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A cricketer during a game on a pitch in front of Moscow's State University
© Getty Images
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| It may be a triumph of publicity over substance, but stories have been doing the rounds over the last week about the setting up of a major cricket league in Russia, with some perhaps over-enthusiastic media outlets suggesting the country was poised to become a cricketing superpower.
While the Russia's United Cricket League (RUCL) should be encouraged, scratch below the surface and it’s soon clear the vision belongs pretty much to one passionate man - Ashvani Chopra.
Continue reading "To Russia with love"
Comments (6) | Russia
A giant stride for Sierra Leone
Posted
on 10/09/2009 in World Cricket League Africas Division Three
Sierra Leone earned promotion to World Cricket League (WCL) Africa Division 2 following their narrow two-wicket win over Rwanda on Wednesday.
It will be a case of the new and the old as the young Sierra Leoneans join the mature and primarily expatriate Malawians for the tournament to be held in Benoni in April.
Sierra Leone won promotion as runners-up in the WCL Division 3 tournament, following their victory over Rwanda. Gambia won the battle to avoid the wooden spoon, beating a young Lesotho team by two wickets.
Comments (1) | World Cricket League Africas Division Three
October 8, 2009
Associates learn their World Cup fate
Posted
on 10/08/2009 in World Cup
The ICC has confirmed the groups for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. Canada and Kenya will play in Group A where they will face Australia, Pakistan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, while Ireland and Netherlands are drawn alongside India, South Africa, England, West Indies and Bangladesh in what on current rankings has to be the easier group.
Comments (32) | World Cup
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