Next week's ICC annual get-together promises to have more than its fair share of politicking, posturing and controversy. But, unless there is a major about-turn, it should also be a watershed for the Associates and Affiliates.

In 2009, income from the ICC's six-year media deal with ESPN-Star, worth over US$1 billion, kicks in, and while the game's big boys will still keep the lion's share, the rest will see substantial increases in their incomes.

Continue reading "Future bright beyond the Test world"

The number of people actively participating in cricket outside the Test-playing countries increased 17% in 2007, according to the ICC.

The research, carried out by the ICC's development program, was collated from 33 Associate and 58 Affiliate members. It showed that there were 338,051 male and female players in those countries in 2007, an increase of 49,158 on the previous year. Since 2002, when there were 144,047 participants, there has been a 135% rise.

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Denmark have won the 2008 European Indoor Championship in Finland, beating old foes Portugal in a thrilling encounter. Denmark scrambled a two-wicket win off the penultimate delivery, overhauling Portugal's total of 132.

Hamid Shah was their hero in the decider with an unbeaten 28, sharing a match-winning partnership with Taha Ahmed (25*), after they were precariously placed at 65 for 3. For Paulo Buccimazza, the captain of Portugal, there was the consolation of being awarded Player of the Tournament after finishing as the leading run scorer in the competition, and once again in the final showed his quality making an unbeaten 38.

Continue reading "Denmark take 2008 Indoor Championship title"

An MCC team, led by Mike Gatting, narrowly beat Cyprus by four runs last week. Gatting's presence drew a healthy crowd and he clobbered 44 before his opposite number, Mike Kyriacou, pulled off a fine catch.

CyprusCricket.com has the full story and a feast of photos.

It won't get many column inches in the mainstream cricket press, but the World Cricket League, which started in Nairobi yesterday and continues into next week, features the best of the rest, the six sides just under the ten Test-playing countries. For the two finalists, the rewards are bountiful - a place among the big boys in the inaugural Twenty20 World Championship in South Africa this September, along with $250,000. For countries used to surviving on annual handouts from the ICC of less than $200,000, that's big money.

Continue reading "A long way from home"

The Cyprus cricket league begins today in the first round match between WSBA and Sri Lanka CC at the Happy Valley grounds in Episkopi.

Michael Kyriacou, the captain of the Cyprus national team, expressed his opinion on the quality of this year’s competition, “The overall quality of the league is good. There are a number of very talented Asian players who have represented their countries in the U-19 national teams, and many of them have also played for some local clubs representing their cities. There are also many players from Australia, South Africa and England who have had tutelage by known coaches in their respective countries.”

More info at the Cyprus Mail