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"

	Simon Shalders after making 195 not out against Peru © ICC

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.

Gladstone Dainty, the president of the USACA, told the association’s annual general meeting in New York that there was no truth the ICC were reviewing the operation of USACA and that there was any question of another suspension.

Dainty, speaking under the watchful eyes of Haroon Lorgat, the ICC chief executive, and IS Bindra, the ICC’s special advisor, insisted the the ICC was “happy we are all getting along” and that there was a general air of stability.

Continue reading "Dainty upbeat about USA's future"

USA beat Cayman Islands in a rain-interrupted match to clinch the ICC Americas Division 1

In a rain-interrupted match at Brian Piccolo Park, USA clinched the title with an 87-run win Cayman Islands, thus finishing their campaign unbeaten. A commanding opening stand of 194 between Sushil Nadkarni and Carl Wright put the USA firmly in the driving seat, with Wright going on to make a brilliant 112 from 105 balls. Nadkarni, the player of the tournament, made 84 from 103 balls with 10 fours. Kevon Bazil bowled well in difficult conditions to take 4 for 75 as USA reached 289 for 6 in 49 overs.
Rain interruptions curtailed Cayman Islands' response and the match was eventually called to a halt with them struggling on 65 for 4 in the 24th over.

Click here for the final-day match reports along with quotes from Steve Massiah.

Results went according to the script on the second day of the ICC Americas Division 1 tournament as USA, Bermuda and Canada registered comfortable victories

At Brian Piccolo Park another fine innings from Hamish Barton steered Argentina to a respectable 200 for 9 against USA, but that was put into perspective by Sushil Nadkarni, who struck his second century in two days. Nadkarni hit 109 off 116 balls as USA cantered home with 12 overs to spare. Argentina's day didn't improve when Barton picked up an ankle injury and he is in doubt for the next match against Cayman Islands.

"We played well against determined opposition and did the job we set out to do," Imran Khan, the USA manager, said. "While our batting - and especially Sushil - is looking good, we have work to do on being more disciplined in the field, and especially not gifting the opposition with bowling extras."

Canada had a less stressful match than yesterday, when they almost slipped up against Argentina, easing to a 206-run victory against Cayman Islands. At Central Broward Regional Park, they racked up an impressive 298 for 9. Opener Sandeep Jyoti top-scored with a stylish 88 off 129 balls, while further half-centuries came from Zubin Surkari and Qaiser Ali.

Cayman Islands' chase began poorly when they lost a wicket first ball and the innings never recovered, eventually folding for 92 in under 33 overs. Khurram Chohan took 3 for 34 and Zahid Hussain claimed 3 for 11

"We set ourselves goals today and I believe we achieved almost all of them," Canada captain, Umar Bhatti, said. "The team performed tremendously well today, all three departments were up to scratch, and it was a huge improvement from yesterday."

On the main stadium field at Central Broward Regional Park, Bermuda were predictably too strong for Suriname and notched a commanding 224-run win. Lionel Cann's 97-ball 101 led Bermuda to 290 for 3 and he was helped by Stephen Outerbridge's 62, plus a half century from captain Irving Romaine.

In reply, left-arm spinner Delyone Borden proved too much the Suriname batsmen, taking 6 for 17 from his 10 overs as the minnows were bundled out for 66, having been skittled for 60 in their opening match.

Bermuda's coach, Gus Logie, was pleased with how his team are progressing. "Today was all about building on yesterday's effort, and we did that strongly," he said. "It was also good to continue building confidence for the tough games ahead. We are constantly looking for self-improvement and today we got that, also our attitude and approach towards the game was very business-like, which was important."

The opening day of the Americas Division 1 Championship brought wins for tournament favourites Canada and Bermuda but one team had to work very hard for their victory.

Click here for full reports

Suriname's squad for their debut at the ICC Americas Division 1 tournament has been severely weakened after US officials refused to grant entry visas for a significant number of its players.

A source has advised CricInfo that as many as 50% of the original squad has had to be replaced. It's not known whether captain and allrounder Troy Dudnauth is one of the players denied entry.

Suriname's participation had created interest ever since they surprisingly defeated Bahamas by 146 runs on the last day of Americas Division 2 tournament in Paramaribo in April.

As a result, Suriname won the tournament on run-rate and earned the Affiliate place in the Division 1 tournament previously filled by the Bahamas. Tony Munro

Although matches between any of the six leading Associates are officially classified as full ODIs and included in career and team records, the ICC has ruled that the game between Bermuda and Canada during the ICC Americas Division 1 event in Florida starting on November 24 will not be counted as such.

The reason for the decision is that the venue has not been approved by the ICC to stage full ODIs, although it is hoped that an inspection in the near future could enable it to become the USA's first accredited international ground.

The ICC Americas Division One tournament will be staged in Florida from November 24 to December 1, with the new Broward County stadium hosting some of the matches.

Argentina, Bermuda, Canada, Cayman Islands, Suriname and USA will take part.

In the last competition in 2006 in Canada, Bermuda beat USA in the final.

The Americas Region Division I is now confirmed to take place in Florida, November 24
December 1. Five matches will be played in the new stadium built for cricket in Broward County.
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Six countries, Argentina, Bermuda, Canada, Cayman Islands, Suriname and the USA will
compete for the title. For Suriname, an affiliate, it will be their first appearance in Division I. The team earned the right to compete having won Division 2.

Canada have won the Under-15 Americas Cricket Championship in Bermuda after completing the tournament with an unbeaten record.

Canada were run closest by Bermuda who reduced them to 85 for 6 chasing 168 in their penultimate match, but an unbeaten 44 from Bryan Henry ensured they squeezed home with three balls in hand.

“Grassroots development through talent identification and development programs instituted in the winter of 2007-2008, helped put together a strong team which has taken Canada to this pinnacle and promises to be an indicator of things to come for Canadian cricket,” Atul Ahuja, Cricket Canada’s chief executive, told Cricinfo.

“Cricket Canada has a stated goal to win the Under-19 World Cup that Canada will host in 2012. Many players that were part of the winning team today could well be part of that squad. Programs are being put in place to develop this talent pool to help Canada achieve this goal.”

Eleven women players from Argentina, Bermuda and Canada will depart for Trinidad this month as part of an ICC Americas development programme. The academy will take place at the Sir Frank Worrell Development Centre in Trinidad and Tobago from May 18-29. The program will be run by Ann Browne-John – the ICC Women’s Committee Representative, former West Indies Captain and Level 2 WICB Coach – who is assisted by former international players and qualified coaches Stephanie Power and Jasmine Sammy. The girls will have 10 days of intensive training, education, game situations and will be trying out for the WICB tournament to be held in Jamaica in July.

Bangladesh romped to a nine-wicket win over Malaysia in the third-place play-off in the CLICO International Under-15 tournament in Trinidad. Ireland defeated ICC Americas by two wickets to secure fifth place, while Netherlands thumped Kenya to take seventh.

Click here for the full report

There were big wins for West Indies, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Malaysia on the second day of the CLICO International U-15 Championship in the Caribbean. Of the three, only Bangladesh are not guaranteed a semi-final place, meaning the winner of their match against Ireland will progress to the last four.

Click here for the full round-up

West Indies easily beat an ICC Americas XI in the semi-finals of the CLICO International Under-15 Championship, setting up a final against Pakistan, who edged out Bangladesh in the other semi-final.

West Indies restricted ICC Americas to 166 in their 50 overs, with John Campbell doing most of the damage with 6 for 43 after they had seemed on course for a much higher total thanks to Abhijit Joshi (50) and Nitish Kumar (39). Kraigg Brathwaite was again amongst the runs for the West Indies. He followed his century against Malaysia with 65 not out, and with Raymond Senior making an unbeaten 68, the West Indies cruised to an eight-wicket win with 23 overs in hand.

Pakistan were strolling to victory over Bangladesh at 99 for 1 chasing 131, but from there they crashed to 120 for 8, Zazeef Ahmed grabbing 5 for 23, before their ninth-wicket pair scrambled them over the finishing line.

West Indies 168 for 2 (Senior 68, Brathwaite 65*) beat ICC Americas XI 166 (Joshi 50, Kumar 39; Campbell 6-43, Hodge 2-10) by eight wickets

Pakistan 132 for 8 (Mohammed Naeem 52, Ashan Ali 44; Zazeef Ahmed 5-23, Mohammed Asif Hasan 2-15) beat Bangladesh 131 (Ratnak Saha 46, Rakin Ahmed 28; Syed Kumail Abbas 3-34, Waqar Khan 2-8, Zafar Gohar 2-23) by two wickets

Kenya, tipped by some as one of the teams to watch, were easily beaten by an ICC Americas team in the first round of the Clico International Under-15 Championship. Set a modest 134 to win, ICC Americas eased to a six-wicket win with more than 13 overs to spare.

Kenya won the toss but never got their innings going and limped to 133. Bermuda’s Joshua Gilbert, who had taken 2 for 11 with his offspin, played the anchor innings with an unbeaten 43 off 97 balls, twice being dropped, but that was not enough to win him the Man-of-the-Match award which went to Nitisj Kumar who took 3 for 14.

In the day’s other game, Pakistan beat Ireland by eight wickets to book a semi-final against Bangladesh while ICC Americas will play West Indies. Ireland managed only 99 off 43.3 overs, Usman Qadir, the son of the legendary Abdul Qadir, taking 3 for 22, a score Pakistan passed in 20.5 overs.

There are many cricket fans and supporters, both from the Caribbean and the rest of the world, who would have been surprised to learn of the participation of a team from the Americas [Bermuda, Canada, Cayman Islands, Bahamas] in the forthcoming International Under-15 Cricket Championships, scheduled for April 16- May 4

Continue reading "Americas compete in U-15 Championships"

	Troy Dudnauth on his way to 5 for 21 against Bahamas © Cricinfo

On the eve of the match, we wrote that “Suriname will need an extraordinarily comprehensive win to have any chance of overtaking the Bahamas”, and that’s just what happened. Needing only 83 to avoid being pipped to the title on net run rate, Bahamas were utterly woeful as they crashed to 57 all out and a thumping 146-run defeat.

Click here for a full report plus final table.

Brazil’s performance at the Americas Division 3 Championship in Buenos Aires certainly had its share of ups and downs. In the first match they let Belize score 186 after having them 88 for 7 at one point, and were then skittled out for 55. In the second Brazil did slightly better with the bat, managing 157, but the eventual tournament winners, Turks & Caicos, knocked that off with five wickets and 27 overs to spare.

Continue reading "Review of Brazil in ICC Americas Division 3 Championship"

They say every good book or movie should have a dynamic beginning, a solid middle to keep your interest and a surprise and thrilling ending. If the 2008 Americas Division 3 was a movie or book it had the perfect script.

Continue reading "Turks & Caicos edge thriller in Americas Championship"

The Turks and Caicos Islands beat Belize in a dramatic climax to the ICC Americas Division 3 Championship on Saturday and, with their superior net run-rate over Chile, they took the tournament. The full report is at Cricinfo.

Chile maintained their unbeaten record with a 54-run win over neighbours Peru on the third day of the ICC Americas Division 3 tournament in Argentina. Chile were pressed all the way and at 68 for 6 appeared to be on course for a low score. But Tim Messner (57) and Kamran Zeb (41) added 75 runs for the ninth wicket as Chile climbed to 203 all out. Peru had troubles of their own as they slumped to 5 for 4, and despite a sixth-wicket stand of 62 between Ahmed Nadeem (53) and D. Lakdal (49) they were bowled out for 149 in 38 overs. In the other game Brazil slid to their third loss in as many days as they were bowled out for 169, a total Turks and Caicos Islands passed for the loss of five wickets.

Chile now have three wins from three games and need to beat Brazil in their final game on Friday to win the tournament.

Remaining matches

Friday 15 February - Belize v Peru, Brazil v Chile

Saturday 16 February - Belize v Turks & Caicos Islands, Brazil v Peru,

Chile dominated the first two days of the ICC Americas Division 3 tournament in Argentina, beating pre-tournament favourites Belize by 26 runs on the opening day after posting 271 for 6, with their captain Simon Shalders leading the way with an 84-ball 104. In the day’s other game, Peru, only admitted to ICC membership in 2007, went down to an eight-wicket defeat to Turks & Caicos Islands combination, whose veteran captain Ralph Doughty took 4 for 18 in 9.2 overs.

On the second day Chile powered to an eight-wicket win over Turks and Caicos Islands. Turks and Caicos were bowled out for 252, with Donvan Mathews’ 68 the top score. Chile's Paul Woolocombe lead the chase with an unbeaten 104 with captain Simon Shalders scoring 69. In the other match Belize beat Brazil by 138 runs, bowling out the Brazilians for 55.