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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The European Cricket Council has announced a deal with ICC Europe, ECB and Premium TV to make ECBtv available on subscription throughout Europe.

In many areas of Europe there is no access to TV highlights of matches, and this move looks to make coverage accessible to everyone.

"ECB is pleased and excited to be able to offer Europe’s cricket fans access to ECBtv and it is hoped that it will take the game to previously uncharted areas, inspiring people to get involved in this great sport,” Richard Holdsworth, the ICC’s regional development manager, said. "Delivering live video coverage via broadband to European territories has brought people closer to the game than ever before.”

ECBtv shows Test and one-day international matches live to certain territories, as well as match highlights, exclusive interviews, press conferences, coaching master classes and many other features to a global audience. Live streams start at £2.99. Click here for full details.

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 Times of Malta have a round-up of Marsa's win against Overseas in the Winter League on Saturday. And there's another match this Saturday aimed at promoting the game across the islands.

Two Maltese sides were in action over the weekend and The Times of Malta has a match report:

On Thursday and Saturday, Marsa met Brooklands. In the first match, the visitors won the toss and elected to bat. They totaled 223 runs with A. Platt 58 runs, T. Holloway 39 runs not out, C. Hart 38 runs and E. Woodage 35 runs.

For Marsa, Martin Llewlyn, Alan Kyle and Sam Dhandapani took a wicket each. In a great run chase John Grima top scored with 74 runs for the locals. He was well aided by Sam Dhandapani, 26 runs, Nowell Khosla 34 and Alan Kyle 20. The effort of the Marsa batsmen fell short by seven runs and the visitors won the game.

North Sussex, a Maltese side, beat Marsa 2-1 in a recent series. Next Saturday, Marsa take on Melita in the Winter League. More info at The Times of Malta