CRICKET QUIZ EVENING – April 15 -- Posted Tuesday, February 28 2006
The first annual Toronto Cricket Quiz evening is an event for clubs and groups from all around the GTA region.
The Quiz questions will be mainly cricket-related, with a spot of general knowledge thrown in for good measure. The categories will include: West Indian Cricket, Indian Cricket, Picture Round, Canadian Cricket, Pakistan Cricket and Cricket Nicknames, to name a few. There will be questions for all levels of cricket knowledge, so that teams do not need experts in order to participate.
Some great prizes will be up for grabs, including the prestigous Toronto Cricket Quiz Trophy. There will also be a Spot the Ball competition, a Raffle, and of course drinks and snacks will be available.
Don’t miss the chance to claim early season bragging rights for your team! Participating will be an opportunity for a bit of friendly competition before the cricket season starts, and the chance to make new contacts in the cricket community.
Contact the organiser Jim Morrison by e-mail (cricketquiz2006@yahoo.ca) to register, or if there are any questions. Or call (evenings) at 416-485-6694.
The deadline for registration is March 31, but get in early to secure a spot.
To register: It’s really easy. Just get 4-7 people together to make up a team and e-mail the names to cricketquiz2006@yahoo.ca as well as your team name. The cost is only $15 per person ($10 for students/seniors with ID). There is no limit on the number of teams per club or organisation, so increase your chances of winning and enter more than one team.
When: Saturday, April 15, 7pm
Where: Toronto Cricket Club, 141 Wilson Avenue. Just south of the 401, just east of Avenue Road.
WE HAVE A COACH --- IN WAITING! -- Posted Sunday, February 26 2006
A cricketing community which forgets its history is condemned to relive it.
If Canada’s cricketers would think back for a moment they would quickly sympathize with the Canadian Cricket Association which has taken since last October to find a national coach. This, despite the fact that it was known since last July when we qualified for the 2007 World Cup that ICC funds would be available to hire one.
The history of cricket coaches in Canada -- and their fates -- is the stuff of legends.
Once upon a time there was the one who couldn’t quite cut it. Not even with the finest cutlery. But before the cricket administrators could yank him, the cops and the immigration officials grabbed him first. He was deported for criminality. That he landed back, would you believe it, in Tasmania, adds a certain symmetry to this hardy barroom tale that perhaps only beer-swilling Aussies can fully appreciate.
Then there was another one. He was excellent, an “absolutely first-rate” coach, everyone agrees. For tennis, that is. He soon received the official backhand and was swept off court.
Yet another one excelled at rugby, cycling and sunbathing, with no more than a nodding familiarity with the finer points of cricket. He pocketed a few good paydays before his shortcomings became apparent and he was sent packing.
Then there was the one who was supposed to take us to a higher level, to tangle with Test countries. The only problem was that his resume was a bit thin, boasting nothing more impressive than a stint with his local high school. Notwithstanding these modest credentials, let history record that he did make his everlasting contribution to the treasure trove of Canadian cricket theory with this seminal advice to the CCA: “when you win the toss on a wet wicket, always bat first”.
The only problem was that the last time he put that theory to the test "Extras" turned out to be his best batsman. When last heard from, he was somewhere in the Outback, tying kangaroos down, mate, or failing that, teaching them to bowl doosras.
Along the way there have been an assortment of, shall we say, “interesting” characters --- all excellent chaps, mind you --- including ones who thought eight bowlers in a team of 11 was just about the right balance and another with a penchant for picking his starting X1 months in advance of a game.
From all of this admittedly anecdotal research, the following criteria for Canadian coach selection can conclusively be deduced:-
1. The coach must arrive in Canada by plane. The further across salt water he flies the more qualified he is perceived to be. (Short hauls across freshwater Lake Ontario just won’t wash, as the lawyers are wont to say.)
He must be a square peg to adequately fit a round hole. Accordingly, he must have little or no familiarity with the cultural background of the players with whom he is expected to interact.
2. He must speak with a funny accent. A mid-Pacific one---anything between Swahili and Strine --- is preferable. That way his charges won’t understand a word of what he’s saying.
3. Finally, his main area of expertise must be an activity other than cricket. Tennis, rugby, cycling, hockey, golf, sunbathing, beachcombing and birdwatching are preferable.
These are non-negotiable qualifications.
If you understand all that --- and history doesn’t lie --- you will see why it has taken the Canadian Cricket Association so long to find their man. However, this helps us to see the future, too.
Canada’s woeful men’s Olympic hockey team has just sent the nation into mourning by meekly surrendering ---- across the Mediterrean Sea, in Turin, Italy --- the gold medal we won in Salt Lake City four years ago. Their stressed-out coach, The Great Gretzy, could soon become available.
It won’t be long now, mates. (Errol Townshend).
*** The writer is a lawyer, raconteur, bottlewasher and chef. When not stirring the pot, he is also President of the Ontario Cricket Association.
ICC announces dramatic increase in ODI cricket for Associate Members (ICC) -- Posted Thursday, February 23 2006
February 23, 2006
The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced a dramatic increase in the programme of One-Day International (ODI) cricket for the six Associate Member countries that will participate in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007.
The six sides - Bermuda, Canada, Ireland, Kenya, The Netherlands and Scotland - are expected to play at least 64 ODI matches before the ICC Cricket World Cup begins in March 2007, including scheduled matches against Full Member countries.
ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed said that the new programme was an essential step in the development of the sport in these countries.
"The ICC is delighted to be able to announce such a dramatic increase in the number of ODI matches to be played by these Associate Member countries," said Mr Speed.
"It is essential that their top players are exposed to regular competitive international cricket if they are to continue to develop and this is a very significant step in the right direction."
The schedule will begin with five ODIs for Kenya in Zimbabwe from 25 February and all six countries will have tasted ODI action before the end of June this year.
The pre-World Cup schedule includes home matches for Ireland against England; Scotland versus Pakistan and The Netherlands v Sri Lanka.
In addition, all six associate members will contest the inaugural ICC World Cricket League Division One tournament in Kenya in January 2007.
ICC Global Development Manager, Matthew Kennedy, said that the schedule demonstrated the commitment of the international cricket community to the development of the game.
"This is a very exciting time for the development of cricket beyond its traditional boundaries," said Mr Kennedy.
"To have in place a regular schedule of ODI cricket for these six countries is a major achievement for the sport and I would like to thank the Full Members for their support of the developing nations in this initiative.
"These matches will complement the highly-successful first class competition, the ICC Intercontinental Cup, to provide a comprehensive and challenging international calendar for the top Associate Member countries."
One of the aims of the ODI schedule is to provide, on average, a home and away cricket event against Full Member opposition for Kenya and Scotland on an annual basis and at least one home or away event against a Full Member for the other four nations in the same timeframe.
The schedule will see seven Full Member countries hosting or participating in matches involving Associate Members before the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 while other countries have indicated their commitment to post-World Cup involvement.
Mr Speed added that this Associate Member scheduling had been developed alongside ongoing negotiations regarding the ICC Future Tours Program.
"These arrangements have been made within the wider context of the ICC Future Tours Program negotiations that are currently addressing a potential move from a five-year cycle to six-years.
"In scheduling these matches, all parties have been very conscious of ensuring that they should not have a negative impact on the workload of players from the Full Member countries."
The scheduling of Associate Member cricket is part of ICC Global Development Program's High Performance Program which has committed $US 500,000 of funding to each of these six countries through to 2009.
Note: Canada's schedule includes a tournament with Bermuda and Zimbabwe May 16-20, likely to be held in either canada or Bermuda
Researching cricket in Canada is a lot of fun -- Posted Thursday, February 23 2006
Just over a year ago some body, or entity, was spending money on the following:-
DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY
CANADA CORPORATIONS ACT
Letters patent
Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to the provisions of the Canada Corporations Act, letters patent have been issued to
428608-1 CANADIAN INSTITUTE FOR CRICKET DEVELOPMENT Greater Toronto Area, Ont. 02/02/2005
http://canadagazette.gc.ca/partI/2005/20050806/html/notice-e.html
Should you use the link, look for the number 428608-1 in the left column.
Could it be that the Canadian Cricket Association is going to morph?
Comments and suggestions to the Forum please. (Jon Harris)
Let's play ball - Inuit style -- Posted Wednesday, February 22 2006
What would happen if you were to take European cricket, North American baseball and combine them with Inuit customs? The answer is a game called "Anaulataq."
The word Anaulataq means to strike something. While there are similarities with baseball, the rules of the game vary dramatically. In many instances the rules differ from community to community.
Since 1992, both Dr. Michelle Daveluy and Professor Chris Fletcher, have been researching the origins and the cultural significance of this game. "My hypothesis is that the historical origins of this game came from the English explorers, whalers and the Inuit themselves," says Prof. Fletcher. "Structures were created to form relationships and cricket was used to help create that friendly atmosphere." Over the years the game was transformed to incorporate a number of foreign influences, while maintaining Inuit customs of friendliness and openness.
Foreigners who visit the Inuit are often invited to play the game and there is a sense of belonging and confidence that you will fit in. However, that feeling does not last long, because the complexity of the rules make it almost impossible to follow. As researchers you think you understand a culture, but this game reveals the complexity of cultural issues and habits that as foreigners you think you can grasp. This is not an easy game to understand, says Dr. Daveluy. "There is no chance that this game will die out," says Prof. Fletcher. Their research has revealed that the origins of the game evolved around the 1820's and that many communities have established their own rules and customs.
It is very hard to describe how to play Anaulataq, says Dr. Daveluy. A person does hit a ball, but the ball can go anywhere, which is very much like cricket. However, there is no limit to the number of players, which incorporates the Inuit custom of openness.
Originally both Dr. Daveluy and Prof. Fletcher went to work in Kangiqsujuq, Nunavik, about 1,700 kilometres north of Montreal, for Hydro Quebec. "I love the North, it's heaven. If you love the space and animals, its everywhere," says Prof. Fletcher. In 1989 Prof. Fletcher spent four months in Nunavik gaining field experience and learning the complex language, while working on his Master's. (he is currently working towards his Phd).
Currently, the professors are trying to create a documentary film that would detail how Anaulataq is played and show the social significance of the game. Children from a very young age learn to play and adapt to the different rules in each community. The professors are working with Kangiqsujuq community members including the director of recreation, the mayor, the mental health co-ordinator and the community council. They are hoping that funds will be available for the film. They are also trying to organize a game of Anaulataq on the Saint Mary's campus, by bringing about six players from the North to the University. The goal is to increase awareness about the uniqueness of the game. (Renee Field).
Material sourced from http://www.stmarys.ca/administration/publicaffairs/thetimes/april1997/inuit.html
Cricket on Vancouver Island -- Posted Wednesday, February 22 2006
In 1863, the year after the incorporation of the City of Victoria, the local paper announced ?The first cricket match of the season will be played tomorrow at Beacon Hill?. Cricket, however, had been played as early as 1849 in Victoria, when a British Army officer, Captain Walter Colquhoun Grant, arrived with some cricket gear. In due course, matches were arranged against visiting Royal Navy ships. Cricket was so popular in the newly formed nation of Canada that in 1867 the game was declared the National Sport by the first Prime Minister, Sir John A. MacDonald and his Cabinet. In May 1876, the Victoria Cricket Club was formed and was to continue until the 1930?s. Depression, followed by the Second World War were to cause it to discontinue. The present Oak Bay club, in existence prior to the First World War but disbanded in 1915, was re-formed in 1945 and was probably its true successor since it was sparked by several prominent members of the former Victoria Cricket Club.
Albion CC was founded in November 1891 and, having their priorities right, the first recorded expenditure of the club was $0.65 for a dozen beer glasses! Both Incogs CC and Cowichan CC were established in 1912 and since then have played continuously in the League. The Cowichan club now has the distinction of owning the only private cricket ground in Western Canada, where they have played since 1976. Incogs started on the ground at what is now St. Michaels University School, its players originally being drawn from staff, old boys and students of the school.
Cricket at Windsor Park dates from 1906. Alcos CC was founded in 1946. Originally known as Ex RAF, it was formed by ex-RAF personnel who first came to Victoria for training during the Second World War. Castaways CC played its first game in 1965, having been founded by a group of cricket enthusiasts who brought back into the game a number of cricketers who had not played for some years.
Nanaimo CC represents the resurgence of a long interest in cricket in that city. The Club is referred to in an exchange of correspondence as long ago as 1864 about the use of part of the Nanaimo Indian Reserve for a cricket ground. Cricket was certainly played in Nanaimo in the 1920?s and 1930?s but stopped during the war. Carico CC, Colts CC (players under 21) and Metchosin CC are more recently formed clubs but have already proved worthy opponents on more than one occasion, as their trophies will confirm!
Metchosin's ground in the Western Communities improves with every year and is delightfully situated with views over the Straits to the Olympic Mountain Range.
The Midweek League, playing usually on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, was established in 1988 and has proved to be very popular, with ten teams participating, all with affiliations to pubs or clubs, together with a young team during term-time from St Michael?s University School.
The Victoria and District Cricket Association together with the Beacon Hill Park Cricket Society promote cricket on the island in association with its many teams and its up and coming youth programs.
Alcos Cricket Club
Founded as the Ex-RAF CC by former servicemen after World War II, the club changed its name in the early fifties to Alcos (short for All Comers - of course!). Mr. John Moss, an Ex-RAF member, remains active as the honorary President of the club. The Alcos have yet to repeat their successes of the seasons 1975 to 1977 when they won the League twice and went to the final of the national club competition against Toronto CC. But they look forward to being competitive in 2004 with a diverse membership of players from seven different countries, including a strong Canadian contingent
Brewsky's and Prairie Inn CC.
In March, 2001, a group of cricket enthusiasts on the Saanich Peninsula formed the Central Saanich Cricket Club, (C.S.C.C.), whose dual aim is, (1) to have fun while developing individual and team skills, and, (2) to promote the game of cricket amongst the youth on the Peninsula. The home ground and practice nets are at Stelly's School whose long-established cricket program has been the catalyst for the two teams fielded by the C.S.C.C. - Brewsky's since 2001 and Prairie Inn since 2003. Many players have made excellent progress and several have acquitted themselves well in matches in the Weekend League. Many thanks to to the above two generous sponsors who have been so instrumental to our success.
Cowichan Cricket Club
The Cowichan Cricket and Sports Club was formed in 1912. The club owned its own ground on Wharncliffe Road, Duncan until 1965. Before developing its present ground at Elford Road in Shawnigan Lake, the used the playing fields at Shawnigan Lake Boys School for most of the period between 1966 and 1976. The"Golden Ages" were the years before the Great War, the nineteen sixties and the early seventies and perhaps, the nineteen nineties. The club last won the VDCA League in 2002. But the greatest day in the club's history: 17th of June 1932 when Cowichan hosted an Australian XI that included the young Don Bradman. The club's facilities have never been better, due to the philanthropy of Mr. and Mrs. Barney Russ coupled with the hard work of the past and present members. We can never have enough young players, but the overall membership has grown with the addition in 1985 of the Cowichan Over - 40's XI that plays midweek friendlies against Mainland and overseas touring teams.
The Albion Cricket Club
Albion CC was formed in 1896 and is the oldest surviving cricket club on Vancouver Island. In 1998 due to the increase in membership Albion formed a second team in the League. The aim was to provide a forum for aging souls and very young players. Albion II as it is known has proved at times to be competitive on the field, and never losing sight of the fact that cricket should be fun. Albion credits its success largely to its cultural diversity. On any given weekend we have 14 different nationalities on the field.
Incogs Cricket Club
Founded in 1912, the Incogs have always had a close association with St. Michael's University School whose Richmond Road campus is the home ground and whose alumni, staff, parents and students have provided most of the players. Over the years, many Incogs have represented B.C. and Canada both at the Junior and Senior levels. The Club takes pride in the fact that many of its players have learned the game here in Victoria as students at "The School". The Incogs were particularly successful in the 1980s, winning several League Championships under captain Rob Wilson, (Oxford and Canada), and representing B.C. in the Western Canada Club Championships in 1984 and were League winners in 2001 under Nick Grant.
METCHOSIN CRICKET CLUB
Founded in 1976, the Metchosin Cricket Club initially played friendlies at the Metchosin Elementary School, using a roll out mat placed on the grass. Things have since progressed; the club joined the league proper in the early 80s, and in 1988 the present pitch was opened on the grounds of the Metchosin Municipal Hall. The club has been a pioneer in both bringing in players from oversees, and developing a Schools Program to introduce local youngsters to the noble summer game. In 1992 Metchosin entered a team in the Mid Week league and the club has fielded two teams ever since.
Wicket Maidens CC
The Wicket Maidens began as a co-ed cricket team in 2000 after some of the wives and girlfriends of league cricket players decided they would like to play cricket as well as watch it. Currently the Wicket Maidens play in the Victoria and District Midweek League against the men's teams. There are approximately 30 active members. In the coming season, we hope to attract even more women to one of the leagues fastest growing teams playing in the mid week league. The Wicket Maidens range in age from early teens to a "certain" age. "Our team's philosophy focuses on working together to expand each players skill sets, challenging ourselves and other teams while having a great time learning the sport of cricket".
(Unofficially the Wicket Maidens have indicated an interest in participating in one of the androcentric tournaments. JH.)
Victoria Island cricket -- Posted Wednesday, February 22 2006
In 1863, the year after the incorporation of the City of Victoria, the local newspaper announced "The first cricket match of the season will be played tomorrow at Beacon Hill". Cricket, however, had been played as early as 1849 in Victoria, when a British Army officer, Captain Walter Colquhoun Grant, arrived with some cricket gear. In due course, matches were arranged against visiting Royal Navy ships.
In May 1876, the Victoria Cricket Club was formed and was to continue until the 1930?s. Depression, followed by the Second World War were to cause it to discontinue. The present Oak Bay club, in existence prior to the First World War but disbanded in 1915, was re-formed in 1945 and was probably its true successor since it was sparked by several prominent members of the former Victoria Cricket Club.
Albion CC was founded in November 1891 and, having their priorities in order, the first recorded expenditure of the club was $0.65 for a dozen beer glasses! Both Incogs CC and Cowichan CC were established in 1912 and since then have played continuously in the League. The Cowichan club now has the distinction of owning the only private cricket ground in Western Canada, where they have played since 1976. Incogs started on the ground at what is now St. Michaels University School, its players originally being drawn from staff, old boys and students of the school.
Cricket at Windsor Park dates from 1906. Alcos CC was founded in 1946. Originally known as Ex RAF, it was formed by ex-RAF personnel who first came to Victoria for training during the Second World War. Castaways CC played its first game in 1965, having been founded by a group of cricket enthusiasts who brought back into the game a number of cricketers who had not played for some years.
Nanaimo CC represents the resurgence of a long interest in cricket in that city. The Club is referred to in an exchange of correspondence as long ago as 1864 about the use of part of the Nanaimo Indian Reserve for a cricket ground. Cricket was certainly played in Nanaimo in the 1920?s and 1930?s but stopped during the war. Carico CC, Colts CC (players under 21) and Metchosin CC are more recently formed clubs but have already proved worthy opponents on more than one occasion, as their trophies will confirm!
Metchosin's ground in the Western Communities improves with every year and is delightfully situated with views over the Straits to the Olympic Mountain Range.
The Midweek League, playing usually on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, was established in 1988 and has proved to be very popular, with ten teams participating, all with affiliations to pubs or clubs, together with a young team during term-time from St Michael's University School.
The Victoria and District Cricket Association together with the Beacon Hill Park Cricket Society promote cricket on the island in association with its many teams and its up and coming youth programs.
Alcos Cricket Club
Founded as the Ex-RAF CC by former servicemen after World War II, the club changed its name in the early fifties to Alcos (short for All Comers - of course!). Mr. John Moss, an Ex-RAF member, remains active as the honorary President of the club. The Alcos have yet to repeat their successes of the seasons 1975 to 1977 when they won the League twice and went to the final of the national club competition against Toronto CC. But they look forward to being competitive in 2004 with a diverse membership of players from seven different countries, including a strong Canadian contingent
Brewsky's and Prairie Inn CC.
In March, 2001, a group of cricket enthusiasts on the Saanich Peninsula formed the Central Saanich Cricket Club, (C.S.C.C.), whose dual aim is, (1) to have fun while developing individual and team skills, and, (2) to promote the game of cricket amongst the youth on the Peninsula. The home ground and practice nets are at Stelly's School whose long-established cricket program has been the catalyst for the two teams fielded by the C.S.C.C. - Brewsky's since 2001 and Prairie Inn since 2003. Many players have made excellent progress and several have acquitted themselves well in matches in the Weekend League. Many thanks to to the above two generous sponsors who have been so instrumental to our success.
Cowichan Cricket Club
The Cowichan Cricket and Sports Club was formed in 1912. The club owned its own ground on Wharncliffe Road, Duncan until 1965. Before developing its present ground at Elford Road in Shawnigan Lake, they used the playing fields at Shawnigan Lake Boys School for most of the period between 1966 and 1976. The "Golden Ages" were the years before the Great War, the nineteen sixties and the early seventies and perhaps, the nineteen nineties. The club last won the VDCA League in 2002. But the greatest day in the club's history: 17th of June 1932 when Cowichan hosted an Australian XI that included the young Don Bradman. The club's facilities have never been better, due to the philanthropy of Mr. and Mrs. Barney Russ coupled with the hard work of the past and present members. We can never have enough young players, but the overall membership has grown with the addition in 1985 of the Cowichan Over - 40's XI that plays midweek friendlies against Mainland and overseas touring teams.
The Albion Cricket Club
Albion CC was formed in 1896 and is the oldest surviving cricket club on Vancouver Island. In 1998 due to the increase in membership Albion formed a second team in the League. The aim was to provide a forum for aging souls and very young players. Albion II as it is known has proved at times to be competitive on the field, and never losing sight of the fact that cricket should be fun. Albion credits its success largely to its cultural diversity. On any given weekend we have 14 different nationalities on the field.
Incogs Cricket Club
Founded in 1912, the Incogs have always had a close association with St. Michael's University School whose Richmond Road campus is the home ground and whose alumni, staff, parents and students have provided most of the players. Over the years, many Incogs have represented B.C. and Canada both at the Junior and Senior levels. The Club takes pride in the fact that many of its players have learned the game here in Victoria as students at "The School". The Incogs were particularly successful in the 1980s, winning several League Championships under captain Rob Wilson, (Oxford and Canada), and representing B.C. in the Western Canada Club Championships in 1984 and were League winners in 2001 under Nick Grant.
METCHOSIN CRICKET CLUB
Founded in 1976, the Metchosin Cricket Club initially played friendlies at the Metchosin Elementary School, using a roll out mat placed on the grass. Things have since progressed; the club joined the league proper in the early 80s, and in 1988 the present pitch was opened on the grounds of the Metchosin Municipal Hall. The club has been a pioneer in both bringing in players from oversees, and developing a Schools Program to introduce local youngsters to the noble summer game. In 1992 Metchosin entered a team in the Mid Week league and the club has fielded two teams ever since.
Wicket Maidens CC
The Wicket Maidens began as a co-ed cricket team in 2000 after some of the wives and girlfriends of league cricket players decided they would like to play cricket as well as watch it. Currently the Wicket Maidens play in the Victoria and District Midweek League against the men's teams. There are approximately 30 active members. In the coming season, we hope to attract even more women to one of the leagues fastest growing teams playing in the mid week league. The Wicket Maidens range in age from early teens to a "certain" age. Our team's philosophy focuses on working together to expand each players skill sets, challenging ourselves and other teams while having a great time learning the sport of cricket.
(Unofficially the Wicket Maidens have indicated an interest in playing in one of the androcentric competions. JH.)
Canada's National Coaching Certification Program -- Posted Wednesday, February 22 2006
Stephen McKay, an Australian married to a Canadian, has been living in British Columbia for several years. This elementary school teacher and cricket enthusiast is the subject of our first story.
Stephen officially became a transition adventurer in January 2005. Despite his full-time job as a teacher, his parental commitment as the father of two daughters, and his responsibilities as an athlete, coach, and Learning Facilitator for cricket, he has taken the bull by the horns and charged headlong into the unknown: the transition to the new National Coaching Certification Program.
The Canadian Cricket Association already had a recreational program named “Kanga Ball”, based on an Australian model that Stephen helped to create. It was now time to develop the Participant Development Model (PDM) and Coach Development Model (CDM), select a stream and a context, and adapt the different materials in order to create an eight-hour training workshop for the Initiation context of the Community Sport stream. This training is aimed at coaches who work with entry-level participants.
It was a challenging task, but our adventurer brilliantly passed the various steps that led to the Context Approval Process of the cricket program context at the end of summer 2005, just a day before he returned to Australia. Congratulations, Stephen McKay, and good luck in your new life back home.
Material sourced from the Coaching Association of Canada - National Coaching Certification Programme
http://www.coach.ca/eng/inside_coaching/05nov/current_issues.htm
The United States of American Cricket Association (USACA) is still 'persona - non grata'. -- Posted Tuesday, February 21 2006
Although the United States junior cricket team is enjoying the hospitality of the International Cricket Council (ICC) here at the Under-19 World Cup, the United States of American Cricket Association (USACA) is still "persona -non grata" where the world ruling body is concerned. ICC Chief Executive Officer Malcolm Speed told Cricket International, funding to USACA will not resume until they are satisfied governance issues are resolved.
"Currently funding of UASCA is suspended by the ICC pending a resolution of the dispute over governance of USACA. It is a requirement that they resolve the outstanding difficulties so that we can be satisfied that there is one group in control of cricket in the USA," stressed Speed who attended the Under-19 World Cup opening ceremony. "We want issues resolved in the USA so that it could go back to being one of the 30 Associate Members, the same as all the other Associate Members. We want all this fighting over control of USA to stop and to get some people there who can run it properly. I don't know whether it's the current people or new people or people who we haven't met yet. We need to have some people who can run the sport in the best interest of the game, so that they can take their place among the other members".
The longstanding CEO pointed out that there is no time ultimatum. "There is no deadline, that's up to the cricketers in the USA to solve their own internal problems, If the USA seeks ICC help, we'll make help available," He said the ICC has not received any letter which the association is expected to write, explaining the accommodation between the group from the Council of League Presidents and the USACA executive, who had staged a court battle for control of the sport. "I don't know, I will have to see what's in the letter," he said on the ICC's requirement to clear the current administration. Funding to the Associate Member countries range from $54,000 to higher amounts based on performance enhancing programs undertaken by national ruling bodies, Speed added. On Project USA, a money generating undertaking initially planned to fund U.S, cricket, but which was withdrawn because of the said governance issues, Speed feels it cannot be revived. "That's very unlikely," the official said when asked whether a change of heart is possible.
"I think its very disappointing the ICC was in a position where we withdrew support for the USA. If it (Project USA) was successful it would've transformed cricket in USA, it would've seen One Day International cricket being played in the United States each year. We would've seen the profits from those matches being channeled into USA to fund USA over the next three years, five years 10 years. We got to the stage where we did not have the cooperation of the USACA Board. We withdrew and that's finished. Let's focus on other country," the Australian said. A recent decision by the ICC to standardize tour fees for touring countries, which eliminated previous practices of negotiation between the individual nations, has angered the West Indies Cricket Board which claims the decision is hurting its revenue base and is unfair to small nations like itself. Speed disagrees though. "The process was started in 1997 when many different formulae for deciding how tours were conducted, was done. Some teams were paid fees, other countries had to pay fees to have countries come visit them. Others had a reciprocal arrangement. The system did not work, we have introduced a much simpler and more effective system," the CEO emphasized. "When that system finished West Indies would receive money from some countries, but when England Australia or South Africa came to visit West Indies, they insisted on being paid the same amount, so I don't accept that argument.
The member countries have rejected that". In recent times the ICC has come under fire for the quality of umpiring it presides over in Test and One day international games. Speed, however disputes the claims of work overload, insisting the umpires are doing a great job, despite the criticism they endure for bad officiating. "The umpires generally operate at about 95 percent accuracy, they are very good umpires. Cricket is the hardest game of all games to umpire and generally I am very comfortable with the standard of umpiring that we have across the seven members of the Elite Panel and the 20 members of the International Panel". He explained why he feels the umpires are not over-taxed. "Each of the test playing countries nominates either two or three umpires to what's called the International Panel. So we have a pool of seven Elite umpires, who do 85 or 95 percent of the matches. That means in a year they will do 10 or 11 Test matches and something like 15 One Day Internationals. When you look at a full time professional umpire that's not an excessive workload. It might be something like 70 or 80 days of on-field umpiring. The other 15 percent of matches is spread across the best umpires from the next panel - the 20 or so umpires from the other countries on the International panel," the ICC official stressed. "If we want full time professional umpires as we do, and pay them well and have the best umpires, we need to make sure they have a sufficient workload to justify them being fulltime and the more they do, we hope the better they will become. Next year we may add one or two more umpires to the top panel, so we may end up with eight or nine and spread that workload a bit more evenly," added Speed.
They are quite well paid, not as well as the players, but the payment has increased over the last few years and will continue to increase. He further explained that there is a notional cut off age of 60. "David Shepherd went beyond 60 because he is one of the best umpires. Generally we are looking for younger umpires who are fit, alert and active in their 40s, perhaps in their 50s". In dispelling the feeling that umpires work is unexamined, Speed said they are reviewed annually. "Umpires are reviewed every year. Two years ago we sacked four umpires from the Elite Panel. Nobody noticed but four umpires were moved on from the panel.They are on a one- year contract to two- year contract. So nobody is there for life. The Australian Speed pointed out that one-day games are used to expose umpires from the countries where the game is played, which explains the one foreign, one local policy. "Arguably one-day cricket is easier to umpire than Test cricket, because the umpire is not required to be there for five days and concentrate for f ive days. It's a good opportunity for us to bring them (local umpires) in there, so they get exposure to international cricket at home. We want it to be wider than that because we want to see good new umpires coming through all the time. "There is an argument that umpires in ODIs should be independent of the countries who are playing there. Neutrality is important but progression of umpiring is also important". He added, "I hope we will get to the stage shortly where an umpire can be regarded as an ICC umpire , rather than a West Indian umpire or an Australian umpire and umpire in his home country if he is one of the best umpires." On the new 20/20 brand of cricket being introduced, Speed welcomes the innovation. "I don't accept that professional players can't adapt from one form of the game to another. We are seeing in Test cricket now that we have far more f inished matches, far more results than we used to have than in the past, because the players are accustomed to batting more quickly.
They are batting at four runs an over, rather than two runs an over that they are used to. So there are a lot of positives about changing the nature of the game". He points out that the shortest version of the game yet, is good for popularizing cricket. "It's been very, very successful at State, Province and County levels. We've seen big crowds come to matches at that level where for many, many years they have not been big crowds. It's been ICC policy that member countries should play it sparingly at international level and they have done that. The biggest crowd in Brisbane (Australia) for many, many years along with huge television ratings made it very successful there. I would like to see a 20/20 world championship played every four years. That's an issue that will go to the ICC board in March. The Board will be asked to consider that". "I think it is very successful and has a lot of potential to bring new spectators, new television viewers into the game". The CEO also defended the ICC's stand-off policy on the problems in Zimbabwe. "We have a general policy that we don't become involved in the internal affairs of member countries. We applied the same policy in the USA. We didn't go into the USA and say we are going to solve all your issues. We say to them you solve your issues and you come back and tell us when they are solved. We have gone a step further in the USA and stopped funding. In Zimbabwe we do get criticized, we are not in the least bit concerned about criticism. You can criticize us all you like , it doesn't concern us. Speed who is based in Dubai at the ICC's head office, left Colombo on Monday after viewing the first round of World Cup games on Sunday.
Article sourced from the "Cricket International - North America's Weekly Cricket Newspaper", and reproduced with permission. (JH).
Toronto and District Cricket Association - President's Annual Report -- Posted Tuesday, February 21 2006
The T&DCA had a very successfull 2005 season. With 68 senior teams and 33 junior teams the scheduler had his work cut out for him, scheduling approximateley 835 regular and playof games to complete the season.
Our Junior League is growing rapidly - There are four hundred plus youths that currently makeup the Junior Division. This year an U17 Division was introduced, games were played Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. The U15 and 19 Divisions continued to play their scheduled games on the weekend and holiday mornings. Cavaliers CC won the U15 Division, Malton CC won the U17 Division and Victoria Park CC won the U19 Division. Senior teams are encouraged to use the junior players whenever possible in the Higher Divisions to promote exposure and growth.
In May, a touring team from Connecticut played against a T&DCA Select Eleven and the visitors were soundly beaten on a bright sunny day at the Maple Leaf Cricket Club grounds.
The T&DCA Seniors and U23 team participated in the Annual Ontario Senior Champions Tournament - The U23 team struggled, but the seniors convincingly defeated OVCC, H&DCL and the U23 lost to SOCA, the eventual Champions - Congratulations SOCA.
Five of our umpires were selected to the ICC Americas Elite and "A" Panels namely, Ashook Brijcoomar, Mike Henry, Ruban Sivanidian, Kantial Patel and Ken Shanthikumar - Congratulations.
Our presentation held in November was very well attended; awards were handed out to Division, Conference, Playoffs and individual winners. Centurians CC were the Continental Cup winners and overall Premier Division Playoff Champions (3rd consecutive year), Viking CC won the 1st Division, Thorncliffe Boys CC won the 2nd Division and Ajax CC (re-jined the league in 2005) won the 3rd Division. Rizwan Cheema was awarded 'Senior Cricketer of the Year' and Trevin Bastiampillai was awarded 'Junior Player of the Year'. Gwynne Giles was recognized as the 'Umpire of the Year' and Petra Pompey was recognised as the 'Scorer of the Year'. Denis Rajroop was awarded 'Junior Coach of the Year'.
At the time of writing, I am told of the passing of 'John 'Jet' Anderson' a long standing umpire in our league. On behalf of the Board and members I extend condolences to his family.
Finally, I would like to say 'Thank you' to my Board Members for their continued support and for hanging in when the going got rough.
Best wishes to all for the 2006 season.
Austin Ward
President -T & D C A
Markham Cricket Club, Ontario -- Posted Tuesday, February 21 2006
Markham Cricket Cricket was founded in 1986 with the motto: "Have fun through friendly, active participation."
Our home ground is just North of Major McKenzie Road on the East side of McCowan Road.
Programs Offered:
- a full schedule of games in the summer;
- indoor practice during the winter;
- junior cricket (in collaboration with other clubs);
- out-of-town trips;
- other social activities, including family activities.
Registration Information:
If you would like to:
- become a member;
- assist the club;
- learn more about the sport;
- play a game;
- otherwise help enrich the social fabric of Markham
Contact Information:
Please contact one of the following:-
Lennox Lamothe - 905-472-6703
Raj Persaud - 905-475-7457
Winston Gurdyal - 905-201-9264
SPECIAL REPORT FROM THE CANCARIB CRICKET FRONT -- Posted Saturday, February 18 2006
A day in the life of Uncle Ben’s rum shop
By Vidia Ramsingh
(Our Specially Lubricated Correspondent)
ARIMA, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: Uncle Ben’s Rum Shop is the onliest place in the world where the pressmen consider nothing new to be “news”. Man bites dog here every day. The more things change the more they remain the same, they report.
Take the décor. The pictures on the walls are an odd collection. The regulars say, rather unkindly, that they reflect the owner’s cultural pelau: one is of half-naked Kikuyu tribesmen brought over from Kenya; another is a rather youngish portrait of Her Majesty; yet another of an English hunting party; another of Brian Lara jumping up at Carnival. The only other cricket connection is a very faded photo of Ramadhin and Valentine walking off the field at Lord’s. Indeed, the most eyecatching decoration is the handwritten sign: “No Credit. Pay Before You Go”. That one is the most perplexing of all, for everyone knows that Uncle Ben’s relationship with his liquor suppliers is honoured more in the breach of that credo than in the observance thereof. No wonder the bar is always out of Caribbean beer. The suppliers--- from Jamaica, Antigua, St. Kitts, Barbados, St.Vincent to Guyana---- had long since cut off his credit.
Uncle Ben’s had, long ago, been reduced to “knockoffs”, pale, funny-smelling imitations of the local brew christened, variously, “Blue Stripe”, “Winks” and the local favourite, “Crib”. None had won any medals at international contests. Uncle Ben assured all and sundry that “Crib” actually came out of a brewery, but the unmistakable odour of the Gents lent credence to his caveat that there had been some “ups and downs” lately, as he diplomatically put it, in the brewing/bottling process.
“More an up than downs,” chirped Jackass knowingly, from his precariously perch at one end of the bar. Now there was at real crisis at Uncle Ben’s. Once again the rum shop had, incredibly, run out of cheap ‘strong rum’, the 150 per cent overproof. Once again Uncle Ben had the same story. “It’s on back order from Dubai”, he pleaded. Nobody believed him. “That story have a gap”, challenged Silly Midon. “Dubai ? Where’s that ? What’s Dubai have to do with Trini strong rum?”
Jackass: “How you so stupid, Silly Midon ? Don’t you know the oil sheiks control everything nowadays. Everything, pardner! From condoms to cricket. Only Carnival they don’t take over yet. We watching them, though. Didn’t you read in The Guardian how they tried to take over Lord’s and the Blair deport them to Dubai.”
That was not to say that this bar entirely lacked class. No Guinness here, for sure, but the local stout was said to be the best aphrodisiac around. The village Rams swore by its surefire virtues. Then there was the one dust-covered bottle of dark Demarara Rum. Its vintage was uncertain, but for sure it was made not in Guyana but “British Guiana”. None of the locals could afford to buy a drink from it, not even on pension day. Uncle Ben himself, who sold but hardly touched liquor, never drank from the bottle. He would sniff it though, from time to time. “I only inhale”, he allowed.
Only once, when a tall strange man came from Dubai, did Uncle Ben pour him a thimble-full of the precious dark stuff. The strange tall man sipped it, on the rocks, for about an hour. Then there was the spittoon, the only one in T&T. Uncle Ben said he had got it at an auction in a Texas town near George W. Bush’s ranch. The bar had closed down and the town declared dry after George W and the Religious Right had, in a show of democracy, hijacked the White House. The spittoon was in regular use when talk turned to the Wessindies team and its non-performing Australian coach.
But the absence of strong rum, which had left the regulars crying in their knockoff beer, was not the only ”news” at Uncle Ben’s.
Ever since last October there had been a curious, clandestine daily gathering at the back of the shop. At 4 pm, on the dot, five men had been walking in, heading straight for that doorless room, commandeering the domino table. Just what they were about had become the talk of the town. All were dressed in Navy Blue blazers and carried what looked like briefcases. Three of them wore blue-green ties with an “ICC” insignia; the two others wore what they said were “MCC ties”. We couldn’t dispute their pedigree. They spoke is hushed tones. Mostly there was a lot of head-shaking and finger-pointing; rarely did they nod to signify agreement. They were constantly on their cellphones. They were forever shuffling papers and pecking away on their opened briefcases.
This is what caught Longfield’s attention. “They must be very important people” he muttered under his breath.
“You’re right” rejoined Old Timer. “My son who just graduate from university has one of those toplaps. He always typing on it. " “Laptop, you idiot !!”, laughed Jackass.
“They do things funny these days”, allowed Uncle Ben, sensing the unease of his patrons now denied their domino game. “When I used to run my business, I had two secretaries taking dictation. I won’t tell you boys where they used to sit!!” The boys loved Uncle Ben. A funny fellow.
One day Uncle Ben let slip what The Five Wise Men were really about. It almost caused a riot. “They have been down here trying to pick the coach for Canada’s World Cup team. But keep it a secret,“ he told Loose Lips.
“What !!! You mean you have these damn Canadians down here plotting against we Soca Warriors going to Germany”, Loose Lips protested loudly. The cat was now out of the bag.
“Not the football World Cup, you idiot” countered Jackass. “Didn’t you read in The Guardian that Canada will play two practice matches here before the cricket World Cup next year. They improved a lot after our boy Gus Logie coached them. They scared the crap out of the Wessindies the last time,” Fine Leg observed.
“Why do they need a coach, anyways?” asked Third Man. “ I was called for trials in 1950, with Stollmeyer, Gomez and Ram and I never had no coaching. I learned my leg glance watching the boys on The Savannah. They used to say I had the second prettiest leg glance in T&T,” he added wistfully.
“Who had the prettiest, then” asked Silly MidOn. “Stolly?”
“Nah. A boy named Gopaulsingh. He would have played for Trinidad but he loved to beat the books. Scholarship boy. I believe he migrated to Canada and played up there. His leg glance was sweet, so sweet.”
“So what set of players this coach have in Canada to coach?” asked Loose Lips.
“Maybe they will pick Larry to strengthen the batting”, laughed Jackass, reeking sarcasm. “They were bowled out for 36 by Sri Lanka last time”.
“Which Larry?”
“Wee boy Larry…Gomes…you idiot. He born right here in Arima, down the street, in 1953, same year Uncle Ben open this shop. And don’t you tell me he’s over the hill. I hear the Canadian selectors love older men.”
“You making joke, now” said Third Man. “If he still has it in him, maybe the Wessindies should pick he to hold one end with Brian because we have no batting.” Everyone agreed.
The Five Wise Men at the domino table were an odd quintet. One, who quickly came to be labeled Lord Howzatt, rarely spoke to the locals. Uncle Ben clearly showed deference to him. He served him on Mrs. Sookram’s finest China. Darjeeling tea or Kenyan coffee. He had been involved in the Gentlemen v Players matches (as 12th man) in the days when the two teams used separate entrances at Lord’s. There could be no question as to which of the two teams he belonged. A “splendid” 5-225 in the annual Oxford-Cambridge university game at Fenners had caught one eye of a half-blind selector. This, along with his connections and his “proper bearing” had earned him an “invitation” to join the Commonwealth team to India, based ostensibly on “his familiarity with Indian conditions”, Wisden noted. He had not been hugely successful on the subcontinent but that did not stand in the way of the prospect of a proper England cap on the forthcoming tour of the West Indies. To add to his credentials, his parents, with just a touch of the Royal Jelly, had enrolled him at the same coaching school attended by the prominent England spinner Tony Shylock. He had a jerky runup --- and delivery to boot --- and though just above military medium, he had learnt well the rudiments of line and length. His stock ball was the one that swung neither way. However, he declined the MCC’s “invitation” to tour, “on principle”, he let it be known. There was a rumour—later found to be true---about who the touring captain would be.
“A professional”, he muttered. “And from Yorkshire at that !!! Over my dead body.”
Sir Leonard Hutton had survived Ray Lindwall and Keith Miller. He would survive Lord Howzatt too. Now, with his pink-and-white complexion, aquiline Jardinian nose, Oxonian accent and cravat, he had “crossed the Pond”. The Canadian selectors, not overly scrupulous about bowling actions, had welcomed him with open elbows, a nod and not a few winks. Now here he was, happily in Arima, far from prying eyes of the Canadian media.
He had survived more than his fair share of major calamities in life---the eclipse of the Raj in India, Labour governments, the freeing of Nelson Mandela----but nothing rankled him more and evoked more angst in his life now than Uncle Ben’s pitifully poor attempts at a club sandwich. Serving him cucumber sandwiches with pepper sauce and mango chutney on the side, was one thing. That he could abide. But not this.
Poor Uncle Ben, more au fait at making doubles and rotis, was forever forgetting to remove the crusts before serving Lord Howzatt his club sandwich. Imperiously, he would publicly rebuke Uncle Ben for his forgetfulness. Invariably Uncle Ben, tail firmly between legs, head bowed, would trudge back to the small kitchen at the back of the shop to remove the offending encumbrances.
One day things really came to a head. Uncle Ben, whose forte was not inventory control, had run out--- once again--- of proper English crumpets. The ones that came in the packet with the Union Jack on it. Lord Howzatt insisted that he simply couldn’t take tea without them.
Uncle Ben, who could be a Trickidadian ‘smart man’ at times, was no great cricketer himself. He had once turned out for the All Indians X1 in a fete match when the team had a serious case of the shorts. His team batted first and Uncle Ben failed to trouble the scorers. But he still had the Guardian clipping showing “B. Sookram not out 0” as proof. A deluge between innings had prevented the selectors assessing his legspsin/googly donkey drops.
Now he tried a faster one----the flipper---- on His Lordship. He tried to pass off Miss Deonarine’s five-day off roti skins as crumpets. His Lordship turned pink with fury, picked up his papers and stormed out of the room, cursing Uncle Ben. We all felt so sorry for Uncle Ben and wondered how His Lordship could treat him so. All except Fine Leg, who muttered something none of us understood, about dogs and fleas.
The other chap with the MCC tie was different. He mingled with the regulars, buying the occasional round. Unlike His Lordship, he never rubbed salt in Uncle Ben’s wounds by asking for the unattainable gin-‘n’-tonic. But his cricketing credentials were harder to trace. A detailed search of Cricinfo’s database and old Wisdens came up blank. Discreet inquiries by CanadaCricketOnline's bevy of international correspondents around the bars ----from WACA in Perth to the Wanderers in Joburg---- turned up nothing. He once had allowed that he had seen action in the Far East but reports of his agile slip-fielding in a friendly among Hong Kong prisoners-of-war could not be confirmed. Nary a mention in dispatches. We had to take him at his word that he had served “on the Committee” for his local village team, The Oldfarts.
The regulars wondered what was taking them so long to decide on a coach and were not bashful in offering suggestions and predictions. “I bet they copy the Wessindies Cricket Board and hire an Australian” said Third Man.
“That would be a good move” Jackass agreed. “Their batsmen might still play across the line, but at least they would be fit. Their fast bowlers would certainly run up faster than Joey Carew’s racehorses.”
“And come off the bat even faster, like ours,“ added Loose Lips noting wryly that the Wessindies coach was selecting and trying to train Test cricketers but had never played first class cricket himself.
“You lie !!!”, exclaimed Silly Midon in disbelief. “How you know the man never played first class cricket?”
But no matter how much they talked about the cricket, they always came back to the burning issue of the day: the absence of ‘strong’ rum.
“Seriously, now Uncle Ben. We can’t continue like this. When this shipment of strong rum from Dubai coming?”, asked Loose Lips.
“Soon come” whispered Uncle Ben. “In time for Christmas”.
“Same time as the Canadian coach”, chimed in Jackass.
All the way down the street, in Ram’s Roti Shop, you could hear the braying in unison.
* Our correspondent lives at 14 Naipaul Street, Maraval. He does not have email. His only claim to cricket fame is that he once bowled… (at)…. Learie Constantine (as he then was) - in the nets. Canadian cricket has driven him to drink. (submitted by Errol Townsend).
SPECIAL REPORT FROM THE CANCARIB CRICKET FRONT -- Posted Saturday, February 18 2006
A day in the life of Uncle Ben’s rum shop
By Vidia Ramsingh(Our Specially Lubricated Correspondent)
ARIMA, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: Uncle Ben’s Rum Shop is the onliest place in the world where the pressmen consider nothing new to be “news”. Man bites dog here every day. The more things change the more they remain the same, they report.
Take the décor. The pictures on the walls are an odd collection. The regulars say, rather unkindly, that they reflect the owner’s cultural pelau: one is of half-naked Kikuyu tribesmen brought over from Kenya; another is a rather youngish portrait of Her Majesty; yet another of an English hunting party; another of Brian Lara jumping up at Carnival. The only other cricket connection is a very faded photo of Ramadhin and Valentine walking off the field at Lord’s. Indeed, the most eyecatching decoration is the handwritten sign: “No Credit. Pay Before You Go”. That one is the most perplexing of all, for everyone knows that Uncle Ben’s relationship with his liquor suppliers is honoured more in the breach of that credo than in the observance thereof. No wonder the bar is always out of Caribbean beer. The suppliers--- from Jamaica, Antigua, St. Kitts, Barbados, St.Vincent to Guyana---- had long since cut off his credit.
Uncle Ben’s had, long ago, been reduced to “knockoffs”, pale, funny-smelling imitations of the local brew christened, variously, “Blue Stripe”, “Winks” and the local favourite, “Crib”. None had won any medals at international contests. Uncle Ben assured all and sundry that “Crib” actually came out of a brewery, but the unmistakable odour of the Gents lent credence to his caveat that there had been some “ups and downs” lately, as he diplomatically put it, in the brewing/bottling process.
“More an up than downs,” chirped Jackass knowingly, from his precariously perch at one end of the bar. Now there was at real crisis at Uncle Ben’s. Once again the rum shop had, incredibly, run out of cheap ‘strong rum’, the 150 per cent overproof. Once again Uncle Ben had the same story. “It’s on back order from Dubai”, he pleaded. Nobody believed him. “That story have a gap”, challenged Silly Midon. “Dubai ? Where’s that ? What’s Dubai have to do with Trini strong rum?”
Jackass: “How you so stupid, Silly Midon ? Don’t you know the oil sheiks control everything nowadays. Everything, pardner! From condoms to cricket. Only Carnival they don’t take over yet. We watching them, though. Didn’t you read in The Guardian how they tried to take over Lord’s and the Blair deport them to Dubai.”
That was not to say that this bar entirely lacked class. No Guinness here, for sure, but the local stout was said to be the best aphrodisiac around. The village Rams swore by its surefire virtues. Then there was the one dust-covered bottle of dark Demarara Rum. Its vintage was uncertain, but for sure it was made not in Guyana but “British Guiana”. None of the locals could afford to buy a drink from it, not even on pension day. Uncle Ben himself, who sold but hardly touched liquor, never drank from the bottle. He would sniff it though, from time to time. “I only inhale”, he allowed.
Only once, when a tall strange man came from Dubai, did Uncle Ben pour him a thimble-full of the precious dark stuff. The strange tall man sipped it, on the rocks, for about an hour. Then there was the spittoon, the only one in T&T. Uncle Ben said he had got it at an auction in a Texas town near George W. Bush’s ranch. The bar had closed down and the town declared dry after George W and the Religious Right had, in a show of democracy, hijacked the White House. The spittoon was in regular use when talk turned to the Wessindies team and its non-performing Australian coach.
But the absence of strong rum, which had left the regulars crying in their knockoff beer, was not the only ”news” at Uncle Ben’s.
Ever since last October there had been a curious, clandestine daily gathering at the back of the shop. At 4 pm, on the dot, five men had been walking in, heading straight for that doorless room, commandeering the domino table. Just what they were about had become the talk of the town. All were dressed in Navy Blue blazers and carried what looked like briefcases. Three of them wore blue-green ties with an “ICC” insignia; the two others wore what they said were “MCC ties”. We couldn’t dispute their pedigree. They spoke is hushed tones. Mostly there was a lot of head-shaking and finger-pointing; rarely did they nod to signify agreement. They were constantly on their cellphones. They were forever shuffling papers and pecking away on their opened briefcases.
This is what caught Longfield’s attention. “They must be very important people” he muttered under his breath.
“You’re right” rejoined Old Timer. “My son who just graduate from university has one of those toplaps. He always typing on it. " “Laptop, you idiot !!”, laughed Jackass.
“They do things funny these days”, allowed Uncle Ben, sensing the unease of his patrons now denied their domino game. “When I used to run my business, I had two secretaries taking dictation. I won’t tell you boys where they used to sit!!” The boys loved Uncle Ben. A funny fellow.
One day Uncle Ben let slip what The Five Wise Men were really about. It almost caused a riot. “They have been down here trying to pick the coach for Canada’s World Cup team. But keep it a secret,“ he told Loose Lips.
“What !!! You mean you have these damn Canadians down here plotting against we Soca Warriors going to Germany”, Loose Lips protested loudly. The cat was now out of the bag.
“Not the football World Cup, you idiot” countered Jackass. “Didn’t you read in The Guardian that Canada will play two practice matches here before the cricket World Cup next year. They improved a lot after our boy Gus Logie coached them. They scared the crap out of the Wessindies the last time,” Fine Leg observed.
“Why do they need a coach, anyways?” asked Third Man. “ I was called for trials in 1950, with Stollmeyer, Gomez and Ram and I never had no coaching. I learned my leg glance watching the boys on The Savannah. They used to say I had the second prettiest leg glance in T&T,” he added wistfully.
“Who had the prettiest, then” asked Silly MidOn. “Stolly?”
“Nah. A boy named Gopaulsingh. He would have played for Trinidad but he loved to beat the books. Scholarship boy. I believe he migrated to Canada and played up there. His leg glance was sweet, so sweet.”
“So what set of players this coach have in Canada to coach?” asked Loose Lips.
“Maybe they will pick Larry to strengthen the batting”, laughed Jackass, reeking sarcasm. “They were bowled out for 36 by Sri Lanka last time”.
“Which Larry?”
“Wee boy Larry…Gomes…you idiot. He born right here in Arima, down the street, in 1953, same year Uncle Ben open this shop. And don’t you tell me he’s over the hill. I hear the Canadian selectors love older men.”
“You making joke, now” said Third Man. “If he still has it in him, maybe the Wessindies should pick he to hold one end with Brian because we have no batting.” Everyone agreed.
The Five Wise Men at the domino table were an odd quintet. One, who quickly came to be labeled Lord Howzatt, rarely spoke to the locals. Uncle Ben clearly showed deference to him. He served him on Mrs. Sookram’s finest China. Darjeeling tea or Kenyan coffee. He had been involved in the Gentlemen v Players matches (as 12th man) in the days when the two teams used separate entrances at Lord’s. There could be no question as to which of the two teams he belonged. A “splendid” 5-225 in the annual Oxford-Cambridge university game at Fenners had caught one eye of a half-blind selector. This, along with his connections and his “proper bearing” had earned him an “invitation” to join the Commonwealth team to India, based ostensibly on “his familiarity with Indian conditions”, Wisden noted. He had not been hugely successful on the subcontinent but that did not stand in the way of the prospect of a proper England cap on the forthcoming tour of the West Indies. To add to his credentials, his parents, with just a touch of the Royal Jelly, had enrolled him at the same coaching school attended by the prominent England spinner Tony Shylock. He had a jerky runup --- and delivery to boot --- and though just above military medium, he had learnt well the rudiments of line and length. His stock ball was the one that swung neither way. However, he declined the MCC’s “invitation” to tour, “on principle”, he let it be known. There was a rumour—later found to be true---about who the touring captain would be.
“A professional”, he muttered. “And from Yorkshire at that !!! Over my dead body.”
Sir Leonard Hutton had survived Ray Lindwall and Keith Miller. He would survive Lord Howzatt too. Now, with his pink-and-white complexion, aquiline Jardinian nose, Oxonian accent and cravat, he had “crossed the Pond”. The Canadian selectors, not overly scrupulous about bowling actions, had welcomed him with open elbows, a nod and not a few winks. Now here he was, happily in Arima, far from prying eyes of the Canadian media.
He had survived more than his fair share of major calamities in life---the eclipse of the Raj in India, Labour governments, the freeing of Nelson Mandela----but nothing rankled him more and evoked more angst in his life now than Uncle Ben’s pitifully poor attempts at a club sandwich. Serving him cucumber sandwiches with pepper sauce and mango chutney on the side, was one thing. That he could abide. But not this.
Poor Uncle Ben, more au fait at making doubles and rotis, was forever forgetting to remove the crusts before serving Lord Howzatt his club sandwich. Imperiously, he would publicly rebuke Uncle Ben for his forgetfulness. Invariably Uncle Ben, tail firmly between legs, head bowed, would trudge back to the small kitchen at the back of the shop to remove the offending encumbrances.
One day things really came to a head. Uncle Ben, whose forte was not inventory control, had run out--- once again--- of proper English crumpets. The ones that came in the packet with the Union Jack on it. Lord Howzatt insisted that he simply couldn’t take tea without them.
Uncle Ben, who could be a Trickidadian ‘smart man’ at times, was no great cricketer himself. He had once turned out for the All Indians X1 in a fete match when the team had a serious case of the shorts. His team batted first and Uncle Ben failed to trouble the scorers. But he still had the Guardian clipping showing “B. Sookram not out 0” as proof. A deluge between innings had prevented the selectors assessing his legspsin/googly donkey drops.
Now he tried a faster one----the flipper---- on His Lordship. He tried to pass off Miss Deonarine’s five-day off roti skins as crumpets. His Lordship turned pink with fury, picked up his papers and stormed out of the room, cursing Uncle Ben. We all felt so sorry for Uncle Ben and wondered how His Lordship could treat him so. All except Fine Leg, who muttered something none of us understood, about dogs and fleas.
The other chap with the MCC tie was different. He mingled with the regulars, buying the occasional round. Unlike His Lordship, he never rubbed salt in Uncle Ben’s wounds by asking for the unattainable gin-‘n’-tonic. But his cricketing credentials were harder to trace. A detailed search of Cricinfo’s database and old Wisdens came up blank. Discreet inquiries by CanadaCricketOnline's bevy of international correspondents around the bars ----from WACA in Perth to the Wanderers in Joburg---- turned up nothing. He once had allowed that he had seen action in the Far East but reports of his agile slip-fielding in a friendly among Hong Kong prisoners-of-war could not be confirmed. Nary a mention in dispatches. We had to take him at his word that he had served “on the Committee” for his local village team, The Oldfarts.
The regulars wondered what was taking them so long to decide on a coach and were not bashful in offering suggestions and predictions. “I bet they copy the Wessindies Cricket Board and hire an Australian” said Third Man.
“That would be a good move” Jackass agreed. “Their batsmen might still play across the line, but at least they would be fit. Their fast bowlers would certainly run up faster than Joey Carew’s racehorses.”
“And come off the bat even faster, like ours,“ added Loose Lips noting wryly that the Wessindies coach was selecting and trying to train Test cricketers but had never played first class cricket himself.
“You lie !!!”, exclaimed Silly Midon in disbelief. “How you know the man never played first class cricket?”
But no matter how much they talked about the cricket, they always came back to the burning issue of the day: the absence of ‘strong’ rum.
“Seriously, now Uncle Ben. We can’t continue like this. When this shipment of strong rum from Dubai coming?”, asked Loose Lips.
“Soon come” whispered Uncle Ben. “In time for Christmas”.
“Same time as the Canadian coach”, chimed in Jackass.
All the way down the street, in Ram’s Roti Shop, you could hear the braying in unison.
* Our correspondent lives at 14 Naipaul Street, Maraval. He does not have email. His only claim to cricket fame is that he once bowled… (at)…. Learie Constantine (as he then was)… in the nets. Canadian cricket has driven him to drink.
ACA Introduces the 2006 Alberta Super League -- Posted Friday, February 17 2006
The Alberta Cricket Association is proud to announce the formation of the Alberta Super League. This club competition is reserved for each of the top 3 ranked premier division clubs from both Calgary and Edmonton. Rankings are based upon their respective league standings from the previous season.
In 2006, the ACA will be inviting Gujarat, Millwoods, Combined Schools, CanAsia, United, and St. John’s Cricket Clubs to join their respective conferences and participate in the inaugural season of this dynamic new club competition.
The Northern and Southern conference teams will play 3 matches each. One match against each opposing conference team.
All Super League matches will be played at Red Deer cricket ground and marks the first official ACA competition to take place in the city of Red Deer.
Alberta Super League -- Posted Thursday, February 16 2006
The Alberta Cricket Association is proud to announce the formation of the Alberta Super League. This club competition is reserved for each of the top 3 ranked premier division clubs from both Calgary and Edmonton. Rankings are based upon their respective league standings from the previous season.
In 2006, the ACA will be inviting Gujarat, Millwoods, Combined Schools, CanAsia, United, and St. John’s Cricket Clubs to join their respective conferences and participate in the inaugural season of this dynamic new club competition.
The Northern and Southern conference teams will play 3 matches each. One match against each opposing conference team.
All Super League matches will be played at Red Deer cricket ground and marks the first official ACA competition to take place in the city of Red Deer.
ONTARIO LAUNCHES JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS -- Posted Tuesday, February 14 2006
The Ontario Cricket Association will initiate a province-wide Under-19 Junior Championships this season. This initiative, piggybacked onto a revamped Senior Championships, was the major development at the recent annual general meeting.
Errol Townshend was re-elected President, unopposed, as were first vice president Vern Payne (Hamilton), Petra Pompey (secretary) and Austin Ward (treasurer), both of the Toronto & District league. The only newcomer on the Executive is Mike Kellman (South Ontario) who replaced Norman Jackson (Toronto & District).
The plan is for juniors and seniors from the respective regions to travel on the same day and play their opposite numbers in the hosting regions on adjoining grounds, wherever possible. The Etobicoke League, welcomed as an associate member under the new OCA constitution, will field teams in both junior and senior events. The Senior Championships, involving six teams, will be divided into two zones with semifinals and finals. Southern Ontario are defending champions.
Townshend described the financial status of the organization as "healthy", even as the delegates voted unanimously for a 50 per cent increase in fees. "Fees had remained at the same level for more than 20 years", Townshend told CanadaCricketOnline . "Cricketers with good jobs, cars and homes, were paying annual fees equivalent to a bottle of beer in 2006 dollars. The delegates realised this could not continue.". He said the organization was trying to be transparent in opening all sessions of its annual meeting to the media, as well as responsive to the need---agreed on by all delegates---to provide more opportunities for the growing ranks of young players. "It is clear that many of our senior players are in the 30s and probably will wish to pack it soon, so we have to build for the future. However, we must always be careful that we don't throw out the baby with the bathwater. We always need experienced players in any team, at any level.".
In his annual report Townshend was highly critical of the Canadian Cricket Association. He said later that it appears president Ben Sennik, and his close advisers, are in over their heads, out of their depth at the international level. "It has been three months since the CCA AGM, yet we have no budget for 2006, not even a provisional calendar of events. The provinces simply can't wait on the national body any longer to plan our year. We have to get on with our programs. The CCA has had since October to find a national coach; the indoor training season is halfway through. I hear it's like a zoo down there at the training site... too many players, some not even in the national squad, too little time in the nets, no coaching. Just chaos. All we are getting from the CCA are PR statements, politics and the usual pursuit of special interests. That's no way to prepare to take on Test playing countries in the World Cup.". (Jon Harris).
Another Canadian university with a cricket club -- Posted Monday, February 13 2006
Queen's Cricket Club Queen's University, Kingston, Canada.
Whether you enjoy playing cricket, watching it, or want to learn how to play this sport - this club is for you.
Running for the 5th consecutive year, QCC executives have strived to improve the club and are offering even more events this year! Our brand new website provides information about upcoming events, pictures of weekly games, tournament updates, rules of the Cricket and much, much more! This year we hope to provide our members with the following events/sessions: - Coaching & tutoring sessions for beginners (NEW - due to excessive demand) - Weekly cricket matches played between teams, made on the spot! (Fall term) - Queen's Cricket Tournament (Winter term) - Showing live cricket matches with FOOD!
Join our mailing list or just e-mail one of the executives if you have ANY questions whatsoever. No question is a stupid question, and we've even had members join just because of their curiosity about the sport. We accept members from all years at anytime during the Fall term. For the first 3 or 4 weeks in September, cricket is played outdoors at the Kingston Cricket Field, right next door to the campus. From then on, cricket sessions continue in Bews Gym at the PEC (Physical Education Centre).
Cricket initiative from a young man who knows nothing about cricket. -- Posted Saturday, February 11 2006
Canada Cricket Online recently received the following message.
Greetings Canada Cricket,
My name is Graeme and I'm a grade 11 student at the York School, a small co-educational school in downtown Toronto. This March I am very fortunate to be among 9 selected students embarking on a trip to Southern India . The purpose for this trip lies with the Families for Children Orphanage (FFC) where I will be spending three weeks working and volunteering. During my time there, I will be actively involved in the day to day life of the orphanage and will hopefully be able to share my knowledge and skills with the children who live there.
I am writing you in hopes that you may be able to sponsor an initiative we are starting this year. The orphanage is desperately in need of some new cricket and sports equipment and we are looking for help getting some donated. No amount is too little. Any advice or direction you could offer would be greatly appreciated as I know that any help would have a profound effect on the children at FFC Orphanage.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Graeme.
At a recent cricket meeting Martin Vierra, the Manager of the ICC Americas Regional Development program, was approached to discuss the sort of equipment which might be appropriate for an orphanage which cares for young children. Also discussed was the viability of providing some cricket equipment for the village kids, in addition to the equipment for the orphanage. Without hesitation Martin said he would take care of the equipment for both groups of youngsters. The accompanying teacher from York School recently received the equipment for both groups of children and were presented to Graeme by Martin. This generous gesture may well produce a Tendulkar from the southern India province of Tamil Nadu.
The immediacy of Martin's response to the young man's request, reminds all of us how important sport is to children. Both Martin and Graeme deserve cudos for their initiative and expeditious response to the needs of the orphanage, and to the village kids who are their neighbours. In Canada we have ball hockey in the street; in India they have cricket ....... everywhere.
The photo shows Martin Viera presenting equipment to Graeme
(Jon Harris).
Cricket initiative from a young man who knows nothing about cricket. -- Posted Saturday, February 11 2006
Canada Cricket Online recently received the following message.
Greetings Canada Cricket,
My name is Graeme and I'm a grade 11 student at the York School, a small co-educational school in downtown Toronto. This March I am very fortunate to be among 9 selected students embarking on a trip to Southern India . The purpose for this trip lies with the Families for Children Orphanage (FFC) where I will be spending three weeks working and volunteering. During my time there, I will be actively involved in the day to day life of the orphanage and will hopefully be able to share my knowledge and skills with the children who live there.
I am writing you in hopes that you may be able to sponsor an initiative we are starting this year. The orphanage is desperately in need of some new cricket and sports equipment and we are looking for help getting some donated. No amount is too little. Any advice or direction you could offer would be greatly appreciated as I know that any help would have a profound effect on the children at FFC Orphanage.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Graeme.
At a recent cricket meeting Martin Vierra, the Manager of the ICC Americas Regional Development program, was approached to discuss the sort of equipment which might be appropriate for an orphanage which cares for young children. Also discussed was the viability of providing some cricket equipment for the village kids, in addition to the equipment for the orphanage. Without hesitation Martin said he would take care of the equipment for both groups of youngsters. The accompanying teacher from York School received us recently, and the equipment for both groups of children were presented to Graeme by Martin. This generous gesture may well produce a Tendulkar from the southern India province of Tamil Nadut.
The immediacy of Martin's response to the young man's request, reminds all of us how important sport is to children. Both Martin and Graeme deserve cudos for their initiative and expeditious response to the needs of the orphanage, and to the village kids who are their neighbours. In Canada we have ball hockey in the street; in India they have cricket ....... everywhere. (Jon Harris).
Cricket BC team to tour New Zealand -- Posted Monday, February 6 2006
A Cricket BC team will be touring New Zealand in March 2006. This tour will allow for some of BC's best players to square off against strong competition. It also gives the players the opportunity to play and practice at quality facilities, including turf wickets.
Player Bios
Tajinder (TJ) Dayal, 36. Richmond CC Left-hand batsman, Left arm orthodox. The captain and a veteran of the squad, TJ has been a constant on the BC team for over a decade. He is a powerful middle-order batsman and a useful spin bowler. TJ has made a single appearance for Canada against the United States.
Garreth Benjamin, 27. North Shore CC Left-hand batsman, Right arm medium / wicketkeeper. South African born, Garreth moved to Canada at an early age and learned to play cricket in Vancouver. Garreth comes from a family of cricketers and is a hard hitting opening batsman. He is also a capable part-time medium pace bowler and can pick up the wicket-keeping gloves. Garreth has played for Canada U-19 and BC
Andrew Downs, 37 Meraloma CC Right-hand batsman, Right arm fast. “Downsy” has coached the Meraloma CC for the last two seasons and was instrumental in their back to back championships. He is a quick opening bowler and a steady top-order batsman, a genuine all-rounder. Andrew has played for the Australian indoor cricket team and currently coaches Norwood Cricket Club in Melbourne.
Sajiv Fernando, 24. Richmond CC Left-hand batsman, Right arm medium. Sajiv is a hard hitting top order batsman and useful part-time medium pacer. Originally from Sri Lanka, Sajiv is capable of taking an attack apart and is one of only 5 BC players invited to national trials in 2005 and was named in the CCA’s 40 player high performance squad for 2006.
Hensen Fernandez, 19. Richmond CC Right-hand batsman One of the youngest players on the tour, Hensen is a technically correct opening batsman who isn’t afraid to attack. Hensen learned his cricket in B.C. and has made appearances for Canada U-19, Canada U-15, and BC.
Charles Henry, Cowichan CC Right-hand batsman Charles is returning to the land of his birth. A right handed opening top order batsman he will be looking to prove that his skills have improved after a few seasons in the Victoria and District Cricket Association. Charles has played for Northland, Northern Districts U-18, Whangerai, and has played a season in Scotland
Asad Khan, 18 Richmond CC Right arm medium Asad is the youngest player on the team. A swing bowler who has shown a lot of potential. Asad learned his cricket in Vancouver and, at only 17 years old, won the BCMCL’s 1st division bowling trophy.
Bilal Khan, 25 Pakcan CC Right arm fast medium Bilal has developed into one of BC’s best seam bowlers. He had a strong inter-provincial tournament for BC last season and is a member of the Canadian 40 player high performance squad for 2006.
Imran Khan, 30 Salim Akbar CC Right-hand batsman, Right arm medium Imran is a consistent medium pace bowler and a hard hitting late order batsman. Originally from Pakistan, Imran’s tight opening spells have been an integral part of the strong Salim Akbar bowling attack.
Tour Itinerary
Sunday 5th March
Arrive at Auckland International Airport ex NZ7 from San Francisco
Monday 6th March
Practice at the Indoor School and a tour of Eden Park and lunch at the Auckland Cricket Society, Eden Park. Afternoon at leisure.
Tuesday 7th March Transfer to University Oval, Merton Road for 50 over match vs. Auckland Clubs XI (50 over match)
Wednesday 8th March Transfer to Rotorua (3 hour coach trip). Afternoon practice facilities to be arranged.
Thursday 9th March Transfer to Smallbone Park for 50 over match vs. Natural Cup Team.
Friday 10th March Transfer to Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty. Afternoon at leisure.
Saturday 11th March Practice at venue to be advised. Afternoon at leisure.
Sunday 12th March Transfer to Tauranga Domain. for 50 over match vs. Bay of Plenty XI.
Monday 13th March Transfer to Hamilton (2 hour coach trip). Afternoon practice at venue to be advised
Tuesday 14th March Match vs Waikato Valley XI
Venue to be advised
Wednesday 15th March Transfer to University Oval, Merton Road for match vs. Auckland Colts XI
Thursday 16th March Transfer to Papatoetoe Recreation Ground.for match vs. Counties Manukau Invitational XI
Friday 17th March Transfer to Whangarei (3 hour coach drive). Afternoon at leisure
Saturday 18th March Transfer to practice venue (to be advised). Afternoon at leisure
Sunday 19th March Transfer to Cobham Oval for match vs. Northland XI.
Monday 20th March Transfer to Auckland International
Airport for departure.
Historical note:
Eden Park has been in existence as a sports ground since 1900. The Park became the home of Auckland Cricket in 1910. The Auckland Rugby Union leased the Park in 1914 and it became the home of Auckland Rugby in 1925. In 1926 Eden Park was put in a Trust (refer Eden Park Trust Board) that provided for the Trustees to manage the Park primarily for the benefit of Auckland Cricket and Rugby. The Trust has done so to this day but the Park has also hosted other community events. All early cricket in Auckland was played on the basis of fixtures arranged by the clubs, season by season, but in 1879 the Auckland Cricket Club at its annual general meeting resolved ‘to communicate with other clubs in the city for the purpose of forming a cricket association.’ Other clubs definitely discussed the proposition but nothing further eventuated at that time.
Searching for more cricket fields in the Greater Toronto Area -- Posted Sunday, February 5 2006
The Canadian Cricket Association and the City of Toronto are working together to see if more playing areas can be found in the city to allow cricket to be played. There are pressures on existing facilities so followers of the game are almost being asked to see if they can spot areas that could be turned into cricket fields. ‘Discovered’ sites would then be further discussed with the city and hopefully some new grounds would emerge to allow the game to develop and expand in this key metropolitan area.
This information surfaced in comments made by CCA 1st Vice-President Howard Petrook during the AGM of the Toronto and District Cricket Association. Mr. Petrook also commented that discussions with the City on preparation of grass pitches were progressing favourably. The City workforce is strongly unionized but, as a result of recent discussions, it seems the union sees value in certain of their groundstaff being approved to prepare cricket wickets.
A couple of comments from the floor wondered about the potential for using some school playing fields when the schools take their summer break.
In another brief discussion, it seems the Toronto Cricket Club is the only ground with One Day International (ODI) status at present. A suggestion has been made that the CCA should seek ODI status for the north pitch at Sunnybrook Park and the Maple Leaf site in King City.
An enquiry about the certification of grounds in Canada has been directed to the ICC, as per the following:- What are the criteria for the development of cricket fields to meet the standards set by the ICC for ODI matches? Who would do the certification inspection in Canada? Is there anyone in Canada qualified to undertake an inspection and report to the ICC? There has been no response to date. (Eddie Norfolk, with files from Jon Harris).
Some thoughts about Canada adopting video analysis techniques for coaching -- Posted Friday, February 3 2006
The news from the ICC that Derek Perrera, a Canadian coach, is in Chinnai for training in the latest software and video analysis techniques may spark some action on Canadacricket.com’s ‘Forum’.
In the absence of a progress, or final, announcement on who will be the new national coach, it may lead to speculation as to whether Perrera might be the new coach, or alternatively if he will be the video coach and act as an assistant to whoever becomes the actual coach, possibly even John Davison who has upped his coaching certifications and expressed an interest in helping Canada.
Perrera is one of the two principals of the Ontario Cricket Academy, whose facility has been used by Toronto based members of the Canadian national squad.
What we do know of the current assignment is that Perrera is being trained in the latest techniques – using tools that are in use by the test playing nations. All the associate countries who have qualified for World Cup 2007 are being, or will be, trained in these techniques. Of course, Canada will need to setup video equipment at their future games in order to be able to fully benefit from this technique.
I recall seeing former Canada coach (Jeff Thomas) setting up video equipment for a match with West Indies 'A' at the Ajax C.C. ground back in 2002. It didn’t seem to form part of last summer’s support facilities for the interim coach at home matches. A video coach will seemingly now be part of the regular Canadian representative match scene.
Given the distribution of cricketers across this vast country, the tools might also have a use in tracking leading Canadian players performances in domestic cricket. Both international and domestic use of the tools would presumably bring extra costs, even allowing for the fact that the initial software and hardware is being delivered as part of the ICC High Performance Program.
In the ICC release Richard Done (ICC High Performance Manager) noted that the tools on which Perrera and other coaches from leading Associates are being trained, will help teams and coaches ‘properly plan, review and analyze their performances.’
One of the outstanding issues for several readers might be ‘what games has Canada planned in the lead-up to the World Cup?’. There is yet to be an official release from the Canadian Cricket Association – at the November AGM it was stated that the details would be given following approval by the ICC.
Readers who follow the ‘Forum’ will be aware that unofficially, a range of games or events that would include Canada have been tracked down from a range of web-sites. So, unofficially on the way to the West Indies in March 2007, we might have:
. an Americas Regional Tournament in July in the Toronto area (includes Bermuda, USA, Cayman Islands and a qualifier from an event in Argentina);
. a three-team One-Day International event in August (with Bermuda and Kenya) also noted for the Toronto area;
. Intercontinental Cup (4-day games) in South Africa in November (with Netherlands, ….
. World Cricket League Division 1 in Kenya in January 2007 (features the six Associates who are in the World Cup – Kenya, Scotland, Ireland, Canada, Bermuda and Netherlands).
. a couple of warm-up games (South Africa and Ireland) before the World Cup proper when Canada will be in St Lucia facing Kenya, England and New Zealand. (March 2007).
The video analysis training is being jointly funded by the ICC High Performance Program and the individual countries. As previously noted in reporting on the CCA AGM, the ICC pay a proportion of the cost of the National Coach. Payment for a video coach on an ongoing basis is presumably left to the CCA, possibly some costs may be offset from the $500,000 US awarded as a result of qualifying for the World Cup. Although that money is probably being stretched towards overall costs of hosting or visiting other countries as part of warm-up preparations.
Some recent rumblings from the West Indies indicate coaching does not come cheap and does not guarantee success. T he value for money being derived from spending about $1 million a year on a coach and his assistants has been questioned by the President of the Guyana Cricket Board. The concern is also underlined by paying that kind of money when the West Indies Cricket Board has a deficit of $15 million on its books. Clearly financial success in the 2007 World Cup is very important to the West Indies. In the interim, a four man committee is to check out the value for money aspect in the next month or two.
Well, time will tell about the overall coaching arrangements and how successfully the technology can be deployed to assist the national team in the future. As potential costs increase for playing at the higher and highest levels, the powers that be must be looking for additional revenue to help sustain, or improve, this country’s cricketing position.
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**** Thanks should go to the likes of Bensti, ray69, gocricketcrazy and andrewnixon who obviously follow the updates of various international websites and contribute strongly to the Canadian Cricket Supporters Forum.
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As a footnote: There have been some interesting coaching moves among the Associates and at Under-19 level that may interest Canadian cricket fans. Scotland wasted little time in replacing their coach Andy Moles (resigned) with Peter Drinnen, a former Queensland player. Moles spell as Scotland coach lasted less than a year. He was previously coach of Kenya, who earlier this month appointed former West Indies all-rounder Roger Harper as their national coach.
Harper had been leading the West Indies Under-19’s preparations for the current U-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka. Harper’s coaching role at that level has gone to Jimmy Adams, who appeared in Canada’s colours against MCC last September. Larry Gomes, who helped coach Canada in the latter part of last summer, is currently coaching the USA’s Under-19s at that World Cup event. (Eddie Norfolk).