August 2008

Panoli club wins Scarborough Premier Cricket Title -- Posted Sunday, August 31 2008
Eddie Norfolk

( Scarborough , ON , Aug 31) Panoli MCC won the Scarborough Cricket Association Premier Championship on Sunday (Aug 31) beating B4U/East West by 6 wickets. B4U was bowled out for 115 runs. Panoli MVP Sajeed Tarbhai did a lot of the damage, taking 4 wickets for 27 runs. Canadian international, and Panoli captain, Asif Mulla lead the way, top-scoring with 39 runs as his side made 117 runs for 2 wickets.

The B4U club had some consolation at the ‘B’ team managed to defend a low score of 87 runs in the First Division Final. Toronto Knights seemed well placed for victory at 37 runs for 1 wicket off 16 overs, but Ejaz Arab struck with 5 wickets for 8 runs as the Knights tumbled to 65 all out. B4U ‘B’ won by 21 runs.

The Division Two final was also low scoring on a Sunday day. Gujarat/Baroda ‘B’ was bundled out for 53 runs against Knightly CC. Rakulan Santhiralingham taking 5 wickets for a mere 6 runs. Knightly scored 58 runs for 3 wickets, to win by 7 wickets.

Premier Final - Scoring Summary:

B4U/East West 115 all out (Bharyat Juned 23, Malam Yunus 20, Jabbar Chaudery 16, Sajeed Tarbhai 4 for 27, Mohsin Mulla 3 for 35, Balaji Rao 2 for 6)

Panoli MCC 117 for 4 (Asif Mulla 39, Sameer Rajab 27, Zakaria Mohammed 18, Salim Patel 2 for 13, Aiyub Matadar 2 for 20)

Panoli MCC won by 6 wickets

Division One

B4U/East West 'B' 86 all out (Salim Khalid 37, Atik Malik 12, Azad Amiden 5 wkts for 12 runs, Syed Salman 2 for 7, Krantai Darla 2 for 15)

Toronto Knights 65 all out (John Wu 29, Andrew Chang 12, Ejaz Arab 5 wkts for 8 runs, Arif 3 for 23, Munaf Bala 2 for 17)

B4U/East West 'B' won by 21 runs

Division Two

Gujarat/Baroda 'B' 53 all out (Rakulan Santhiralingham 5 wkts for 6 runs, Pratheepan Jekulan 2 for 10, Umair Ghali 2 for 11)

Kinghtly 58 for 3 ( Pratheepan Jekulan 18 not out, Umair Ghali 17)

Knightly won by 7 wickets



Rival academies in Toronto & District Under-15 Final -- Posted Sunday, August 31 2008
Eddie Norfolk

(Toronto, Aug 30) The Toronto & District Cricket Association’s Under-15 Final on Sunday will see Toronto Cricket Academy (TCA) face Ontario Cricket Academy (OCA) at Sunnybrook Park, Toronto (9am start). In Saturday’s semi-finals, at Eglinton Flats, the TCA beat Cavaliers by 34 runs, and the OCA beat Famous North Star by 5 wickets.

Both finalists feature leading Under-15 internationals who took Canada to the recent ICC Americas Under-15 championship in Bermuda. These include TCA captain Nitish Kumar, who took 6 wickets for just 4 runs to halt Cavaliers progress on Saturday and Nikhil Dhutta (OCA), who took 3 wickets for 18 runs against North Star. Saturday’s top-scorers for the OCA - Jasjeet Kalsi, with 23 runs - and the TCA - Kesavan Juvarajan, with 30 runs – were also members of the winning Canadian side in Bermuda.

Sunnybrook Park (Eglinton Ave East and Leslie St) also hosts the T&D Under-13 (9 am) and Under-17 (1 pm) Finals on Sunday. The T&D Under-19 Final is being played at Maple Leaf Cricket Club, King City (1 pm).

The two younger age group finals are 25 overs per side. The two older age groups are due to be 50 overs per side.


Cricket comes of age in Canada; wins recognition from Ottawa -- Posted Thursday, August 28 2008

Propelled by the avid enthusiasm of hundreds of thousands of recent immigrants, cricket has finally come of age in Canada - about 150 years after it was once regarded as the country's national sport.

The federal government announced Friday it was officially recognizing the game, elevating its formal stature and making it eligible for much needed public funding.
"It's a tremendous day for cricket," said Ben Sennik, president of Cricket Canada, the umbrella organization that speaks for the sport and is responsible for the Canadian national team.

The recognition, which follows a decade of lobbying, means an immediate grant of $77,000 for 2007-2008. While it's a modest sum, Sennik could barely contain his delight.
"We need every dollar, the way we are developing," he said. "In the past, we have been scraping through."
Canada is no stranger to the pastime, with reports of games played here as far back as the mid-18th century.
The country's first prime minister, Sir John A. MacDonald, declared it Canada's national sport in 1867 and Cricket Canada itself was established in 1892. However, the game was quickly overtaken by baseball in importance.

In recent years, interest has risen to a new level with the influx of immigrants from cricket-crazy areas such as Pakistan, India and the Caribbean, as well as from other Commonwealth countries such as Australia, South Africa and the U.K.

A happy Toronto taxi driver, Ahmad Choudhuri, began pontificating about Canada's place in the cricket world immediately after hearing about Ottawa's decision.
"They have a lot of good players over here," said Choudhuri, who played the "gentleman's game" as a boy in India.

"If they want, they can have a really good team. If they get funding, they can get a very good team."

About 40,000 people in Canada are registered as cricket players with their provincial associations - the best of them barely qualifying even as semi-professionals. As many as 50,000 others are estimated to play regularly and schools are increasingly getting in on the game as well.
Ottawa is committed to spending $164 million a year supporting more than 50 different sports, and Secretary of State for Sport Helena Guergis welcomed cricket to the fold.

"It is an exciting day for cricketers for Cricket Canada, as a national sports organization, to have the opportunity to be recognized by the federal government," Guergis said.
Cricket Canada used the opportunity to show off the national team's natty new uniform - grey with a red stripe on the sides of the shirt and pants, with a splash of yellow on the sleeves.

National teams from Scotland, Ireland and Bermuda, along with international powerhouse the West Indies, are all due to visit for games this summer.


Article sourced from:-
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Politics/2008/06/20/5939906-cp.html


Ponting supports Olympic Twenty20 -- Posted Thursday, August 28 2008

Australia captain Ricky Ponting says the global appeal of Twenty20 cricket will see it become an Olympic sport.
Cricket Australia and Ponting's former team-mate Adam Gilchrist have already called for the quick-fire format to be adopted in time for the 2020 Games.

"I think it's inevitable Twenty20 will be an Olympic sport," Ponting said.

"The International Olympic Committee could do a lot worse than put cricket into the Olympics. Just think about the audiences in the sub-continent."

The International Cricket Council has previously expressed support for pushing cricket as an Olympic sport, though Ponting has warned that any increase in Twenty20 competition must work inside the existing international calendar.

"The critical issue with the game of Twenty20 is how do we make it work?" Ponting said.

"We definitely need a carve-out period. I'm worried if there's not that period of time be it in the IPL or the EPL, or whatever competition it might be, that this next generation's opinions might change.

"They might see the dollars and think 'maybe it's more appealing to me that I go and play IPL instead of playing for my country.'

"That would be the saddest thing ever to happen to this great game.
"I want the next generation of Australian players to have that dream to put on the baggy green cap and play 100 Test matches and 300 one-day games."

Cricket was last part of the Olympics in Paris in 1900 when Great Britain beat France to take the gold medal.


CIMA Toronto Mayor's XI on winning run in England -- Posted Wednesday, August 27 2008

The CIMA Toronto Mayor's XI has now won four successive matches during the current trip to Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey, England, after the opening game of the tour was abandoned as a draw.

A stand of 144 between Rajiv Sivanesan and Owais Khurshid was the basis for the latest 83 run win over Metropolitan Police. Sivanesan made 95 runs and Khurshid 53 in a total of 214 for 9 wickets. Sivanesean then took 4 wickets for 34 as the Met Police was bowled out for 131 runs to give the tourists an 83 run win.

A stand of 103 between Lakshan Liyanage (51 runs) and Darius D'Souza (47 runs) took the tourists to a total of 166 fir 9 wickets against an Old Rutlishians side that was then bowled out for 150 runs. The CMIA Toronto Mayor's XI won by 16 runs.

On Sunday, the hosts for the cricket coaching, Chessington was in a deep hole at 35 runs for the loss of 8 wickets. But captain Hossain Shaoodin made 50 runs not out as the hosts reached 121 for 8 wickets in 40 overs. D'Souza notched 52 runs, Liyanage supported with 30 runs and the tourists romped to victory by 8 wickets in the 25th over.

The opening match against Chessington had been abandoned, with the tourists in a good position to press for victory. Beddinton was beaten by 64 runs in the s€econd game of the tour.

Results and Summary Scores from the Tour

Match #5 - August 26: CIMA Toronto Mayor's XI beat Metropolitan Police XI by 83 runs (40 overs per side - at Imber Court, Surrey)

CIMA Toronto Mayor's XI 214 for 9 wkts (40 overs: Rajiv Sivanesan 95, Owais Khurshid 53; J Carmier 4-27)

Metropolitan Police XI 131 all out (32 overs: D. Corey 37; Rajiv Sivanesan 4-34, Salman Nazar 3-30)

Match #4: August 25: CIMA Toronto Mayor's XI beat Old Rutlishians by 16 runs (Tour match #4 - 40 overs per side)

CIMA Toronto Mayor's XI 166 for 9 wkts (40 overs; Lakshan Liyanage 51, Darius D'Souza 47)

Old Rutlishians 150 all out (40 overs: Foster 47; Lahiru Gallage 3-13, Darius D'Souza 2-26)

Match #3: August 24: CIMA Toronto Mayor's XI beat Chessington CC by 8 wickets

Chessington CC 121 for 8 wkts (40 overs: H.Shaboodian 50*; Lahiru Gallage 3-13, Michael Walton 2-21)

CIMA XI 124 for 2 wkts (24.4 overs; Darius D'Souza 52, Lakshan Liyanage 30)

Match #2: CIMA Toronto Mayor's XI beat Beddington by 64 runs

CIMA Toronto Mayor's XI 165 for 2 wkts (20 overs: Harsh Desai 50* ret'd, Darius D'Souza 36, Rajiv Sivanesan 33*, Lahiru Gallage 28*)

Beddington CC 101 all out (17 overs; G. Lester 37; Salman Nazar 4-17, Lakshan Liyanage 3-21)


Match #1: CIMA Toronto Mayor's XI v Chessington - Match Abandonded as a draw

Chessington 117 for 9 wkts (20 overs: Luke Carter 33; Darius D'Souza 3-25, Lakshan Liyanage 3-19)

CIMA Toronto Mayor's XI 59 for 1 wkt (9 overs: Darius D'Souza 20, Lakshan Liyanage 21*)


Gayle century blasts West Indies to title -- Posted Tuesday, August 26 2008

Chris Gayle showed he was a class above his opponents with an unbeaten 110 that secured West Indies a seven-wicket win over the hosts Canada in the final of the Associates Tri-series. Chasing the home team's 179, Gayle thrashed 14 fours and six sixes during his 77-ball stay as his side stormed to the title.

The force of Gayle, the visiting captain, was so strong that the match ended with 22.3 overs remaining. "It was good to get among the runs again and make a contribution to the victory," Gayle said. "I got a good start and decided I would capitalise and make the most of it today. Some people may want to say, 'just Canada no big thing', but it is always good to get a ton. I'm truly happy."
Sewnarine Chattergoon, the other opener, helped Gayle with 23 while the wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh chipped in with 29. The debutant Balaji Rao Dorakanti collected both Baugh and Leon Johnson, but it was too late to alter the course of a one-way contest.

Jerome Taylor's three strikes and two from Nikita Miller helped West Indies smother Canada, while three run-outs, including two from Brendan Nash, added to the difficulties.

Rizwan Cheema, the Man of the Series, stood tall at the top of the order with 61 off 45, but nobody was able to lift the tempo when he fell at 99 for 4.

"It was an overall team effort and I'm delighted with the way we performed to win and win in style," Gayle said. "We came with a specific game plan and we stuck to it. Canada played well in the earlier matches and we wanted to make sure we did not let them have too many opportunities. We wanted to make sure we played better cricket than they did."

As expected, West Indies went through the tournament undefeated, but Gayle remained pleased with the results. "Overall I would say we had a very good tour," he said. "It gave some new players an opportunity to showcase their skills and they took the chances with both hands."


Article sourced from:-
http://content-www.cricinfo.com/scotia/content/story/366148.html


CIMA Toronto Mayor's XI win UK tour match -- Posted Monday, August 25 2008


The CIMA Toronto Mayor's XI beat Beddinton CC (Surrey, England) by 64 runs in the second match of the current tour. Harsh Desai scored 50 runs, before retiring, as the team scored 165 runs in its 20 overs. Lakshan Liyanage then took 3 wickets for 21 runs as Beddington was bowled out for 101 runs. The first match of the tour had been abandoned as a no-result due to rain.

Scores:

CIMA Toronto Mayor's XI 165 runs for 2 wickets (20 overs; Harsh Desai 50* retired, Darius D'Souza 36, Rajiv Sivanesan 33*, Lahiru Gallage 28*)

Beddington CC 101 runs all out (17 overs; G. Lester 37; Salman Nazar 4-17, Lakshan Liyanage 3-21)


Gayle leads Windies over Cheema-charged Canada -- Posted Sunday, August 24 2008

The batting fireworks in the Scotiabank Series Final on Sunday did not match West Indies Xavier Marshall's ODI world record 12 six-hits of Friday. But, Canada's Rizwan Cheema struck 3 sixes and 8 fours in racing to 61 off 45 balls before being caught out, and West Indies skipper Chris Gayle then powered his way to a match winning 110 not out. Gayle's knock included 6 sixes and 14 fours.

The fans, probably somewhere between 3 and 4,000, were treated to an entertaining game, although there was disappointment that the Canadian innings went from rampant - 99 runs were on the board in 14.4 overs when Cheema was out- to a battle to last the full 50 overs. Canada was all out in the 47th over for 179. Gayle then headed the victory charge with an opening partnership of 88 runs with Chattergoon, then 77 runs with wicketkeeper Baugh for the second wicket. Marshall struck a boundary off the one ball he faced, Gayle hitting the winning boundary in the next over – the 28th – as the Windies reached 181 for 3 wickets.

Canada’s cause was undermined by three run outs, one off the first ball of the match, and pace bowler Taylor removing two top order batsmen – Ashish Bagai and Abdool Samada – cheaply. Manoj David made 28 from 68 balls, showing grit and determination, but sharing a horrendous run-out that saw both David and skipper Sunil Dhaniram at the same end of the pitch. Matches between test-playing teams, such as the West Indies , and the leading Associate countries (tier II teams in effect) sometimes see low scores due to lack of exposure of many Associate batsmen, most of whom are amateurs, to top-line bowling. A score of 179 all out is not great, but it showed potential. The last five Canadian batsmen each made a start, getting into double figures, but failed to reach the 20’s and 30’s range that takes a total into the 200 plus range.

Cheema’s innings ended with a catch off the bowling of Powell, who had suffered a string of powerful shots from the Pakistan-born Canadian opening bat in the early overs. Fellow opening bowler Taylor took 3 wickets for 33 runs. Cheema bowled five tidy overs for 19 runs, underlining his all-rounder status shown on Friday. Gayle took man-of-the-match honours.

Eddie Norfolk

CricInfo scorecard


Canada plunged to a 49 - run loss -- Posted Saturday, August 23 2008

A brilliant all-round performance by Rizwan Cheema failed to prevent Canada from plunging to a 49-run loss to the West Indies in the Tri-Nation One-Day International series in King City yesterday.

The Pakistani-born batsman, who was dropped at 18, 31 and 58, struck an explosive 89 off 69 balls with six sixes and 10 boundaries, gave Canada a slight chance of upsetting the two-time World Cup champion.

However, once he was dismissed in the 19th over with the score at 126, the West Indies regained their composure and cruised to their second one-day international win in as many matches against Canada, bowling out the host for 254 in the 48th over.

"That was quite an innings by Rizwan," Canada's captain, Sunil Dhaniram, said. "It gave us a chance."
West Indies batsman Xavier Marshall's maiden one-day international century and new world record for sixes in limited-overs internationals overshadowed Cheema's superlative effort. The right-hander surpassed his one-day international run aggregate in 16 previous matches in one innings today, scoring an unbeaten 157 in 131 minutes off 118 balls with 12 sixes and 11 boundaries.

The 12 sixes surpassed the 12-year record of 11 jointly held by Sri Lankan Sanath Jayasuriya and Pakistani Shahid Afridi.




Cricket: Ontario Under-19's win Scotiabank Canada Shield -- Posted Saturday, August 23 2008


Friday, August 24th, the fifth and final day of the 2008 Scotiabank Canada Shield, Canadian cricket's Under-19 National Championship was practically washed out in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It had rained heavily overnight and into the morning. Although the ground crew worked hard to make the grounds ready, play was impossible until it was too late to play an “official” game under competition rules.

Based on the results from the previous four days, the Tournament Committee announced the following placements:


1. Ontario
2. British Columbia
3. Alberta
4. Manitoba
5. Quebec
6. The Shield XI

* The Shield XI included players from Nova Scotia, Saskatoon and Alberta.

The Tournament Committee determined, as a kind of compromise to hold shortened [15-over exhibition] games in the time remaining, simply to provide some entertainment to those who were on hand.

Officials from Scotiabank in Winnipeg were on hand to congratulate the participating teams, distribute medals to Ontario and British .Columbia and the Scotiabank Canada Shield to the champion Ontario Under-19 team.

The tournament was also served to identify individuals with talent who may progress to represent Canada at the international level. After the tournament, attending national selectors meet and drew up a long list from among the eligible players. In 2009, Canada will play in the ICC Americas Regional Under-19 Championship, with a place in the next Under-19 Cricket World Cup at stake.

*** Thanks go to the Tournament Committee, the players, umpires, scorers and volunteers, with special thanks to Manitoba Cricket Association President, Mr. John Lovelace, and Executive Officer Ron Dipchand for work in publishing results from this tournament.

*** Day 4 Information follows:

Aug 21/Day 4 Results -all matches played at Assiniboine Park, Winnipeg, Manitoba



Ontario Vs. Manitoba (Centre Ground)



Result: Ontario Won by 57 Runs on Duckworth/Lewis (D/L) method



Ontario 164 all out (43 Overs)
Manitoba 70 all out (? overs)



Manitoba was set a revised target of 127 in 35 overs
Shield XI Vs. Quebec (South Ground)

Result: Sheild XI won by 4 runs on D/L



Shield XI 155 all out (49.3 overs)

Quebec 109 all out (? overs)



Quebec was set a revised target of 113 in 32 Overs
Alberta v. British Columbia



Result - British Columbia won by 1 wicket

Alberta 134 all out in 47 Overs
British Columbia 110 for 9 wickets (? overs)



British Columbia was set a revised target of 110 in 36 Overs


Marshall outduels Canada's Cheema in batting blitz -- Posted Saturday, August 23 2008

Scoring Summary: Scotiabank Series (ODI matches)

West Indies 303 for 4 wickets (50 overs; Xavier Marshall 157 not out, Leon Johnson 52, Rizwan Cheema 3 wickets for 31 runs)

Canada 254 all out (47.2 overs; Rizwan Cheema 89, Brendon Nash 3 wickets for 33 runs)

West Indies won by 49 runs.

King City, Ont, Aug22 - West Indies beat Canada by 49 runs in a match with some impressive ball striking, first by the Calypso men’s Xavier Marshall, followed by a challenging response from Rizwan Cheema. Cheema’s power saw him strike 6 sixes and 10 fours in making 89 runs, before being caught. His runs came from 69 balls, the score being 126 when he was out. Canada battled away with the bat, five players scoring in the twenties, but none going on to firmly take the fight to the West Indies .

But it was still a good effort for Canada , a tier II country under cricket’s rankings, to post a score of 254 all out in response to West Indies , one of ten top tier countries, 303 for 4 in 50 overs. This total was the result of Marshall’s fierce series of blasts that left him 157 not out when the overs ran out. He struck 12 sixes, several crossing into the next field at the north end, where a biker had been doing a different type of sailing through the air during the early play. Marshall also hit 11 boundaries in an innings of 116 balls.

He was involved in stands of 128 for the third wicket with Leon Johnson, who made 51, and an unbroken 111 for the 5th wicket with Brendan Nash. Nash made 39 not out.

Cheema came on as first change bowler for Canada and took 3 of the 4 West Indies wickets that fell for 31 runs in 10 overs. Opening bowler Eion Katchay had a good spell of 10 overs, 3 maidens (no runs scored in an over), 25 runs and 1 wicket; by far the most economical of a day dominated by the bat.

During Canada ’s innings, Nash took 3 wickets for 56 runs from 10 overs. Dave Mohammed took 2 wickets for 34 runs in his 10 overs.

There was a much better crowd surrounding the boundary than by recent standards. The visit of West Indies A in 2002 attracted useful numbers of spectators. The two teams meet again on Sunday in the Final of this Scotiabank Series. Some improvements came off the field on Friday, but it still seems to be like pulling teeth to imagine someone might make announcements to introduce who is batting or bowling, or information on milestones in batting or bowling.

Canada certainly has a chance of winning the Final, and notching an important win over an ICC Full Member cricketing country, which in this case is a regional side. The spirit of the game was demonstrated by both the players and the crowd, as it has been during the three round robin matches, which also involved Bermuda .

Eddie Norfolk


Canadian lose to West Indies despite Cheema's heroics -- Posted Friday, August 22 2008
Canada took on the West Indies in the third match of the Scotiabank with both sides assured of a place in Sunday's final thanks to victories over Bermuda. They lost by 49 runs but were by no means embarrassed.

West Indies won the toss and chose to bat. For much of the innings Canada seemed to be well in the game but a late flurry allowed West Indies to post a total of 305. Gayle and Chattergoon were dismissed with only 50 on the board, but Johnson (51) and Marshall (157*) put on 128 for the 3rd wicket. When the fourth wicket fell in the 39th over, West Indies only had 192 on the board, but Nash and Marshall tore into the Canadian bowling in the last 10 overs. The last 5 overs yielded 79 runs, and Marshall's 157 included 12 sixes, 116 of his runs coming in boundaries.

Canada needed something special if they were to come close to an intimidating total and got it from Rizwan Cheema. Cheema in just his second one-day international treated the West Indies bowling with scant respect, advancing to a rapid half century off just 31 balls - attaining his 50 with a massive six over long-off. He rode his luck, being dropped three times but hit powerfully, with 10 fours and six sixes. and went on to reach 89 (69 balls) out of 126 when he was finally caught at square leg. Despite the good start, however 305 was just too much for Canada, and they were all out for a respectable 254.

CricInfo scorecard


Windsor and Sunrise Browne in Cricket Final -- Posted Friday, August 22 2008
E Norfolk

Windsor Cricket Club hosts Waterloo Sunrise Browne in the final of the Southern Ontario Cricket Association championship on Saturday. The match is at Optimist Park, Windsor (12.30 pm start). It is a 45-overs per side game.

Windsor beat Sunrise Onkar, while Sunrise Browne beat Kaiteur from Waterloo in last week's semi-finals.


BC and Ontario in Under-19 Final -- Posted Friday, August 22 2008
E Norfolk

(Winnipeg, MN, Aug 21) British Columbia faces Ontario in Friday's final of the under-19 Scotiabank Canada Shield Cricket Championship at Assiniboine Park, Winnipeg (11 am). Third place depends on the clash between Manitoba and the Scotiabank Shield XI. Alberta and Quebec meet to decide fifth place.

The Shield XI has players from Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan.


CIMA Toronto Mayor's XI UK Tour - News -- Posted Friday, August 22 2008


The first match of the CIMA Toronto Mayor's XI 'Cricket Across the Pond Tour' was abandoned due to rain. The Mayor's XI was in a good position at 55 runs for 1 wicket from 9 overs, chasing host Chessington Cricket Club's total of 114 runs for 9 wickets off 20 overs.

E Norfolk


Scotiabank Canada Shield - Results for August 18-20, 2008 -- Posted Thursday, August 21 2008

This event is the first year of the national inter-provincial Under-19 Championship being under Scotiabank's sponsorship. Assiniboine Park, Winnipeg, Manitoba, is the host ground. This championship was previously called the Canada Cup..

Ontario, containing several Canadian junior international players, won its 3 matches during the group phase. Three teams had records of 2 wins and 1 loss: British Columbia, Manitoba and Alberta. The Shield XI and Quebec lost all 3 matches.

*** The semi-finals were being played on Thursday (Aug 21 - results not at hand) with the Final and matches for lower places on Friday (Aug 22).

Results Summary (Short version)

Aug 20

Ontario 74-1 beat British Columbia 74 all out by 9 wickets
Manitoba 167 all out beat Quebec 149-7 by 18 runs
Alberta 215 all out beat Shield XI 89 all out by 126 runs

Aug 19

Manitoba 115 all out beat Alberta 67 all out by 48 runs
British Columbia 219 all out beat Shield XI 131 all out by 88 runs
Ontario 234-9 beat Quebec 120 all out by 114 runs

Aug 18

Ontario 85-1 beat Shield XI 84 all out by 9 wickets
British Columbia 82-4 beat Manitoba 80 all out by 6 wickets
Alberta 71-4 beat Quebec 70 all out by 6 wickets

**** A summary with individual scoring highlights follows******


Wed Aug 20/Day 3 Results

Ontario vs. British Columbia (North Ground)

Result: Ontario Won by 9 wickets

British Columbia 73 all out (33 Overs; Michael Perera 21; Arsalan Qadir 4-13, R. Pathan 2-8, Zain Mohammed 2-11; Parth Desai 2-4)

Ontario 74-1 in 21 Overs (Rustam Bhatti 38 not out, Usman Limbada 23 not out)


Manitoba Vs. Quebec (South Ground)

Result: Manitoba won by 18 runs

Manitoba 167 all out (33 Overs; Waleed Ahmad 29, Ahadulla Khojazada 22
Deepak Pabla 2-23, Kabir Shajjahd 2-23)

Quebec 149-7 (50 overs; Umar Mohammad 36, Umar Farooq 34, Harpreet Manes 3-12)

Alberta Vs. Sheild XI (Centre Ground)

Result: Alberta won by 126 runs

Alberta 215 all out (47 overs; Sudeepa Aurka 88, Daniyal Fahim 35, Merhan Shahriah 3-43, Fatehilliah 2-41, Ankul Rana 2-32)

Shield XI 89 all out (32 overs; Ramandeep Tarkan 20, Rizwan Saleem 3-15)


Aug 19/Day 2 Results

Alberta vs Manitoba (North Ground)

Result: Manitoba beat Alberta by 48 runs:

Manitoba 105 all out (46 overs: C. Wijewerdane 17 not out; D. Fahim 3-22, S. Avrika 3-17)

Alberta 67 all out (25 overs; H. Tariq 24; W. Ahmed 4-25, Trevor Manoosingh 3-13)


British Columbia vs Shield XI (South Ground)

Result: British Columbia beat Shield XI by 88 runs

British Columbia 219 all out (? overs; S. Randhawa 52, M. Khavli 39, N. Bardi 26, A. Rana 3-21, S. Kuma 2-29)

Shield XI 131 all out (? overs; S. Dhond 22; C. Ariyarante 5-21)


Ontario vs Quebec – Centre Ground

Result: Ontario beat Quebec by 114 runs

Ontario 234-9 (50 overs; H. Patel 68, S. Zaidi 33, R. Bhatti 31; S. Kabir 3-36)

Quebec 120 all out in 32 overs (U. Farooq 33; A. Qadir 3-24, H. Patel 2-9)


Mon Aug 18/Day 1 Results

Ontario v. Shield XI (North Ground)

Result: Ontario Won by 9 wickets

Shield XI 84 all out (32 overs; Mehran Shrivastava 15; Parth Desai 2-13, R. Parthan 2-10, Hiral Patel 2-6)

Ontario 85-1 (11.3 overs; Hiral Patel 51; Rustam Bhatti 17 not out)

Manitoba v. British Columbia (Centre Ground)

Result: British Columbia won by 6 wickets

Manitoba 80 all out (33 overs; Waleed Ahmad 12; Manny Aulakh 4-15, Munish Khauli 2-11, Charith Ariyaratne 2-2)

British Columbia 82-4 (29.1 Overs; Manny Aulakh 21 not out, Satnam Randhawa 15 not out; Harpreet Manes 2-31, Waleed Ahmad 2-19)

Alberta Vs. Quebec (South Ground)

Result: Alberta won by 6 wickets

Quebec 70 all out (25.1 overs; Umar Mohammad 26; Umar Farooq 10 Not Out
Khuram Tahir 3-16, Anus Kafait 2-10, Daniyal Fahim2-10)

Alberta 71-4 (21.1 overs; Khuram Tahir 21 not out; Deepak Pabla 2-17)


Bermuda lose to West Indies in Toronto -- Posted Wednesday, August 20 2008
West Indies won the toss and chose to bowl in the second match of the Scotiabank one-day series. Bermuda posted a total of 158, thanks in large part to the batting of Douglas, the 19 year old left hander making 53. In reply West Indies got off to a poor start losing a wicket before a run was scored, and their second with 32 on the board but eventually ran out easy winners with skipper Sarwan scoring an unbeaten 49.

CricketEurope scorecard


Scotiabank Canada Shield Results (Day 1) -- Posted Tuesday, August 19 2008
Eddie Norfolk

Scotiabank Canada Shield (Canadian Under-19 Championship)

There were wins for Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta on the opening day of cricket's Scotiabank Shield at Assiniboine Park, Winnipeg, Manitoba. The best performance with the bat came from Ontario's Hiral Patel who scored 51 runs for Ontario in a 9 wicket win over the Shield XI. British Columbia's Manny Aulakh took the day's bowling honours with 4 wickets for 15 runs in a win over Manitoba. The tournament is Canada's Under-19 championship.


Day 1 Results - August 18 at Assiniboine Park, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Ontario 85 for 1 wicket (11.3 overs) beat Shield XI 84 all out (32 ov) by 9 wickets
Hiral Patel scored 51 runs for Ontario

British Columbia 82 for 4 (29.1 ov) beat Manitoba 80 all out (33 ov) by 6 wickets
BC bowler Manny Aulakh took 4 wickets for 15 runs

Alberta 70 for 4 (21.1 ov) beat Quebec 70 all out (25.1 ov) by 6 wickets

The tournament continues thru Friday at Assiniboine Park.


Canada beat Bermuda in Scotiabank series -- Posted Monday, August 18 2008
After losing the toss and being put in by Bermuda, Canada got off to a good start as debutant Rizwan Cheema hit three sixes in a 24 ball innings of 34. When his partner Mohammad Iqbal was caught behind for 17, the opening partnership was worth 53 in less than 6 overs. Cheema and Bagai soon followed however but Samad and David took Canada past the century after 19 overs. David played well in his maiden ODI innings and was unlucky to fall short of a well deserved half-century when he was run out for 48. He and Dhaniram (36) put on 61 for the 5th wicket setting the scene for an excellent undefeated 7th wicket partnership between Jethi and Baidwan (21*). They put on 73 in the last 8 overs, Jethi contributing 46 from only 36 balls. Canada's final total was a very respectable 260.

Bermuda made a strong start to their reply, led by another debutant, Douglas. He and Edness put on 90 for the 2nd wicket, and after 38 overs Bermuda looked to be in the driver's seat at 181/2. However they need to accelerate and wickets tumbled. David showed his all-round skill with 2 wickets for 30 off 10 overs, Canada, who had put down three easy chances earlier started holding onto their catches and the game swung around in Canada's favour. 5 wickets fell for 23 runs, leaving the lower order an impossible task. Canada ended up the winners by 25 runs.

Skipper Dhaniram will be well pleased with the win, especially after disappointing performances against the same opponents earlier in the summer, and the selectors will be impressed by the all-round ability of David and Jethi. West Indies play Bermuda on Wednesday, and Canada will play the West Indies on Friday, with a place in Sunday's final nearly assured.


CricketEurope scorecard


Important week for Canadian cricket, but who knows? -- Posted Monday, August 18 2008
Eddie Norfolk

This is an important week for Canadian cricket. But, how many people would know, especially in Canada? There are three representative series of what should be significant matches taking place; one in the Greater Toronto area, one in Winnipeg, and one ‘across the pond’ in the Greater London Area of England.

The West Indies visit Toronto for the Scotiabank Tri-Series of ODI matches to face High Performance Associate countries Bermuda and hosts Canada at Maple Leaf Cricket Club. Assiniboine Park, Winnipeg, is the venue for the Scotiabank Canada Shield, the national inter-provincial Under-19 Championship. Both events start on Monday, August . The ODI has a 3-match round-robin phase with a final next Sunday. The Scotiabank Canada Shield concludes on Friday.

Meanwhile, the CIMA Toronto Mayor’s XI left on Friday for two weeks of cricket coaching and matches against clubs in Surrey, England. This is the first ‘Cricket Across the Pond’ venture. The base for the players is Kingston-upon-Thames with coaching taking place at Chessington Cricket Club. Trips to London’s two test grounds, the Brit Oval and Lords are on the agenda. The Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) is involved as a sponsor in this tour, which the City hopes will be the first of many.

City Councillor Adam Vaughan, speaking recently to the youngsters on this tour, and their parents, emphasised “Cricket teaches respect. This initiative illustrates what we can do against tremendous odds to organize between the public and private sectors to create a profile for a sport which, in this city, has not enjoyed as rich a profile as it should have.”

He spoke of the tour as taking “our greatest resource, our youth, and put them on stage. You represent not just cricket and your families in persuing a unique opportunity. Our kids are ambassadors for the city, not just for our sport, but also for establishing contacts for education, with business and across families that might be separated due to immigration.” The England visit is due to be the first of an initial three, but the target is for “this program is not only successful in its first year, but for future years.”

Vaughan recalled “ my mother told me to watch what happens when there is a good play. When someone makes a fifty or a hundred, everyone pays respect. Everyone applauds, players and spectators

He observed “this is an example of what sport can do for everyone in a community. I hope you will share these values (learned from cricket and the tour) and the experiences in your communities when you come back.”

Historic links in cricket, trade and social history

Cricket, business and social history can be linked in the visit of the West Indies for this ODI series and the Toronto youngsters trip to England. The first West Indies cricket tour was not to England, but to Canada and on to the United States of America back in 1886.

The “Memory” of that first tour, as recorded by L. R. Fyfe, was reproduced with a historic update by Professor Hilary Beckles as “The First West Indies Cricket Tour” (Canoe Press) in time for Cricket World Cup 2007. In 2007, the Ontario government held an exhibition and a series of related events to celebrate the work of Simcoe. He made the first moves in the then British Empire aimed at eliminating slavery.

In Toronto, the early August public holiday is observed as Simcoe Day. Last year, the Ontario Government staged an ongoing exhibition on the 200th anniversary of the original anti-slavery legislation. Canada started to become a safe-haven for slaves escaping from the USA.

The timing of the annual Caribana festival in Toronto ties in with Simcoe day. A festival now having Scotiabank as title sponsor.

Canada and the Caribbean have many historical trading relationships. It also shows in the cricket world. Scotiabank is the current sponsor of both the West Indies and Canadian cricket teams, as well as being a sponsor for Cricket World Cup 2007. RBC (Royal Bank of Canada) is sponsoring ‘Cricket across the Pond’ and the ‘Wicket Cricket‘ initiative to provide elementary schools with sets of cricket equipment.

Scotiabank has operated also the Kiddy Cricket initiative in the Caribbean for a number of years. This similarly provides equipment and includes an educational aspect.

The film “Cricket and the meaning of Life”, written and produced by Professor Sanjay Talreja in conjunction with the National Film Board of Canada, gives an insight into the cricketing landscape on the sub-countinent – Talreja comes from India - and in the Greater Toronto Area of his adopted homeland. At first he had lost touch with the game, but he found it in a public park.

One of the featured youngsters in that film, Nitish Kumar, captained the ICC Americas XI in April’s CLICO International Under-15 Championship and lead Canada to success in the recent Americas Under-15 Championship in Bermuda. Sadly, this is news likely known by the few, not the many, in Canada. But the win over the USA drew one paragraph in a leading newspaper.

The Canadian women’s team made a first overseas tour in April. This involved five matches in Trinidad & Tobago. Although all games were lost, it provided opportunities for the players to learn and progress. But again, there seems to have been little news of this tour in Canada, although it was followed with interest by the local media.

Potential

Cricket can be a force for good and harmony, as can other sports and other cultural events, such as music, books and art. It still has tremendous potential in this country, but that potential needs to be developed, otherwise current cricketers or potential cricketers could be lost to other sports, the cultural scene or to the world on playing sport on a computer.

Current reality for Canadian cricket, not just in the GTA, is, as Councillor Adam Vaughan said at that pre-London, tour meeting. Cricket is “ a sport which….has not enjoyed as rich a profile as it should have.” He applied that tag to the city of Toronto, but it has a broader application across Canada.

Around the time Canada appeared in the 1979 Cricket World Cup, some Australian tourists spoke of the potential for cricket that exists in this country. But it requires coordinated promotion and development of players, infrastructure and administration.

How many of the cricket leagues across Canada have a title sponsor? How many of the Americas championship winning Under-15 side, or the Canadian women’s side, were developed due to a central initiative of the governing body?

Precious few, if any.

How many more pitches, umpires, scorers and commited administrators do we need?
How many of the grounds being used could do with often significant enhancements?
And how many more grounds does the game need, to expand or even meet current demand in some major cities?

A lot.

But, listen to some of the current and recent leaders of Canadian cricket. It’s a different world. They are doing a wonderful job. But what standards have they set themselves?

There were no signs at the ground telling people about the Scotiabank National T20 Championship, or the ODI series with Bermuda, or the two ICC Intercontinental Cup matches earlier this year. And, in recent history, that reflects the norm for international matches at any of the grounds in the Greater Toronto Area.

How many people know the 2012 Under-19 Cricket World Championship is due to be hosted in Canada?

One report on Canadian cricket, written by a CCA official and published in the ICC Americas Annual Report, spoke of the need to avoid complacency. One printing shop near G. Ross Lord Park, Toronto, has a banner in its’ window that reads “A business without a sign is a sign of no business.’

Why not press for cricket to be included in the plans for the Greater Toronto Area and the Golden Horseshoe to host the 2015 Pan American games? It might have more of a chance than trying to get the International Olympic Committee to re-write its rules and bring cricket to the 2012 Olympics in London, England. The Pan Ams could help cricket growth in the Americas Region.

Lord’s is to be used for archery. And don’t forget, the West Indies competes as one at cricket in Tests and ODIs but for the Olympics and Pan Am games, the separate nations compete individually.

It’s time to work out proper strategies and plans. Not just 3 week, 3 month and 6 month ones. Sure, seize opportunities, if something special comes up, but it is critical for the game to have respect and credibility in this country.

Life has few easy, magic solutions.

Just ask the coaches, the players, the umpires, the scorers and those who really keep Canadian cricket alive.

And it takes time, money, planning, commitment, training and implementation, among other things.



The schedules for each of these events are:

Scotiabank ODI Tri-Series

Maple Leaf Cricket Club, King City, Ontario. Matches start 11 am.

Monday, August 18 – Canada v Bermuda
Wednesday, August 20 - Bermuda v West Indies
Friday, August 22 – Canada v West Indies
Sunday, August 24 – Final

Matches start at 11 am.

Scotiabank Canada Shield – Under-19/Junior Inter-Provincial Championship

Assiniboine Park, Winnipeg; August 18 to August 22. Matches start 11 am

Group Match Phase

Pool A: British Columbia, Ontario & Shield XI
Pool B: Alberta, Manitoba & Quebec

Mon Aug 18 Ontario v Shield XI; Alberta v Quebec;
Crossover game: British Columbia v Manitoba

Tue Aug 19: British Columbia v Shield XI; Alberta v Manitoba;
Cross-over game: Ontario v Quebec

Wed Aug 20: Ontario v British Columbia; Manitoba v Quebec
Cross-over game: Alberta v Shield XI

Knock-out Phase

Thu Aug 21 Semi-final 1: 1st in Group A v 2nd in Group B
Semi-final 2; 1st in Group B v 2nd in Group A
Plate match 3rd in Group C v 3rd in Group C

Fri Aug 22 Final; Winner Semi-final 1 v Winner Semi-final 2
Plate challenge Loser Semi-final 1 v Plate match winner
Loser Semi-final 2 v Plate match loser

CIMA Toronto Mayor’s XI Cricket Across the Pond Tour

Matches being played in Surrey, England

Tues Aug 19 17.30 hrs 20/20 match v Dorking CC at Chessington Cricket Club
Thur Aug 21 13.30 hrs 40 over match v Sunbury CC at Sunbury CC
Fri Aug 22 17.00 hrs (20/20) v Chessington Academy XI at Chessington CC
Sun Aug 24 13.00 hrs 45 over match v Chessington CC Select XI at Chessington
Mon Aug 25 14.00 hrs 20/20 match v Old Rutlishians CC at Old Rutlishians
Mon Aug 25 1830 hrs 20/20 match v Kingston Deputy Mayor's XI at Chessington
Tue Aug 26 v Metropolitan Police (TBA)
Wed Aug 27 (tba) 40 over match v Chris Bullen's Surrey Select XI at Chessington


Unbeaten Canada romp to Under-15 title -- Posted Friday, August 15 2008

Canada were crowned Under-15 Americas Champions in Bermuda after predictably taking care of a final-day victory against the Cayman Islands at the Police Field. By crushing the luckless Cayman Islands in ruthless fashion, Canada ended the week unbeaten and deserved winners of the tournament.

The Cayman Islands decision to bat first did not work out as planned as they were bundled out for a paltry 33 in just 15.3 overs, then Canada only needed 2.3 overs to knock off the runs and celebrate their championship.
Canada's Axay Patel returned extraordinary figures of 6-4-4-6, and his six-wicket haul deservedly earned him the Player-of-the-Match award. Not far behind was skipper Nitish Kumar, who continued his fine bowling form and took his total wicket haul to 16 by taking 4 for 8 in 4.3 overs. In what thus became a straight shoot-out for second place at the National Sports Centre, USA comfortably beat a disappointing Bermuda to relegate the hosts to third place. After being out in to bat, USA captain Abhijit Joshi once again showed his class with his third half-century of the event, making 68 off 104 balls.

In fact his involvement with two big partnerships virtually took the game away from Bermuda at the outset. Fellow opener Vikram Valluri made a brilliant 51 off 57 balls, with six fours and a six, as together Joshi and Valluri got the innings to the ideal start with a 97-run partnership. More was to come in the shape of Player of the Match Steven Taylor, who made a sparkling 65 off only 61 balls, with 9 fours and a six, and contributed to an entertaining second-wicket partnership of 113. USA eventually finished on a daunting 236 for 7 in their 40 overs, while for Bermuda only Tre Govia had relative success with the ball in taking 3 for 39 in 7 overs. Edward DeSilva weighed in with 2 for 28 in 5 overs.

In reply, Bermuda never gained any momentum, and apart from a stylish 39 from Greg Maybury, an innings compiled off 53 balls with five fours, no other Bermuda batsman could gain any real advantage over the USA bowling attack, with the spinners once again to the fore. Andrew Ajodhi took 3 for 34 in 8 overs, while Krishneal Goel took 2 for 8 in 4 overs, and Waqas Shah 2 for 25 in 5 overs, as Bermuda succumbed for 126 all out in 33.1 overs and defeat by 110 runs.

The Bermuda Development XI clinched a credible fourth place with a resounding win over the Bahamas at Bailey's Bay. Choosing to bowl first, the Development XI routed the Bahamas for 66 in 27.5 overs, and were it not for a resolute 20 not out (45 balls, 2 fours) from No. 3 Turan Brown, as well as 26 wides, it could have been much worse.
Best of the Bermuda bowlers was Tre Manders, with 3 for 16 in 7 overs, with all other six bowlers used taking a wicket apiece. The Development XI needed only 7.4 overs to reach their target, with Player of the Match Lateef Trott making an explosive undefeated 41 off only 29 balls.

1. Canada
2. United States
3. Bermuda
4. Bermuda Development XI
5. Cayman Islands
6. Bahamas

Report sourced from:-
http://content-www.cricinfo.com/other/content/story/364699.html


West Indies Name Squad for Canadian ODI Tri-Series -- Posted Thursday, August 14 2008


Chris Gayle leads the West Indies squad for the Tri-Nations
tournament at Maple Leaf Cricket Club, King City, Ontario (August 18
to 24th) and will be the basis for the West Indies challenge in the
upcoming ICC Champions Trophy. Canada and Bermuda, the ICC Americas
two High Performance Associates, are the other two teams taking part
at Maple Leaf CC.

The West Indies squad in Canada comprises: Chris Gayle
(Captain); Carlton Baugh; Sewnarine Chattergoon; Fidel Edwards;'
Shawn Findlay; Leon Johnson; Xavier Marshal; Nikita Miller; Dave
Mohammed; Brendan Nash; Daren Powell; Kemar Roach; Ramnaresh Sarwan;
Jerome Taylor

Missing from the squad in Canada is Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who
played two games for Tranzac in the Toronto & District Cricket
Association Premier Division in 2006. He is to join the squad for the
ICC Champions Trophy in September. Dwayne Bravo is missing due
to injury.

"The tour of Canada is an opportunity to get together and build team
spirit. It is the ideal time to look at tactical awareness and allow
the players to become familiar with what is needed. I see it as a
good build-up," said Clyde Butts, Chairman of the West
Indies selectors.

Butts sees the ICC Champions Trophy as a "major challenge" but it
also provides "major opportunities". Indeed, West Indies cricket
had a boost when the side came through to win the 2004 ICC Champions
Trophy Final against England at the Brit Oval.


"The trip to Pakistan will be a major challenge but we are capable
of playing really good cricket and I have faith in the players that
they can deliver. I believe we can compete with the best in the
world," Butts said.

"The team we have selected is not the most experienced in the world,
but we have players who are capable of doing great things on the
world stage. Major challenges present major opportunities for the
players and they are well aware."

The team includes two newcomers, Leon Johnson, a former West Indies
Under-19 captain, and Brendan Nash, who was born in Australia, before
he moved to Jamaica.

"Nash has had a wonderful time since coming to Caribbean. He is a
solid batsman, steady bowler, and excellent fielder. Johnson had a
very good regional tournament and was consistent. We believe they
will both fit in and do very well," Butts said.

West Indies A visited Canada in 2002, after a trip to the British
Isles. Canada won the one-day series by 2 matches to 1. A two-day
game was drawn.

Match Schedule for the Tri-Nation series

Monday, August 18 - Canada v Bermuda
Wednesday, August 20 - Bermuda v West Indies
Friday, August 22 - Canada v West Indies
Sunday, August 24 - Final

The Maple Leaf ground is at the intersection of Dufferin Street and
15th Sideroad, King City. Certain York Regional Transit buses
normally pass the ground on Mondays to Saturday.




Winnipeg hosts Canada Cup Under-19 Championship for the Scotiabank Shield -- Posted Wednesday, August 13 2008


The Canada Cup Under-19 cricket championship, usually staged every 2
years, is scheduled for Assiniboine Park, Winnipeg, Manitoba from August 18 to August 22. Five provinces and a Shield XI make up the
entry in this tournament. The provinces are: Alberta, British
Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec.



Canada ODI washed out in Dublin -- Posted Wednesday, August 13 2008


The Ireland-Canada ODI (One-day international) match at Clontarf,
Dublin, on Tuesday (August 12) was abandoned without a ball being
bowled on Tuesday.

The next action for Canada is an ODI Tri-Series at the Maple Leaf
Cricket Club, King City, Ontario, spearheaded by the West Indies. Regular visitors to the Toronto area, Bermuda, are the other
participants.

The series is due to begin with Canada v Bermuda on August 18th. West
Indies then faces Bermuda on August 20 and Canada on August 22. The
top two teams meet in the series final on August 24.

The venue for this event has switched from the Toronto Cricket,
Skating and Curling Club, and dates have also adjusted slightly.



Canada Under15's win ICC Americas Championship -- Posted Sunday, August 10 2008


Canada's Under 15 cricket team took the Sir Henry Tucker Trophy, as
ICC Americas Under 15 Champions, on Saturday (August 9) in Bermuda.
Canada made short work of the Cayman Islands to go unbeaten with 5
wins from 5 games. The Caymanians were bowled out for just 33 runs
and Canada polished off the runs for the loss of 1 wicket. Axay Patel took 6 wickets for 4 runs and skipper Nitish Kumar 4
wickets for 8 runs. The skipper then made 11 not out as Canada sailed
to victory in quick time.

Key wins over defending champions the USA and Bermuda propelled the young Canadians to the title. USA beat Bermuda to place second.

The tournament, sponsored by the Bank of Bermuda Foundation, has been
played at a number of grounds in Bermuda. The Bahamas made its first
appearance at this level and a Bermuda Development XI also
participated.


Canada and Ireland draw ICC match -- Posted Saturday, August 9 2008
Canada, resuming at 31/3 on the 3rd day of the Intercontinental Cup match against Ireland looked to be slipping to a rapid defeat as they quickly lost two more wickets to leave them 51/5.Geoff Barnett was still there, and played a sheet anchor role, whilst Sunil Dhaniram was more aggressive. At tea they had put on 89 for the 6th wicket- of which Dhaniram had contributed 70, with 12 fours and a six. Barnett had 35 from 153 balls, an invaluable innings in the circumstances. Rain prevented any further play in the match.

No play was possible on day 4 of the ICC Intercontinental Cup match in
Ireland due to torrential overnight rain .The Ireland-Canada game has
been abandoned as a draw. 3 points each. This concludes Canada's
2007-2008 campaign in this competition. The top two sides in the
standings will contest the Final in November.

The Scotland-Kenya match in Glasgow was washed out without a ball
being bowled.

The Ireland-Canada ODI is scheduled for August 12 in Clontarf.



White's century hurts Canada (ICC Intercontinental Cup - Day 2 of 4) -- Posted Saturday, August 9 2008
Scores (close of 2nd day of a scheduled 4 days): ICC Intercontinental
Cup:

Ireland 326 runs for 6 wickets declared (88 overs; Andrew White 109
runs not out, Kevin O? Brien 75 runs, Paul Stirling 40 runs)

Canada 31 runs for 3 wickets (16 overs)


Andrew White scored 109 not out (14 boundaries, 144 balls) and joined
with Kevin O'Brien in a partnership of 154 runs that saw Ireland to
326 runs for 6 wickets declared in the ICC Intercontinental Cup match
with Canada on Friday. Ireland took three early wickets as Canada
closed the day 295 runs behind on 31 runs for 3 wickets.



The first day?s play had been washed out, but Ireland gained a solid
start with Paul Stirling (44 runs) and Reinhardt Strydom (33 runs)
reaching 68 runs before the first wicket fell. White and Kevin
O?Brien took about 33 overs for the 154-run stand. O?Brien?s 75 runs
included 9 boundaries and four sixes. He faced 97 balls.



Irish spinner Kyle McCallan took 2 wickets in 2 balls as the day drew
to a close, after making a breakthrough with a run out early in the
Canadian innings. It keeps Irish hopes of a trio of wins in this
competition alive.


Canada Under-15's edge out Bermuda to bolster title hopes -- Posted Saturday, August 9 2008


Bermuda Under 15's 167 runs all out, Canada Under 15's 168 runs for 8
wickets

Canada Under-15's beat Bermuda by 2 wickets in the ICC Americas
Under-15 Championship today (Friday) at St David's Cricket Club,
Bermuda. Bryan Henry's innings of 44 runs not out saw Canada home with just 4 balls to spare. Kamua Leverock's 42 runs had steered
Bermuda to 167 runs all out. Siddarth Mookerji took 3 Bermudian
wickets for 20 runs in 4 overs and Trevor Manoosingh 2 wickets for 21
runs in 7 overs.

The win leaves Canada unbeaten, with 4 wins from 4 games, and a
favourite to win Saturday's match against the Cayman Islands at the
Police Recreation Club. Cayman Islands has been beaten by both
Bermuda and the USA in this event, so Canada will have high hopes
of winning the game and the Sir Henry Tucker Trophy.

Bermuda and the USA both with 3 wins and 1 loss records face off at
the National Sports Centre. Bermuda would have a chance of winning
the trophy with a win over the US if Canada was to falter.

Four of this Canadian squad gained experience with the ICC Americas
Development XI earlier in April and May during the CLICO International Under-15 Championship, staged in the West Indies. All
four - Nitish Kumar, Nikhil Dhutta, Jeevanjot Sidhu and Manoosingh
- seem to have benefited from that experience and contributed to the
success of the Maple Leaf side in this current tournament. But so
have others, such as Mookerji, Tristan Ali, Axay Patel and Kesavan
Juvarajan, named player-of-the-match for his all-round efforts in the
win against the USA, the present Americas champions at this level.

But for all participating players these tournaments can be great
experience, both for cricket and for life. Not to mention the
dedication of players, families and coaches in helping the players
reach this level.



No play on opening day of Ireland v Canada -- Posted Friday, August 8 2008
Ireland won the toss, but there was no play on the opening day of the
ICC Intercontinental Cup match with Canada on Thursday. The
Scotland-Kenya match in the same competition also failed to start. An
ODI match between the Netherlands and Bermuda was also washed out.


ICC impressed by improving associates -- Posted Thursday, August 7 2008


Richard Done, ICC's High Performance Manager, has labelled the recent World Twenty20 Qualifiers in Ireland "a great success" while paying tribute to the hosts, Cricket Ireland.

The top Associates did battle with 11 matches over four days in Belfast, with Ireland and Netherlands - a surprise package this year - qualifying for next year's ICC World Twenty20 in England. Third-placed Scotland will also appear, should Zimbabwe adhere to global pressure and step down from the competition. However, there was no place for Kenya, the favourites, whose tour of Britain has lurched from one disappointment to another.

Despite the low scores which characterised most of the games, Done insisted that this highlighted the quality of bowling on show.

"It was disappointing to see the final being rained-off but apart from that, I think the tournament was excellently organized and we saw some very exciting matches with the ball dominating the bat," he said. "This event gave the top six Associate sides a chance to qualify for the main event in England next year through playing in the Twenty20 format.

"This was a good progression considering that for the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 2007 in South Africa, Kenya and Scotland qualified on their performance in the 50-over-a-side ICC World Cricket League Division 1 in Nairobi.
"As for the bottom three sides [Kenya, Canada and Bermuda], they can assess what went wrong and work towards to the opportunity to re-qualify for the 2011 World Cup through the qualifier in 2009."

If Zimbabwe confirms they won't play in the World Twenty20, Ireland will take their place in Group A (with India and Bangladesh); the Netherlands will ease into Group B (with England and Pakistan) and Scotland, who beat Kenya in the third and fourth-place play-off on Monday, take position in Group D (with South Africa and New Zealand).

However, if Zimbabwe go back on their decision and play, Ireland will join Group B and the Netherlands will be placed in Group D.

Report sourced from:-

http://content-www.cricinfo.com/iccworldtwenty20/content/story/363887.html


Canada beat USA at Americas U-15 -- Posted Thursday, August 7 2008
Canada beat the USA by 3 wickets on day 3 of the ICC Americas
Under-15 Championship in Bermuda on Wednesday to remain unbeaten.
Canada and Bermuda each has 3 wins from 3 matches in the race for the
Sir Henry Tucker Championship.



Nitish Kumar took 4 wickets for 11 runs as Canada bowled out the
current champions for 104 runs, then posted a winning 105 runs for
the loss of 7 wickets.



Canada and Bermuda meet in a crucial game on Friday. A win over
Bermuda on Friday would put Canada in the driver's seat, but the
young Bermudians will have the same thoughts. Canada closes on
Saturday with a game against the Cayman Islands, while Bermuda and the USA meet in what could be a key match.



Canada began this event with a 159 runs win over debut-making
Bahamas, then beat the Bermuda Development XI by 8 wickets. Canada
has done particularly well when bowling. Bahamas was bundled out
for 29 runs and Bermuda Development XI was bowled out for 82 runs.



There have been two ICC Americas Senior Championships - Divisions 2
and 3 - this year that have each had a major twist on the final day
to decide the outcome.



Canada win again at Americas U15s (ICC) -- Posted Thursday, August 7 2008
No surprises for top three on day two, but Bahamas win hearts


Canada beat Bermuda Development XI in second 8 wicket win of tournament – Bermuda ease past Cayman Islands by 6 wickets – USA beat courageous Bahamas by 42 runs


The three clear title contenders – Bermuda, Canada and USA – all registered their second consecutive victories of the Americas U15 Championships on day two in Bermuda, and the race for the 2008 title is set to intensify on day three when Canada meet the USA in the first head-to-head of the three teams.

Hosts Bermuda were never in danger of losing against the Cayman Islands after bowling out their opponents for only 80 at the National Sports Centre. After winning the toss, the Bermuda bowlers justified their decision to bowl first and claimed wickets regularly to set up a relatively undaunting run-chase.

Tre Govia, with 3 for 12 off 8 overs, and Keishon Wilson, 3 for 7 in 3 overs, returned the most impressive figures, but all the bowlers played their part. Kashwayne McKenzie provided stern resistance to top score for the Cayman Islands with 12 off 50 balls.

There was perhaps a brief flutter for the Bermudians when they were reduced to 12 for 2, but despite losing another 2 wickets along the way, the target was never going to be enough, and Bermuda reached 81 for 4 in 14,2 overs to claim the victory.

After earlier taking 1 for 9 in 6 overs, player of the match Joshua Gilbert was his teams and the days top batsman with an undefeated 27, scored off 30 balls with 4 fours.

Canada made short work of the Bermuda Development XI at Bailey’s Bay with their second 8 wicket win of the event. After electing to field first, Canada’s bowling line-up proved too strong for the local side and the Development XI were all out for 82 in 31,4 overs, despite a bright opening stand of 37, spearheaded by Lateef Trott, who made 27 off 28 balls with 6 attractive fours.

Three Canadian bowlers stood out, particularly player of the match Jeevanjot Sidhu, who took 3 for 6 in 5 overs, but also captain Nitish Kumar, 3 for 13 in 7,4 overs, and Axay Patel, with 2 for 9 in 6 overs.
Opener Nikhil Dutta led the way to the modest target, top-scoring with an undefeated 34, made off 61 balls including 3 fours, with Kesavan Juvarajan also undefeated on 14.

The match of the day was probably that between defending champions USA and affiliate nation Bahamas, with the highlight of the day undoubtedly the courageous display by the Bahamas. After having been bundled out for a mere 29 on day one, the Bahamas produced a courageous and spirited performance against powerful opposition even though eventually going down by 42 runs at Somerset CC.

After being put in to bat, prolific captain and opening bat Abhijit Joshi registered his second half-century of the tournament with an outstanding innings of 70, scored off 75 balls and laced with 9 sparkling fours. Opening partner Cameron Mirza made a bright 26 off 23 balls, with 5 fours, and their opening stand of 75 in 12 overs threatened to be the onset of another miserable day for the Bahamas.

But the Bahamas attack, allied to keen fielding, stuck to their task, and apart from Pranay Suri, with 28 off 28 balls including 3 fours and a six, no other USA batsman reached double figures, and the innings eventually closed in the 34th over on 171. The Bahamas had in fact claimed all ten USA wickets for 96 runs.

After his five-wicket haul on day one, Matthew Jesubatham continued his fine form, with 3 for 29 in 8 overs, while Turan Brown produced a superb display taking 3 for 16 in his 7 overs. Also noteworthy was Robert Smith with 2 for 8.

In reply, and at 86 for 3 after 24 overs, the match was definitely in the balance, and day one was a distant memory. Opener Turan Brown completed a fine all-round display, making 37 off 83 balls, with 4 fours, while skipper Jermaine Adderley top-scored with 40, including 4 fours and a six off 58 balls.

However, once Pranay Suri had snagged both Brown and Adderley, the Bahamas could not maintain their brave challenge but nevertheless batted out their 40 overs to finish on 129 for 9. Suri’s spell proved important, finishing with 4 for 24 off his full 8 overs.

Tomorrow sees the hosts Bermuda take on the Bahamas, while the Cayman Islands meet the Bermuda Development XI, but the match-up that will be undoubtedly capture most attention will be that between Canada and the USA at the National Sports Centre.

The traditional North American derby promises to be a quality contest, with the key perhaps being who proves more dominant between the stylish USA batting line-up led by Abhijit Joshi, with consecutive half-centuries under his belt, or the penetrative Canadian bowling attack, including Nitish Kumar who will be looking for at least a third three wicket haul.


Canada finish 5th in world 20-20 (ICC) -- Posted Tuesday, August 5 2008
Ireland and the Netherlands shared the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier
trophy after the final was rained-off without a ball being bowled at
Stormont in Belfast, Ireland on Tuesday.

After a delayed toss by 30 minutes, which Ireland won and decided to
field, persistent light showers and thick cloud cover prevented the
groundsmen from removing the covers from the square. The umpires,
Sarika Prasad and Paul Baldwin, made a few inspections before
deciding to call off the match at 1630 (local time).



As the final played out, Ireland will be Associate 1 in the
tournament group of the the ICC World Twenty20 ground on the basis
its 10th place in the Reliance Mobile ICC ODI Championship while the
Netherlands will be Associate 2 as it leads the Associate ODI ranking
table.
This means if Zimbabwe opts not to ratify its earlier decision taken
at the Annual Conference to step back from the tournament, Ireland
will join England and Pakistan in Group B and the Netherlands will
form Group D with South Africa and New Zealand.



However, if Zimbabwe confirms it won't play, Ireland will take
Zimbabwe's place in Group A (with India and Bangladesh), the
Netherlands will ease into Group B (with England and Pakistan) and
Scotland, which defeated Kenya in the third and fourth-place play-off
on Monday, takes a position in Group D (with South Africa and New
Zealand).

Earlier in the day, Canada defeated Bermuda by eight wickets in the
fifth and sixth-place play-off.



In overcast conditions, Canada put Bermuda into bat and bowled it out
for 70 on the final ball of the 20th over. The North American side
faced little problem in achieving victory in 10.3 overs.



Geoff Barnett scored 31 not out with five fours and Ashish Bagai
scored 15 not out after John Davison had hit a rapid 19 off 13 balls
with two fours and a six.

However, it was Steven Welsh who walked away with the
man-of-the-match award after recording figures of 3-0-6-2.
'
Fifth and sixth-place play-off

Canada beat Bermuda by eight wickets

Bermuda 70 all out, 20 overs (Oliver Pitcher 15, Stefan Kelly 11;
Steven Welsh 2-6, Harvir Baidwan 2-11, Henry Osinde 2-12, John Davison 2-16)

Canada 71-2, 10.3 overs (Geoff Barnett 31 not out, John Davison 19,
Ashish Bagai 15 not out)



ICC Americas U15 Championship – Bermuda 2008 – Day 1 (ICC) -- Posted Tuesday, August 5 2008

Three favourites dominate first day U15 action


The three pre-tournament favourites showed dominant form on the first day of the ICC Americas U15 Championship in Bermuda with comprehensive victories.


Defending champions USA surged past a gutsy Cayman Islands side by 8 wickets – Canada crushed debutants Bahamas by 156 runs – Hosts Bermuda eased past the Bermuda Development XI by 8 wickets


On the first day of the ICC Americas U15 Championship in Bermuda the three obvious title contenders put in powerful performances to win their opening fixtures with relative ease. Defending champions USA and hosts Bermuda both registered convincing 8 wicket wins, over the Cayman Islands and the Bermuda Development XI respectively, while Canada stormed past tournament debutants Bahamas with a 156 run victory.

The United States began the defence of their title by first restricting a plucky Cayman Islands outfit to 157 for 9 in their allotted 40 overs, then racing to their victory target in a mere 14,5 overs for the loss of only 2 wickets.

Electing to bat first at the picturesque oceanfront St.David’s CC ground, the Cayman Islands made sure the USA bowled their full quota of overs, largely thanks to 29 from opener Rohan Alvaranga (off 49 balls, 4 fours, 1 six) and 25 from Anthony Dawes (57 balls, 2 fours).

In fact the Cayman Islands had been in a solid position at 83 for 1 after 15 overs, but a dramatic middle-order slump saw them rocked back to 95 for 6 before stubborn lower order resistance saw them post a respectable 157. Pick of the USA bowlers was Krishneal Kumar Goel, who took 3 for 19 in 8 excellent overs.

In reply the USA opening pair of Abhijit Joshi and Vikram Valluri got the innings off to an explosive start with an opening stand of 95 in only 10 overs. Player of the match Joshi made an outstanding 77, off only 53 balls, including 8 fours and 4 sixes. Valluri contributed 27 in 21 balls, with 5 fours.

Coming in at the fall of the first wicket, a rampant undefeated 37 from Steven Taylor, off 21 balls with 3 fours and 3 sixes ensured the USA reached their target in 14,5 overs, with 162 for 2 and an 8 wicket victory.
At Somerset CC first-time participants Bahamas made a promising start, bowling out the powerful Canadian side for 185 in 35,2 overs, with player of the match Matthew Jesubatham claiming 5 for 52 in his 8 overs. In fact, at 105 for 5 at one point, it needed some useful contributions from the Canadian lower order to get them up to their eventual total, with too many batters perhaps guilty of getting in and not continuing on to bigger individual contributions.

Tristan Ali, with 30 off 42 balls, including 3 fours, was the top-scorer, with four other batsmen getting into the twenties. However, it all proved to be far too much for the Bahamas batting against a potent Canadian bowling line-up, and they could only muster a total of 29 all out in 21,5 overs. Although no batsman reached double figures, mention should be made of Bahamian number three Asmeid Allie, who held out for 9 not out off 45 deliveries.

Siddharth Mookerji, with 3 for 3 in 5 overs, and Nitish Kumar, 3 for 6 in 6 overs, were the undoubted picks of the Canadian bowlers, while Michael Walton weighed in with 2 for 5 in 5 overs, as Canada won by 156 runs.
In an all-Bermudan contest at the Devonshire Recreation ground, the first-choice Bermuda team comfortably eased past the Bermuda Development XI by 8 wickets. Bermuda needed only 10,4 overs to make 85 for 2 and reach their victory target after the Development XI had earlier been bowled out for 84 in 26,5 overs.

Top scorer for the Development XI was Isaih Lewis, who made 24 off 24 balls, with 4 fours and a six, while best of the Bermudan bowlers were skipper Greg Maybury, 2 for 20 in 5 overs, Tre Govia, 2 for 26 in 6 overs, and Keishon Wilson, 2 for 5 in 2,5 overs.

Player of the match Damian Collins made sure there were no hiccoughs, as he made 28 in 14 balls, with 2 fours and 3 sixes, while Jeloni Albuoy and Kamau Leverock both made 14.

Day two sees Bermuda meet the Cayman Islands at the National Sports Centre, USA face the Bahamas at Somerset CC, and Canada take on the Bermuda Development XI at Bailey’s Bay.


Canada out of World 20-20 after defeat to Kenya -- Posted Sunday, August 3 2008
Canada was looking for a semi-final spot as they took on Kenya in their second match of the world 20-20 qualifer in Belfast. Kenya needed to beat Canada with nine balls to spare to secure a place in the last four and managed with 5 balls to spare, following a disappointing batting effort from the Canadians

Canada won the toss and chose to bat first and did not impress. Davison fell trying for the big shot, caught at deep square leg for 6. Samad tried to pull a ball that wasn't that short and only succeeded in giving the bowler a return catch. Barnett scored 13 from 16 balls before being caught and Bagai was caught and bowled from a leading edge. Brilliant fielding from Tikolo led to Surkari being run out, and Dhaniram being caught at point 2 balls later, leaving Canada at 50/6. With only 9 overs gone and most of the recognised batsmen gone, Jethi and skipper Thuraisingam played more sensibly to try and build a defendable total. They put on 29 before Thuraisingam was caught in the deep, Baidwan was lbw for just a sinlge, and Jethi run out, 3 wickets falling in 6 balls. The last pair took the total to 92 before another run out ended the innings in the 20th over. Kenya only need to score at 5/ over to eliminate Canada.

Canada got off to a good start with two early wickets, a run-out and a Bagai catch giving Baidwan another wicket. Otieno however looked comfortable and without needing to take risks the Kenyan score mounted. Tikolo contributed 12 before Dhaniram had him leg-before, and Davison had Odoyo caught by Barnett. Davison also had Kamande caught, and when Baidwan dismissed Otiento for 40 Canada had a glimmer of hope. With only 10 runs required for victory Aga and Obanda saw Kenya home from 17.5 overs, securing a semi-final spot, and relegating Canada to the role of spectators.


CricInfo scorecard


Canada edge past Netherlands -- Posted Saturday, August 2 2008

Canada, after dismissing Netherlands cheaply, batted rather painfully before finally achieving a victory by four wickets, with three balls to spare, to open their ICC World Twenty20 qualifying campaign successfully. The bowling of both sides was good, but there was little batting to savour.

It was a significant come-down for Netherlands after their impressive victory over Kenya in the first game of the day, but shows how quickly Twenty20 fortunes can change and how open this tournament will be.

Netherlands decided to bat on winning the toss. They quickly lost their opening batsman, Darron Reekers, third ball without a run scored, caught and bowled by Henry Osinde, the ball bouncing up off glove and helmet.

Eric Szwarcynski and Daan van Bunge repaired the damage by good batting and running before the former sliced a catch to third man, departing for 19; 34 for 1 in the seventh over. This was to be the high point of Netherlands' innings. Osinde finished his four overs with an impressive 2 for 21.

The middle order trembled, with Tim de Grooth holing out on the leg boundary for 9 of six balls and van Bunge caught in the covers for a solid 12; at 53 for 4, taken to 58 at the ten-over mark, the innings was at the crossroads. It took a wrong turn, with the star role played by medium-pacer Harvir Baidwan. Ryan ten Doeschate, the hero of Netherlands' first match, sliced a catch to backward point to depart for 4 and Henk Mol was stumped first ball. After a run-out removed Mudassar Bakhari, Edgar Schiferli was lbw, and the score was a disastrous 65 for 8.

Soon after, Baidwan finished his spell of devastation with 4 for 19. At the other end, the offspinner John Davison took no wickets, but kept the pressure right on by conceding a mere 11 runs off his four overs, the most economical bowler of a long three-match day.

One batsman stood firm amid the ruins, Peter Borren, who batted so sensibly yet firmly that it was hard to realize he was scoring at better than a run a ball. Jeroen Smits gave him good support for a while with a noble 5 runs, their stand adding 29, before the innings closed for 97 in the nineteenth over.

When Canada, chasing an even less challenging target than Ireland had in the previous match, Davison was soon up to his usual tricks. Mudassar Bukhari had the misfortune to be bowling the second over of the innings, and he found successive deliveries planted for six over midwicket and long leg.

He was fortunate to limit the damage to 17 runs off the over. But Davison had more trouble with the bowling of Edgar Schiferli: after a couple of swings and misses, he tried to turn a ball to leg and edged a catch to slip; gone for 19, off 10 balls, out of 21.

Geoff Barnett and Abdool Samad took it easy - no-frills batting - as they added 34 at five an over before Samad (19) holed out on the leg boundary at 57 for 2, after 10 overs. Next man Ashish Bagai was run out quickly for 1, and Canada had to beware falling into the trap from which Ireland only just wriggled free in the previous match, getting into trouble through chasing a low target too slowly.

Barnett was next to go, caught in the deep for 21 attempting to increase the run rate, and the batsmen found it harder than ever to score off the tight Netherlands bowling. Schiferli took one for only 10 runs off his four overs, but then at last Sunil Dhaniram looked to take charge, though he was lucky to avoid being run out. He lost Zubin Surkari for a rather painful 6; eight were still needed off the last two overs.

Dhaniram ran himself out for 26, leaving three off the last over with four wickets in hand, which was finally achieved.

Article/report sourced from:-

http://content-www.cricinfo.com/iccworldtwenty20/content/story/363449.html


Canada open 20-20 qualifier with win over Netherlands -- Posted Saturday, August 2 2008
Canada took on the Netherlands in their first match of the World 20-20 qualifier today and came away with a comfortable win, thanks to a strong bowling performance. Osinde got things underway with a wicket in the first over, Baidwan ran through the middle order with 4 wickets, and John Davison, returning to the side after a long absence bowled his 4 overs for just 13 runs as Netherlands were all out for 97 in 18.4 overs.

Davison got the reply off to a strong start with a 2-six 10 ball 19, Barnett contributed a steady 21, Dhaniram top-scored with 26, and Canada won with 4 wickets and 3 ball to spare. A win against Kenya tomorrow will see Canada advance to the semi-finals.

The Netherlands beat Kenya by 19 runs in the opening game of the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier in Belfast today (Saturday August 2). There are only three games in this qualifying group, with two teams advancing to Monday’s semi-finals, so all matches are crucial.

The Dutch scored 153 runs for 9 wickets, headed by Ryan ten Doeschate’s 56 runs in 45 balls (1x4, 3x6) after the openers had given the Dutch a reasonable start. Several Kenyan batsmen got into double figures, captain Steve Tikolo top-scoring with 37 runs. Opening bowler Ed Schiferli took 3 wickets for 23 runs and ten Doeschate followed with 3 wickets for 27 runs.

Canda scorecard