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September 2009

Brothers bring cricket to Ajax-Pickering teens (newsdurhamregion.com) -- Posted Tuesday, September 29 2009
From http://newsdurhamregion.com/

New program aimed at youth, run by youth

BY REKA SZEKELY
AJAX-PICKERING -- Two Ajax teens are getting the ball rolling on a new cricket program for Ajax and Pickering youth.

Brothers Humza and Waleed Nusrat both started watching cricket with their father. When Humza, now 18, was in Grade 9, they decided to give playing a try and learned about the sport online and by watching YouTube.

They had so much fun that two years ago the brothers started an intra-mural cricket club at J. Clarke Richardson Collegiate. The first year there weren't that many people, said Humza, but by the second year it had grown to about 50 students.

"Kids started hearing about it, word got out and more kids came. Kids who had played cricket, kids who hadn't played."

This year, Waleed, 17 and a Grade 12 students at J. Clarke, wanted to take it to the next level and applied for a grant under the Take the Lead program.

"It was such a good program I wanted to move it out to the town as well, expand it," said Waleed.

The teens' program is now open to all Ajax and Pickering youth aged 15 to 19 through Take the Lead, which is spearheaded by The Youth Centre.

"It's a new program that we just started this year; the idea behind it was to allow youth in the community to apply for grants to run community programs of their own," said health promoter Kelly Ng from The Youth Centre.

A number of community agencies and the Town of Ajax are working with The Youth Centre on Take the Lead.

"All of the coalition members believe youth are really important members of the community and their energy and involvement really benefit the community," said Ms. Ng.

Four programs, including Waleed and Humza's cricket project, received grants of up to $1,000 this year. Also receiving funding are an arts showcase, a peer support program and a youth leadership program. In the case of the cricket program, the money went towards equipment.

The first two sessions will be held on Sept. 28 and Oct. 5 starting at 4:30 p.m. at the Ajax Cricket Club, 615 Monarch Ave., located near the Ajax Community Centre. Snacks will be provided.

Ajax resident Melvin Croning, who has played cricket for Canada and now runs a cricket academy, will be one of the mentors for the group.

Ms. Ng said although the teens are receiving support from adults, Humza and Waleed are actually running the program.

On Oct. 28, the brothers are organizing a special event where members of the Canadian cricket team and Cricket Canada will be on hand.

"There's going to be professionals and anyone can get tips," said Waleed.

Humza, who is now a first-year student at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, pointed out cricket is the second most popular sport in the world. He said some students who were newcomers to Canada and might not try out for other sports, joined the intra-mural club.

"It's a sport they're good at, so they're able to shine in that area," added Waleed.

Humza said playing cricket can overcome language barriers as well.

"Sports put everyone on a level playing field, you don't have to talk, you can just play," he said, adding that people who have never heard of cricket are just as welcome as those who have been playing their whole life.

To register, contact The Youth Centre at 905-428-1212.

Crescent CC capture Hamilton District championship -- Posted Tuesday, September 29 2009
1st Semi-final: #2 seed Cambridge Cricket Club vs #3 seed St. Catherine Cricket Club @ Victoria Park Cricket ground, Cambridge:

Batting 1st Cambridge Cricket Club was sent packing for only 34 runs in overcast & seaming friendly conditions.
St. Catherine made the required runs for the loss of 3 wickets.

2nd Semi-final: #1 seed Crescent Cricket Club of Hamilton vs Hamilton Cricket Club @ Mohawk Sports & Cricket ground, Hamilton:

Batting 1st, Hamilton Cricket Club batted first and was bowled out for a mere 71 runs.
Crescent was in deep trouble at 38 for 5 when rain showers stopped the play. On resumption of play after 30 minutes, Crescent had added only 11 more runs without losing another wicket when Hamilton Cricket Club complained to the official umpires that the field was too slippery for their players. Two official umpires and the match referee were confident that the field was more than safe to play and asked the teams to continue to resume the game. At this point, Hamilton Cricket Club walked off the field thus forfeiting the game to Crescent Cricket Club.

The final was played on 27th of September at Mohawk Sports & Cricket Park.

St. Catherine, defending champions, won the toss and asked Crescent Cricket Club to bat first. St. Catherine struck two early crucial blows by removing both openers at the score of 11 in 9 overs. The number 3 and number 4 batsmen started rebuilding the inning with great caution and occasional aggression with some lusty hits. As the inning was picking up some momentum and sustaining some stability, St. Catherine Cricket Club struck back with 5 quick wickets to leave Crescent struggling at 79 for 7. The lower order batsmen did well to take the score to 154 before the innings was closed. St. Catherine did well to restrict a power house batting side to a manageable target of 154.

St. Catherine openers started their run chase with a bang and racked up 40 runs without loss in 8 overs. It was a brilliant catch by a young Crescent player at square leg that removed the opening stand and lifted the whole Crescent Cricket Club. After the fall of 1st wicket it was a see-saw battle with each team taking an edge and in the end it came down to the wire. The last pair of St.Catherine was left to score almost 30 runs and they brought the game to the last over with 15 runs still needed. A four off the 1st ball and six off the 3rd ball kept everyone on the edge of their seats. In the end, it came down to 4 runs needed to win of the last ball, but Crescent Cricket Club managed to limit the St. Catherine batsmen to only a single thus winning the HDCL 2009 league Championship by only 3 runs.

The Presentation and Dinner Banquet is Scheduled for November 1st in Hamilton.

Thanks: Ranjit Chaudhri

Toronto Celebration of Cricket to be held October 3 -- Posted Monday, September 28 2009
Event Details - Toronto Celebration of Cricket - CIMA Mayor's Trophy
Date: Saturday October 3, 2009
Time: 9.00 am - 5.00 pm
Location: Sunnybrook Park, Toronto, (Leslie/Eglinton)
1132 Leslie Street, Toronto, ON

M3C 2K9

Itinerary:
8.00 AM - 9.00 AM - Cricket Demonstration - Ontario Women's Cricket Development Program

9.00 AM - 9.30 AM - Ceremonial Opening - Speeches

9.30 AM - 10.00 AM - Ceremonial Opening Game CEOs X1 Vs. Mayor's X1

10.00 AM - 4.30 PM - Corporate sector Five Over Exhibition Games

5.00 PM - Awards and Closing Ceremony

A Celebration of Cricket
Watch Toronto public services cricket team – Mayor’s XI joined by
Police Chief Bill Blair, City Councillors, TTC, GO and Toronto Housing
executives in cricket action against the private sector CEOs team
led by Globe and Mail Publisher Phillip Crawley.
Deloitte, Ernst & Young, KPMG and PwC cricketers playing in the
CIMA Accountants Cup 2009.
Five Overs corporate sector exhibition cricket matches – cricket
teams representing RBC, Bell, Rogers, Toronto Police, GO Transit,
TTC and Bombardier.
Watch CIMA media trophy exhibition cricket matches – Globe and
Mail, Toronto Star, Toronto Sun, ATN, CP24, CBC, Citytv and OMNI
TV cricket teams.
Web: www.cimacanada.org Email: mayorstrophy@cimacanada.org

Kings win inaugural TJT NCL T20 crown -- Posted Monday, September 28 2009
Exciting conclusion to T20 series

Sunday Sept 27 at G. Ross Lord Park (lower, or western, ground), Toronto, Ontario:

Semi-finals: Titans 103 for 8 wkts (15 ov) tied with Warriors 103 a/o (15 ov) – Superover tie-breaker: Warriors 8 for 1 wkt (1 ov) lost to Titans 9 for no wkt (1 ov)

Gladiators 92 a/o (13.5 ov) lost to Kings 94 for 3 wkts (14 ov) by 7 wkts

Final: Titans 110 for 4 wkts (15 ov) lost to Kings 112 for 6 wkts (14.4 ov) by 4 wkts

Ugandan all-rounder Kenneth Kamyuka provided the batting spark for Kings overhauling the Gladiators and then the Titans in the TJT National Cricket League T20 playoffs on Sunday at Toronto’s G. Ross Lord Park. Canadian U19 star Ruvindu Gunasekera was unlucky to see his fine 61 not out in the final prove just insufficient to carry the Titans to the title.

Rain on Saturday, and overnight, resulted in matches only being possible on the lower ground with a related reduction to 15 overs per side. The upper ground was too damp to allow play.

But the day’s first game, involving the Titans and Warriors, produced a an exciting tie, resolved via a superover decider. Warriors made 8 runs for 1 wicket in its Superover, then surely erred in having too many fielders in the deep when 2 runs were needed for victory from the last ball on a bumpy outfield. The ball was pushed out to mid-wicket and the boundary fielder was unable to gather the ball and effect a run-out that could have produced a tie and an extra superover.

Ruvindu Gunasekera struck 37 for the Titans, who made 103 for 8 wickets, and held two catches in the Warriors reply of 103 all out. Opening bat Albert Gopie hit 43, but the Titans bowlers struck back, headed by Ahmed Bakhtiar’s 3 wickets for 21 runs. Samad Shaikh’s 16 was the next best contribution with the bat for the Warriors.

The Gladiators, captained by Canadian international Rizwan Cheema, then stumbled to 92 all out against the Kings. Salman Ali top scored with 19 and Cheema made just 14. Shaheed Keshvani took 3 wickets for 13 and young spinner Parth Ravel closing the innings with an eventful couple of overs that brought 4 wickets for 11 runs.

Kenneth Kamyuka top-scored with 40 from 46 balls, Zamal Khan struck 22 from 20 balls and Keshvani helped seal the Kings win with an unbeaten 21 runs.

Gunaskera batted well in the final, blending conventional shots with some inventive flicks and prods, that yielded 61 runs from 42 balls. The main support came from captain Damodar Daesrath (16) and Numan Aslam (14*). Kamyuka opened the bating and once again provided the foundation of his side’s innings before being run out for 47 from 46 balls. Durand Soraine upped the tempo of the Kings response with 14 runs from 7 balls, batting first wicket down, and Zamal Khan notched 12 useful runs.

The light was fading as Kings took the inaugural TJT National Cricket League championship by 4 wickets with just 2 balls to spare. Kamyuka was named Man-of-the-Match for his efforts in the final.

Kings picked up the sponsors, TJT Realty, cheque for wining the Championship, and Titans received a consolation cheque from TJT as losing finalist. Further individual awards from this competition will be presented as part of the Toronto and District Cricket Association’s Presentation Night in November.

Winning the TJT title provides some compensation for Kamyuka and some of his King’s colleagues, after losing the TDCA Elite Division championship final to Popeyes (PCB) last weekend when playing for Brampton Masters Parkdale.

TJT Realty is looking forward to an improved league, possibly with more teams, in 2010. Finals day was well supported by players and coaches from all six teams, as well as umpires, some of the regular faithful cricket fans and TJT representatives and their families.

The domestic cricket season in Ontario continues for at least one more week, with playoff and T20 competitions set for various leagues next weekend.


Eddie Norfolk

Canterbury wins OVCC’s Allan Bishop Trophy -- Posted Monday, September 28 2009
Eddie Norfolk

Final at Rideau Hall, Ottawa, Saturday Sept 26:
Canterbury 258 for 9 wickets (50 overs; Akber Hussain 66, Vikram Arora 61, Zain Mahmood 56; Delawar Ahmadzai 3 wickets for 48)
Exodus-Belair 114 all out (27.5 overs; Rochak Meta 4 wickets for 15)
Result: Canterbury won by 144 runs

Canterbury took the Ottawa Valley Cricket Council’s (OVCC) top playoff award, the Allan Bishop Trophy, with a comprehensive 144 run beating of Exodus-Belair on Saturday (Sept 26). Canterbury powered to 258 for 9 wickets in its 50 overs as opening bat Vikram Arora struck 61 runs from 69 balls (including 4 fours and a six) then middle order batsmen Zain Mahmood and Akber Hussain shared a stand of 98 runs for the fifth wicket. Mahmood notched 56 runs at a run-a-ball (including 5 fours and a six) and Hussain top-scored with 66 runs from 47 balls. His innings included 4 fours and 4 sixes. The partnership carried Canterbury from 112 for 4 wickets to 210 for 5.

Delwar Ahmadzai was Exodus-Belair’s most successful bowler, taking 3 wickets for 48 runs from 9 overs.

Number three bat Nasrat Rhimia (21) and opener John Vernon (11) took Exodus-Belair to 35 runs, before the second wicket fell, but that was virtually the peak for the batting response. Akber Hussain opened with 6 overs for just 8 runs, and took one wicket, to put a squeeze on Exodus-Belair. Rochak Meta took 4 wickets for 15 runs, and four other Canterbury bowlers took a wicket.

It was Canterbury’s third Allan Bishop Trophy playoff success in four years.

PEI open new facility with Maritime 20-20 (Charlottetown Guardian) -- Posted Thursday, September 24 2009
Hagerman plays first ball on new Tea Hill cricket field

The Guardian

STRATFORD — Lt.-Gov. Barbara Hagerman played the first ball to help officially open the new Tea Hill cricket facility recently and to watch the action as the second annual Maritime Twenty-20 tournament got underway.
Cricket has a long and colourful history on the Island. It was so popular in the 19th century that when Charlottetown’s Victoria Park was opened to the public in 1873, it included a cricket field.
Hagerman’s first ball was a handy shot to short leg. Stratford-Kinlock MLA Cynthia Dunsford followed, demonstrating some fine attacking batting, while Charlottetown MP Shawn Murphy tried to pull some loose bowling away with a hefty shot to mid-wicket.
The morning’s celebrations also had an emotional element to them as Ranjit Saini, president of Cricket Canada, dedicated the Joe Ghiz memorial trophy to be awarded annually to the most valuable volunteer to the P.E.I. Cricket Association.
As Saini pointed out in his remarks, the reinvigoration of cricket on the Island epitomises the ideals of multiculturalism, inclusion and fair play for which the former premier strived so hard. The award will be made at the end of the season.
The tournament was a resounding success with both cricketers and novice spectators alike thrilling to the action as teams from New Brunswick and two from Nova Scotia took on the local squad led by captain Verley Harrison.
The six matches played were all close contests, with lots of hitting and some very tight bowling, said Richard Raiswell, a member of the P.E.I. Cricket Association.
By the end of play Sunday afternoon, Nova Scotia B took the honours and were awarded the victor’s spoils by Stratford Mayor Kevin Jenkins.
For P.E.I., all-rounder Rehan Hewagama walked away with the award for most valuable player of the series.
For Sarath Chandrasekere, president of the P.E.I. Cricket Association, the opening of this new facility is the culmination of a dream, and marks the return of the Island into the Canadian cricketing family.
But this is just the first step in a process that will see the new Tea Hill pitch evolve into the premier cricketing venue in the Maritimes, establishing it as an important training centre for new Island talent, and as a venue for national and international matches, said Chandrasekere.

Adastrians repeat as Quebec Champions -- Posted Tuesday, September 22 2009
Adastrians Cricket Club retain their Championship
Six (7) Time League 2003-2009 Champion in a row
Five (5) Times knock out 2005-2009 Champion in a row

Knock out Cup

Premier Division Champion Adastrians Cricket Club

Runner up Aat Sports Club



Division “A” Champion Sher-E-punjab Cricket Club

Runner up Jean Talon Boys Club



Division B Champion MCSO

Runner up Adastrians Cricket Club



QCF League



Premier Division Champion Adastrians Cricket Club

Runner up Aat Sports Club



Division “A” Champion Sher-E-punjab Cricket Club

Runner up Jean Talon Boys Club



Division B Champion United Bengal Cricket Club

Runner up Adastrians Cricket Club



20/20 League Champion



Premier Division Champion Adastrians Cricket Club

Runner up Aat Sports Club & Gujarat Cricket Club



Division “A” Final 20th September Sunday

Jean Talon Boys Club & Sher-E-punjab Cricket Club



Division “B” Champion United Bengal Cricket Club

Runner up Adastrians Cricket Club



Six-A-Side Tournament



Champion Pakistan Cricket Club

Runner Up Sher-E-punjab Cricket Club



4 Nation 20/20 India , Pakistan , West Indies , Sri Lanka



Champion Team Pakistan

Runner up Team India



Caribbean Island Cricket Tournament:



Guyana, Barbados , Trinidad , Jamaica , St. Vincent & Combined Island will be playing this week end.

Canadian duo set for Sri Lankan Premier Division experience -- Posted Tuesday, September 22 2009
Eddie Norfolk

Canadian cricket internationals Ashish Bagai and Harvir Singh Baidwan took off from Toronto’s Pearson International Airport last week, bound for Sri Lanka, where the pair is to gain important playing experience in the Sri Lankan Premier Division. Both are expected to be in Sri Lanka until the end of the first class season, that translates into being the end of December.

Bagai, Canada’s current international captain and a wicketkeeper/batsman, is the more experienced player, and has opted to play international cricket at the expense, at least in the short-term, of a career in banking. Bagai is 27 years old and was born in Delhi, India. He has represented Canada since 1996 at Under-15, Under-19 and senior levels. He also played for an ICC Americas Under-19 side in the ICC U19 World Cup before Canada took part as a separate country. He developed with the Toronto Cricket Academy and plays for the Toronto Cricket Club in the Toronto and District Elite Division.

Baidwan is a promising younger pace-bowling prospect, with potential to become an all-rounder, who could play a key role in Canada’s efforts at the 2011 Cricket World Cup on the sub-continent. He played with Yorkshire and now Toronto Cricket Club in the Toronto and District Cricket Association, as well as for Ryerson University.

Baidwan looking forward to the opportunity

Harvir Baidwan disclosed “I’m leaving for Colombo tonight. I’m playing in the first-class season with the Colts Cricket Club.” A broad smile came over his face, when asked which well known Sri Lankan players are with Colts. “The main (one) is the skipper, Chaminder Vaas. So I’m looking forward to it. ”

Vaas has played some 111 test matches and 321 ODI matches for Sri Lanka. In mid-year he announced his retirement from test cricket, but wishes to continue playing ODIs until the end of the 2011 Cricket World Cup.

Baidwan, mentioned learning from Vaas and other bowlers of “similar kind, working with the pace bowlers, learning the tricks.”

“So, looking forward to it, especially as things are different on the sub-continent. Things are very hard for the bowlers, especially the pace-bowlers. So I’m looking forward to it, getting all the experience which he (Vaas) has, and focussing on the World Cup.”

I mentioned how pace-bowling on the sub-continent seems to have progressed in the last 20 or 30 years on the sub-continent with the rise of the likes of Imran Kham and Wasim Akram (to name just two from different cricketing generations), as well as Australian pace star Denis Lillee running coaching and training programs for pace bowlers.

Harvir quickly mentioned “But that’s the good thing about it, right. For pace bowlers it’s really hard, especially in the sub-continent. Like I said, you have to learn something new. You have to be dead-on with the subcontinent’s wickets.”

“Nowadays it’s a batsman’s game. That’s why it’s very hard for the bowlers. Working with Chaminder Vaas, it’s going to be amazing stuff. Getting all the tips, whatever he has for me. ”

Harvir chuckled at the thought of the ball speeding to the boundary on a regular basis if a bowler strays off line and length in the unforgiving conditions of the subcontinent.

But for now Harvir Baidwan was dreaming of success for his new Colts colleagues, and clearly respects his new skipper, Chaminder Vaas. “ Playing for his team and making his team win the tournament” was the clear short-term target.

It was time to part company, with best wishes to Harvir Baidwan, and Ashish Bagai, for success in Sri Lanka. Canadian National Coach, Pubudu Dassanayake, himself a former Sri Lankan international, who closed his international playing career in Canada’s colours was at the airport, underline his support for this venture.

It will be a major leap, especially for Harvir Baidwan, from indoor nets and fitness training supervised by former National Coach Andy Pick during the 2006-2007 winter at Qasra Sports in North Etobicoke, to playing in Colombo. Pick had a vision for Canada’s leading players, if not Canadian cricket, that went beyond CWC2007 through to the 2009 World Cup Qualifier, and the 2011 World Cup.

A vision that had already seen some volunteers restore turf wickets to Toronto’s G. Ross Lord Park in 2006 to assist the national team. But those wickets have been ruined, so matting will be in use as the TJT National Cricket League wraps up this weekend at the ground with T20 semi-finals (10 am) and finals (2pm) on Sunday.

During the Canadian winter, Canada’s senior cricketers will visit Dubai for an ICC T20 World Cup qualifier, and in January the Under-19s will be at the ICC U19 CWC in New Zealand.

Some background: The Sri Lankan Premier Division Cricket Season

The Premier Division in Sri Lanka is currently in the middle of its one-day tournament, that started on September 2nd, with the final set for late November.

First class matches begin in October and continue to the end of December. Colts open with a match against Ragama CC (Oct 2), then faces Sinhalese Sports Club (Oct 9) and the season wrap-ups against Badureliya (Dec 26).

Colts came seventh last season in the Premier Division Tier A standings. Bllomfield headed topped the tables, followed by Tamil Union.

Colts captain Chaminder Vaas has played 111 test matches and 321 ODIs for Sri Lanka. His best bowling figures are 7 wickets for 71 runs (test) and 8 wickets for 19 runs (ODI). His batting brought him one century in test cricket.

Colts beat Chilaw Marians CC by 6 wickets in a one-day game on Sept 16. Chilaw tallied 258 for 9 wickets in 50 overs. Captain and opening bat Mahela Udawatte top-scored with 54. Colts responded with 264 for 4 wickets, winning with 13 balls to spare. Chaminder Vaas made 56, opening-bat Jeeva Kulatunga top-scored with 63, his opening partner Malina Warnapura notched 46 and ARS Silva notched 47 not out.

Canterbury and Exodus-Belair set for OVCC Challenge Division 50-over Final -- Posted Monday, September 21 2009
Eddie Norfolk
Ottawa Valley Cricket Council defending champions Canterbury beat Christ Church Cathedral in a high-scoring semi-final, and will meet Exodus-Belair, semi-final conquerors of New Edinburgh, in the final. Runs flowed as Canterbury piled up 262 for 7 in 50 overs, but Christ Church battled back after a shaky start to register 234 all out in 43.5 overs. By contrast, only one of New Edinburgh’s top five batsmen made double figures, so it was a rearguard action that brought a tally of 188 for 7 from 50 overs. Exodus-Belair took advantage and raced to 190 for 3 within 33 overs to seal a place in the final.

My understanding is that the 50-over Challenge Division play-off final is set for Ottawa’s Rideau Hall this coming Saturday (Sept 26), but I will confirm the date, time and venue later in the week. The 50-over final for the Citizen Division seems set for next Sunday (Sept 27) between Defence and New Edinburgh, also at Rideau Hall.

These semi-finals took place on Saturday (Sept 19), as did the semi-finals in the Citzen Division. One week can certainly make a difference in cricket; New Edinburgh had coasted home by 9 wickets against Exodus-Belair just one week earlier.

The OVCC season is due to end on October 3 with the finals of the T20 competition.

Challenge Division - Match Summaries

At Lynda Lane, Ottawa (Sept 19): Canterbury 262 for 7 wickets (50 overs) beat Christ Church Cathedral 234 (43.5 overs) by 28 runs

Easton Flemmings took an early wicket for Cathedral, but having Canterbury on 10 runs for 1 wicket was, perhaps, the high water mark of Cathedral’s performance on the day. Runs flowed at the top of the order as Vikram Arora struck 39 and number three bat Tauseef Shahid made 49 to set Canterbury on a much better course. Kamran Raza and captain Akber Hussain each made exactly 50, so with a couple of shots from other batsmen as the overs ran out, Canterbury reached a useful 262 for 7 wickets.

Flemmings ended with 2 wickets for 34 runs from 6 overs and Asif Sheikh took 3 wickets for 42 runs from his ten overs.

Opener Riad Khan lead the reply with 62, but the supporting knocks at the top of the order just failed to keep Cathedral ahead of the run chase in the equation between runs required, wickets standing and overs remaining. Ahmed Shah made 28, Dennis Fendandez 25 and Tobie Edmund 21, with a late burst of 31 from Asif Sheikh that saw Cathedral come up 28 runs short of the Canterbury total with 37 balls unused.

Five Afghanistan players and coach remain in Canada (CricketEurope) -- Posted Sunday, September 20 2009
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Andrew Nixon
19 September 2009
The Afghanistan Under-19 team received a warm welcome when they returned to Kabul after qualifying for the next year's Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand, including an audience with president Hamid Karzai at the presidential palace.

However, further reports have confirmed some of what CricketEurope reported yesterday, confirming that a number of players and a member of the coaching staff have remained behind and intend to claim asylum.

The reports have confirmed that five (not seven as previously reported) players and coach Dawlat Khan Zazay didn't return on their scheduled flight from Canada. An anonymous player told the Pajhwok Afghan News website that the five players are Aimal Wafa, Asghar Hussain Hotak, Iqbal Maliki, Zard Ali and Ayoub Ahmadzai.

Of the five, Aimal Wafa is the only one to have played for the full Afghan side, playing three times in last year's ACC Trophy Elite competition.

Shahzada Massoud, the former head of the Afghan Cricket Federation, confirmed to the website that the six had "fled". He blamed "administrative weaknesses and non-professionalism" of the current board. He revealed that in the past, team officials would keep hold of the passports of players in order to prevent such an incident from occurring. Indeed, given the situation in Afghanistan, it is surprising that this hasn't happened before.

The reports have been dismissed by a current senior member of the cricket board, Syed Shah Aminzai, who said that the six will be returning on the next flight from Canada.

Posters on CricketEurope's international forum have suggested that national selectors selected their relatives for the squad with the sole purpose of allowing them to claim asylum, though this has not been confirmed.

Canadian League standings, Sep 14 2009 -- Posted Wednesday, September 16 2009
Thanks to Ramon Lachmansingh

Standings for : 2009.9.16

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Chandra Gocool named Cricket Canada's Chief Executive Officer -- Posted Tuesday, September 15 2009
Cricket Canada release

Cricket Canada has named Mr. Chandra Gocool as its new Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Gocool`s appointment is effective immediately assuming the role filled by Mr. Ingleton Liburd who returns to his role as Senior Development Officer. Mr. Gocool is a former cricketer in the Toronto and District Cricket Association and brings his years of service in the government of Ontario to Cricket Canada and its member organizations. Among Mr. Gocool`s major achievements are:
• Formerly employed with the Province of Ontario as the Senior Manager of the sport and recreation program and as sport consultant working with various provincial sport organizations in a variety of sport development initiatives, including organizational development, athlete development, increasing participation, safety and self reliance. Also worked in other government departments in financial management and policy development
• Responsible for the implementation of the provincial government’s policy entitled “Full and Fair Access for Women and Girls in Sport and Physical Activity” aimed at increasing the participation opportunities for women and girls in a harassment free environment
• Represented federal and provincial interests in the implementation of the
Canada-Ontario Infrastructure Program aimed at the construction and renovation of facilities for sport, culture and tourism.
• Worked with the Provincial Olympic Secretariat in conjunction with the Federal Government in Toronto’s bid for the 1996 Olympic Games.
Mr. Gocool is upbeat about taking on this role at Cricket Canada stating that he appreciates the opportunity to lead Cricket Canada and “…looks forward to the challenge of developing the sport across the country…with two teams already in world cups there is a tremendous amount of preparation to be done and we have to ensure that we have done all we can to prepare our teams…”
Mr. Gocool also spoke of other issues and priorities that would be dealt with bringing together all that are involved in Canadian Cricket. “…together we can develop a synergy that can move the sport forward for the betterment of the game and for the enjoyment and satisfaction of all those who participate…”
Interim President Ranjit Saini echoed Mr. Gocool`s sentiments calling it a great day for Canadian Cricket and that “…it is time to build on all our successes and ensure that Canadian Cricket is strong and Cricket Canada is a vibrant and viable organization…Chandra’s task will not be a small one but we have full confidence in him to lead the organization to new heights…”

Six Ugandans go missing in Canada (CricInfo) -- Posted Tuesday, September 15 2009

Uganda's sporting authorities have confirmed rumours that six of the Under-19 side which participated in the World Cup Qualifier in Toronto are unaccounted for. The players were due to return home with the rest of the squad on Tuesday but it has emerged they have been missing for more than 72 hours.

Latimer Mukasa, speaking on behalf of the Ugandan board, said the six - Ahmed Yakub, who is the captain, Emmanuel Nakaana, Geoffrey Nyero, Moses Okwera, Andrew Ochan and Ahmad Sangau - were reported missing by the team's manager on Saturday.

"We were informed that these players had run away," Mukasa told Uganda's New Vision newspaper. "[The manager] said the last he had seen them was on Friday night, around 11.30pm. When he woke up the following morning, the players were gone. At this moment, we don't want to speculate about why they left. It could be all sorts of things - it is possible they were up to some mischief and they'll be found."

However, despite Mukasa stating they "could turn up at any minute", the revelation will draw parallels with the situation two years ago when two members of the Uganda side which had been competing in the World Cricket League in Australia absconded and subsequently claimed asylum. The pair have never returned home.

The Canadian authorities were criticised in some quarters after Sierra Leone were unable to participate in the Qualifers as a result of their team's visa applications not being able to be processed in time. With hindsight, their caution appears to have been justified.

If it does turn out the six Uganda players have disappeared with the aim of avoiding returning home, they will have dealt a major blow to the dream of many young cricketers from developing countries to play abroad. Their actions can only increase the difficulties facing players from Associate and Affiliate countries in obtaining the necessary visas to enable them to participate in ICC events.

U19 qualifiers- Canada finish tournament with win -- Posted Sunday, September 13 2009
Canada concluded the Under 19s qualifier with a 5 wicket win over Afghanistan. A good all-round bowling performance had the Afghans all out for 165 in 40.4 overs, then an unbeaten half century from Gunasekera saw Canada home with 6 overs to spare.

Canada ended up tied with the Afghans and PNG with 7 wins (Ireland finished first with 8 wins and one loss). Canada were placed fourth on net run-rate and easily qualified for the World Cup, along with USA and Hong Kong.

ICC U19 CWC Qualifier wraps up on Sunday (Sept 13) -- Posted Sunday, September 13 2009

Toronto, Sept 12 : from Eddie Norfolk

The ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup (CWC) Qualifier wraps up on Sunday (Sept 13) in King City, Ontario with key interest on the battle for the one outstanding place in the 2011 ICC U19 CWC in New Zealand. Hong Kong, the Netherlands and Uganda remain in the hunt for this spot, which may come down to a net run rate decider.

Afghanistan (7 wins, 0 defeats), Ireland (7 wins 0 defeats), hosts Canada (6 wins, 2 defeats), Papua New Guinea (6 wins, 2 defeats) and the USA (5 wins, 3 defeats) have already sealed qualifying places through achievements on the pitch.
Hong Kong, Uganda and the Netherlands each has thee wins. In the last round of matches, Hong Kong meet the USA, PNG face the Dutch. Uganda is left waiting on the sidelines as it already has a win by default over Sierra Leone, who failed to arrive before an ICC deadline. The two African sides were due to meet in during the last round robin games on Sunday.

Schedule for Sunday, September 13, 2009 - the last round robin matches

Canada v Afghanistan (Maple Leaf CC, South West ground)
Hong Kong v USA (Maple Leaf, North West Ground)
Ireland v Vanuatu (Maple Leaf, South East Ground)
Netherlands v Papua New Guinea (Maple Leaf, North East Ground)

Uganda wins by forfeit a scheduled match with Sierra Leone.

Matches are scheduled to start at 10. am.

Maple Leaf Cricket Club is at the corner of Dufferin Street and 15th Sideroad, King City, Ontario.

Canada beat USA in Under19s -- Posted Friday, September 11 2009
A fine bowling performance by Arsalan Qadir and 66 in 51 balls from D'Souza led Canada to a 3 wicket victory over a strong USA team. Qadir took 6/44 as the USA totaled 234. D'Souza took 2 wickets and then after Bhatti's 87 put Canada in position to win, D'Souza finished off the innings with a hard hitting 66. Canada vaulted over USA to 4th spot, tied on points with the two teams above them.

Canada U19s qualify for world Cup (Cricket Canada) -- Posted Friday, September 11 2009
Canada have booked a place in the 2010 International Cricket Council`s u19 World Cup with win Thursday at King City over Vanuatu. The win pushed Canada to a 5-2 record in the 9 team which guarantees the Canadian`s a top 6 finish and a ticket to the u19 World Cup in New Zealand in January 2010.

Interim President Ranjit Saini was proud of the youngsters stating that “…Cricket Canada continues to excel at the associate level of cricket and we will now set our sights on successes on the sports major stages…we are thrilled that both our men`s teams have met our expectations to
be in their respective world cups.” Saini went on to praise the dedication and teamwork of “…all who had a hand in this…from the responsible executive members, the coaches, managers, parents and above all the players who made this happen…”

Team manager Wijay Senithirajah was pleased with the result but confirmed there would be no let down heading into the weekend as “…games against Afghanistan and the USA would be critically important to close out the tournament on a high…”

Canada finishes the tournament on Friday September 11, 2009 against the USA and Sunday September 13, 2009 against Afghanistan.

Hong Kong and Canada captains reprimanded (Cricinfo) -- Posted Thursday, September 10 2009

Captains James Atkinston (Hong Kong) and Rustam Bhatti (Canada) have been found guilty of breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during their Under-19 World Cup Qualifier game on September 5. ICC match referee David Jukes, at a hearing after the conclusion of the game, found the players guilty of failing to control their respective teams.

Atkinston has been reprimanded for the second time this tournament; he was found guilty of breaching the Code of Conduct on two occasions during Hong Kong's game against Afghanistan on September 4. Hong Kong were beaten in both games.

Atkinson and Bhatti were found guilty of breaching the Clause 2 (Level 1) of the ICC Code of Conduct which deals with conduct that brings the game into disrepute. Atkinson, in the game against Afghanistan, was found to have breached Paragraph CC 1.3 of the code, which concerns showing dissent at an umpire's decision by action or verbal abuse. He was also deemed to have breached Paragraph 1.2 of the code, which deals with the abuse of cricket equipment.

"Both captains failed to control their teams and, as a consequence, their collective poor behaviour brought the game into disrepute," Jukes said. "While Mr Atkinson has apologised for his earlier breach from 4 September and shown a degree of remorse for his actions, there is no place for this sort of behaviour on any cricket field, let alone on the international stage.

"On a more positive point, however, I am sure that everyone will have learned from today's experience. Certainly, the captains will have received a timely reminder of their specific responsibilities."

Limbada century leads Canada towards qualification -- Posted Thursday, September 10 2009
An excellent century from Limbada (126 from 101 balls, with 13 fours and two sizes) led the Canada U19s to 303/8 from their 50 overs. Vanuatu faced an uphill task to make this a competitive match, and Canada's 5th win all but assured them of qualification. Vanuatu made a valiant attempt in response and the final margin of victory was only 24 runs-

Afghanistan, Ireland, PNG and USA seal qualification -- Posted Wednesday, September 9 2009

Afghanistan, Ireland, Papua New Guinea and the USA booked their tickets to the ICC Under-19 World Cup after victories in Tuesday's round of matches. Two more qualifying spots remain in now what promises to be an exciting finish to the nine-team tournament in King City.

...
With Sierra Leone ejected from the tournament over visa issues, Canada picked up two points by virtue of a walkover.

Teams Mat Won Lost Tied N/R Pts Net RR For Against
Papua New Guinea Under-19s 6 5 1 0 0 10 +0.627 1035/231.3 961/250.0
United States of America Under-19s 6 5 1 0 0 10 +0.572 986/250.0 843/250.0
Ireland Under-19s 5 4 1 0 0 8 +0.828 1184/250.0 977/250.0
Afghanistan Under-19s 5 4 1 0 0 8 +0.700 770/163.5 800/200.0
Canada Under-19s 6 4 2 0 0 8 +0.388 960/250.0 863/250.0
Netherlands Under-19s 6 3 3 0 0 6 -0.320 876/250.0 956/250.0
Hong Kong Under-19s 5 1 4 0 0 2 -0.623 845/250.0 932/232.5
Uganda Under-19s 5 1 4 0 0 2 -0.750 738/247.1 934/250.0
Vanuatu Under-19s 6 1 5 0 0 2 -1.253 835/250.0 963/209.4
Sierra Leone Under-19s 6 0 6 0 0 0 0/0.0 0/0.0

Full article

Canada U19s fall to Ireland -- Posted Tuesday, September 8 2009
A powerful Irish under 19 squad proved too much for the Canadians as they posted a 29 run victory. Canada seemed to be on track for a win after they had restricted the Irish to 193/8 from 50 overs, thanks to a good all round bowling effort. Canada were at one point 92/2 in reply, but four batsmen fell in the 20s when well-set. no-one played the major innings needed for victory and they were all out for 164 n the 48th over. The Irish now top the table with a 5 and 1 record; Canada lies 5th with 4 wins and two losses. Sierra Leone are not participating so both teams have been awarded a win for those matches.

Afghan Under 19s honoured to be in Toronto -- Posted Sunday, September 6 2009
An extract from an Afghanistan Diplomatic Relase issued in Ottawa concerning the Afghan Cricket Team's arrival for the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup Qualifier:

Welcoming the Afghan Cricket team’s participation in this important tournament, Ambassador of Afghanistan to Canada, H.E. Jawed Ludin, said:

“It is and exceptional honour to have Afghanistan’s cricket team make it to the world cup qualifiers tournament in Toronto. The Afghan cricket team is a national treasure for Afghanistan and a rising star in the world of cricket globally. I will be following the progress in this tournament closely and pray for their success.”

Ambassador Ludin encourages Afghan-Canadians, not just in the Greater Toronto area but throughout Canada, to go to these matches and cheer the national team.

*** A copy of the playing schedule was provided with this release. ******


Note: This coming Monday, which in Canada is the Labour Day Holiday, the Afghan cricket team is playing the USA (United States of America) in a match at Maple Leaf Cricket Club, King City (corner Dufferin Street and 15th Sideroad.

It is a public holiday and there is normally no York Regional Transit bus service that passes the ground on a Sunday or Public Holiday.

Car parking space within the grounds at Maple Leaf is limited, and I was told last night that the gates to the Senecaa King Campus were locked..

There is little available seating at the four grounds being used at Maple Leaf, but reasonable space for standing (or bring your own chair.) All would be welcome in the true Spirit of Cricket, indeed the groundstaff presented a bat to one of the Ugandan side on Saturday as a goodwill gesture.

I am not aware, at this time, of any special arrangements for parking or for a bus service.

I suspect that the ICC (International Cricket Council) centenary 'Spirit of Cricket Flag' will be flying on Monday at the ground as a symbol of peace and goodwill through cricket, sport and life.

Eddie Norfolk.

Canada record third win in Under 19s -- Posted Saturday, September 5 2009
A comprehensive defeat of Hong Kong has given Canada its third win, and third place in the qualifying table. A 134 opening partnership between Patel (82) and Gunasekera (%3) led canada to 277/6 off 50 overs, and a solid performance in the field restricted Hong Kong to 220.

Revised 2009 ICC U19 CWC Qualifier Schedule -- Posted Saturday, September 5 2009


The revised schedule for the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup is:

Saturday, Sept 5
Afghanistan v Vanuatu (Maple Leaf 1)
Uganda v USA (Maple Leaf 2)
Canada v Hong Kong (Maple Leaf 3)
PNG v Ireland (Maple Leaf 4)
Netherlands v Sierra Leone (Malton) – Match abandoned subject to re-scheduling

Sunday, Sept 6 - Rest/Reserve Day

Monday, Sept 7
Vanuatu v Netherlands (Maple Leaf 1)
USA v Afghanistan (Maple Leaf 2)
Uganda v Hong Kong (Maple Leaf 3)
Sierra Leone v PNG (Maple Leaf 4)
Ireland v Canada (Malton)

Tuesday, Sept 8
Hong Kong v Ireland (Maple Leaf 1)
Sierra Leone v Canada (Maple Leaf 2)
Afghanistan v Uganda (Maple Leaf 3)
Netherlands v USA (Maple Leaf 4)
PNG v Vanuatu (Malton)

Wednesday, Sept 9 – Rest/Reserve Day

Thursday, Sept 10
USA v PNG (Maple Leaf 1)
Vanuatu v Canada (Maple Leaf 2)
Afghanistan v Netherlands (Maple Leaf 3)
Ireland v Uganda (Maple Leaf 4)
Sierra Leone v Hong Kong (Malton)

Friday, Sept 11
Ireland v Sierra Leone (Maple Leaf 1)
Hong Kong v Vanuatu (Maple Leaf 2)
Canada v USA (Maple Leaf 3)
PNG v Afghanistan (Maple Leaf 4)

Saturday, Sept 12 – Rest/Reserve Day

Sunday, Sept 13
Uganda v Sierra Leone (Maple Leaf 1)
Netherlands v PNg (Maple Leaf 2)
Vanuatu v Ireland (Maple Leaf 3)
Afghanistan v Canada (Maple Leaf 4)
USA v Hong Kong (Malton)

To be arranged: Sierra Leone v Afghanistan

Note: The situation regarding Sierra Leone competing in the tournament will soon be known. The ICC and Cricket Canada has done what

Ground Location notes:

Maple Leaf CC is in King City, Ontario at the intersection of Dufferin Street and 15th Sideroad. Entrance is on the north-east side of this intersection on Dufferin Street. Admission is free. All are welcome.

Malton CC is in Wildwood Park, Mississauga, Ontario. The park is located on the south-west side of the Derry Road East and Goreway Drive intersection. There is a car park entrance from Goreway Drive, follow the signs for the Sports Grounds. The cricket ground is unsigned but to the east of the baseball grounds, just past the building with the washrooms – a little bridge provides access to the cricket ground.

Sierra Leone situation

In a discussion on Wednesday, I was advised that the ICC and Cricket Canada had assisted, to the extent possible, in supporting Sierra Leone’s attempts to re-present and obtain visas for entry to Canada for this tournament.

However, as many would realize, Immigration Canada sets certain standard processes that are to be followed in processing visa applications which are similar for cricketers as well as other types of visitor from a particular country.

I gather that every effort has been made, at this time, to provide an opportunity for Sierra Leone the chance to participate in the current tournament. However, at some stage, a final decision might have to be made, probably reluctantly and sadly, should Sierra Leone prove unable to arrive in Toronto.

Clearly the youngsters from Sierra Leone did well to come second in the ICC Africa Championship. It would be nice if, like Afghanistan, there was a sudden appearance on the scene, after hope seemed to have gone.

On Friday it became apparent, when wandering around the grounds at Maple Leaf when Papua New Guinea took a wicket. Someone else inside the pavilion was surprised when I said, 'Oh, PNG has just won". And we took a look out of a side window, and the PNG players were celebrating another win.


Eddie Norfolk

Canada beat Netherlands at under 19 qualifiers -- Posted Friday, September 4 2009
Canada, thanks to a good all round effort, easily beat the Netherlands in the World Under 19 qualifier at Malton today. Canada made 220 all out from 49.3 overs; Nitesh Kumar made 40, Gunasekera 35 and 5 other bats reached double figures. In reply, Netherlands mustered just 143, with Patel, Pathan and Kumar each taking two wickets. This takes Canada's record to two wins and one loss, and places them in a good position for qualification.

City of Mississauga Greets Visiting U19 CWC Qualifier Cricketers -- Posted Thursday, September 3 2009

Kimberley Richardson (Cricket Liaison, City of Mississagua) welcomed the visiting cricketers, officials, administrators, volunteers and spectators to the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup Qualifier on Tuesday (Sept 1, 2009) at the Malton Cricket Ground. This greeting was echoed by Ingleton Liburd, Acting Cricket Canada CEO, and Norman Jackson, on behalf of Malton Cricket Club.

Ms. Richardson noted the expansion of demand for cricket in Mississauga, the Peel Region and the Greater Toronto Area and the City of Mississauga’s commitment to support that increasing interest. She was introduced to the Under-19 players and officials of the Ugandan and Canadian squads as part of a pre-game opening ceremony at the Malton ground, which is in the north-east corner of Mississauga.

The ground is located in a part of Wildwood Park that was transformed originally to become a venue for the 2001 ICC Trophy. Work to restore grass wickets has been undertaken this year but, there is a determination among those present at the first two games at this ground that the now restored grass wickets need to be maintained and improved for use in future years.

There is potential for various enhancements in supporting facilities at Malton CC, as indeed is the case at several other grounds in Canada. It is a nice setting with a bank to the southern end of the ground on which spectators could congregate. The provision of some kind of pavilion would certainly be a useful addition, as would at some stage, as would some work to level and enhance the outfield.

The future of Canadian cricket in the upper ranks of world cricket, even to sustain a role as a leading ICC Associate Country, depends on players having proper playing facilities. This, in turn, depends upon proper planning, funding, resources and on-going maintenance before such are implemented. Proper acknowledgment of any related sponsorships and volunteer efforts would also be needed.

As someone was saying during play on Wednesday between the Dutch and Hong Kong sides, “you have to earn your runs on this ground”. It was mentioned during the Man-of-the-Match Presentations after the Canada-Uganda match that the Malton ground has been restored at fairly short notice. It has not been possible to make some of the fixes to the outfield, partly due to the nature of the grass growing season in the GTA. But, some of the faithful old guard from Canadian cricket certainly want to see ground improvements that will service the new and younger guard, as well as future generations of Canadian cricketers.

“It’s far easier to destroy a cricketing heritage, than it is to build one.” It’s time to move forward with action, not just words and pretty logos. And Canadian cricket has to be the driving force to promote and develop the game.

But for now, welcome to one and all at this ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup Qualifier. Enjoy and respect the game, enjoy and respect each other's company, enjoy and respect life.

Eddie Norfolk

ICC Under-19 World Cup Qualifier: Canada loses to PNG as Afghanistan arrive -- Posted Wednesday, September 2 2009


Canada lost to Papua New Guinea (PNG) by 52 runs on the second day of the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup Qualifier at Maple Leaf Cricket Club on Wednesday. Two other matches were played under a revised schedule implemented due to the absence of Afghanistan and Sierra Leone for the opening days of this tournament. The Netherlands beat Hong Kong by 32 runs and Uganda beat Vanuatu by 4 wickets.

Afghanistan , originally thought unlikely to appear due to visa and then travel problems, has arrived in Toronto and will apparently play Ireland on Thursday at Maple Leaf CC, King City . It remains uncertain if Sierra Leone will be able to participate. In the revised schedule, Sierra Leone ’s match with the USA , set for Wednesday, has been deemed “an abandoned match subject to re-scheduling”.

Sese Bau notched 78 runs and Heni Siaka 66 as PNG scored 245 for 6 wickets against Canada . The loss of four quick wickets by the time 22 runs had been scored put pressure on the young Canadians, who eventually rallied to 193 for 9 wickets, but lost by 52 runs. Raymond Haodu took 3 wickets for 31 runs during the Canadian innings. Abishek Krishnamoorthy top scored with 31 and Riyaz Khan Pathan made 28 not out.

The Netherlands seemed to be in trouble when Hong Kong was on 60 runs for 2 wickets with plenty of overs to spare, chasing a target of 114 runs for victory at Malton Cricket Club, Mississauga . But a collapse saw Hong Kong dismissed for 81 and the Dutch pulled off what had seemed an unlikely win.

Six teams will advance from this qualifier to next year’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup in New Zealand . Hopefully, by the time Canada next plays, on Friday, Sierra Leone ’s status will have been resolved, allowing organizers to release a final revised schedule for this tournament. It is a pity that what is a leading tournament for developing cricket countries is being played before very few spectators in the Greater Toronto Area, home to many people with cricketing interests. But how many people knew this tournament was due to take place in the GTA?

Scores from matches on September 2, 2009

PNG 245 for 6 wickets (50 overs)
Canada 193 for 9 wickets (50 overs)
Result: PNG won by 52 runs (At Maple Leaf CC, King City )

Vanuatu 213 for 9 wickets (50 overs)
Uganda 215 for 6 wickets (47.1 overs)
Result: Uganda won by 4 wickets (At Maple Leaf CC, King City )

Netherlands 133 all out (45.5 overs)
Hong Kong 81 all out (34.2 overs)
Result: Netherlands won by 32 runs (At Malton CC, Mississauga )


Eddie Norfolk

Canada lose to PNG in Under19s. -- Posted Wednesday, September 2 2009
Papua New Guinea won the toss and chose to bat at Maple Leaf CC. Heni Siaka made a half century, putting on 53 for the first wicket with Lega Tau (5). Slaka was caught and bowled by Arsalan Qadir for 66, and a run out was responsible for the third wicket. Sese Bau made 78, and Eno and Reva hit out at the end to allow PNG to make 245/6 from their 50 overs. They were helped by 21 wides from the Canadian bowlers.

In reply Canada lost their first five wickets for 50, but the lower order provided some resistance. Krishnamoorthy top-scored with 32 before being run out, and the last pair put on over 50, but Canada were still well short, running out of overs at 191/9.

Canadian League Standings, 2 September 2009 -- Posted Wednesday, September 2 2009

Standings for : 2009.9.2

Thanks to Ramon Lachmansingh

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Under 19 Qualifier- Wednesday schedule -- Posted Wednesday, September 2 2009
The ICC Advises Wednesday Matches are :

The fixture schedule for the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup Qualifier is still subject to revision due to the ongoing visa issues that have impacted upon the tournament. The schedule for matches and umpire appointments on Wednesday 2 September is as follows:

Netherlands v Hong Kong, Malton (Young/Bayney/Brijcoomar(3rd umpire))

PNG v Canada, Maple Leaf 1 (Baldwin/Oxenford/Duncan(3rd umpire))

Vanuatu v Uganda, Maple Leaf 3 (Dill/Magee/McElwee(3rd umpire))

USA v Sierra Leone, Maple Leaf 2 (Malcolm/Bagh/Smythe(3rd umpire)), Match abandoned, game subject to rescheduling

All remaining fixtures for the tournament will be announced in due course.

The ICC will be providing live ball-by-ball scores on PNG v Canada on their website, with regular updates from all other matches.

End of ICC Message

Chohan, Cheema nominated by ICC -- Posted Wednesday, September 2 2009
Both Rizwan Cheema and, Khurram Chohan have been nominated for the ICC Associate player of the year award. The full list is:-

Rizwan Cheema (Canada), Khurram Chohan (Canada), Ryan ten Doeschate (Netherlands), Trent Johnston (Ireland), Alex Cusack (Ireland), Neil McCallum (Scotland), Kevin O'Brien (Ireland), Niall O'Brien (Ireland), William Porterfield (Ireland), Boyd Rankin (Ireland), Edgar Schiferli (Netherlands), Steve Tikolo (Kenya), Regan West (Ireland), Bas Zuiderent (Netherlands)

Cricket Champions League standings -- Posted Tuesday, September 1 2009

Team P W L D Pts Albion 7 6 0 1 13 CCAT 7 1 5 1 3 CPC 7 6 1 0 12 Durham 7 0 7 0 0 GTA 7 3 3 1 7 Heroes 7 2 3 2 6 Icons 7 4 1 2 10 York 7 2 4 1 5

Maritime T-20 Tournament -- Posted Tuesday, September 1 2009
On September 5th & 6th PEI will be hosting the 2nd Annual Maritime T-20 Tournament.

Four participating teams are: NSCA-A, NSCA-B, PEICA & NBCA

T20 Maritime Tournament Format: September 5 and 6, 2009
TeaHill Park, Stratford. PEI.
Local contact Persons: Sarath Chandrasekere (902-367-6530) OR Janak Hewagama (314-4227)
Match # Time Frame
Day I: September 5, 2009
1 11.00-2.00 pm A vs D
2 2.10-5.10 pm B vs C
3 5.15-8.15 pm A vs B
Day II: September 6, 2009
4 8.30-11.30 am C vs D
5 11.45-2.45 pm A vs C
6 3.00-6.00 pm B vs D
7 6.10-8.40 15 over match- only required if teams tied for points.
Lt. Governor, during the opening ceremony, will select teams A, B,C,D through a draw.
Team with most wins will be declared the winner of the tournament. Each winner will have 4 points

Canada beat Uganda in U19s opener -- Posted Tuesday, September 1 2009
Kumar, Patel and Qadir take Canada U19’s to opening win

Toronto (Sept 1, 2009): Nitish Kumar scored 40 as Canada Under-19’s made just 106 all out, but fought back to dismiss Uganda for 62 in the ICC Under-19 World Cup Qualifer on Tuesday. Canada’s 44 run win followed fine bowling from slow-left arm spinner Hiral Patel, who took 5 wickets for 20 runs, and pace bowler Arsalan Qadir, who took 4 wickets for 19 runs. The young Ugandans bowled and fielded well.

The opening day schedule was changed due to only eight of the ten sides having arrived in the Toronto area. The participation of Sierra Leone and Afghanistan is still in the air. Matches continue on Tuesday at Maple Leaf CC (King City) and Malton CC (Mississauga). The top six teams from this tournament qualify for the 2010 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, being held in New Zealand.

Ireland’s Paul Stirling scored 102 and James Shannon 50 in a total of 254 for 5 wickets that proved too much for the Netherlands. The Dutch, lacking two key batsmen from an earlier European qualifier, lost by 75 runs, despite an individual 85 from Philip vna den Brandler.

Ryan Corns 45 runs helped the USA to 168 all out which proved a sufficient total against Vanuatu, who collapsed to 121 all out. Vanuatu’s Simpson Oded took 4 wickets for 29 runs.

Irfan Ahmed (89 runs) and wicketkeeper Waqas Barkhat (31) rallied Hong Kong to 160 all out against Papua New Guinea. PNG’s Raymond Haoda took 5 wickets for 24 runs. Captain Tony Ura lead the PNG reply with an unbeaten 65 in a 4 wicket win achieved with almost 10 overs to spare.

Summary Scores from Day 1 – September 1, 2009

Canada U19 106 all out (42.0 overs; Nitish Kumar 40, Usman Limbada 23) beat Uganda U19 62 all out (32 overs; Hiral Patel 5 wickets for 20, Arsalan Qadir 4 wickets for 19) by 44 runs (Malton CC, Mississauga)

USA U19 168 all out (48.5 overs: Ryan Corns 45; Simpson Obed 4 wickets for 29) beat Vanuatu 121 all out (35.4 overs) by 47 runs (Maple Leaf CC, King City)

Ireland U19 254 for 5 wickets (50 overs; Paul Stirling 102, James Shannon 50) beat Netherlands 179 for 9 wickets (50 overs; Philip van den Brandler 85, Shane Getkate 3 wickets for 29) by 75 runs (Maple Leaf CC, King City)

Hong Kong U19 160 all out (49.4 overs; Irfan Ahemed 85, Waqas Barkhat 31, Raymond Haoda 5 wickets for 24) lost to Papua New Guinea 161 for 6 wickets (40.2 overs; Tony Ura 65 not out) by 4 wickets

Note: Schedule revised from original version, and is subject to ongoing change. The participation of Sierra Leone and Afghanistan is still a possibility. Both sides had visa problems. Afghanistan now hold visas but obtaining flights has apparently become the issue.

In the interim, matches continue for the eight countries that are in the Greater Toronto Area on Wednesday at Malton Cricket Club and Maple Leaf Cricket Club.

ICC indicates Afghanistan will not be at U19 World Cup Qualifer -- Posted Tuesday, September 1 2009
The ICC has today (August 31) posted a notice that Afghanistan's Under-19 side will not be able to appear at the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Qualifier in Toronto. Visas had not been obtained and it seems by the time this process would be completed, Afghanistan would not be able to travel in time to meet an ICC Tournament Committee stipulation that the side must be present in time to play in the fourth scheduled round of matches.

It is still hoped that Sierra Leone, who also have had problems obtaining visas, will be able to appear at this tournament, which starts on Tuesday September 1, 2009.

Matches are scheduled for Maple Leaf CC (King City) and Malton CC (Mississauga).

More details are provided at the official ICC website.

How the Dutch and Irish reached the U-19 CWC Qualifier -- Posted Tuesday, September 1 2009


In the ICC European Under-19 1st Division Championships Ireland and the Netherlands squeezed out Scotland on net run rate (NRR). Each of this trio of leading European ICC Associate Countries ended with 4 wins and 1 defeat.

Ireland began with a 7 wicket win over the Dutch but was ultimately defeated in the last round-robin match against Scotland by 62 runs. However, the margin of victory was insufficient to raise the Scottish NRR (+1.25) above either the second-placed Dutch (NRR +1.45) or the table-topping Irish (NRR +1.69).

Kervezei’s bat sparked the Dutch

Opening bat Alexei Kervezei sparked the Dutch, who thumped Scotland (by 9 wickets), Jersey (by 148 runs), Guernsey (by 8 wickets) and won under the Duckworth/Lewis (D/L) method by 49 runs against Denmark.

Kervezei struck three centuries and one fifty to lead the individual tournament batting performers with 474 runs in three completed innings. His opening batting partner, Stijn Allema notched 248 runs, including three fifties, also from three completed innings. Kervezei’s top score was 155 against Jersey, with not out scores of 137 versus Scotland and exactly 100 against Denmark. The Kervezei/Allema axis shared three partnerships of between 128 (against Jersey) and 215 (against the Scots).

One of the problems teams sometimes face in ICC Associates and Affiliates tournaments, where there may be little room for error in a series of one-off matches, is that two or three batsmen might almost do too well. If the top two or three are then dismissed cheaply in a match, the remaining batsmen may not have seen much time at the crease, and a collapse may occur that results in a key match being lost.

Canadian followers may remember that the Namibian-born Kervezei took part in the European Under-19 instead of playing for the senior Dutch side during part of Canada’s visit to the land of the tulips this summer. He made 34 and 30 for Worcestershire against Nottinghamshire in a drawn LV County Championship match in England last week.

Okke Klaus took 8 wickets for the Dutch, taking 3 wickets for 25 runs against Jersey. Timothy Gruijters and Paul van Meekeren both took 7 wickets.

Strength in depth from the Irish

Irish captain Andrew Balbirnie lead his side with 220 runs, and chipped in with 8 wickets. This helped his team follow the 7 wicket opening game win against the Dutch with successes against Denmark (by 8 wickets), Guernsey (by 223 runs) and by 34 runs under the D/L method against Jersey.

Balbirnie’s best score was 83, gathered in the game with Guernsey at Farmers Field. Domestic Canadian cricketers will have played at many grounds that resemble a farmers field that still needs to be levelled and the grass significantly improved, or even cut. Some even need the odd lump of rock removing!

James Shannon made 153 runs with a top score of 46 not out.

Shane Getkate headed the Irish wicket-takes with 11 wickets and an economy rate of 2.89 runs per over; the third-best economy of the tournament. His best return was 4 wickets for 15 versus Jersey. Craig Young took 9 wickets, including the one five-wicket tournament haul of 5 for 22 against Guernsey. Captain Balbirnie took 8 wickets, with a best of 3 wickets for 15 against Jersey. Useful contributions came from Eddie Richardson (3 wickets for 18 v Denmark), L Nelson (3 wickets for 18 v Jersey) and G McCarter (3 wickets for 26 v Denmark).

Stumpers Corner

Ireland’s Stuart Poynter lead the wicketkeepers with 11 victims (9 caught, 2 stumped) with Dutch batting hero Allema accounting for 8 victims (5 caught, 3 stumped).


Eddie Norfolk

Canadian Under-19 Squad -- Posted Tuesday, September 1 2009

The Canadian Under-19 squad, as per an ICC Media Release, for the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup Qualifier in September 2009 comprises:

Rustam Bhatti (19, RHB, OB, wicketkeeper, born Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan)
Hiral Patel (18, RHB, SLA, born Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India)
Usman Limbada (19, RHB, RM, born Canada)
Riyaz Khan Pathan (19, RHB, OB, born Toronto, Ontario)
Darius D’Souza (19, RHB, RM, born India)
Arsalan Qadir (19, RHB, RM, born Peshawar, NW Frontier, Pakistan)
Asif Manjra (19, RHB, LB, born Brampton, Ontario)
Abishek Krishnamoorthy (19, RHB, RM, born Manama, Bahrain)
Ruvindu Gunasekera (18, LHB, LBG, born Columbo, Sri Lanka)
Nitish Kumar (15, RHB, OB, born Scarborough, Ontario)
Hamza Tariq (18, RHB, wicketkeeper, born Canada)
Zain Mahmood (18, RHB, born Pakistan)
Maninderlit Aulakh (17, RHB, RFM, born India)
Hardik Kotak (18, RHB, RFM, born Scarborough, Ontario)

Note: Information in brackets provides, based on available information, gives each player’s current age, batting and bowling style, as well as place of birth.