WCL Division 2 prep

[JSMunn]

From Peter Della Penna:-
"According to an Oman official, there's going to be an 8-team T20 event in Kenya in March. HK, Oman, Kenya + the A sides of 5 FMs (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, South Africa and Zimbabwe/Sri Lanka from memory). HK and Oman are using that as part of their WCL D2 prep."

The USA is in the Caribbean playing practice matches.
There were Cricket Canada plans to have a short West Indies tour in late February but all we've heard from them is a short video of indoor fitness work. Cricket Canada also tweeted "The Canadian team is ready to embark on the journey of their dreams! Be ready to witness the boys in action in World Cricket League 2." One wonders how ready they actually are at this point two months out from the tournament. Any idea if there is actually a tour going to happen?

[ray]

Oman is very active just now hosting a T20 Quad series, hosting a Scottish tour and now news of possible T20 tourney in Kenya.

Quite the coup for Kenya to host this tournament. After the turmoil on their board and being relegated to the CWC Challenge Leagues this would be good news. Ironic that that when Kenya were an ODI team the Full Members ignored them but now will send 'A' teams for a T20 series? We'll see.

We're almost due for a "Wickets" edition . Hopefully there are updates on Canada's plans.

[ray]

USA has added a pair of T20Is with UAE to their schedule for March (15th and 16th).
https://www.icc-cricket.com/mens-schedule/calendar

[ray]

Canada played their 3rd match on their Sri Lanka tour (2 wins and 1 no result). The strength of their opposition is unknown but the most important thing at the moment is that Canada are finally training and playing outdoors.

[Victorian]

Where the heck did you find this out? I couldn't see anything on the Sri Lanka cricket site.

[timmyj51]

Well, "Team USA" just handily beat Lancashire yesterday, part of ICC's hell bent ambition
to get USA into the WC. Other AAs better understand that country is going to get far
more $$$ for prepping than anyone else.

[ray]

Where the heck did you find this out? I couldn't see anything on the Sri Lanka cricket site.

CC Twitter/Facebook has been providing limited updates like the following link:
https://cricketcanada.org/cricket-canad ... ice-match/

(I don't know why the story is not shown in the main Cricket Canada news feed on the website)

Update:
Canada win match #4 of the Sri Lankan tour. (https://cricketcanada.org/another-victo ... ice-match/)
Meanwhile USA continue their winning ways beating UAE development squad.
Papua New Guinea are involved in East-Asia/Pacific T20 qualifying.
After a busy Jan/Feb, Oman NT don't seem to be currently active.
Hong Kong look to be currently inactive.
Namibia don't seem to have been active since October.

[ray]

Canada complete their Sri Lankan tour with another win. They will enjoy a short break before setting off to South Africa (April 5th) for final WCL2 preparations. The opponents will have to be tougher and the competition keener as the tournament squad is yet to be selected.

In the CC news items, not much has been said of captain Davy Jacobs and bowlers Romesh Eranga Don. They are virtual locks for the final squad so must round into form soon. Cecil Pervez and Hamza Tariq were not named in the touring party but Tariq's participation was hinted at in one article. Picking a team to perform under WCL2 pressure will be a challenge. Have to hope coach Desai will have seen enough of everyone to properly judge after the South African stint.

[ray]

CC Facebook post listing the WCL2 squad has this:

We wish them all the best as the team leaves for South Africa (Potchefstroom) today for a 2 week practice tour and will then be heading to Namibia for WCL 2! One of the warm-up games for Canada will be against the strong Afghanistan side that is touring South Africa at the moment.

Interesting. Will be a tough test even if Afghanistan 'A'.

[ray]

Oman played April 3rd and 4th 50 over matches against visiting UAE.
USA to play one tour match next week in Zimbabwe against a Development XI.
Papua New Guinea have been training in South Africa since April 8th.

Canada should be playing a few matches in South African but no info to date.
Update: CC Facebook had a video of Canada match vs North West Dragons - post not available now.