Western under-23 tournament planned

20 March 2005

Canadacricket.com has been advised that in Alberta's Centennial year, the Alberta Cricket Association (ACA) is organising the 9th Western Canada U23 Tournament.

The event will showcase Western Canada's top youth cricketers in three days of round-robin competition. Matches will be held in Edmonton, at the Victoria Park and Millwoods Cricket Ground (MCG) from May 21st - 23rd, 2005.

The Alberta Cricket Association will provide all umpires, scorers and match referees, as well as covering the costs for stumps, balls, facility rentals, and wicket preparation. Lunch for all players, coaches, managers, and tournament officials is to be provided. In conjunction with the Edmonton & District Cricket League, the ACA is planning to host a Tournament Banquet, which will be held on the Sunday evening, (May 22nd).

The Awards Ceremony will take place Monday evening after the close of play at Victoria Park.

The tournament regulations indicate that a) all players must be born on or after Sept. 1, 1981: b) the format shall be 50 overs, with a 210 minutes time limit per innings: c) bowlers may bowl a maximum of 10 overs each per innings: d) 4 piece balls to be used: e) fielding restriction circles in effect: f) Duckworth-Lewis method shall be applied for rain affected games: g) in the event of a tie in standings, the tournament winner shall be determined by the Net Run Rate (NRR).

A document detailing the tournament playing rules and code of conduct is to be released once all participating provinces are confirmed.

Editorial comment:
We have been advised that three of the Western Provinces have already confirmed their participation in the Tournament, and that one Province has already organised and paid for their transportaion and accomodation arrangements. Rumour has it that the Saskatchewan Cricket Association Secretary, Phani Kumar Adapa, is the main man taking the initiative for his Province entering the tournamanent. Knowing that the largest numbers of active cricketers play in Ontario and Quebec, bodes the question 'quo vadis eastern Canada'. (Jon Harris).