Back row (l-r): physio Dan Keisel, Thuraisingam, Dhillon, Bhatti, Barnett, Osinde, Maxwell,
Sandher, Bagai, Quaser Ali

front row:
Heaney, Chumney, Davison, Codrington, Dhaniram

ONTARIO CRICKET ASSOCIATION MEDIA NEWS RELEASE -- Posted Sunday, May 28 2006

ONTARIO SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS STARTS JUNE 3

T’dad crew missing in action for TDCA showdown at King City

All the winter trash talk about “Youth versus Experience” comes to a noisy end this Saturday (June 3) at the refurbished King City grounds when the two top Toronto &District Cricket Association (TDCA) teams battle for 11 places on the Ontario team to play Quebec in Waterloo June 10-11 and hopefully catch the national selectors’ eyes.
The TDCA selectors have pitted youth in the Under-25 X1 versus experience in the Senior X1 in the opening game of a rejuvenated Ontario Senior Championships, focusing on TDCA players on the national 40-man squad and those on the verge of inclusion.

THE TEAMS

(Seniors) Chris Vernon, Naresh Roopnarine (Vikings), Bede Anandappa, Arvind Kandappa, Ravishankar Puvendran (Centurions), Nicholas Ifill, Austin Codrington, Surendra Seeraj (capt) (wk) (Victoria Park) Riaz Mohammad, Ahmed Panchbaya (Yorkshire), Hemnarine Chattergoon (Cavaliers).Manager (Kris Sawh); Coach (Des Gouveia).
(Under-25s) (from) Trevin Bastiampillai, Abdul Manjra (West Indians),Stewart Heaney (Toronto),Ryan Lall, Kenneth Carto (wk), Durand Soraine (Victoria Park),Cecil Pervez, Harjot Sidhu (Yorkshire), Aziz Hussain, Qazi Mohammad (capt), Junaid Siddique (Mississauga Ramblers), Calvert Hooper (Cavaliers). Manager (John Lall); Coach (Fazil Sattaur).

Perhaps most significantly, none of the players (except for the mystery Australia-based batsman Stewart Heaney) who represented Canada on this month’s dismal trip to the Tri-Nation Series against Zimbabwe and Bermuda in Trinidad, have been included in this Saturday hotly contested match-up between the best of the TDCA. Canada suffered humiliating defeats in both matches in Trinidad and there has been widespread clamour in the local cricket community for personnel changes.

“You can read anything you want into that”, said Kris Sawh, the powerful chairman of senior selection for both Toronto and Ontario.

TDCA Under-25 selection chair Leroy Grey, who witnessed firsthand the carnage in Trinidad, said his “Young Lions” will be more than a handful for Sawh’s “past-their-due-date conversation collection. My team is the now team, not the team of the past.”

The game will also provide candidates with a last chance to stake their claim for selection on the Ontario team to play Quebec in the two-day Atholstan Cup classic at Waterloo Park in southern Ontario on June10-11. The Ontario team will be selected following Saturday’s game.
The Ontario Senior Championships, in the doldrums for years, will be rejuvenated this year, says OCA president Errol Townshend. A $500 MVP award for the overall season and $1500 for the champion team, plus Player-of-the-Month cash awards for each month in each of OCA’s five leagues, are among the incentives approved at last Sunday’s OCA semi-annual general meeting.

Match Referee for Saturday’s game is former Sri Lankan and Canadian batsman-wicketkeeper Rohan Jayasekera. Man-of-the-Match Adjudicator is well-known cricket expert David Telfer.

“This is an important year for cricket in Ontario”, said Townshend, who will attend the game as a national selector, along with a full house of other selectors, including national selection chair Austin Ward, and other TDCA and OCA selectors.

“We have a summer chock-full of international matches and the competition for places on the national team should be very keen,” was all Townshend would say when asked to comment of the “interesting” TDCA selections. ‘The universe will no doubt unfold as it should.”

The unfolding starts on Saturday when push comes to shove at King City and a whole winter of talking stops.”

Press relase dated May 28, 2006. (JH).

Cricket Umpires and Scorers - Umpire Training -- Posted Friday, May 26 2006

The Association of Cricket Umpires and Scorers (in the U.K.) has recently revolutionised its training by employing the latest technology. All courses and exams now use laptop computers and video/data projectors to display pictures of on-field action, complemented by written descriptions of what's happening.

This training covers all the relevant points of the Laws of the game in a manner that demands understanding those Laws, rather than just learning them by heart and repeating them word for word. The courses normally run for about 9-12 weeks - one evening session of around two and a half hours a week, with homework in between. They are called GL6 and GL5 - GL6 being for the one taken first. In the exams there are 60 questions for GL6 and 70 for GL5, and they are all multi-choice - the candidate just rings one of a number of possible alternatives - the days of long, detailed, written answers are over. The pass mark is 80%, which may seem high, but so are the expectations that the players rightly have of their officials.

Since most umpires will only ever stand in one-day games, no questions are now asked about longer ones, and no measurements need to be memorised - why should anyone need to remember these when they can be looked up in the book on the very rare occasions needed? It must be stressed that examinations are voluntary and the Instructors will bring no pressure on those not wishing to take them. A new concept was the 'Introduction to umpiring' course and exam, designed to attract the occasional umpire, mums, dads, coaches and teachers. This can be completed in one - or at most two - short evening sessions. These changes have made umpire and scorer training and exams much more enjoyable and 'user-friendly'. They are an excellent starting point for anybody wishing to contribute to the best-loved game.

The Association of Cricket Umpires and Scorers, (ACU&S) was formed in 1953 and is the only organisation which represents umpires and scorers throughout the world. They have approaching 9,000 individual Members. Whilst most of these are based in the United Kingdom, we have Members in more than 50 countries worldwide, including all the Test playing countries.

Members range from those who umpire in Test matches to those who umpire on the village green.

The Association has close links with the England and Wales Cricket Board Ltd (ECB), the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and the International Cricket Council (ICC). In England, all new recruits to the First Class Umpires List now require ACU&S qualifications, and Qualified Membership is mandatory for appointment to the ECB's cup competitions and many senior leagues.

The Association welcomes new Members, and provides full training and examinations leading to qualification for umpires and scorers. Further details can be found on the other pages on this web site. Amongst other benefits, Members receive a magazine, How's That?, which appears at regular intervals and keeps them up-to-date with all developments in respect of law and techniques of umpiring and scoring.

Giving up playing? Thinking of umpiring or scoring? Perhaps you already often do a stint while your side is batting - but do you know it all?

The striker gets a bottom edge to the ball, which instead of going forward fizzes backwards towards his stumps. He deliberately kicks the ball away without attempting to use his bat. Are the batsmen allowed to run from this episode - or could the striker be out?

Whether you already know the game well or are starting from scratch there are many such incidents which could stump you unless you have a full knowledge of the Laws.

Articles sourced from:-
http://www.acus.org.uk/
http://www.acus.org.uk/trainingump.htm

The Toronto Cricket Scorers and Umpires Association are affiliated to the ACU&S and the West Indies CU&SA
The association can contacted at azadinfinity@hotmail.com

Canadian coach calls for calm (Ron Fanfair on Cricketeurope) -- Posted Thursday, May 25 2006
“The batsmen have got to place a far greater value on their wicket if we are going to do well,” Pick said on his arrival back in Toronto on Sunday. “The encouraging thing is that the players have ability and talent. I can see that. They however have to learn that they don’t need to take massive risks earlier on in their innings by having a swing and leaving the rest of the work for the batsmen to follow. The thought process has to be different and they have to bat for 50 overs.”

Read more

Alberta win western Canadian Under 23 tournament -- Posted Thursday, May 25 2006
From the forum, with thanks to "Muks".

Western Canada under-23 Tournament Summary, May 20-22 2006

Day 1
Alberta vs. Saskatchewan, Victoria Park
Alberta 369/1 in 50 ov
Nafeez Chowdhry 144, Jacob Ramkhalewan 120*, Habib ur-Rehman 45*
Pran 1/57
Saskatchewan 108 all out
Jiv Braich 48
Talal Paracha 4/27, Yawar Abbas 4/35
Alberta won by 261 runs

Manitoba vs British Columbia, Millwoods CG
BC 107 all out
Tanzil ur-Rehman 30, Hassan Rafique 22
Vikas Mohammed 4/21, J. Gurm 2 wkts
Manitoba 108/5 in ? ov
Matt Dalloo 53*
Manitoba won by 5 wkts

Day 2
Alberta vs. Manitoba, Victoria Park
Alberta 219/9 in 50 ov
Kendon Ottley 40, Nikhil Nagpal 37, Talal Paracha 37*, Adnan Kamal 28
Manitoba 163 all out
Matt Dalloo 28
Shajib Jaidad 5/32
Alberta won by 56 runs

British Columbia vs Saskatchewan, Millwoods CG
BC 319/1 in 50 ov
Jason Sandher 98*, Jawad Dawood 97*
Saskatchewan 117 all out
BC won by 202 runs

Day 3
Alberta vs British Columbia, Victoria Park
Alberta 225/9 in 50 ov
Shajib Jaidad 53, Talal Paracha 42*, Adnan Kamal 37
BC 198 all out in 45 overs
Jawad Dawood 64, Jason Sandher 41
Adnan Kamal 4 wkts, Talal Paracha 3 wkts
Alberta won by 27 runs

Manitoba vs Saskatchewan, Millwoods CG
Manitoba 290/8 in 50 ov
Saskatchewan 170 all out
Neil Barrate 7/12
Manitoba won by 120 runs


Alberta wins the tournament for the 3rd consecutive year, in the tournament's 9th successful year. Manitoba upsets BC for the first time ever to finish 2nd in the tournament.
BC will surely be disappointed with their 3rd place finish. Saskatchewan came for the experience and their young players will surely take back a lot from the tournament.

Chief Guest CCA President Ben Sennik presented the following tournament individual awards:
Best Batsman - Jawad Dawood (BC), 161 runs
Best Bowler - Neil Barrate (MB), 9 wkts
Best Fielder - Priyank Chouhan (MB)
Tournament MVP - Talal Paracha (AB), 81 runs, not out, 7 wkts

Sahara revisited - Inzamam and the Canadian aloo -- Posted Wednesday, May 24 2006

In this era of match referees and all-invasive TV coverage, player behaviour has generally improved, even allowing for the occasional over-the-top sledge and tantrum. But in Toronto in 1997, Inzamam-ul-Haq was guilty of an offence which, were it to happen today, would almost certainly have seen him banned for a very long time.
The incident took place during a match between Pakistan and India in the Sahara Cup, a tournament devised to cash in on the lucrative expat market in north America ahead of the main seasons in the two countries. The series, which had been launched successfully in 1996, consisted of five matches in eight days at the superbly named Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club.

India secured a narrow 20-run win in the opening game, and in the second match, the following day, bowled Pakistan out for a derisory 116. Inzamam scratched around for a 34-ball 10, "looking distinctly awkward in his new Gooch-like stance," according to Cricinfo's man at the ground.

When India batted, the crowd were on the Pakistanis' backs from the off, with Inzamam singled out for attention. Shiv Kumar Thind, a Canadian-based Indian, who had been allowed into the ground armed with a megaphone, taunted Inzamam, as he had done the previous day. What exactly was said is still a matter of debate; what is not in doubt is that it the gist of it was puerile and mildly offensive.

Thind was at the centre of a small group of Indians who kept up a remorseless barrage of insults. Dawn, a Karachi-based newspaper, reported that eyewitnesses said the supporters barracked whatever Inzamam did. "O mote, sidha khara ho [O fatso, stand straight], mota aaloo, sara alloo [fat potato, rotten potato]." The report added that the same group had also targeted Mohammad Azharuddin who had only recently left his wife for Sangeeta Bijlani, a movie star, and another, Debasis Mohanty, was abused by being called "kalia" [blackie].

As India cruised on 45 for 1, the teams took a drinks break. It was then the trouble started. Again, as with much of the whole affair, the story is muddled, but it seems that a bat was brought to the third-man area by Pakistan's 12th man and almost immediately Inzamam, who had been in the slips until then, was sent down to the boundary by his captain.

As the taunting continued, Inzamam snapped and jumped into the crowd. Another eyewitness told The Guardian that Inzamam grabbed the bat and headed for the man with the megaphone. "If not for the spectators and security staff curbing him, he would have broken the head of that guy. The guy with the megaphone was no match for Inzamam and got mauled. Even when Canadian police took Inzamam back on to the field, he was trying to get back to the stands."
The Toronto Star carried an account by one of its senior editors. "For getting called several kinds of potato, Inzamam went into the stands ... and attempted to attack a mouthy fan, triggering a nasty mini-riot that could easily have escalated to world-wide ugly.

"Worse, a cricket bat appeared - no one is sure from where, although two witnesses said they thought they saw Inzamam call to his bench for one - and there was Inzamam, apparently swinging his bat at the customer(s) before someone restrained him. He didn't appear to hit anyone with the bat. That is consistent; the Pakistani batsmen were off the mark all day."

As India cruised on 45 for 1, the teams took a drinks break. It was then the trouble started. Again, as with much of the whole affair, the story is muddled, but it seems that a bat was brought to the third-man area by Pakistan's 12th man and almost immediately Inzamam, who had been in the slips until then, was sent down to the boundary by his captain.

As the taunting continued, Inzamam snapped and jumped into the crowd. Another eyewitness told The Guardian that Inzamam grabbed the bat and headed for the man with the megaphone. "If not for the spectators and security staff curbing him, he would have broken the head of that guy. The guy with the megaphone was no match for Inzamam and got mauled. Even when Canadian police took Inzamam back on to the field, he was trying to get back to the stands."
The Toronto Star carried an account by one of its senior editors. "For getting called several kinds of potato, Inzamam went into the stands ... and attempted to attack a mouthy fan, triggering a nasty mini-riot that could easily have escalated to world-wide ugly.

"Worse, a cricket bat appeared - no one is sure from where, although two witnesses said they thought they saw Inzamam call to his bench for one - and there was Inzamam, apparently swinging his bat at the customer(s) before someone restrained him. He didn't appear to hit anyone with the bat. That is consistent; the Pakistani batsmen were off the mark all day."

Inzamam, who clearly regretted the incident, admitted he had been wrong but asked "how long could have I tolerated the man abusing my religion, country and family members?" He continued: Besides being a sportsman, I am also a human being. How many people in the world would have accepted someone who abuses his country and religion. I had not gone into the stand to have a fist-fight with him. I just went to ask him why he was abusing me. On the contrary, he attacked me with the megaphone and whatever I did later was purely to defend myself. How could have I allowed him to inflict physical harm on me?''

Inzamam was led to the pavilion - some said he was close to tears - and the police arrested two spectators. Only then, woefully late, did the organisers put out a PA announcement asking for the crowd to stop using megaphones. By then, the horse had well and truly bolted.
Both captains came out and asked the crowd to calm down, and after a 40-minute delay the match resumed - Inzamam also took his place on the field - and India eased to a seven-wicket win with no further alarms, either on or off the field.

In the post-match inquests, the organisers emerged with little credit, especially when it was revealed that Salim Malik and other players had complained about the abuse during both matches but no action had been taken. Dawn attacked the organisers for possessing more spin than either team, an accusation that gained credibility when Bill Sinrich, a vice-president of TWI, the promoters of the Sahara Cup, told reporters that "none of the referees nor cricket officials present have seen anything untoward. They will review the TV tapes before commenting on the incident." They must have been the only people on the ground to have missed it.

Jackie Hendriks, the match referee, expressed sympathy with the provocation Inzamam had been subjected to, but banned him for two ODIs nevertheless.

Ramiz Raja, Pakistan's captain, also recognised that Inzamam, who had a reputation of being a mild-mannered individual, had been provoked. "It wasn't a wise thing to do and it was bad for cricket," he said, "but the fans have been hurling abuse at the players for the last two days and he is a human being and has emotions." But he refused to answer the question many were asking. How did Inzamam get hold of the bat and who had ordered the 12th man to bring it out? ``I don't know," he shrugged. "I can't comment, I have other things on my mind at the moment."

And when a West Indian reporter asked the Pakistani management if he could speak to Inzamam himself, he was met with a dead bat. "No, he can't speak English.''

Back home, Pakistan's management were heavily criticised for allowing such a situation to develop, and then for not backing Inzamam in the aftermath. "The management and the skipper should have strongly defended him," said Hanif Mohammad. "It's no secret that Inzamam is the coolest player in the team. They [the officials] must have been unconvincing before Hendricks."

Haseeb Ahsan, a former chairman of selectors, was equally scathing. "Had the management acted swiftly before the brawl took place, neither Inzamam would have been suspended from two matches nor the relations between the two countries had further suffered.'' But he also censured Inzamam. "He should have never gone into the enclosure because anything could have happened. He might have fractured his hand or suffered any other serious injury."
The rest of the series passed without incident, India romping to a 4-1 series win.

Thind was arrested by Toronto police, accused of throwing his megaphone at Inzamam, and the player himself was released on bail. Both parties subsequently agreed to drop charges against each other. The Pakistan cricket Board decided to take no further action against any of its players.

"My career has been as clear as a crystal," Inzamam reflected. "I regret that I did something unbecoming of a sportsman and inside me, there is also a patriotism but a vulnerable soul."

But the final word should go to journalist Prem Panicker. Many not present read of the incident and found it mildly amusing that a professional cricketer should take such offence at being called a potato. But Panicker pointed out that the cricket bat "was brought out and handed over to Inzamam, who then used it to go after the concerned spectator. The legal phrase for that is premeditated assault with a deadly weapon ... and if you think it is rather ridiculous to equate a cricket bat with a Kalashnikov, then you've never kept wickets standing up and been inadvertently slugged by a batsman going for a sweep. For believe me, a bat can stun, at worst, and even kill."

Bibliography
The Cricketer Various
Wisden Cricketers' Almanack
Dawn Various issues
Toronto Star September 16, 1997
The Guardian September 16, 1997
Story written by Martin Williamson, managing editor of Cricinfo. Published

Martin Williamson joined the Wisden website in its planning stages in 2001 after failing (like so many) to make his millions in the internet boom when managing editor of Sportal. Before that he was in charge of Sky Sports Online and helped to launch and run Sky News Online. With a preference for all things old (except his wife and children) he has recently confounded colleagues by displaying an uncharacteristic fondness for Twenty20 cricket. His enthusiasm for the game is, sadly, not matched by his ability, but he remains convinced that he might be a late developer and perseveres in the hope of an England call-up with his middle-order batting and non-spinning offbreaks.

Story sourced from:-
http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/columns/content/story/245024.html

A video of the incident is available

A belated Canadian report about Canada being edged out by Bermuda -- Posted Tuesday, May 23 2006

Canada lost their One-Day International (ODI) match to fellow ICC Associate country Bermuda in the Tri-Nations Tournament, begin hosted at the Queen's Park Oval, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. The loss was by three wickets, in a match reduced by rain breaks. It was a game that leaves mixed memories for Canada; some positive, but for others only time will tell. Some concerns from the Zimbabwe match recurred but lack of match practice on grass wickets may have been a significant factor.

Canada batted first. The early going included a couple of players making a quick start, but, once again, such starts did not translate into big scores. Captain John Davison, for instance, hit a mighty six but was bowled next ball. He made 22. Stuart Heaney looked promising until he fell in the 11th over for 19.

At 91-8 in the 35th over, Canada looked set for defeat, but vice-captain George Codrington batted solidly, supported by the tail-enders. Codrington was left 45 not out when the innings closed (157-9, 49 overs).

Canada had some early bowling successes and the first drinks break arrived with Bermuda struggling on 32-3. The drinks interval turned into a rain delay as a storm passed over the ground. The sun returned but the cricket was further delayed while match officials determined the revised Duckworth-Lewis method total that Bermuda would need to achieve to win. This was eventually announced as a target of 150 runs in 44 overs. Play had resumed before the public were appraised of the official target.

Bermuda showed some urgency as they battled to recover from their poor start. Irving Romaine lead a mini-charge with four consecutive shots for boundaries (4 x 4). However, Canada looked to be back in control when the 7th Bermuda wicket fell with the total on 89.

Lionel Cann joined wicket-keeper Dean Minors and there followed a lot of tense cricket. Bermuda chipped away at the total, Cann eventually hitting the winning boundary with an over to spare. Cann made 32 not out and Minors was 46 not out. Minors was named Man-of-the-Match by Clive Lloyd, the former West Indian test star.


The delay in transmitting this report was due to "Problems with Internet connectivity at Queen's Park Oval, Trinidad" which continued thoughout the tournament. Will the CCA be able to guarantee connectivity for our visitors for coverage of their matches to be played in Canada this summer? (JH).

The ICC's expansionist dream -- Posted Monday, May 22 2006

Leave Americans to baseball

Not much remains to be said about the proposed misadventure in USA between India and the West Indies, and even the more outlandish Afro-Asia Cup. By now, we should be inured to the priorities of our cricket boards and the reality of one-day cricket. The ICC has once again bestowed these games with the sanctity of official recognition. To be fair, what choice did it have? The ICC is demonized as if it had a will outside the purview of its members, and we pretty much know who rules world cricket. So the show will roll on. Grin it and bear it, or simply switch off your TV sets.

Of course, these tournaments will give credence to the stories of deal-making that took place during the World Cup bidding process. West Indies, not the most sought after cricket team in the world at the moment, would no doubt be chuffed at the prospect of some extra cash coming their way, as would Zimbabwe and Kenya who will participate in the apparition called the Afro-Asia Cup, a concept so artificial that the last edition was played on a cricket ground which had barren patches painted green to create the illusion of grass. The idea ought to have been abandoned after the spectacular failure of the ICC Super Series which was a stinging reminder that international cricket had little appeal, to both spectators and players, outside the bilateral arena. But why let such considerations come in the way when sponsors are willing?

But while I am resigned to the financial and political considerations, what riles me is the attempt to cloak these matches with legitimacy. Both the ICC and the West Indies Cricket Board have made pious-sounding statements about matches in the USA and Canada helping the spread of the game, and it is simply a false promise.

A few years ago, when Jagmohan Dalmiya was taking cricket far and wide, I had felt a genuine surge of excitement. It was novel watching cricket matches in Singapore, Hong Kong and Canada. Some grounds were oddly shaped, the matches were thinly attended, and there were hardly any locals. But I supported the expansionist zeal, and hoped that cricket would catch on. I was naïve, and wrong.

Chastened and wiser, I can now see the futility of the ambitions, genuine or otherwise, to grow cricket outside its natural habitat and I am prepared to venture that cricket will never catch on. It is just not that kind of a game. Instead of pointlessly envying and aspiring to emulate the growth of football, cricket must spend all its energies trying to preserve and strengthen what exists.
Cricket is not an easy game to start liking. It is a complex and baffling game. It demands utter devotion, infinite patience, certain intellectual engagement, and that utterly scarce commodity: time, lots of it. Also, the cricket lover, particularly those attracted to the alluring charms of Test cricket, must be prepared to enjoy the journey for the sake of it, without obsessing about the destination. Try convincing your American friend that a drawn Test is not a waste of five days.

It's a pity if we cannot learn from our experiences. Cricket was a regular fixture in the UAE for more than a decade, yet how many indigenous cricketers has the country produced? Does the USA have a single player outside the expatriate communities? Has the game taken roots in Singapore? Cricinfo Magazine carried a detailed feature about the attempt to grow the game in China in its May issue, but why do I think that the Chinese will find much harder to embrace cricket than capitalism?

Cricket does not need to be anxious or apologetic about its insularity, or elitism, if you must call it that. It has survived and prospered in the countries where it found root in colonial times, and to try to grow it beyond the Commonwealth might require a distortion of form. More worrying is the state of the game in Zimbabwe, where it has been ravaged by politics, in West Indies, where it suffers from administrative lapses, and in Kenya, which has fallen off the map due to sheer neglect.

Let's leave Americans to baseball.

Article written by Sambit Bal, who is the editor of Cricinfo and Cricinfo Magazine

Article souced from:- http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/ci/content/current/story/247695.html


The following paragraph was noted at the conclusion of the Zimbabwe v Bermuda match report:
"The third participants - Canada - were terribly unimpressive, and they do not have the money or widespread support for the game; nor do they have the time to make major advances before the World Cup in 10 months' time. They face Bermuda and Kenya in another tri-series in July where they will need to be several notches better than they were here to even compete."

Editorial comment:- Should the Canadian cricketer accept that there will be no coaching development program, as the CCA suggested/infered/promised before the importation of the free national coach from the U.K? Can it be anticipated that the CCA accounts will have to reflect in excess of $xxxxx.00 at the next AGM?

Again the devil is in the details, and "the truth shall make you free". (JH).

Zimbabwe win Tri-Nations in Trinidad -- Posted Sunday, May 21 2006

Zimbabwe won the Tri-Nations One-Day International (ODI) Cricket tournament at Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago. They beat Bermuda by 83 runs in the final. Canada were eliminated in round-robin play.

Zimbabwe won the toss for the final, and elected to bat. They began steadily and seemed set to score many more than their eventual total of 259-7 (50 overs, inninings closed). There was one period of Bermudian dominance as three wickets fell quickly for 1 run after Zimbabwe reached 200.

The leading scorers for Zimbabwe were opener Vusi Sibanda, who made 116 (9x4, 1x6) and wicketkeeper Brendan Taylor, with 55 (5x4, 1x6).

Bermuda's innings did not start well and they were always struggling to match the required run rate. They were bowled out for 176. The best of their batting came from late order batsman Lionel Cann, 40 (3x4, 2x6) and wicketkeeper Dean Minors, 29 (2x4, 1x6). Opening bowlers Tawanda Mupariwa (3-19) and Blessing Mahiwire (3-29) accounted for six of the Bermudian wickets.

Bermuda are due to visit the Toronto area in August for a 4-day ICC Intercontinental Cup match, 4 ODIs against Canada and Kenya, and the ICC Americas Senior Regional Championship.

The Americas ICC Regional Championship schedule shows that nime matches will be played at Maple Leaf CC in King City, Ontario, between August 22 and August 26, 2006.

The Cricket Summer of 2006 in Calgary -- Posted Sunday, May 21 2006

As the city of Calgary continues to grow in size so does its burgeoning cricket league.

The Calgary & District Cricket League will host a record number of matches (107) on three different grounds during the cricket summer of 2006.

To accommodate the new teams, the league adjusted its divisional format to have 7 teams in the Premier Division and 10 in Division 1. Joining the fold are Glenmore II, Star XI, and Lester B. Pearson High School Cricket Clubs. Cavaliers I and Crown will join 2005 Division 1 winner CICA in the premier division while Colts will try to recapture some of their 2004 magic by returning to Division 1.

The 17 weekend teams is the largest in the history of the league and coupled with 13 division 2 teams brings the number of cricket teams in Calgary to 30. Welcome to all new teams and best of luck in 2006.

Material sourced from:-
http://cricket.ab.ca/calgary/html/2006.html

Report on final Tri-Nations match in Trinidad -- Posted Sunday, May 21 2006

Zimbabwe won the Tri-Nations One-Day International (ODI) Cricket tournament at Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago. They beat Bermuda by 83 runs in the final. Canada were eliminated in round-robin play.

Zimbabwe won the toss for the final, and elected to bat. They began steadily and seemed set to score many more than their eventual total of 259-7 (50 overs, inninings closed). There was one period of Bermudian dominance as three wickets fell quickly for 1 run after Zimbabwe reached 200.

The leading scorers for Zimbabwe were opener Vusi Sibanda, who made 116 (9x4, 1x6) and wicketkeeper Brendan Taylor, with 55 (5x4, 1x6).

Bermuda's innings did not start well and they were always struggling to match the required run rate. They were bowled out for 176. The best of their batting came from late order batsman Lionel Cann, 40 (3x4, 2x6) and wicketkeeper Dean Minors, 29 (2x4, 1x6). Opening bowlers Tawanda Mupariwa (3-19) and Blessing Mahiwire (3-29) accounted for six of the Bermudian wickets.

Bermuda are due to visit the Toronto area in August for a 4-day ICC Intercontinental Cup match, 4 ODIs against Canada and Kenya, and the ICC Americas Senior Regional Championship.

Cricket and the meaning of life on Newsworld this Saturday -- Posted Friday, May 19 2006
The documentary "Cricket and the Meaning of Life" will be re-shown this Saturday at 10 pm ET. Sanjay Talreja's memorable film is not to be missed by anyone interested in cricket in Canada.

More information from CBC

Western Canada U23 tournament -- Posted Friday, May 19 2006
This weekend's Western Canada U23 tournament will include a lot of the players who play in the Canada Cup. They will have first-hand experience of the grounds in Edmonton. There will also be several current/former Canada u19 players participating.

The CCA delegates attending will be Ben Sennik, the CCA President, Chris James - CCA Senior selector Prairies, Vivek Darubra - CCA Senior selector BC, Ron Dipchand - CCA Chairman of Junior Selection, Christie Marathalingam - CCA Junior Selector Prairies.

Also attending with be a host of Alberta Cricket Association Executives and Selectors.

The organisers are expecting to put on an impressive event, and will have scorecards available online for everyone to see the standout performances by the up-and-coming players in the west.

Schedule for the matches at VICTORIA PARK and MILLWOODS CRICKET GROUND in Edmonton:-

May 20 Alberta u23 vs Saskatchewan u23
Manitoba u25 vs British Columbia u23

May 21 Alberta u23 vs Manitoba u23
British Columbia u23 vs Saskatchewan u23

May 22 Alberta u23 vs British Columbia u23
Saskatchewan u23 vs Manitoba u25

Matchplay times:

Saturday May 20th : 12.30pm - 4pm; 4 - 4.30pm lunch; 4.30pm to 8pm

Sunday May 21st : 11.00am - 2.30pm; 2.30 - 3pm lunch; 3pm to 6.30pm

Monday May 22nd : 10.00am - 1.30pm; 1.30 - 2.00pm lunch; 2.00pm to 5.30pm


SUNDAY TOURNAMENT BANQUET

Date: Sunday May 21st, 2006
Location: India Grill, 99 St and 45 Ave Time: 8 PM
Dresscode: Semi-Formal or Dressy Casual
Chief Guest: Ben Sennik, CCA President

TOURNAMENT AWARDS CEREMONY
Monday May 22nd, 6pm @ Victoria Park, Edmonton

Duckworth/Lewis decides Canada -v- Bermuda match -- Posted Thursday, May 18 2006

Bermuda will face Zimbabwe, first in today's last preliminary tri-nation match, then again in Saturday's final, after defeating Canada by three wickets at the Queen's Park Oval yesterday in the second match of the one-day international tournament.

An unbroken eighth wicket partnership between wicketkeeper Dean Minors and Lionel Caan saw the Bermudans to a three-wicket victory on the Duckworth/Lewis method over the North Americans with one over to spare.

Canada lost to both Bermuda and Zimbabwe in the space of as many days in contrasting fashion. And since they failed to win either of those matches, they have earned an early trip home from the tournament.

Yesterday, the Canadians won the toss and chose to bat, amassing just 157 off 49 overs in their innings affected by rain.

They owed their final total in the main to a gritty unbeaten 45 from number eight batsman George Codrington.
But in chasing a revised target of 153 for victory, Bermuda were in trouble early on, losing their first wicket with just two runs on the board. Daniel Morgan was lbw for one to Sanjay Thuraisingam, then, it was 18 for two when Kevin Sandher shattered Kwame Tucker's stumps.
Saleem Mukaddem (five) and Azeem Pitcher (three) perished shortly as Bermuda tottered to 32 for four. And after some short resistance from Irving Romaine (25) and skipper Janeiro Tucker (17), Canada were on top.

With seven wickets down, Hasan Durham was run out for one and victory began to slip away from the islanders' grasp. But Caan joined Minors at the crease and the pair put on a partnership of 54 to see Bermuda home with an over to spare.

Minors produced a match high 46 not out, scoring five fours and a six, to keep the score ticking over.
Caan also kept up the tempo and finished unbeaten on 42.
The best bowler for Canada was skipper John Davison with figures of three for 18 from a maximum nine overs.


Report sourced from:-http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_sports?id=160371872

Report of Bermuda v Canada Tri-Nation ODI -- Posted Thursday, May 18 2006

A gutsy unbeaten 46 from wicketkeeper Dean Minors guided Bermuda to a three-wicket victory over Canada in a game they appeared to have thrown away at Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad. The result means that Bermuda and Zimbabwe, who play tomorrow, will meet in Saturday's final while Canada head home.

Chasing a modest 151 to win in 44 overs, Bermuda looked to have squandered their chance as they slid to 89 for 7 when Lionel Cann, no mug with the bat despite batting at No. 9, joined Minors. But the pair saw off John Davison, who took 3 for 18 in his nine overs, and then scored with ease off the remaining bowlers as the weaknesses in the Canadian attack became all too evident.

What had gone before was quite the opposite as Bermuda stumbled to 32 for 3 before the second rain shower of the day sent the players off for a short time. When they resumed, Bermuda had a revised target but immediately lost another wicket and Davison pinned down the middle order. However, as soon as his allocation of overs had been used, the game turned on its head.

For the second day in succession, Canada had troubles of their own when they batted, and it seemed that once again they would fail to reach three figures.

Davison got things off to a brisk start with 22 off 16 balls, but as soon as he fell, the wheels came off the innings, and four wickets fell for 23 runs to leave Canada on 55 for 5. A second mini-collapse saw them teetering on 91 for 8, but George Codrington and Kevin Sandher added 30 for the ninth wicket and Codrington and Henry Osinde 36 - the highest stand of the innings - for the tenth.
Codrington showed the virtue of patience on his way to 45 not out and with Osinde ensured they at least batted out their allocation of overs. But in the end, it wasn't quite enough.

Tomorrow's match gives Bermuda a chance to size up Zimbabwe before the final and gain some more much-needed experience. Canada, meanwhile, will be bitterly disappointed at their showing in the first outings in ODIs. They face Kenya and Bermuda in July, but will need to show a serious improvement then as the World Cup draws closer.

Bermuda 153 for 7 (42.3 overs, Minors 46*, Davison 3-18) beat Canada 157 for 9 (Codrington 45*) by three wickets (D/L target 151 off 44 overs)

Report sourced from:- http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/canada/content/story/247694.html

Canada lose to Bermuda -- Posted Wednesday, May 17 2006
Bermuda will be delighted to have won their first ever full one-day international over a Canadian side again let down by their batting.
Canada were asked to bat first after losing the toss, hoping to improve on yesterday's performance. The recognised batsman failed to impress again however, leaving the tail to try and post a defendable total. Rain intervened during Bermuda's reply but an excellent 8th wicket partnership took Bermuda to victory.

Canada left out Qaser Ali, Chumney, and Bhatti and got off to another poor start, falling to 55/5 off 14 overs. John Davison made a rapid twenty-two, but was bowled by pacer O'Brien, who took two wickets. Barnett marginally improved on his debut performance- making just a single. Heaney fared better, with 19 before being caught off O'Brien. Bagai was caught from the bowling of Saleem Mukuddem for 8 and Dhillon lbw to Leverock for a single. Maxwell and Dhaniram stopped the rot, but both fell , leaving Canada at 82/7 with 21 overs left to bat.

Only 45 from George Codrington, batting at number 7, and partnered by Thuraisingam, Sandher and then Osinde allowed Canada to post a respectable total of 157 from 49 overs (one over was lost due to an stoppage for rain). Leverock was the pick of the Bermudan bowlers, conceding only 14 runs from 10 overs.

Canada had bowl exceptionally well to defend this modest total, and got off to a great start, taking three quick wickets. Kwame Tucker helpd by scoring just 5 off 43 balls. Janeiro Tucker and Romaine staged a brief recovery, then wickets fell again leaving Bermuda at 73/6 after 21 overs. Canada seemed in control when the 7th wicket fell at 89 but Minors (46*) and Cann (32*) were immovable, and took them to a revised target of 151 with 9 balls to spare. They put on 64 for the 8th wicket.

Davison bowled well, taking 3/18 from 9 overs, Thuraisingam and Osinde were economical (Osinde conceded only 19 runs, including 8 wides), but Sandher (1/44 from 7 overs) for once proved expensive.

For the second match in a row, Canada's batting failed miserably, leaving them with an inadequate total to defend. Andy Pick will have much to ponder as the team returns home without the chance to redeem themselves in a final. Bermuda certainly had more preparation for this match with already a tour of Trinidad under thier belts, plus a domestic season well under way, but canada on paper were a stronger side.

[CricInfo scorecard]

Zimbabwe trounce Canada in ICC tourney in Trinidad -- Posted Wednesday, May 17 2006

Zimbabwe put their recent One-Day International experience against the West Indies to good use as they trounced Canada by 143 runs in the opening match of the ICC tri-nations series, also featuring Bermuda, at the Queen's Park Oval yesterday.

A ruthless performance in the field from the Africans made sure Canada never had the momentum to mount a serious reply to a target of 219.

The run outs of openers Geoffrey Barnett and John Davison in the opening two overs, when the score was at 0 and two, respectively, meant Canada were always up against it.
Davison, who holds the record for the fastest World Cup ODI hundred against the West Indies in South Africa in 2003, would have been the one Canada depended on to build their innings around, but his contribution was just one run.

The opening bowling pair of Blessing Mahwire and Tawanda Mupariwa then set about tearing apart the rest of Canada's batting.

Mupariwa got rid of Desmond Chummney in the third over with the score on three, then Mahwire removed Stewart Heaney (2) an over and a run later, Elton Chigumbura taking the catch at midwicket.

Spunky wicket-keeper Ashish Bagai (16) top-edged Mahwire over his Zimbabwean counterpart Brendan Taylor and was caught by Gregory Strydom.

Bagai's knock contained two fours and the lone six of the innings. Haninder Dhillon tried to up the scoring and perished lbw to Mupariwa with the score 42, while Sunil Dhaniram, attempting likewise, was caught by Chibhabha at mid-wicket.

Umar Bhatti (9) was the third run out victim of the innings, again by the quick fielding of Chibhabha, while Sanjay Thuraisingam (9) was caught by Taylor off spinner Prosper Utseya, and Utseya's spin partner Ryan Higgins sewed up the match with the wicket of Henry Osinde, who was caught at slip for duck by Strydom, leaving Kevin Sandher unbeaten on two and the total on 75.

Zimbabwe got off to a quick start in their innings, Piet Rinke slamming 72 runs of 62 balls in an 82-run stand with Chibhabha (37) after skipper Terrence Duffin (3) departed with the score on 25.

Taylor also contributed 37, while Chigumbura (22) and Mupariwa (21) buffered Zimbabwe's score. A middle-order collapse-where they lost four wickets for six runs-saw them to 218 in their 50 overs.

When they returned to the field, though, Zimbabwe made few errors and the North Americans were unable to stand up to the pressure.

Now they will have to try to redeem themselves when they take on coach Gus Logie's Bermuda today, in the second match of the competition, at the same venue.

The top two teams will play in Saturday's final.

Summarised scores:

ZIMBABWE 218 for eight off 50 overs

(Piet Rinke 72, Justice Chibhabha 37, Brendon Taylor 37, Elton Chigumbura 22, Tawanda Mupariwa 21 not out; Kevin Sandher 2-32, Sunil Dhaniram 2-34)

CANADA 75 all out off 28.5 overs (Aashish Bagi 16, Sunil Dhaniram 14; Tawanda Mupawira 3-30, Blessing Mahwire 2-21).

Report sourced from:- http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_sports?id=160056625

Canadaian batting fails against Zimbabwe -- Posted Tuesday, May 16 2006
Canada's batting failed to capitalise on a good performance in the field as they went down to heavy defeat to Zimbabwe in the first match of the three-way series in Trinidad. A calamitous start to their reply left them in an impossible position, with debutants Barnett and Heaney only contributing a combined three runs.

Zimbabwe won the toss and chose to bat.Canada omitted Maxwell, Qaser Ali, and vice-captain Codrington from the squad of 14, giving debuts to Heaney and Barnett.

Zimbabwe made 218 for the loss of 8 wickets from their 50 overs - somewhat of a collapse after reaching 107/1 off 20 overs. Osinde struck the first blow with the score on 25, having Zimbabwe captain Duffin caught behind for just 3. Rinke (72 off 62 balls, with 56 in boundaries) and Chibhabha (37) took the total past 100 before another wicket fell in the 20th over. Kevin Sandher took two quick wickets to slow progress, and the spinners restricted scoring in the middle part of the innings. At 183/4 with 8 overs left Zimbabwe looked set for a big total, but two run outs, and wickets from Dhaniram and Davison meant that they only added another 35 runs.

It was an all-round effort by the Canadian bowlers, with Sandher and Dhariram both taking two wickets and conceding less than 35 from their 10 overs. Debutant Heaney contributed with a catch and a run-out, and Bagai marked his return to the team with two catches and a bye-free innings.

The Canadian reply got off to the worst possible start, with Barnett run out in the first over, with not a run on the board. Perhaps running between the wickets has to be coach Pick's top priority, as John Davison fell to another run-out two overs later. Desmond Chumney was caught in the same over, and Stewart Heaney, who must have been wondering why he made the long trip from Australia followed shortly after. Canada's innings was in ruins at 4/4, and the match essentially over. Bagai decided not to hang around and hit a quick 16- top score for Canada. Dhillon, Dhaniram and Thuraisingam showed some resistance, but the end came in the 29th over.

Canada were always likely to struggle against a match fit and practiced Zimbabwe squad, but the suicidal nature of their capitulation will be disappointing to the coach and team. At least three of the squad had come from southern hemisphere seasons and could not use the Canadian winter as an excuse- they contributed three runs between them.


[CricInfo Scorecard]

Zimbabwe, Canada square off in ICC Series -- Posted Tuesday, May 16 2006

THE young Zimbabwe cricketers, fresh from a seven-match One Day International (ODI) series against the West Indies in which they ended at the wrong end of a 5-0 result, now turn their attention to a tri-nation series featuring associate ICC members Canada and Bermuda.

Today, Zimbabwe will welcome a change of pace when they square off against Canada at the Queen's Park Oval from 9.30 a.m., two days after a 104-run defeat at the hands of the regional team.

Given the fact they have shown flashes of brilliance over the past two weeks-albeit each time in losing causes-coupled with the fact that this will be Canada's first outing at this level since 2003, the Zimbabweans should be favoured to win this affair.

They have shown their positivity in attacking the ball in the field and some of their batsmen have demonstrated intelligent capability. They also have good potential in the bowling department that can only flourish with experience.

Canada have an older squad, including four of their players from the 2003 World Cup in South Africa-skipper John Davison, Desmond Chumney, Ashish Bagai and Sanjay Thuraisingam.

Davison also holds the record for the fastest World Cup ton, against the West Indies in 2003 at Centurion, where he blazed 111, reaching his hundred off just 67 balls.
The other team in the competition, Bermuda, coached by former West Indies batsman Gus Logie, will be without skipper Clay Smith, who is still recovering from a long-term knee injury, and will be lead by Janeiro Tucker.
The competition is part of the ICC programme to step up the level of play for the six ICC associate members ahead of next year's World Cup in the West Indies.

The other four-Ireland, Kenya, the Netherlands and Scotland-are expected to play at least 64 ODIs before March, (some have already been played), including fixtures against full member countries.

Officiating over the series will be ICC Umpire of the Year, Australian Simon Taufel, along with Roger Dill, who will become the first associate and affiliate panel umpire to stand in an ODI.

Tournament Schedule:
Today: Canada vs Zimbabwe
Tomorrow: Bermuda vs Canada
Thursday: Bermuda vs Zimbabwe
Saturday: Final

Story sourced from:-

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_sports?id=159741347

Bermuda and Canada step forward for Trinidad tri-series against Zimbabwe (ICC) -- Posted Monday, May 15 2006
ICC News release, 15 May 2006

Bermuda and Canada step forward for Trinidad tri-series against Zimbabwe

Bermuda set to play first-ever ODIs

Bermuda and Canada are set to take another step forward in their preparations for next year's ICC Cricket World Cup (CWC) this week in Trinidad when they take part in a one-day international (ODI) tri-series that also involves Zimbabwe.

And for Bermuda and Canada, that journey starts at the Queen's Park Oval in Port of Spain, a venue that first staged Test cricket in 1930 and ODIs in 1983.

ICC High Performance Manager Richard Done said the tri-series was an important landmark for Bermuda and Canada.

"For the top Associates to become more competitive it is vital they play against better opposition in top-class venues more often," he said.

"This tri-series involving Bermuda, Canada and Zimbabwe is part of that process and is also part of an ambitious program of competition leading up to next year's ICC Cricket World Cup."

Done was also full of praise for the tournament's hosts.

"The players on show this week should all benefit from playing at an international-class venue like the Queen's Park Oval and we are extremely grateful to the Trinidad & Tobago Cricket Board for agreeing to host these matches," he said.

"By doing so they are helping to develop the game, something that everyone hopes will make our already strong sport even stronger in the years to come."

The increase in competitive action for the leading Associate sides is just one of the ways the ICC has looked to raise standards below Full Member level.

The six Associates have also received US$ three million through the ICC's High Performance Program (HPP) as they look to enhance their coaching and development structures and their competitiveness at the highest level.

Bermuda's first match is on Tuesday and the islanders will once again be without their captain Clay Smith as he continues to recover from a long-term knee injury.

Smith will be with the squad as team manager with Janeiro Tucker leading the side in his place.

It will also be without off-spinning all-rounder Delyone Borden, absent because of personal and work commitments and replaced by seamer Ryan Steede.

Bermuda's players should be getting used to Trinidad as they were there last month on a short tour ahead of this tri-series. It will also be their base during next year's ICC CWC.

They will also have some additional local knowledge as Gus Logie, the former West Indies batsman, is coach of the Bermuda squad.

Canada is captained by John Davison, the off-spinning all-rounder who hammered the fastest ICC CWC hundred of all time, from just 67 balls, against the West Indies at Centurion in 2003.

It also includes three players that took part in last year's ICC Winter Training Camp in Pretoria, South Africa - all-rounder Qaiser Ali, left-arm swing bowler Umar Bhatti and fast bowler Henry Osinde.

The tri-series will be Andy Pick's first matches as Canada coach following his arrival from the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB), where he looked after the U/19 squad.

Zimbabwe comes into the series following a ODI series against the West Indies that ended in Trinidad on Sunday.

The officials for the series are Simon Taufel, the ICC umpire of the year and a member of the Emirates Elite Panel, together with Roger Dill, who will become the first umpire from the ICC's Associate & Affiliate Panel to stand in a ODI.

Clive Lloyd, the former West Indies captain and a member of the Emirates Elite Panel of match referees, will oversee the tournament

Cricket and the Meaning of Life - CBC press release -- Posted Monday, May 15 2006

A documentary film will be broadcasting on CBC Newsworld, entitled Cricket and the Meaning of Life. This documentary deals with the most common immigrant experience: balancing the culture and society one comes from and the culture and society one comes to. Some of you are aware of this film and many would find it interesting.

The main appeal of this film will be for those of the Canadian South Asian communities and the Canadian West Indian communities because it deals with Cricket, though most immigrants will see in this story issues they face daily.

Given the importance of this game in these constituencies, we thought we would let you know about the broadcast and ask you to inform the many members of your community from these communities and to whom this film would bring joy. Below is a short description of the film.

We would be delighted to hear from you and from others on what the film meant to you at
http://www.cbc.ca/contact/.


CRICKET - ITS MORE THAN JUST A GAME, ITS A WAY OF LIFE
CBC NEWS: THE LENS PRESENTS
CRICKET AND THE MEANING OF LIFE

Filmed in Toronto, Trinidad and India, this touching documentary airs on CBC NEWSWORLD's: THE LENS
Tuesday, May 16 at 10 p.m. ET/PT and 4 am ET/PT – with an encore presentation on May 20 at 10 pm ET/PT.

In countries like India and Trinidad, the passion for cricket is just as strong as the love of hockey in Canada-maybe even stronger. It is the most watched and best loved sport in many Caribbean and South Asian countries. Cricket is a way of life - and many young boys dream of playing for the national team. Cricket and the Meaning of Life explores the power and meaning of a game that is more than just a sport. Like most boys in his native city of Bombay, director Sanjay Talrejas childhood was filled with cricket. As an adult, however, he struggled to adapt when he moved to Toronto, wondering if he would have to erase his past in order to belong to his new country.

One day, a surprise encounter rekindles a long-buried memory and changes everything. Talreja discovers a thriving underground community of South Asian and Caribbean cricket players in Toronto. He meets coach Brian Hale, who does more than teach the rules of the game-he motivates and mentors the young cricketers as they transform from boys into men, and from immigrants to full-fledged Canadians. Hale and his team depart on a life-changing tour to Trinidad, and Talreja discovers that cricket is crucial to the identity of many new Canadians, as he regains his passion for the game in his new country.
Cricket and the Meaning of Life is directed and narrated by Sanjay Talreja and produced by Gerry Flahive. It is a winner of the National Film Board of Canada Reel Diversity Competition, made in association with CBC Television and CBC Newsworld. The CBC Newsworld broadcast is a world television premiere and the film was recently nominated for a 2006 Golden Sheaf Award at the Yorkton Film Festival for Best Multicultural Program.

Hugh Wm. Brodie
Manager, Partnerships & Special Projects
Central Canada

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Mail: La Maison Radio-Canada P.O. Box 6000, Montréal, Québec, Canada H3C 3A8
E-Mail: hugh_brodie@cbc.ca
Montreal Phone: 514-597-5813
Ottawa Phone: 613-288-6421
Mobile: 514-895-1296

News of Canada in two reports from Trinidad -- Posted Monday, May 15 2006

The Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (T&TCB) will host an International Cricket Council (ICC) Tri Nation Series from May 16-20 at the Queen's Park Oval.

The announcement was made at a media conference at the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) skybox at the Queen's Park Oval yesterday.

The Tri-nation tournament, to serve as preparation for the ICC West Indies Cricket World Cup 2007 to be hosted in the region, will feature Zimbabwe, the Gus Logie-coached Bermuda squad,who will be part of ICC WI CWC 2007 Group B to be hosted in this country, and Canada, who will have their warm-up matches for the World Cup here. The tournament is also part of the overall development of the associate members of the ICC cricket development programme.

Manager of the T&T senior squad and PowerGen corporate communications manager Omar Khan said the T&TCB were approached by the ICC to host the tournament and they consented willingly to the request

Zimbabwe will stay on after the final two games of the seven ODI series against the West Indies, a series that concludes Sunday in T&T.

Canada arrive Sunday while Bermuda touch down at Piarco tomorrow.

The series will first see Canada playing Zimbabwe on May 16, while Bermuda tackles Canada on May 17 before Bermuda opposes Zimbabwe on May 18.

After this brief round-robin format, the top two teams will contest the final on May 20. All four matches, deemed official ODIs by the ICC, are scheduled for the Oval which will only use the refurbished Dos Santos and Jeffrey Stollmeyer Stands to accommodate spectators because of on-going construction work ahead of the ICC WI CWC 2007.

West Indian legend Clive Lloyd will be the match referee and adjudicator for the entire duration of the Series, while international elite umpire Simon Tauffel and Bermuda's Roger Dill, who will become the first associate umpire to officiate in an ODI, will be the umpires.
"It is something that we at the T&TCB are happy to be associated with," said Khan, "We see this as creating some goodwill between the ICC and the T&TCB and of course, assisting the development of cricket...It will also show our capabilities as an efficient and well-organised cricket board."

Khan continued: "We hope to use this opportunity to sell T&T; to sell our facilities; to sell our cricket. Our cricket board will have the opportunity to sell what we do here and also to identify what some of our needs are in terms developing our infrastructure, our facilities and the overall development of our cricket."

Khan added that the Bermuda and Canadian contingents have signalled that they will be accompanied by a sizeable supporter following for this Series, and have asked the T&TCB to reserve adequate tickets, tickets that will cost spectators TT$40.

ICC cricket development officer Chris Briers will be travelling to T&T to oversee the Series and will be part of the official ICC panel.

Khan added that the Canadian High Commission had organised for their cricket team to visit the Tranquility Government Secondary School during their stay here as one of a few events they will undertake as part of their Outreach Programme.

Report sourced from:-
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_sports?id=158365528


WICB, BCCI to unveil plans at June meeting
Barbados
Sunday, May 14th 2006

Senior officials from the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and the Board for Cricket Control in India (BCCI) will have a meeting on June 3 in New York, to unveil plans for the One-Day International series to be played in the United States and Canada.

Ken Gordon, the WICB president, said on Friday that the meeting has been convened to iron out further details on the new tournament and profit-sharing agreement signed by the WICB and the BCCI.

Officials from the Canadian Cricket Association and United States of America Cricket Association (USACA) will also attend the meeting, as they are the organising committee.
Gordon said the venues for the matches have not yet been finalised, but one match will be played in Florida.
The series is expected to go a long way in helping the WICB to solve its debt burden-presently standing at US$25 million.
"There will be no fewer than three matches and no more than five matches," said Gordon, who took up the top WICB post last August.
"Once the BCCI heard that North America was ready, they were also ready and we found what looks like a convenient avenue period when both team were available.
"Now we have to work out the details. We will be looking to firm up what venues we will be using."

He continued: "North America comes under the guidance of the WICB, as far as the ICC is concerned. North America is a fertile area for us to develop. The Indian diaspora is a large one and so is the West Indian. It makes all kind of sense for us to take advantage of that, because we have captive markets.

"It starts with good economic planning and then from there, we have are other logical reasons why we want to partner with India."

Report sourced from:-
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_sports?id=159222061

BBC reports Windies and India to play in Canada? -- Posted Sunday, May 14 2006

West Indies and India have agreed to play one-day series in Canada and the USA in August and September.

Officials from the two countries signed an agreement at April's International Cricket Council meeting in Dubai, with further details emerging this week.

Canada hosted 22 one-day internationals between 1996 and 1999, involving India, Pakistan and West Indies.
And the boards made a commitment to playing in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, once construction is finished.

The series, each of between three and five games, are part of an initiative by the Board of Control for Cricket in India to play more matches at neutral venues.

The plan has been criticised by the ICC because it is outside its future tours programme of Tests and one-day internationals and adds to players' workloads.

The West Indies board is understood to have been offered the matches in a deal that included its officials voting in favour of Asia's bid to host the 2011 World Cup.
"Because of current financial difficulties, India will fund this project on the understanding that it will be repaid out of the West Indies share of the profits of the series," said a WICB statement.

"The two boards have agreed to work together assisting each other wherever possible to develop cricket in their respective countries or in their spheres of special interest - North America.

"This relationship will be based on mutual respect and the natural ties which have been developed over many years of competing with each other in the field."

India begin their tour of West Indies next week, with the first of five one-day internationals in Jamaica on 18 May, followed by a four-Test series.

Article sourced from:-
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/4764375.stm


CRICKET FANS in Florida...stumped for somewhere to watch or play? 1] In north Ft. Lauderdale, the City of Lauderhill is in the process of building the USA's first international cricket stadium. This is a real coup for South Florida, home to much local amateur cricket amongst the Jamaicans, West Indians, Barbadians, Brits and other cricketing nations. Excellent cricket is played every Saturday night from 3 to 10p.m. and there is a city-sponsored cricket development program. If you'd like to play, watch or get involved wit the cricket community go to their website www.lauderhill.net or phone organiser Indy Maharaj (954) 717-1511
ALSO: In 2007 World Cup Cricket is coming to Broward County. The city of Lauderhill is bidding for it, to bring worldclass cricket teams here.

Latest info: www. cricketusabl.com or send email to Chandra Singh in NE Ft. Lauderdale chandandanu@hotmail.com
Material sourced from:- http://www.britishflorida.com/pages/British_Sports.asp?page_id=156

Cricket was established in the USA in the eighteenth century. George Washington was an avid follower of the sport. Indeed, John Adams even stated in the U.S. Congress in the 1780s that if leaders of cricket clubs could be called "presidents", there was no reason why the leader of the new nation could not be called the same.

The USA played the first ever international cricket match against Canada in 1844 at the St George Cricket Club Ground, Bloomingdale Park, New York. This was also the first international sporting event (Cricinfo) and therefore began the longest international sporting rivalry in the modern era (USA vs Canada: 1844: scorecard).
If modern cricket is dated from the 1780s, when the Laws of Cricket were first formalized in England, North America would have to be considered a major participant in the world cricket scene for two-thirds of the time that modern cricket has been around. However, the USA did not develop into a modern cricket playing nation with baseball taking prominence during the 19th century.

One reason for this decline may be that in the late 1800s American cricket remained an amateur elite sport at the same time that England, then Australia, were developing a professional version of the game. As cricket standards improved with professionalism elsewhere in the world many North American cricket clubs stayed stubbornly elitist. Many abandoned cricket and converted their facilities to recreations like golf and tennis. Some city cricket clubs, viewing the emerging game of baseball as an auxiliary entertainment, sponsored the first baseball teams. After 1900, baseball had taken over the American scene, created its independent mythology, and cricket was marginalised as a summer sport.

The eclipse of American cricket was also abetted by developments in the then British Empire. The Imperial Cricket Conference (predecessor of the International Cricket Council [[1]]), formed in 1909 to coordinate the worldwide development of the sport, specifically excluded countries from outside the British Empire from having any significant influence. This exclusionary policy certainly undercut any momentum to professionalize cricket in the USA, although whether the momentum would have developed even in the presence of a more open ICC remains a question. (Cricinfo)

Cricket then continued as a minor pastime maintained by occasional bursts of amateur enthusiasm. For example, the founding in 1932 of the Hollywood Cricket Club. A more sustained resurgence in popularity was seen in the 1970s as immigrants from the West Indies and the Indian subcontinent played the sport. The main areas where cricket is now played are in New York, California around Los Angeles and San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Florida, though it is played in all fifty states.

Cricket in the USA developed even more by 2004, with them participating in the first ICC Intercontinental Cup, which saw them play first class cricket against Canada and Bermuda; and with it winning the ICC Six Nations Challenge, albeit on the most narrow of margins - beating Scotland, Namibia, the Netherlands and the UAE on net run rate by 0.028 of a run.

A professional league known as Pro Cricket was started in 2004, playing 20-over-a-side games with five-ball overs (ie 100 balls per innings). This did not enjoy the support of the USA Cricket Association that is recognised by the ICC.

Winning the ICC Six Nations meant that they qualified for the ICC Champions Trophy 2004 in England. Here the USA played their first ever one-day international match against New Zealand at The Oval on 10 September 2004. Although the USA won the toss it was all downhill from there, the side being completely shown up by the New Zealanders, with several records broken, and subsequently also by Australia, the world champions. While some frailties were obvious, a more fundamental problem was the average age of the team - over thirty-five. This boded ill for success in the near future, as was shortly to be demonstrated.

The 2005 ICC Trophy represented a chance for the USA to re-establish themselves on the world stage and qualify for the 2007 World Cup. However, a disastrous campaign saw them finish bottom of their group, with four losses and a washout from their five group matches. This failure robbed the USA of the prize of full One-Day International status on offer to the World Cup qualifiers.

On 9 August 2005 the ICC dealt American cricket a further blow by expelling the USA from the 2005 ICC Intercontinental Cup after running out of patience with the inability of the USA Cricket Association and the Council of League Presidents to agree on team selection. The USA's place in the competition will be taken by the Cayman Islands. This decision, and the ICC's determination not to allow the USA back into the fold until the internal dispute is over, means that the USA team is likely to be without serious representative cricket for some considerable time.

It was the trough of a dispiriting twelve-month period for US cricket, which had started the previous year not only with improving prospects on the field but with ambitious plans to stage a match in the 2007 World Cup, centred in the Caribbean. Initial talk of a match at Walt Disney World in Orlando had been superseded by a more determined bid to stage a tie at a proposed purpose-built stadium elsewhere in Florida, at Lauderhill, Fort Lauderdale. The bid was given credibility under the leadership of former West Indies spin legend, Lance Gibbs, onetime holder of the world record for most Test wickets. However, when the ICC announced the tournament venues, ironically on 4th July 2004, an expectant crowd listening to a live broadcast of the announcement at Ford Lauderdale City Hall was disappointed to hear that all the matches were to be staged within the West Indies.

From hopeful World Cup host in July 2004 to cricketing outcast in August 2005 - a rapid and most sad descent. Undeterred, the bid team in Lauderhill intend to see through their stadium project, with a view still to stage international cricket eventually, possibly including warm-up matches for the 2007 World Cup, and another new cricket ground is being developed at Piscataway, New Jersey, with similar hopes of staging World Cup warm-ups.

The USA intends to develop its cricket further by introducing it into schools. Currently, pupils not selected for baseball teams have no summer ball game to play. The idea is that these pupils will play cricket. Pilot schemes have already started in Texas.

Article sourced from:-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_cricket_team

Editorial comment:
Is the Canadian Cricket Association holding it's cards close to the vest? Is the cricket fraternity in Canada not to be trusted with news of cricket developments in Canada?
(Jon Harris).

Play up and play the game -- Posted Saturday, May 13 2006

GUYANA-born Sherriff Boodhoo owns and runs Qasra Sports Inc in Etobicoke, west Toronto. He sells sport goods, especially cricket equipment, and runs an indoor cricket facility with nets for practice.
The nets, three in all, are now being used by the 40-member Canadian cricket squad, for which the Canadian Cricket Association (CCA), based in Toronto, pays Qasra a fee.

"Yes it's good for me that the CCA has chosen here for the Canada squad to practice," Boodhoo conceded. "I started small but with their support we ended up in this bigger place. Business isn't bad, I can't complain."

The names of the 40 in the squad appeared on the CCA's Internet website on January 20. The squad is in training for the International Cricket Council's (ICC's) 2007 Cricket World Cup in the West Indies, and for three other international competitions Canada is playing in before the World Cup.

Boodhoo, 52, said he was born in Vergenoegen and grew up in that village, in Guyana's Essequibo region, where he was also involved in the sport goods business, and played cricket.

"We played a lot of cricket there," he observed. "There were three teams in my village alone."

He left Guyana in 1979 for Canada and now lives in Brampton, just outside Toronto, with his wife Bebi Amna, who works part-time in the business. They have three children: Areeza, 27, son Quasim, 24, and Shareeza, 18. Boodhoo said his half-brother, Rafi Khan, also from Guyana, lives in Canada too.

"When I came to Canada I didn't really think first of all about getting into the sporting goods business," Boodhoo recalled. "When I did think about it a friend of mine here was doing it, so I decided not to because I didn't want to go in to competition with him."

When the friend decided to move to the United States he suggested Boodhoo start a sport-goods business.
He took his friend's advice and launched Qasra in about 1993.

"I sell all kinds of cricket equipment: bats, balls, pads, helmets, gloves, coloured cricket clothing," Boodhoo explained. "Gray Nicolls, Kookaburra, and Puma bats, from C$120 to C$500, and other products, Masuri helmets, one of the lightest because they have titanium grilles, and C & D helmets too."

He noted that most helmet manufacturers now use titanium because it's so light and strong, and rust-resistant as well.

Thirteen of the players on the current Canadian squad were born in the West Indies and moved to Canada, or were born in Canada to West Indian parents, the Canadian team's Trinidad-born manager and senior coordinator Mike Henry pointed out.

They originated in Guyana, Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua, and St Kitts-Nevis.

At least five are from Guyana, or have a Guyanese parent.
Sunil Dhaniram, from Berbice, is a left-hand bat and left-arm spin bowler. He played for the Guyana cricket team before moving to Canada. Dhaniram said when the Guyanese team was on tour he was current West Indies captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul's room-mate. Dhaniram now plays in the province of Ontario.

Kenneth Carto, wicketkeeper-batsman, is also from Berbice, and now plays in Ontario, as does Naresh Roopnarine, fast-medium bowler, another product of Berbice.

Another Guyanese contribution to the Canadian cricket squad is Chris Vernon, left-handed opening batsman, from Georgetown, also now playing in Ontario.

Surendra Seeraj, wicketkeeper-batsman, is different. He was born in Canada to a Trinidadian father and Guyanese mother. He too is in Ontario.

Some players in the squad are young, 20 or in their early 20s. Some are students but many in the Canadian squad work to keep body and soul together, since there is no professional cricket in Canada.

Howard Petrook, the Canadian team's "high performance manager", maintained however that little attention is paid to where foreign-born Canadian players came from originally.

Some are from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Uganda.
There are of course several players in the squad whose ancestors came to Canada from Europe.

Not only those in the Canada squad support Boodhoo's sport goods business and use the nets. So do players from clubs which play in the Toronto and District Cricket Association's league.

Boodhoo now has his own cricket team, called Tranzac.
There are four or five other indoor cricket facilities in Toronto now, where other clubs in the Toronto league practise during Canada's freezing, snowy winter.

"Sometimes players from Quebec drive down to Toronto to practice," Boodhoo said.

There are eight cricket leagues listed by the CCA in Ontario alone, from the industrial town of Hamilton, south-west of Toronto, to Ottawa, far away to the north-east, near Ontario's border with Quebec.

Canada's team manager and senior coordinator Mike Henry explained that the 40-member squad will eventually be whittled down to 14, to form Canada's cricket team for the World Cup, and tournaments before this.

Canada is vast, of course, the second biggest country in the world. So, apart from Toronto, there are other practice centres for the squad in Vancouver, Calgary, and Montreal.

All 40 in the squad will probably not come together until there is a tournament to be played, and certainly in summer for field practice. When necessary the CCA brings players from Canada's western provinces to Toronto.
Boodhoo said he felt Canadian cricket needed corporate or other sponsorship now, and efforts are being made in this direction.

"Look at a very small cricketing country like Bermuda, where the government has given $11 million Bermudan (on par with the US dollar) which is a big plus for them," he stressed. "We've got no government funding, no government money for the players."

Canadian cricket is now supported financially by occasional grants to the CCA from the ICC, including a substantial sum made available to help Canada's team to prepare for World Cup 2007 after Canada qualified for this in Ireland last year.

There are also private donations, and clubs' membership fees, out of which money goes to cricket associations that organize leagues.

These in turn contribute to provincial cricket organizations, which then send in money to the CCA.
Boodhoo said he would like to "wish the Canadian team all the best this year, next year, and in years to come, both the junior and senior teams". And he's excited and looking forward to next year's World Cup.


Editorial note: Sherriff Boodhoo is an offcer of the Toronto and District Cricket Association. (JH)

Editorial Comment by Jon Harris:- The statement made by the Canadian Cricket Association's 1st Vice-President Howard Petrook, that "little attention is paid to where foreign-born Canadian players came from originally" should be considered in the context of two Australian nationals playing for Canada. This expediency may satisfy certain obscure technicalities and legalities to displace Canadian cricketers from a place in the national team but it seriously challenges the concept of 'fair play' in cricket. This may serve the moment, but it seriously stretches the concept of fair play in cricket, just as serious as the tax haven, (or heaven), exploited by the ICC. The rubric of fair play in cricket has been expressed by Henry Newbolt.


"There's a breathless hush in the Close tonight
Ten to make and the match to win
A bumping pitch and a blinding light,
An hour to play and last man in.
And it's not for the sake of a season's fame.
But his Captain's hand on his shoulder smote -
'Play up! play up! and play the game!'

Material sourced from an article published Tuesday, March 21st 2006 by Anthony Milne at:-
http://www.stabroeknews.com/index.pl/article_sports?id=48637968

Canada practice prior to Trinidad tour -- Posted Friday, May 12 2006
The Canadian team assembled in Toronto this week for practice prior to travelling to Trinidad for next week's matches against Zimbabwe and Bermuda.

Canadian coach Andy Pick

National team captain John Davison

India to play West Indies in Canada? -- Posted Thursday, May 11 2006
The WICB and BCCI today issued a press release outlining " an historic agreement on ways in which the two Full Member countries would co-operate in the future". Part of the text of this agreement states that

"It was agreed as follows:

1. That India and the West Indies would work together assisting each other wherever possible to develop cricket in their respective countries or in their spheres of special interest i.e. North America

2. That this relationship will be based on mutual respect and the natural ties which have been developed over many years of competing with each other in the field.

3. That the first major project will be three to five One Day Internationals to be held in the United States and Canada targeted for August / September 2006

4. Because of current financial difficulties, India will fund this project on the understanding that it will be repaid out of the WI share of the profits of the series.

5. Thereafter further joint projects will be pursued such as the opening of the Multi Complex stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and the aggressive expansion of cricket in North America.

The major breakthrough from this agreement will be the development and expansion of cricket in North America through the hosting of matches and, in particular joint ventures to be pursued such as the opening of the multi complex stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida."

The involvement of the BCCI in cricket development in North America cannot be viewed as anything other than positive. The BCCI can draw on financial resources that the troubled WICB cannot even contemplate. In the short term however, the prospect of a return of the Indian one-day international squad to Canada may significantly raise the profile of the sport here, as well as perhaps providing a financial windfall to the host country.

The main problem for Canada however is finding an approrpiate venue. The best facilty by far, with a proven record of hosting, and a well maintained grass wicket, is the Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club. Whether the club is in any way interested in hosting is another question.

In additition the Canadian national team has a busy schedule in August, with the InterContinental Cup (Canada v Kenya, July 29- August 1; Canada v Bermuda, August 12-15), and one day internationals v Kenya and Bermuda. In additition the Americas Senior Championship is scheduled for the Toronto area, August 21-26. Thus there will be a near continuous programme of international cricket in Toronto from July 29 to August 26. Ideally all these matches should be played on grass wickets. As of now, we know that King City will host the Americas Championship, and four of the six one day internationals will be held at the TCSCC. We await news on alternative venues- perhaps King City, Sunnybrook, or more imaginatively Inverhaugh.

Thus, if Canada is to host a West Indies-India series it must almost certainly take place in September- as did the Sahara Cup in the 1990s. It would be disappointing to lose these games to the USA - where it may also be hard to find a suitable venue. Let's hope all the details can be worked out, and we can look forward to a feast of international cricket in August and September.
(Dave Liverman)

Trinidad Tri Series preview (Dave Liverman) -- Posted Tuesday, May 9 2006
Canada’s World Cup campaign starts in earnest with a trip to Trinidad to face Zimbabwe and Bermuda in a three way series, starting May 16. These matches are the first of a demanding international program over the next eleven months that will see Canada play more than 20 one-day internationals. The Canadian squad is not quite full strength- something we’ll get used to seeing, as it is unlikely that the employers of many of Canada’s part-time cricketers will be tolerant enough to allow full participation in all games. This will be Canada’s first international excursion under new coach Andy Pick.

Perhaps the most significant aspect of the Canadian squad is the first appearance of two players whose career to date has taken place under southern skies. 25 year-old Stewart Heaney was born in Canada, but has lived most of his life in Australia. A talented batsman who attended the Australian cricket academy, he has played the last few seasons for Australian Capital Territory in the Cricket Australia Cup, facing mostly players from the main state 2nd XIs.. He had a modest 2005-06 season, after averaging over 40 in 2004-05. He’ll be joined by Geoff Barnett from New Zealand, qualified through virtue of his parents’ birth. Barnett, a tall steady left handed opening bat has played first-class cricket for Central Districts with modest success (11 matches, top score 94). Both Barnett and Heaney are coming off southern hemisphere seasons, and will strengthen the Canadian batting.

The rest of the squad is based largely on the successful 2005 ICC trophy campaign, with an emphasis on experience. Thuraisingham, Chumney, Davison, Codrington, Dhaniram and Maxwell are all over 35. The return of Bagai to the team will strengthen the batting, as well as providing a class-keeper. Qaser Ali performed well in the InterContinental Cup last year, and was one of the Canadians selected to participate in the ICC High Performance camp in South Africa over the winter, where he worked on his seam bowling, as well as improving his batting. Many of the Canadians will come on this tour with virtually no match practice over the winter, and may well struggle to find form.

Bermuda’s World Cup qualification was a huge boost for cricket in that country, but the team has not performed well subsequently. Their first match against Canada will be a historic occasion- Bermuda’s first full one-day international. Bermuda has a climate that can support year round cricket, and the team has had plenty of opportunity to gain practice- a major advantage over the Canadians. They visited the UAE for a series of matches in February and were outplayed, but recently had a successful short tour of Trinidad, playing against club teams. Coach Gus Logie has been able to call upon former team-mates, including Joel Garner to provide additional coaching. Captain Clay Smith is out until August, recuperating from a knee injury, so Janerio Tucker takes over the captaincy. Delyone Borden returns to the national team, despite playing virtually no cricket over the last few months- he’s been studying in the USA. Fast bowler George O’Brien will likely debut, in an attempt to strengthen Bermuda’s pace attack; he spent much of the winter playing in Australia.


The Zimbabwe team is a shadow of that of former years following years of internal strife and turmoil. Their best players are plying their trade elsewhere in the world – notably Heath Streak with Hampshire and the Flower brothers with Essex. The average age of the current squad is around 20, and there are few experienced players. However despite losing Test status, Zimbabwe still are on the one-day international circuit and this young team is learning quickly, gaining experience against the top teams. They will be well acclimatised to West Indian conditions, having faced the West Indies in a 5-day series where they were soundly beaten. However the West Indies found that the Zimbabweans should not be under-estimated, with their bowling impressing.

Despite their youth, the match-fitness and experience of higher-level cricket should see Zimbabwe as favourites in this series. Canada has consistently out-performed Bermuda over the last few years, but their lack of match practice should even out the contest, unless their new antipodean acquisitions hit form. The series should prove useful experience for all three teams, with two of the stronger ICC Associates given the chance to show what they can do against perhaps the weakest full member side. Canada meets Zimbabwe on the 16th May and Bermuda on the 17th, with a final scheduled for the 20th (Dave Liverman)

Will Toronto cricket go ahead this season? -- Posted Friday, May 5 2006

“Cricket will go ahead this season" was the key outcome of the recent Emergency General Meeting of the Toronto and District Cricket Association (T&DCA).

The meeting had been called to consider the hefty fee increases for pitches being sought by Toronto City Council. As stated in the T&DCA’s email to club administrators, the original increases would see clubs having to pay about $119,000 in 2006, compared with $27,000 in 2005.

As things stand, the increase for 2006 will now raise charges to $41,000. The T&DCA intend to note their appreciation for the reduction in the increase but are urging clubs and cricketers to lobby their city councillors and express concerns over how the game can thrive and develop in the context of hefty fee increase.

A standard e-mail letter is to be distributed by the T&D board.

T&DCA Vice-President Norman Jackson did a good jo rin chairing the meeting, keeping discussions on the important theme of ‘what can we do to ensure cricket takes place this summer’, noting there might be other issues in the background or for the future that the board would need to address.

The meeting began with good news, virtually hot off the presses from the city parks department that for 2006, they would recommend a lower increase in fees for 2006 (a 66% reduction from the original amount). This would put pitch costs at about $41,000 for the T&DCA, a rise of 50% compared with 2005. Under this proposal fees in 2007 would be 33% below the $119,000 figure but in 2008 the city would be seeking the full $119,000 amount.

The reduction arises from discretionary powers granted to the General Manager of the Parks department under the banner of financial hardship for not-for-profit-groups.

The main reason for the significant pitch fee increases seem to be two-fold. One is that the some of areas used for cricket in Toronto Parks are deemed to be premier facilities (increases for premier facilities are greater than for non-premier ones). These grounds are located at Ross Lord Park, Eglinton Flats and Sunnybrook Park. All of which had truf wickets developed for the ICC Trophy 2001, and have since been neglected.

The other factor is that it is part of the harmonization of permit rates that accompanies the merger of the previous cities and boroughs of Metro Toronto into the new City of Toronto. The harmonization program was supposed to be ‘revenue neutral’ to the overall budget of the city. Apparently those using pitches used by the Etobicoke and Scarborough leagues would have seen a reduction in pitch costs under the harmonization policy. This does raise the much broader issue of how long has it taken to ‘harmonize’ various policies and costs under the ‘new’ City of Toronto banner.

Canadian Cricket Association Vice President Howard Petrook had been involved in the negotiations and discussions with the city. He noted that cricket is being charged on the basis of $32.50 per hour, similar to that for soccer or rugby but cricket needs more hours, and a larger area, to play a match. It should be noted that charges for junior games apply at the same rate.

The meeting was advised that cricket either did not attend, or report, with a common voice the concerns over fee raises which seem to have been held over the previous 2-3 years.

Some suggestions from the meeting were that the T&DCA Board should research what charges are being made for cricket by other nearby local authorities, also on some issues there might be commonality of interests with other sports so a combined approach might be appropriate. It was noted that this is an election year, so it is a good year to approach your city councillor to see if they can help…..because if they cannot, or will not, cricketers and the families can promise not to vote for them!

It is noted that fees for juniors are the same as for adults…perhaps this is something that could be addressed with the city fathers via an all-sports forum?

There were suggestions that cricketers should phone in to CP24 on the evening when mayor David Miller is on for his weekly talk-show. Some even suggested a protest when the next ‘A Celebration of Cricket/Mayors Trophy’ event is staged at Sunnybrook Park. One speaker noted the mayor had been very much pro-cricket in 2005, but the fee hikes are not.

To quote some of Mayor Miller’s words of welcome to last season’s Celebration of Cricket: ‘Once Canada’s national sport, cricket continues to grow among students and communities around the world. It is a game that connects our diverse communities and improves our cross-cultural interaction.” Police Chief Bill Blair noted “The game of cricket provides a wonderful opportunity for players from Toronto’s diverse communities to interact and compete with others in a fun-filled and exciting sport.”

Perhaps some of these latter words might be usefully raised in future discussions with the city. The other words, on a more parochial front and raised on Tuesday night, would be:- why did many representatives from the T&DCA clubs fail to turn up for this meeting?

Eddie Norfolk with files by JH

Editorial note:- The grounds at King City have had two separate inspections, complete with photograph records. It is questionable that the turf wickets will be playable as there was no germination from the 2005 fall seeding. This does not bode well for the anticipated ICC inspection. It should be noted that the sprinkling system appears to be disfunctional and the ICC requirements for sanitation would also appear to be not presently functional.(JH)

Kenya, Canada and United Arab Emirates to host showpiece junior event -- Posted Thursday, May 4 2006

Malaysia to become first Associate Member to host ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup in 2008


"Canada will also be an able host having staged a successful ICC Trophy in 2001 while United Arab Emirates will have three magnificent stadiums in place by 2014 as well as the facilities of the ICC Global Cricket Academy.
"All four members have sufficient grounds and turf pitches and these events will provide impetus for the continued growth of the sport in these four geographically spread countries."

Editorial comment:- Suffice to say, and question, are there "sufficient grounds and turf pitches" in Canada? (JH)

Full article can be read at:-
http://www.icc-cricket.com/icc-media/content/story/245884.html

Recent events in the Toronto area (CCA report) -- Posted Wednesday, May 3 2006
RECENT EVENTS IN THE TORONTO AREA….AND MEDIA COVERAGE!

There have been a number of recent cricketing events in the Toronto area through which the CCA has forged or is in the process of building new relationships. These culminated in the public reception and cricket panel discussion: “Cricket: Reality, Respect, Reward” on April 26, 2006 at Metro Hall, Toronto.

This event marked the ‘public’ debuts of new national coach Andy Pick, and Eddie. The support of Asian Television Network (ATN) at these cricketing events was noted during an extensive Canadian Cricket Association Presentation. It was also revealed that ‘The Score’ is a likely candidate to attend future events….”provided we know they are on”, said James Sharman, presenter of their ‘Sportsworld’ program. For further commentary on these media opportunities and an outline of the other recent events, please press [More].

A series of web-postings is expected as we explore the Forum, the related photographic exhibition “Conjuring Cricket: Images of a Culture” (Michael Phang) and the many related issues surrounding a most interesting evening. We note that former West Indies Test Richie Richardson opened the batting in the Forum and we will be paying due thanks to the Government of Antigua and Barbuda in making this event ‘reality’. They deserve due ‘respect’ from the Canadian cricket community and we hope our series of postings will bring them due ‘reward’.

Scarborough Centre Councilor Michael Thompson was instrumental for the City of Toronto in bringing the events to Metro Hall. His office indicated the City deemed the Forum and Exhibition a success and invited those involved in the event to call City Hall to arrange a follow-up function….or could there be multiple events? There is a lot of ‘recognition’ needed from the many events, opportunities and underlying ‘hard work behind the scenes’ that staging an event involves. We merely touch on that ‘recognition‘ today.

[More]

RECENT EVENTS IN THE TORONTO AREA….AND MEDIA COVERAGE!

There have been a number of recent cricketing events in the Toronto area that have been attended by new CCA support officer Eddie Norfolk. The CCA has established some new relationships or are in the process of being built. The CCA presentation at the Forum “Cricket: Reality, Respect, Reward” on April 26, 2006 alluded to these events in noting Asian Television Networks (ATN) support for cricket in our communities. Eddie was pleased to catch up with ATN at the Forum and was interviewed by them. We will liaise with ATN and will, shortly, post some highlights of what the new Marketing and Communications Manager told them.

Eddie certainly thanked ATN for their support of those community events and looked forward to working with them in the promotion of our beloved sport. During the subsequent presentation, it was revealed that James Sharman of ‘The Score’ had spoken with the CCA, just before the Metro Hall, Toronto forum. Mr. Sharman commented that if ‘The Score’ had been aware of these events, then they could have sent a crew along for coverage. The positive note is that a new relationship with the media emerged. James could not attend the Forum, following his nightly ‘Sportsworld’ program (5.30 and 7pm eastern, Monday to Friday on ‘The Score’) due to another commitment. Eddie and James are to discuss future plans, so expect to see new National Coach Andy Pick on ‘The Score’ in the near future.

Ironically, the Forum was on a Wednesday – cricket night for ‘The Score’. Panel Moderator, Errol Townshend (President Ontario Cricket Association) publicly recognized the arrival of greeted celebrated cricket correspondent Fitzroy Gordon. The beginnings of a working relationship with Andy Pick and Eddie Norfolk were forged though a couple of questions and in post-event discussions.

Fitzroy opens up ‘The Score’, ‘The FAN’, CHIN Radio and it was announced that he has a license for a new radio station that will provide extensive coverage to cricket. This will include the local Toronto leagues, as well as coverage of the Canadian National team, both at home and abroad. Clearly, another great opportunity for cricket.

What of the other ‘recent Toronto-area cricket events’ that ATN attended?

Easter Saturday drew ten teams to the Toronto Cricket Club for what was hoped to be the first annual event. The evening was a great success, various dignitaries from Caribbean consulates and tourist boards attended – some were also at the Metro Hall Cricket Panel event. Thanks go to Phil Nuttall, who acted as question master, and Jim Morrison, the organizer. A great evening and one which bears repeating: probably across the country.

Easter Monday saw a diverse crowd attend Dr. Boria Majumbar’s interesting and entertaining lecture ‘Eleven Gods and a Billion Indians – Cricket as Everyday Life’. This took place at the University of Toronto’s Athletic Centre. We were promised more future cricket events…a sport “this university has not fully embraced before”.

One of the lecture audience was Sanjay Talreja. The distinguished University of Windsor Professor and filmmaker was later to speak at the Rainbow Theatre in a Q&A session following the world premiere of his film ‘Cricket and the Meaning of Life’.

We previously noted this event and remind readers that the film is on CBC Newsworld’s “The Lens” on May 16 at 10pm Eastern time. Check local listings for details.

CBC and National Film Board representatives were at the cinema screening. A synergy has formed with the CCA and the door to future cricket coverage via the NFB or the Lens has been opened. The link from CBC documentary departments to CBC sports will soon be sounded out.

We hope that cricket followers are encouraged by news of these events…we will try and bring any future such events to your attention via our website. We will soon be recognizing media attendance at the Cricket Panel in a separate report.

Nine countries share the Americas regional awards -- Posted Wednesday, May 3 2006

The ICC Americas Region announced the regional winners for the ICC Development Program Annual Awards for 2005.

Nine different countries share the awards from the four person panel of judges. The region received a record breaking number of nominations in this the fourth year since the awards were instituted.

ICC Americas Regional Development Manager, Martin Vieira, congratulated the winners and commented "The nine winners and other nominees are only a small group of the hundreds we rely on to spread the development of this wonderful sport. With our large geographical area crossing many cultural and language barriers, volunteers are essential to our success in developing cricket in the "new world". To the winners, a well deserved recognition, but to all volunteers I extend our appreciation and gratitude for your efforts".

The Americas regional winners will now compete with the other regions for the Global Awards to be announced on March 30, 2006. The global winners will be selected by a distinguished panel comprising of Ehsan Mani (ICC President), Malcolm Gray (Past ICC President), Dr. Ali Bacher (former Development Committee Chairman) and Roger Knight (MCC Secretary and CEO)

The Regional Winners for the 2005 DPAA

Best Overall Development Program
Bermuda Cricket Program

Best Junior Cricket Initiative
Brazil - School Program In Parana

Best Women's Cricket Initiative
Cuba - Santiago De Cuba Program

Best Cricket Promotional Program
Canada - Celebration Of Cricket

Best Spirit Of Cricket Initiative
Chile - All Chilean Team Tour

Photo Of The Year
Cayman - Keep Your Eye On The Ball

Unaids Award
Argentina - U15 Tour Of South Africa

Volunteer Of The Year
Costa Rica - Richard Illingworth

Lifetime Service Award
Mexico - Brian Gay

Material sourced from:-
http://www.icc-cricket.com/iccnews/content/story/239204.html

CRICKET PHOTOGRAPH EXHIBIT IN TORONTO -- Posted Tuesday, May 2 2006


The photographer Michael Chang uses cricket as metaphor: the batsman and bowler face one another, but it is the wicket which beckons. For the bowler, the feat is to strike at the wicket. For the batsman, the challenge is defense. For both, the wicket typifies conquest.

‘Conjuring Cricket’ presents images of a sport which links seemingly disparate groups, conjuring up the best of each.

This exhibition, for which there is no charge, can be seen at Gallery, 201 Queen Street East, Toronto, from Wednesday May 3rd to May 14th, and has been produced with the support of the Consulate of Antigua and Barbuda, and has been curated by Gene Madlambayan. (JH)

Canada to host ICC Under 19 World Cup in 2012 (ICC) -- Posted Monday, May 1 2006
ICC press release

Malaysia will become the first Associate Member country to host the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup when it stages the sport’s biggest junior tournament in February 2008.

As well as awarding the 2008 event to Malaysia in its meeting in Dubai on 30 April, the ICC Board also handed the right to host the 2010 event to Kenya, the 2012 event to Canada and 2014 to United Arab Emirates.

“We are delighted to be able to spread our top junior cricket event around the emerging cricket world,” said ICC President Ehsan Mani.

“The ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup has a rich history of showcasing the stars of the future from West Indies captain Brian Lara in 1988 to India’s Piyush Chawla in 2006 and it is very exciting that the next four events will all take place in Associate Member countries.”

“Malaysia has a proven track record of staging international cricket events. It successfully staged cricket during the 1998 Commonwealth Games and has previously hosted the ICC Trophy and the ICC World Cup Qualifying Series Division Two.

“Kenya has also hosted an ICC Trophy and has extensive experience of hosting events involving Full Members including the ICC Knock-out in 2000.

“Canada will also be an able host having staged a successful ICC Trophy in 2001 while United Arab Emirates will have three magnificent stadiums in place by 2014 as well as the facilities of the ICC Global Cricket Academy.

“All four members have sufficient grounds and turf pitches and these events will provide impetus for the continued growth of the sport in these four geographically spread countries.

The UAE has also been awarded the right to host the 12-team ICC World Cup Qualifier (formerly ICC Trophy) in 2009. Four years later the same event will be hosted by Scotland.

In between these events, the ICC World Cricket League Division One will bring together the top six Associate Members. This event will be hosted by The Netherlands in 2010 while the host for the 2014 event is still to be confirmed. Among the Members still in the frame to host this event are Ireland and Namibia.

“In total we have six different Associate Members from across four continents hosting significant events over the coming years,” added Mr Mani.

“All of these Members have produced hosting submissions that comply with similar strict criteria to that in place for the ICC Cricket World Cup.

“That so many Members have had the commitment and support to satisfy these criteria is testament to the increasing profile of the sport beyond its traditional boundaries.”

The decisions taken during the meeting of the ICC Board in Dubai on Sunday are subject to ratification at the ICC’s Annual Conference in London in July.

Argentina to play in Canada -- Posted Monday, May 1 2006

Argentina claimed the ICC Americas WCL Division 2 Championship with a polished 6 wicket victory over the Bahamas at the Hurlingham Club in Buenos Aires, and in doing so, gained passage to the Division 1 tournament, due to be played in Canada in August.

The Argentines, so often in the past reliant in the past on their flamboyant batting to set up victories, in this tournament leaned on a clinically tidy bowling and fielding strategy to restrict opposition totals, and this final match was no different.

After being put in to bat, the Bahamas batting struggled from the outset, and it was really only through a doggedly determined innings of 43 (84 balls, 4 fours) from Narendra Ekanayake, and cameos from captain Howard Roye (23) and Garcha Blair (21), that allowed them to reach 154 all out in 48 overs.

The seam trio of Gary Savage (2 for 31), Steven Nino (2 for 15 in 10 uninterrupted overs) and Diego Lord (3 for 41) did the initial damage, reducing the Bahamas to 31 for 4, and then 74 for 6, with still 27 overs to go. To the Bahamas, and Ekanayake's, credit they batted another 21 overs to give themselves some chance of testing the Argentine batting, although local skipper, Billy MacDermott, with 3 for 28, made sure there was no greater middle and lower order resistance.

A fiery opening spell from left-arm paceman Garcha Blair severely tested the Argentina top-order, and did claim the wicket of Charles Gibson with the score on 22. But Gaston Arizaga with 37 (91 balls, 5 fours) and man of the match Gary Savage with 35 (67 balls) weathered the early Bahamian attack and any batting nerves, and virtually took the game beyond the reach of the Bahamas with a fine second wicket partnership of 73 runs.

There was a brief fightback from the Bahamas, claiming three wickets to reduce Argentina to 125 for 4, with left-arm spinner Dwight Weakley taking 2 for 26. But all the while the experienced Donny Forrester eased the bowling around the field to make sure there was to be no late drama. Forrester, not out on 32 (59 balls, 2 fours) and Alejandro Ferguson saw Argentina home in the 45th over at 155 for 4, for a fine 6 wicket victory, the Division 2 Championship, and promotion to Division 1 later this year.
In Division 1, Argentina will face Canada, Bermuda, the United States and the Cayman Islands, in Toronto, Canada. Not only will this event determine the champion cricket nation of the Americas, but with Canada, Bermuda and the USA already having secured their places in next years ICC World Cricket League, there be an interesting contest within the contest to see who of the Cayman Islands or Argentina will claim the one remaining Americas qualifying spot.

The Americas Championships tournament is scheduled to be played in Toronto August 21-26.


Material sourced from:-
www.icc-cricket.com/iccnews/content/story/243932.html