CanadaCricket.com Forum

Some pretty bad cricket going on in Winnipeg. These boys are playing 50 overs, which is phenomenal! I should say they are 'scheduled' to play 50 overs because two games yesterday lasted 5 and 5.2 overs all out! Clearly, the batters are seeing bowling like they've never seen before and don't know how to defend their wicket or leave balls. Similarly in the HP League where scores are 180/10 in 35 overs. I've noticed it in local recreational, inter-city play that the bowling is better than the batting. These young teenagers need proper batting practice where they break down a cut shot or practice forward defensives 100 times per day. They need bowling practice that challenges them like fast bowling from closer than 20 yards.

We must hope that this tournament (U17/U18) continues to be played annually and eventually helps the weaker regions raise their game over time. The regions will have to focus on their development pyramids to assist elite youth. Even Ontario may have to adjust to keep up with the U.S.

OK I need to apologize for my initial post. The teams chased their total in 5 or 5.2 overs. However, the opposition was all out for 42 or 46 in 25 or so overs. So my point is the same.

If you want something to fill the long hours of your sad, lonely existence, you could compare and contrast the standard of play between

Zimbabwe schools https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wt2QDgufpCY

WI u15 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNWlfZ1JdNE

Canada u17 (one URL permitted per post)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9pb0Setxlc

WI u19 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veCiGd86zfw

OK I did it.(No judging!)
A guy on the Zimbabwe Cricket Forum said of the Zim school game "The standard is woeful" and "It's the equivalent of u15 10 years ago..."
This is probably a fair statement because the WI u15 (representative teams) looks about the same standard to me.
Of course, the implication is that the players are older than 15 ie u17 perhaps? The Canada Cup u17 (Ont v Ont) is far better than the Zim game. The bowling is crisper, faster and more accurate and the batting can handle the bowling. Another game, for which I didn't provide a link, is, I believe, a Zim school v a SA school. The players look a little older. Not really better than the Ontario teams. These young Canadian players need as much good coaching and game play and pathways as they can get and they'll compete on the world stage.

Now I am going to watch Glamorgan v Middlesex 4 day game. Shaheen v Labuschegne!

Victorian wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 27, 2022 9:31 pm

OK I did it.(No judging!)

No doubt the Canadian standard is slowly improving. However, the limited numbers of athletes will always be a limitation in developing a strong national team. It's a given for cricket in a 1st world country competing for interest with already established sports. The best Canada can do is provide elite talent with the top coaching we can afford and challenge them with the highest age level competition possible. I still think an academy is the best option ... but an unaffordable one for now. Perhaps creative solutions exist if Cricket Canada works with the right people. Haven't seen that characteristic in them, though.

Alberta finish the 2022 U17 tournament in last. They should be much stronger. I doubt this was their strongest team. Something not right in Alberta.