Cricket on Any Sport Any Time
Thursday, January 27th, 2011
The World Cup begins on 19 February in India and the Kokata Stadium will not be ready in time to host the India-England match on 27 February. The ICC is currently looking for a replacement venue for the match. The World Cup will be played in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh over 6 weeks.
ICC chief executive, Haroon Largot, announced on 15 January that 5 venues in India were behind schedule. This is an embarrassing situation since the Indians have had years to prepare for these events. These unsettling developments will undoubtedly hurt India’s chances in the future when considerations are given for prospective hosts for the World Cup.
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Tags: world cup cricket india canada
Posted in Cricket | 3 Comments »
Friday, December 24th, 2010
Question/Answer
Remember that Allen Iverson guy?
The last we heard from The Answer, he was off to Istanbul to suit up for Besiktas Cola Turka of the Turkish Basketball League after not getting any looks from NBA clubs. Aside from the name recognition, it doesn’t sound like he has done a whole lot for his new team, but he’s back in the headlines this week!
An alleged Iverson tweet has the basketball world talking, specifically fans of Australia’s Sydney Kings. I say “alleged” because no one is quite sure that the entire thing isn’t completely fabricated…
Australia’s The Daily Telegraph reported this week that AI had this to say on his Twitter account: “I am very happy here in Istanbul, but if I don’t return to the NBA I am considering a move to Australia after my two-year contract is up. I hear Sydney is a real good city to live in. My boy Rodney asked me to come over. I am comin!” (more…)
Tags: ACC, AI, AIK, allen iverson, australia, besiktas cola turka, boxing day, buffalo bandits, cleveland indians, cricket australia, Djurgarden, Edmonton, england, hockey, khl, la lakers, lingerie football league, manny pacquiao, melbourne, miami caliente, MLB, National Lacrosse League, NBA, NHL, NLL, paul marsh, perth, shane mosley, sledging, Swedish Elite League, sydney kings, tampa breeze, the answer, the ashes, toronto maple leafs, toronto rock, Twitter, uk elite ice hockey league, waffles, winter classic, yeg
Posted in Boxing, Cricket, National Lacrosse League, NBA, NHL | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, September 28th, 2010
Nine years ago, two of the most ardent cricket aficionados in Alberta, Chris James and Ravin Moorthy, were elected to the Executive of the Calgary and District Cricket League (C&DCL). Chris became president and Ravin, secretary. It was at a time when Alberta cricket had hit a glass ceiling with minimal growth locally and little or no recognition at the national level. The duo set about to change all that through vigorous proactive measures.
They embarked on an ambitious ternary futurological goal to acquire new facilities for the growing sport, to improve funding for the leagues in Alberta and to get Alberta players recognized and represented on Team Canada.
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Tags: alberta cricket association
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Saturday, September 11th, 2010
Ireland has been touted recently by many as the one second-tier nation with the capability of making the momentous jump to the Test arena, the preeminent version of cricket. On Monday, August 10th they were handed a surprising defeat by Canada in Toronto; a testament to the caliber of cricket now being played in this country.
Canada’s 4-run victory was decided by the Duckworth/Lewis Method. The D/L system is a mathematical formula used to calculate revised targets in rain-affected matches. It is a fair system that allows either team a fair chance to win in weather-related circumstances.
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Tags: canada cricket
Posted in Cricket | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
Cricket fans burn posters during a protest to condemn Pakistani players in Lahore, Pakistan
The cricket world was rocked by a shocking match-fixing scandal, revealed on Sunday, 29 August by the ‘News of the World’ newspaper, an affiliate of the London Sun, during the fourth and final Test at Lord’s between England and Pakistan. The news effectively took the gloss off the result of the match which England won heavily by an innings and 225 runs. It has also brought the gentlemanly sport into disrepute.
Four Pakistani players are accused of being involved in the spot-fixing scam. They are Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Asif and Kamran Akmal. They now face possible suspension pending resolution of the allegations. Spot-fixing involves the prediction of specific events (like No balls, illegal deliveries) within the match at predetermined times. They often yield lucrative sums to the winners.
If the allegations are proved correct, the players involved could face lengthy jail time and a lifetime ban. The agent at the centre of the allegations, Mazhar Majeed, was arrested but has since been released without charge on police bail. He is reported to have been paid £150,000 in cash by an undercover reporter. Mr. Majeed and two others were later rearrested by British customs officers on suspicion of money laundering. (more…)
Tags: Cricket, india, pakistan
Posted in Cricket | 3 Comments »
Tuesday, August 17th, 2010
The third Test between England and Pakistan starts on 18 August at the Oval, site of the 2006 ball-tampering controversy, with England holding a commanding 2-nil series lead. The Pakistani batsmen have offered very little resistance to date to the swinging ball in bowler-friendly English conditions, having been bowled out for embarrassing scores of 72 and 80.
Pakistan’s lone bright spot has been their bowling which has been relatively competitive. 18-year-old Mohammad Aamer has been a revelation. He has given almost every English batsman trouble whilst receiving capable support from senior seamers Mohammad Asif and Umar Gul. Gul, though, will miss the rest of the series with a hamstring pull. Pakistan’s fielding and wicket-keeping have been below par, with numerous dropped catches and fumbles. (more…)
Tags: Cricket, england, mohammad, mohammad aamer, oval, pakistan
Posted in Cricket | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, August 10th, 2010
Ed-Bracht Trophy
At the recent Inter-Provincial Tournament (IPT) held at Toronto on July 26 – 30, Team Alberta were runners-up to Team Ontario. It was the highest Alberta has finished in this competition in more than a decade. They handily defeated all opponents, including perennial nemesis B.C., to clinch a berth in the finals. Unfortunately, though, they were unable to field a full team for this all important match when 6 players opted to walk out on the team, in a show of solidarity with their captain, as the result of an internal dispute. (more…)
Tags: Cricket, ed bracht trophy, IPT Cricket Tournament
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Saturday, July 17th, 2010
Game One — Calgary Innings:
Photo Courtesy Oxana Saywack
In a weekend of exciting, riveting action at batting paradise Victoria Park, Edmonton won their first Masters cup, after Calgary had resoundingly claimed the inaugural trophy last year (2009) at home. The matches were played at a level, class and camaraderie befitting the true ideals of the Game’s traditions, spirit and values, as exemplified by the Edmonton skipper, the classy Steve Dutchin, who led by example.
Heavy downpours overnight had left the outfield damp and heavy which meant it would be advantageous to bowl first. Steve, after winning the toss, wasted little time making his decision to field first.
Openers Trevor De Freitas and Jonathan Bray started well for Calgary but runs were coming at a slower than normal pace due to the conditions. Several potential boundaries slowed to singles or doubles. Midway through the innings, the field began to dry out and the run rate, correspondingly, accelerated. The competitive Bray was batting confidently and looked set for a big innings until he spooned one to the sure-handed Dutchin at mid-wicket. He was visibly upset at himself for not occupying the crease longer. (more…)
Tags: Calgary, Cricket, Edmonton, Victoria Park
Posted in Cricket | No Comments »
Sunday, July 4th, 2010
It’s an old media trick to present controversial issues and ask at the bottom of a column or article: what does the reader think?
But this is new media. Now, when we ask what you think, we’re asking for a sort of partnership. We really want you to help us spark conversation on the website.
With that in mind, please consider these issues and answer as many of them as you want. (more…)
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Wednesday, June 30th, 2010
The Battle of Alberta was renewed this weekend at scenic Victoria Park, under mostly sunny skies and warm temps, which saw host Edmonton trumping their southern counterparts in both contests, the second match in rather convincing fashion.
After winning the toss, Calgary skipper Manzoor Choudhary opted to send in the opposition to bat first. The gamble almost paid off as the northerners could only negotiate a paltry 168 in their allotted 50 overs which, in the end, proved to be enough. Opener Jacob Ramkhelewan was the top Edmonton run-getter with a hard-hitting 45. Only two of his teammates reached scores in excess of 20: Yasoob Haq and Ahzum Ali.
Zahid Chaudhary was the pick of the Calgary bowlers, bagging an impressive 6/28 in 10 overs. Partner Umar Kahloon chimed in with an expensive 3/57 in his spell.
In the Sunday match, Edmonton won the toss and elected to again bat first. Like the day before, it was another low-scoring inning. They were bundled out for a very getable 158, low by one-day standards, but, as it turned out, it was copiously beyond Calgary’s reach.
The Stampede City folded for an improbable 83, all out. As most Alberta cricketers are aware, the Victoria Park outfield is lighting-fast compared to the savannah grass at Riley Park (in Calgary) where 83 would have translated to about an embarrassing 53.
There will be no rematch of the Battle of Alberta this year as Cricket Alberta is sending a provincial squad to Toronto for the national inter-provincial tournament–July 26 to July 30. So, Calgary will have to wait till next year to avenge their losses!
Ron Saywack.
Posted in Cricket | 2 Comments »
Monday, June 14th, 2010
The Alberta Masters will be played at beautiful Victoria Park on July 10/11. The Masters is a weekend of competitive cricket played by the veterans of the two main Alberta cities: Calgary and Edmonton. It is a fun event!
The idea of the Masters came about to provide an opportunity for our veterans to continue playing the game competitively whilst remaining active in the cricket community. The first games were played (more…)
Posted in Cricket | 2 Comments »
Monday, June 7th, 2010
It is quite amazing to think that Canada has qualified to compete with the big boys, for the third consecutive time, in cricket’s prestigious World Cup. It is an even more remarkable feat to think that half of the current players have full-time jobs whilst playing cricket as a side kick
The main elite cricket-playing nations are Australia, England, India, Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, West Indies and Bangladesh (although some may argue Bangladesh’s place in this bunch). The International Cricket Council (ICC), the governing body of cricket, also allows second-tier nations to compete. The aim is to improve the level of cricket worldwide. Canada, Ireland, Zimbabwe, the Netherlands, Scotland and a few others are also in this latter group. (more…)
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Tuesday, June 1st, 2010
Many thanks to Mr. Jon Harris and Mr. K. Boller for this historical chronology of cricket in Canada!
Records show that in 1785 a game was played on an island near Montreal, in the colony of Lower Canada.
The garrison of Fort York was established in 1793, and is now in the heart of Toronto. Cricket has a long association with the City of Toronto, for cricket had been played at the Home District Grammar School, which was founded in 1807. Most of the early matches played in Toronto were ‘friendlies’,
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Thursday, May 27th, 2010
The passing of a legend:
On 29 April, 2010, a legend was called away from Alberta cricket venues. He was Bob Bowen. These venues will not be the same without him. A bright light has been extinguished forever!
For almost 40 years, Bob would travel to every inter-city cricket match played between Calgary and Edmonton. He was a quiet but astute aficionado of the game. He always had a kind and wise word to say to most he met. He seldom forgot to enquire how you and your family were doing, a true gentleman.
Bob would even travel out-of-province at his own expense to cheer on Alberta teams. He would even attend most of Cricket Alberta’s general meetings at Red Deer. At those meetings, he would vigorously voice and defend his opinions. He was in a class of his own!
In honor of Bob’s great contribution to the sport, all future intercity matches in Edmonton will be known as the Bob Bowen Cup. The next contests between the two major Alberta cities will be played at beautiful Victoria Park on the north shore of the North Saskatchewan River on May 29th and May 30th. Yours truly will be one of the umpires in the Sunday game. See you all there!
Ron Saywack.
Posted in Cricket | No Comments »
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