Intercontinental Cup, 2007

[stumpski]

Bangladesh has a good system firsts,A's,academy and under 19's.
System devised by australia using aussie coaches.

Besides, it's hard to say it's really paying dividends at the senior level ...

 

[chaminda_00]

It all comes down to money really. Its easy say lets get more A Tours and domestic competitions. But really most domestic comps and A Tours in the big countries don't make any money. For most countries they do well if they break even at domestic level.

I known in Sri Lanka they have been losing money until last season in their domestic comps. Even now they have a major sponsor, they just break even, as all the extra money goes back to the players. Unlike the Assoicates though Sri Lanka can get away with losing money in their domestic comps and in particular A Tours (they have never made a profit and made some major losses establishing those tours) cus the national team can make up the extra money they lose. As well as the U19 system self funded by the private school system.

 

[stumpski]

Holland 315-8 against Bermuda today - just managed to beat their previous highest total (vs Namibia in the 2003 WC). Ought to be more than enough.

 

[Raghav]

Good team performance from Netherlands. Massive task for Ireland

 

[Chemosit]

Bermuda are really on the end of it against Ireland. They seem to be really struggling in this year's competition and again one wonders how teams such as Uganda and Denmark would fare instead.

Again the need for a second division of the IC so these teams get a chance to step up, just as the WCL does for ODs. Funds wise, IC matches are paid for by the ICC, so the countries themselves would not have to foot the bill.

 

[chaminda_00]

Funds wise, IC matches are paid for by the ICC, so the countries themselves would not have to foot the bill.

Player Wages, Ground Hire and advertising. The only thing ICC pays for is plane tickets around the world really.

 

[Perm]

Ireland 524/8 dec
William Porterfield 166, Andre Botha 126, Trent Johnston 61, Kevin O'Brien 50
Dwayne Leverock 4/98

Bermuda 180/8
Steven Outerbridge 53
Andrew White 2/9, Greg Thompson 2/36, Dave Langford-Smith 2/40

Bermuda really up against it here, anything other than an innings defeat will be a surprise. It is quite interesting to note they still remain in the top level of competition, above teams like Uganda, Denmark and the UAE.

 

[chaminda_00]

Would Uganada perform much better, both are really on par with each other. Also UAE are at the same level of competition and haven't done anything of any note themselves. Only Denmark and Namibia have anything to moan about really.

 

[Chemosit]

Would Uganada perform much better, both are really on par with each other. Also UAE are at the same level of competition and haven't done anything of any note themselves. Only Denmark and Namibia have anything to moan about really.

Namibia are already in this years competition (they are just yet to play any matches), so what would they have to moan about? UAE are also in this years comp.

Regards Uganda - I hope they get to play Denmark when the Danes tour Kenya in October. No matches have yet been scheduled, but I reckon Uganda would have a very good shout at beating them. Bermuda only just beat Uganda in an ODI in January and since then Bermuda's standard has dropped, while Uganda continue to improve.

 

[chaminda_00]

Denmark did smash the crap out of Bermuda themselves. I can't see Uganda beating them unless they don't have their English based players. But really if there was a direct promotion/regulation system UAE are as much chance of dropping out as well. Really UAE, Bermuda and Uganda are all about the same standard and i doubt Uganda will perform that much better really. Also Nepal are worth a mention as well, as they are also around the same standard.

Really when it comes down to it all we are seeing is that Holland, Scotland, Kenya and Ireland have upped the standard at this level and only Canada have kept up, but even they have struggled at times. UAE have fallen away as well and we are yet to see if Namiba can keep up either.

Bermuda haven't really fallen away that much they have always been pretty average. Its just that in the old format when they played Canada and USA they never got tested this much and could get away with mediocre cricket. One could argue if Uganda were tested as much as Bermuda and UAE have been they will struggle as much. Back when they took part in the tournment Kenya were playing some pretty average cricket.

EDIT: Also looking into it i noticed there is a challenge match ever two season between the lowest rank WCL Div One side and highest rank WCL Div Two side. Last season the match was between Namiba and Nepal. So there is an option for the lower rank sides to qualify for this tournment. Maybe that match should be played each season though, rather then every two years. But i think that has a bit to do with the WCL Div Two fixtures.

 

[Chemosit]

Denmark did smash the crap out of Bermuda themselves. I can't see Uganda beating them unless they don't have their English based players. But really if there was a direct promotion/regulation system UAE are as much chance of dropping out as well. Really UAE, Bermuda and Uganda are all about the same standard and i doubt Uganda will perform that much better really. Also Nepal are worth a mention as well, as they are also around the same standard.

Really when it comes down to it all we are seeing is that Holland, Scotland, Kenya and Ireland have upped the standard at this level and only Canada have kept up, but even they have struggled at times. UAE have fallen away as well and we are yet to see if Namiba can keep up either.

Bermuda haven't really fallen away that much they have always been pretty average. Its just that in the old format when they played Canada and USA they never got tested this much and could get away with mediocre cricket. One could argue if Uganda were tested as much as Bermuda and UAE have been they will struggle as much. Back when they took part in the tournment Kenya were playing some pretty average cricket.

EDIT: Also looking into it i noticed there is a challenge match ever two season between the lowest rank WCL Div One side and highest rank WCL Div Two side. Last season the match was between Namiba and Nepal. So there is an option for the lower rank sides to qualify for this tournment. Maybe that match should be played each season though, rather then every two years. But i think that has a bit to do with the WCL Div Two fixtures.

Pretty much why there is a need to allow the teams coming up from below to get a chance to prove themselves. Basing promotion/relegation in 4 day cricket on rankings in One day cricket is not a good long term option. Until a second IC division is introduced (even if they only play over 3 days rather than 4 as used to be the case), it is however better than nothing. 3

Going back to funding - the ICC have the $ to do this if they are really keen on developing cricket. Initially, the ICC is going to have to subsidise any developing cricket nation, but in time with enough exposure and improvement, they will be able to contribute more themselves. it is not something that will happen overnight, but surely should be what the ICC would be aiming for, if indeed the whole 'growing the game' mantra is meant and not just hot air.

 

[chaminda_00]

If there was Divison Two, the most realistic option is two groups of six. Say D1 (Holland, Ireland, Kenya, Scotland, Canada, Namiba) then D2 (Bermuda, UAE, Denmark, Uganda, Nepal, Argentina). Based on current ranking and performances. But i don't think ICC are keen on having more teams play FC cricket, as they would have to foot the bill and cheapens the standard of FC. There a lot of people out there who reckon the current IC matches shouldn't count as FC matches.

Also the whole 'growing the game' is just hot air and they could really give a stuff. If you look closely at the World Cricket League, there really isn't that many more matches. By playing them in Australia or other established countries your not really growing the game. How many Uganda people actually knew Uganda won the Division Three championship.

 

[Perm]

Ireland 524/8 dec
William Porterfield 166, Andre Botha 126, Trent Johnston 61, Kevin O'Brien 50
Dwayne Leverock 4/98

Bermuda 192
Steven Outerbridge 53
Trent Johnston 3/17, Andrew White 2/9, Greg Thompson 2/36, Dave Langford-Smith 2/49

Bermuda 186 (following on)
Steven Outerbridge 50
Dave Langford Smith 5/45, Andrew White 3/7

As expected, a big win for Ireland. Bermuda's future in the Intercontinental Cup really must come into consideration.

 

[Chemosit]

Two leagues of six would work well at the moment, though I think in time they would aim to bring it back to two leagues of 8. If you included Zimbabwe in the mix, and I think they are closer to IC level than they are to Test level, 2 groups of 8 is not that far away:

G1: Zimbabwe, Ireland, Scotland, Kenya, Netherlands, Canada would I think be quite a close fought contest.
G2: Bermuda, UAE, Namibia, Denmark, Uganda, Nepal would also be interesting.

You then have a fair few other teams that are also improving rapidly. They probably would not yet be ready to be competitive at longer games, but that will come and when it does they need at least have the chance of making the step up to the next level.

Also there does not necessarily have to be FC status for the second division - better probably that it doesn't have it, so that the detractors have one less thing to whinge about and those involved can use it as what it is - a vehicle to improve their cricket standard.

 

[andruid]

Figured with the action due to return on Friday with Kenya hosting Canada I might as well dig up this old thread and see what happns

 

[brockley]

Kenya back to the small stuff after unsuccessfully playing with the big boys.After the loss to uganda things looking a little shakey for the kenya boys,also no coach altho martin suji is helping with the team.

 

[stumpski]

Canada seem to be putting out a very weak side, though - so the Kenyans may well have a good chance especially playing at home. Hard to understand why Davison is still being overlooked - they won't have him for much longer after all.

 

[Chemosit]

Kenya's side is not exactly in the best shape either - half of the team play for Swamibapa who have had no competitive cricket for at least a month - basically since the 20-20 debacle.

I suspect, but I hope I'm wrong that the A team may do better in their OD warm up game against Canada today...

 

[chaminda_00]

Canada seem to be putting out a very weak side, though - so the Kenyans may well have a good chance especially playing at home. Hard to understand why Davison is still being overlooked - they won't have him for much longer after all.

Mosman pay him more to play Grade Cricket in Australia. He basically told them he will only play outside the Australian summer unless its a semi.

 

[Chemosit]

Canada looked pretty ordinary in only beating a very inexperienced Kenya A side by 10 runs in a warm up game yesterday. Different forms of the game, yes, but they struggled to get partnerships going and the wickets they took were often to poor shots not necessarily due to incisive bowling.

On a different note, good to see form players being rewarded by a go in the A side and to see them doing well. Hope the senior team can go one better over the next few days.