The Shaw Festival beat the Stratford Festival by 102 runs at Veterans Memorial Park, Niagara-on-the-Lake on Monday August 29. Jeff Irving was the star for the Shaw side, scoring 49 out of a total of 152, and then taking 4 for 13 as Stratford were bowled out for 50. Andrew Bunker also took 4 for 13, bowling throughout the Stratford innings.

The Shaw score was also indebted to Ryan de Souza (34) and Julian Mainprize (26). Stratford Festival bowlers Cubby Sadoon took 5 for 38 and Jean-Michel Legard 3 for 6.

The two festivals have been playing cricket against each other for 31 years. The match was originally going to be played on a matting wicket, but the ball did not bounce well. A strip was then mown on one of the soccer fields, used for this day as the ground and the wicket was rolled.

The scoreboard used for this game rather sadly is a leftover from the days of the Niagara-on-the-Lake Cricket Club. Scott Whitham used to be a driving force with that club but moved to the bright lights of Toronto. He told how cricket was originally played a short distance from the field used on Monday back in 1832. The minutes of the founding meeting can be traced to copies of local newspapers. Mr. Whittam would love to see the return of a permanent cricket ground on the adjacent common.

He had been present at some of the recent Canadian national team cricket internationals, particularly at Maple Leaf CC. The theatrical contingent turned out in strong numbers and gave solid support to the players.

A string quartet played during the tea interval. Details of theatrical and musical events associated with these two festivals can be found at www.shawfest.com and www.stratfordfestival.com.

The pitch was duly available by 5.30pm for the evening soccer match.

Eddie Norfolk

Bermuda won the World Cricket League Americas Division 1 Championship for the first time. Canada has two previous wins and the USA won once. Bermuda took the title thank's to Canada's ten-wicket win over the USA last Saturday. The Cayman Islands beat Argentina on Saturday and this ensured they qualify for the Global Division 3 section of the World Cricket League in 2007.

Bermuda and Canada had already qualified for the Global World Cricket League (WCL) Division 1 as a result of their rankings in the 2005 ICC Trophy in Ireland. WCL Division 1 is in Kenya in January 2007. The USA will be in WCL Global Division 3.

Bermuda ended the Americas championship with three wins and one no-result for a total of 14 points. USA were second (two wins, one loss, one no result for 10 points). Canada came third edging out Cayman Islands on net run-rate (difference betwen rate of a team scoring runs when batting, and conceding runs when bowling). Both teams had two wins and two losses. Argentina came last with five losses.

The player of the tournament was US captain Steve Massiah, who also won the batting award for his 283 runs in 4 matches. Ronald Ebanks (Cayman) took the bowling award for 10 wickets. Bermuda took the fielding prizes with Stephen Outerbridge (fielder) and Kwame Tucker (wicketkeeper) getting the honours. Regular Bermuda wicketkeeper Dean Minors had to return home due to an illness in the family.

	© AP

“The tournament is actually being played in one of Broward County’s big public parks and whether we will be able to play at all this week depends to a large extent on not just the weather but also if the parks are re-opened after the storm has passed.

“We’re talking to the tournament organisers and also to the Bermuda Cricket Board all the time and we’re trying to see whether it might be possible to extend our stay for a few days to play the matches once the storm has passed. But it is all up in the air at the moment.

“It’s a little bit frustrating obviously because the boys were all looking forward to playing cricket having been preparing for this tournament for the last few months – but now we just have to sit in the hotel and wait to see what happens.

“Some of the boys are out in the pool while the weather’s still alright, some of them are up in the rooms just taking it easy.

“It’s just a matter of staying patient and relaxed because what happens from here on in is in the hands of mother nature – and you do not mess with mother nature!”

According to the Bermuda Weather Service, meanwhile, at Press time last night Ernesto was a few hundred kilometres off the coast of Cuba and was scheduled to reach southern Florida at 9 a.m. local time.

The prospect of Ernesto being upgraded to a hurricane could not be ruled out.
And the likelihood of cricket taking place in the Fort Lauderdale area at all this week looks bleak according to forecasters, with squalls and heavy showers expected to continue even after the main brunt of the storm has passed.

Ramle shocked Lions Lod yesterday with a 35-run win:

Ramle pulled off a surprise 35-run win over Lions Lod, although the result should have little impact on the league title. A half century from opener Asher Penkar, and middle-order contributions from Isaac Talkar (22) and Shimon Penkar (24) gave Ramle a first innings score of 158 after they had won the toss. Janet DeSilva was the best of the Lions bowlers, taking four for 12 in his eight overs. Isaac Massil took two for 14.

Lions Lod lost wickets on a regular basis, and although David Massil (36) played well down the order, his effort was too little too late. Most of the damage had already been done by Samuel Borgawker (4 for 27), as Lions limped to 123 all out.

In Division 2, Beersheba A defeated Dimona C by 3 wickets, Eilat beat Ra'anana 2, and in Division 3 Negev Academy defeated Rishon Lezion 3.

Read more at The Jerusalem Post

Hong Kong have announced a squad of 14 for the women's tour of Pakistan next month. Read the full story at Cricinfo

Shabir Mohammed plundered 353 not out in a league game for his club side United Cricket Club in northern California on August 27. In all, Shabbir slammed 25 sixes and 40 fours, facing 156 deliveries. His hundred came up off 46 balls, his 200 off 94.

He went into the match with a season’s average of 18.60 and a best of 41.

His side amassed 630 in the 45-over match. In reply, Bay Area were bowled out for 181.

More details can be found on the 4th Umpire blog.

Mohammad Azharuddin, the former India captain and Rizwan-uz-Zaman turned out for a club side in Glendale Heights, Illinois, yesterday to raise money for flood victims in Gujarat, India.

The Federation of Indian Associations hosted the Peace Cup. Vice President Keerthi Ravoori of Chicago said the organization had two objectives: to strengthen relations between local Indians and Pakistanis, and to raise funds for the victims in Gujarat, India.

He said he hoped the match would spread excitement about cricket in the United States, particularly in the Midwest.

“This is the first time we’re hosting this cricket match, and we hope to bring harmony and better understandings within these two countries,” Ravoori said.

Full story at the Daily Herald

	John Davison watches his match-winning stroke go to the boundary to give Canada a 10-wicket win over USA © Eddie Norfolk

Davison won the toss and put USA in to bat, which proved to be a fine decision and the Canadian bowling contained the might of the USA top order, who had pummeled the bowlers in their previous matches.

Davison came on to bowl in the twelfth over and immediately bowled Gowkaran Roopnaraine for 25. Three balls later, Steve Massiah was run out in a mix-up and the most prolific scorer in the tournament was dismissed. Davison brought fast bowler Steve Welsh back into the attack and Welsh struck twice in two balls to remove Lennox Cush and Desai. USA were left tottering at 65 for the loss of 6 wickets.

Davison, and Kevin Sandher, a slow left-arm bowler, then mopped up the tail to dismiss USA for 116. The last four wickets fell with a replacement ball after Imran Awan had lofted a ball from Sandher out of the ground.

Davison and opener Sandeep Jyoti – who strung together a useful partnership the previous day against Argentina - combined well before the luncheon interval to leave Canada at 104 for no loss. Davison played the winning shot shortly after the interval to finish with an unbeaten 62, which included six fours and a six. Jyoti was unbeaten on 44.

This match concluded Canada's home international program for the year. The team is scheduled to tour South Africa in November for a tri-series with Bermuda and the Netherlands. That will be the start of the winter campaign leading to the World Cup in March 2007.

Eddie Norfolk

UAE 175 for 5 (Khan 61*) beat Hong Kong 174 for 8 (Ali 3-35) by 5 wickets

The United Arab Emirates beat Hong Kong by five wickets today, at the Kinrara Oval, to take the 2006 ACC Trophy.

Choosing to bat, Hong Kong could only muster 174 for 8 in their 50 overs with the captain and wicketkeeper, Tim Smart, top-scoring in his 55. Arshad Ali bowled very tidily, picking up 3 for 37 and the Man-of-the-Match award. UAE then raced to victory in 35 overs, Khan taking them home with an unbeaten 61.

	Sushil Nadkarni cuts during his 83 against Bermuda © Eddie Norfolk

A partnership of 168 runs in 24 overs between Sushil Nadkarni (83) and captain Steve Massiah (81) set the USA on their way to a large total but two rain interruptions meant their innings was eventually deemed to have closed after the second stoppage. The USA made 213 for 4 in just under 35 overs.

Bermuda have completed their matches and end with three wins and a no result. The championship depends on the outcome of the USA v Canada game that is being played on Saturday at King City. A win for the USA might give them the championship, depending on overall run rate. The USA has two wins and this no result going into their final match.

Eddie Norfolk

Canada won their first game of the tournament, beating Argentina by 9 wickets in a rain interrupted match. Canada were required to score 137 in 33 overs, following a disruption to their innings. John Davison, the captain, made an attacking 53 off 34 balls and Sandeep Jyoti made an undefeated 46 in miserable conditions. Canada bowled fairly tidily in restricting Argentina to 182 for the loss of 8 wickets in 50 overs. Opening bowler Steve Welsh bowled a tidy spell, conceding just 18 runs in his 10 overs and picking up two wickets. Alejandro Ferguson top-scored for Argentina with an unbeaten 49.

Eddie Norfolk

Khashif Rashid, a 20-year-old right-hand batsman, became what is believed to be the youngest person to score a double hundred in Kenyan league cricket. Rashid smashed 206 not out off 148 balls for Sir Ali Muslim 'B' against Nairobi Jaffreys at Nairobi Jaffreys Sports Club last weekend. It was the first time a Sir Ali Muslim player had scored a double century in a one-day game in the club's 72-year history.

Meanwhile, back in the England, another Kenyan youngster is making an impression. Seren Waters, son of Kenyan selector David Waters, hit a chanceless 203 not out for Surrey Under-16s against Essex at Billericay. That innings led to him being elevated to the Under-17s and he responded by hammering 139. Waters capped a remarkable sequence by leading Old Cranleighans to victory in the semi-final of the Brewers Cup with 129.

Click here for more.

United Arab Emirates beat Nepal by nine wickets in the semi-final of the ACC Trophy Cricket in Kuala Lumpur. Winning the toss, UAE elected to field and bowled Nepal out for 103 in 36.4 overs. UAE crusied to victory in just 18 overs.

UAE will meet Hong Kong in the final after they beat Afghanistan in a match which was set for a good finale before rain brought a premature close.

UAE 105 for 1 (A Ali 75*, S Ali 23*) beat Nepal 103 (Asad 2-24, Silva 3-26, Tauqir 3-30) by nine wickets

Hong Kong 157 beat Afghanistan 108 for 7 by 18 runs (D/L method)

The United States cruised to a comfortable seven-wicket win over Argentina on the third day of the Americas Championship at Maple Leaf CC in Toronto, Canada, and in doing so set up a potential championship decider with Bermuda on Friday.

Sent in to bat, Argentina started disastrously, losing their first two wickets in the very first over to paceman Imran Awan. It was a continued uphill struggle from then for the Argentine batsmen against a sharp USA attack, and it was only thanks to a gritty 6th wicket partnership of 59 between Donny Forrester and Alejandro Ferguson that steered Argentina towards respectability.

Forrester eventually ended with 43, from 75 balls, with five fours, while Ferguson scored a well-deserved half-century, making 57 from 83 balls with five fours and a six. Argentina's innings closed on 182 in the 49th over.

For the USA pacemen Iwan, with 3 for 51, and Khawaja Shuja, with 2 for 22, did the initial damage, while spinner Lennox Cush bowled well to end with 2 for 30.

Although a respectable target set by Argentina, it was never going to be enough against a powerful USA top-order, despite a spirited opening burst from the Argentine seamers.
With the USA at 64 for 3, and first-day centurion Sushil Nadkarni back in the pavilion, there was a sniff of another giant-killing act in the tournament.

But captain Steve Massiah and Lennox Cush had other ideas, and their 120 run undefeated 4th wicket partnership saw the USA home with 22 overs to spare. Massiah continued his fine form with the bat, scoring an undefeated 54 off 59 balls, with 7 fours, while Cush, later named man of the match, scored a blistering 73 not out off only 42 balls, with 8 fours and 5 sixes.

Seamers Gary Savage, 1 for 37 in 8 overs, and Steven Nino, 1 for 34 in 8 overs, bowled well to test the USA top order, but Argentina ultimately did not score anywhere near enough in their innings.

The USA now face unbeaten Bermuda on Friday in a key clash. A Bermudan victory will clinch the title for them for the first time in their history, while a USA victory will keep the championship chase alive into the final day on Saturday.

Nepal beat Bahrain yesterday to enter the semi-finals of the ACC Trophy owing to excellent innings from Gyanendra Malla (57) and Shakti Gauchan (49). The pair took Nepal to 200 for 9 from their 50 overs. Bahrain's response was led by A Majeed, who made a brisk 47, before Basant Regmi – who earned the Man-of-the-Match award – stifled their progress with three quick wickets. (scorecard)

Nepal now face UAE on Thursday at the Kinrara Ground.

	Bermuda's Lionel Cann slams one of his five sixes during his undefeated 139 © Eddie Norfolk

Canada were bowled out for 187 runs. The main feature of the innings was a stand of 93 for the ninth wicket between George Codrington and Steve Welsh.

Canada reached 25 before Sundeep Jyoti was out. Wickets then tumbled and half the side was out before 50 runs were on the board.

One of the Cayman Islands camp had been overheard during the morning session saying he hoped Canada would be restricted to 120 runs or less. However, Steve Gordon and Perason Best lead the way to victory.

Canada’s coach Andy Pick said that " the selectors had stressed at the start of the week that winning the Americas tournament was a secondary consideration and that they wanted to look at certain players."

There were plenty of runs in the other Americas match played at Maple Leaf CC on Tuesday. Bermuda beat Argentina by 109 runs. Bermuda scored 371 runs for the loss of three wickets. The major feature was an unbroken stand of 202 runs for the fourth wicket between Kwame Tucker, who scored 100 not out, and Lionel Cann, who scored 139 nor out. Cann has showed his hitting power in matches against Canada this season, but really flowered in the final over against Argentina. He hit five sixes and a two, making 32 runs off that over.

Janeiro Tucker made 79 in a stand of 128 runs for the second wicket with Kwame Tucker. Kwame Tucker hit 10x4 and 1x6. Cann scored his runs off 88 balls.

Argentina had a spirited reply of 262 runs for 5 in their 50 overs. Opening batsman Lucas Pateruni was their top scorer with 70.

Eddie Norfolk

Former England Test captain Mike Gatting will play in a charity cricket match in Yokohama, Japan this October, along with Indian cricketer of the century Kapil Dev, and South African legend Clive Rice.

Japan may not be known as a premier cricketing and rugby nation, but come September Yokohama will play host to a veritable smorgasbord of cricketing and rugby greats. The Tyler Foundation, an NPO supporting children with cancer in Japan and their families, is presenting Sports Extravaganza 2006 from September 29 – October 1, 2006. Cricket and rugby celebrities from the U.K., India, New Zealand, South Africa and Australia are coming to Tokyo for a Sports Dinner at the Grand Hyatt in Roppongi, Tokyo, a Celebrity Golf Day at the Seve Ballesteros Course near Narita on September 30, and a Celebrity Cricket Match at the Y.C.A.C. in Yokohama on October 1.

Former England Test captain Mike Gatting will play in a charity cricket match in Yokohama, Japan this October, along with Indian cricketer of the century Kapil Dev, and South African legend Clive Rice.

Japan may not be known as a premier cricketing and rugby nation, but come September Yokohama will play host to a veritable smorgasbord of cricketing and rugby greats. The Tyler Foundation, an NPO supporting children with cancer in Japan and their families, is presenting Sports Extravaganza 2006 from September 29 – October 1, 2006. Cricket and rugby celebrities from the U.K., India, New Zealand, South Africa and Australia are coming to Tokyo for a Sports Dinner at the Grand Hyatt in Roppongi, Tokyo, a Celebrity Golf Day at the Seve Ballesteros Course near Narita on September 30, and a Celebrity Cricket Match at the Y.C.A.C. in Yokohama on October 1.

In addition to Dev, Gatting and Rice, the three-day Sports Extravaganza has attracted big names like Australian spinner Ray Bright, and English fast bowlers Gladstone Small and Devon Malcolm. It has also started to attract the attention of a wealth of sponsors. Sponsors like United Airlines, British Airways, Air New Zealand, South African Airways and Air India have come to the party with generous donations and the Hotel Okura in Tokyo is supporting with accommodations.

A huge coup for the event was when former Indian captain, Kapil Dev agreed to participate. In a recent interview with the Tyler Foundation, Dev explained why he wanted to support the event. He replied: “Well, a lot of people ask me why I do charity. If you don’t feel within yourself that you want to do something good for society or good for the world, then there’s no point doing it. But if you really fell strongly, one should spend 5% of their time or life giving back to the people who require help. I think it makes a big difference. And I also want to do that.”

The Tyler Foundation was established by the parents of Tyler Ferris, Kim and Mark, in honor of their son who died from a rare form of infant leukemia when he was just 23 months old in June 2005. Even though they felt Tyler received excellent care in Japan, the experience of having a child with cancer hospitalized for nearly two years, made them realize that there was still much to be done to make life easier for the young patients and the parents supporting them. Usage of Foundation funds is guided by a team of three Japanese doctors and headed by Tyler’s doctor, Dr. Masaaki Kumagai, who is the head of pediatric oncology/hematology at the National Center for Child Health and Development and on the Foundation’s board of directors.

There are four areas in which the Tyler Foundation aims to make a difference: supporting children with cancer who are hospitalized for long periods, supporting parents and siblings, providing financial assistance related to treatment options, and facilitating bone marrow and umbilical cord blood donation. One specific fundraising goal for the Sports Extravaganza is to provide an additional pediatric oncologist to Tyler’s hospital. The Tyler Foundation will employ the doctor and dispatch her or him to the hospital on an annual basis with the aim of improved care for patients and a greater sense of comfort for the parents

Cricket will not be the only code represented at the event. Joel Stransky, the South African rugby player who kicked the famous dropped goal against the All Blacks in extra time in the 1995 World Cup will also participate.

The Yokohama match will be 40 overs and spots on the team will also be open for bidding. It’ll be a great day for friends and family – and an excellent opportunity to introduce non-cricketing friends to the game in a fun and festive atmosphere.

The primary goal of The Tyler Foundation’s weekend of events is to raise funds for a worthy cause, but it will also give participants a good look at the grass roots level of cricket in Japan. Cricket lovers from all over country are invited to take part in the Sports Extravaganza, and to rub shoulders with these former cricket and rugby greats from around the world. Who knows, you may never get a chance like this again. Shine on!

For more information on the Foundation, the Sports Extravaganza, please visit: www.tylershineon.org.

Mark McTamney

Nepal celebrated their first ever win over Hong Kong on Saturday when they beat them by 87 runs to ensure a place in the quarter-finals of the ACC Trophy.

Nepal notched 211 for 7 in their 50 overs and then dismissed Hong Kong for a paltry 124. A full report can be read at NepalCricket (scorecard).

The first round of matches in the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) trophy got underway yesterday where there were wins for UAE, Oman, Nepal and Afghanistan

Brunei v U.A.E. at Kinrara Oval
UAE WON BY 367 RUNS
Brunei: 92 all out in 40.1 overs
UAE: 459 for 3 off 50 overs (A. Ali 213*, M. Iqbal 114, S. Ali 66)
Man of the Match: Arshad Ali (UAE)

Maldives v Oman at Bayumas Oval
OMAN WON BY SEVEN WICKETS
Oman: 172 for 3 off 34 overs (Hemin Desai 67)
Maldives: 171 all out in 49 overs (A. Shahid 43, S. Jallel 33, M. Kaleem 41; H. Mehta 3-34)
Man of the Match: Hemin Desai (Oman)

Kuwait v Nepal at Club Aman
NEPAL WON BY 7 WICKETS
Nepal: 208 for 3 in 47 overs ( G.Malla 78. S. Vesawkar 62)
Kuwait: 204 for 7 off 50 overs
Man of the Match: Gyanendra Malla (Nepal)

Afghanistan v Qatar at Kilat Club
AFGHANISTAN WON BY 66 RUNS
Qatar: 173 all out in 45.3 overs
Afghanistan: 239 for 7 off 50 overs (R. Ahmadzai 59, N. Eishakil 52)
Man of the Match: Raees Ahmadzai (Afghanistan)

Bermuda's batsmen can expect a touch examination of their technique in the first game of their tour of Canada, in tomorrow's ICC Intercontinental Cup match in Toronto.

After observing the pitch for himself, Bermuda skipper Irving Romaine said he believed the pitch would be fast.

“The groundsman (Lewis) said it would be very fast and I think Canada’s plan will be to attack us with pace,” Romaine said.

Tomorrow will mark the Island’s first-time involvement in an international four-day match. And in order to reap success, Romaine said his team-mates would have to quickly adjust to meet the challenges.

“Basically this is a new step for everybody and so we will really have to occupy the wicket and not make any rash shots or anything like that,” Romaine said.

“This is going to be a change of mindset for everybody because before our preparations were geared towards the 20/20 (Stanford 20/20 Tournament) which is the shortest form of the game. Yet now we are here preparing ourselves for the longest version of the game.

“We have gone through two extremes in a matter of weeks, and so we will really have to be tough mentally and dig in.”

More at the Royal Gazette

There's a fascinating article with Anderson Cummins, the former West Indies allrounder who now lives in Canada. While cricket in Canada is booming, Cummins is aware of the need to market it to the local people and not simply rely on immigrants from cricket-playing nations.

"It's important to market it appropriately so it doesn't remain something that is played primarily by the immigrant population," he said.

One rare homegrown cricketer is Zubin Surkari. His father came here in the '70s from India and Surkari, 26, got involved with the game through programs at the Toronto Cricket Club at an early age. He's been on the senior national team since he was 19.

"It's hard to get homegrown players to play at a level that is good enough, when there are people coming in from other countries where they play cricket all the time," he said. He scoffs at the notion that cricket is a slow or boring game.

More at the Toronto Sun

After unprecedented scenes during last year’s Somerset-St George’s Cup match, the Bermuda Cricket Board has brought in two top English umpires to officiate in this year’s game. Retired Test umpires David Shepherd and Mervyn Kitchen will take charge of a two-day game which in among the most fiercely competitive in the world.

Randy Butler, the secretary of the local umpires’ association, was less than thrilled at his men missing out, and he had a warning for both teams:

“I just hope they realise the seriousness of abiding by the ICC’s code of conduct because these guys are very experienced and will not tolerate any of the nonsense that we saw in Cup Match last year or fans running onto the pitch.”

srael's cricketers have become victims of the escalating crisis in the Middle East after they were forced to cancel their European Championship game with Jersey, which was due to played at Glasgow Academicals CC today, after they were targetted by the local Federation of Student Islamic Societies (FOSIS).

A rather vague press release issued by the European Cricket Council on Wednesday claimed that he match was off because the ground was unavailable.

But in The Jerusalem Post, Stanley Perlman, the president of the Israel Cricket Association, said that Cricket Scotland officials had received anonymous calls on Wednesday warning that the safety of the Israel players could not be guaranteed. He added that Glasgow police had approved a Muslim demonstration at "a Glasgow cricket club field" for approximately 2,000 demonstrators.

Click here for the full story on Cricinfo.

The European Cricket Council's European Cricket Championships, which are being held in Scotland, are the first to be organised under the auspices of the International Cricket Council’s World Cricket League.

The tournament will feature 13 countries in two divisions playing 30 matches in seven days at 12 west of Scotland grounds, starting on Thursday (August 3).

The Division 1 sides - Scotland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Denmark and Italy - will play a round-robin tournament, from which there is no relegation. The three matches involving the first three named teams are deemed by the International Cricket Council as official One-Day Internationals, and will be played at Ayr Cricket Club, where ground facilities have been upgraded with support from South Ayrshire Council.

Scotland’s other two matches will be played at New Anniesland (against Denmark) and Hamilton Crescent (against Italy).

Division 2 consists of eight teams - France, Germany, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Hellas (Greece), Israel, Jersey and Norway - who will play in two initial pools of four, followed by crossover semi-finals and four ranking finals - and one team will be promoted to the first division in two years’ time. The facilities at all grounds have been equipped with additional weather protection and other enhancements, thanks to a range of local authority grants and commercial support.

A huge bonus is available for the Division 2 teams, with the winners not only promoted to the European Division 1 in 2008, but also a place in the new ICC World Cricket League Division 5 in 2007-08. This team will receive $20,000 towards preparation of that event, the venue of which is still to be decided.