Africa needs to look hard at itself and ask this question: why are there only two teams from the continent going to New Zealand for the Under-19s World Cup in January? And of the two, no-one can ever be too sure about Zimbabwe.

No non-Test nation (apart, now, from Zimbabwe) has made it through from Africa; whereas Asia will have six representatives (two non-Test sides), the Americas and Caribbean three (two non-Test nations), the Antipodes three (Australia, New Zealand and non-Test Papua New Guinea), and Europe two (one non-Test).

Uganda nearly made it through, but in the end they came out also-rans and, like Vanuatu, hom they beat, were not really up to scratch. Sierra Leone did not appear for the Toronto qualifiers - might they have been a surprise package or, more likely, mere fodder for the better teams? And Kenya were a no-shower for other reasons, compounded in part by their own foolishness amid premature assumptions that they would host the tournament.

So, the second question is this - and it's one that's been asked before: whither Africa?

South Africa will always hold its own; Zimbabwe seems possibly to be coming back; Uganda (where 38,000 people play the game) still appears promising; and Kenya has a lot to do. Backstage, Tanzania also hold promise, but Botswana recently took a biffing at the World Cricket League Division 6 event in Singapore.

Nigeria may be an untapped talent; Ghana are making efforts to climb; Malawi, on the other hand, and Zambia too, have faded away. Namibia are somewhere in-between, blowing hot and cold. One day Morocco may come through, but it will be a long time before Mali does.
In the wings, and whether they can fly or not nobody really knows, are Mozambique, Rwanda, Lesotho, Swaziland, Cameroon and the Gambia, while way offshore there lies little St Helena.

As yet, no Egypt. Why not?

It's not a particularly rosy picture; nor is it one of total despair. What it does illustrate, though, is that more resources need to be ploughed into the continent and proper development programmes carried through.

We could start with no less than adequate press coverage of cricket, so desperately lacking across most of the continent. So let's start there; the oxygen of publicity may be the saving of cricket in Africa.

What do others say?

Colin MacBeth

The most talented young players in Associate and Affiliate cricket gather in Toronto this week in an attempt to qualify for the 2010 Under-19 World Cup, staged in New Zealand.

While the opportunity of competing against the best young squads from larger nations, such as Australia and India, is at the forefront of the players' ambitions, the tournament gives them a chance to impress and perhaps even press for a place in the senior team. Ireland's Paul Stirling, a highly regarded left-hander, turns 19 September 3 and displayed his potential during his senior side's three-run defeat to England on Thursday, cracking 30 from 26.

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Papua New Guinea are the East Asia-Pacific Under-19 champions after they beat Vanuatu by 172 runs in the final at Amini Park, Port Moresby.

PNG won the toss and elected to bat in overcast conditions and scored freely early on, reaching 24 without loss before Lega Tau was well caught by Karl Laau from the bowling of Niko Unavalu. Heni Siaka was hitting everything in the middle, and started to free his arms, ably supported by middle-order batsmen Tony Ura (27) and Jason Kila (48).

The talented Siaka scored his maiden century for PNG, by far the best innings of the tournament. He was eventually dismissed for 101, but by then the damage had been done and PNG raced towards a huge total, batting their full 50 overs reaching 276 for 8.

It was to take a monumental effort by Vanuatu to chase down these runs, and early on the fielding talents of PNG rose to the fore, with two magnificent run-outs reducing Vanuatu to 31 for 2. They fought on valiantly before they were eventually dismissed for 103 after 34 overs. Jason Kila was the chief destroyer with 4 for 20.

In the battle for 3rd place at Colts Ground, Fiji beat Indonesia by six wickets in a game affected by rain.

PNG and Vanuatu will head to Canada to participate in the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup Qualifier.

ICC staff

The Vanuatu captain Mr. Andrew Mansale recently received VT123,000 (US$1,094) from the National Bank Vanuatu, along with an array of NBV polo shirts and caps from NBV's Managing Director Andy Cottam. The contribution was generously donated to assist with the running of the Vanuatu Cricket Association children's beach cricket carnival.

A seminar for the ICC’s East Asia – Pacific (EAP) Development Program kicked off today in Melbourne. The five-day course is “a key component in the process to achieve sustainable cricket education within the EAP region and includes an ICC Level 1 coaching Cricket Instructors Course,” the statement read.

Nine highly regarded coaches were selected from an extremely strong pool to attend. The participants are:

PNG John Ovia & Rarua Dikana

Vanuatu Richard Tatwin and Aby Joel John
Japan Jummei Hanada & Nigel Dixon
Fiji Seci Sekinini
Indonesia Melvin Ndoen
Tonga Sione Hamala

The ICC EAP have been able to gain access to world-class facilities through Cricket Australia, Cricket Victoria and the Melbourne Cricket Club.

The ICC EAP Strategic Plan has a strong focus on developing quality cricket coaches in the EAP region, and the Advanced Coaching & Development Seminar is a major part of building sustainable coach development practises.

Guernsey have become the 34th country to be granted Associate membership of the ICC after their application was unanimously approved during the annual conference in Dubai.

Vanuatu had also applied but they failed to meet the necessary playing requirements as they had not beaten two existing Associates in competition. Mozambique withdrew their application.

A further three countries from the Europe region - Bulgaria, Estonia and Turkey - were granted Affiliate status, taking the ICC's total member count to 104.

Next week's ICC annual get-together promises to have more than its fair share of politicking, posturing and controversy. But, unless there is a major about-turn, it should also be a watershed for the Associates and Affiliates.

In 2009, income from the ICC's six-year media deal with ESPN-Star, worth over US$1 billion, kicks in, and while the game's big boys will still keep the lion's share, the rest will see substantial increases in their incomes.

Although the ICC draws considerable flak on many fronts, it is quietly committed to promoting the game in as many countries as possible, and it does that by means of a myriad of competitions and initiatives. Most do not warrant much media attention, but they are there and they work.

Until now, the gripe of the smaller countries, and especially those bubbling just underneath the top flight, has been about the inequality of the way in which the game is financed. That was never more apparent than when it came to earnings from last year's World Cup.

Ireland got a flat fee of US$125,000 a year for four years for taking part, and on top of that they received another $50,000 for reaching the Super Eights. However, because of the extra costs involved in their progression, not least because their players are not professional cricketers and their absences from their full-time jobs had to be underwritten, Ireland's success actually left the board out of pocket.

Zimbabwe, on the other hand, turned up, tied with Ireland and never threatened to progress after being thumped by Pakistan and West Indies. For those three matches, Zimbabwe Cricket received US$11 million, their share of the pot as a Full Member.

The top six Associates receive no more than US$500,000 a year - some substantially less - to fund their entire operations. Out of that they have to pay all their cricketing and administration costs. Only those with a low cost of living, such as Kenya, can hope to maintain a professional squad on that kind of money.

The gulf between the haves and have-nots is further widened by the limited sums Associates can earn from sponsorship and media contracts. Zimbabwe can exploit home series against, say, India to carve out lucrative TV deals worth millions, and on the back of that, attract shirt- and other corporate sponsorship. As highlighted by Scotland's failure to secure any TV deal for their forthcoming ODI against England, the Associates struggle to get such income streams.

The new deals will provide a substantial increase for Associates, especially for the countries who are pressing for space at the top table. Until now the share has been roughly equal, rewarding Netherlands and Kenya on par with Thailand and Fiji. The new system will see more demarcation between the top Associates and the rest.

The leading ten could earn as much as US$1.5 million a year from 2009. There will then be an onus on them to professionalise their administrations, but several of them are already well down that route. They will also be more accountable - the ICC does not want a repeat of the mess that came following a spike in Kenya's funding earlier in the decade.

The second-string Associates will also get more - around US$160,000 as a base figure - but then again the demands on them are less. Even Affiliates will receive US$15,000, with the opportunity for more should they make a good enough case. There will also be more cash in the pot for participating and hosting competitions.

There have never been more opportunities for development outside the Full Member countries, but there remain some nagging worries.

The main one is how to bridge the gap between semi and full-blown professionalism. Almost all the Associates rely on dedicated amateurs, both on and off the field. As the number of ICC competitions has increased - and they have to be welcomed - the pressure has begun to tell. Scotland and Ireland particularly have already found players cannot meet all their commitments, and even the increased income will not allow them to employ a full-time squad.

"So much of putting players on full-time retainers depends on how many fixtures we can command," Warren Deutrom, Cricket Ireland's chief executive, said. "At the moment, all we can promise the squad in 2009 is a World Cup qualifying campaign, eight FP Trophy matches, an England game, and probably some Intercontinental Cup matches. Of course, we hope to have more, but can't be sure at the moment.

"Our top players are already plying their trade in county cricket, while others have full-time jobs which they may not wish to give up. The actual number of players that the coach will want to put on a full-time contract, or else the number that even want to have one, may not be that many."

The other quandary is how to get them fixtures. Kenya, widely regarded as the leading Associate, have found it almost impossible to get Full Member countries to visit or host them. As a result they invariably play other Associates. Good for the win-loss ratio, not so clever in providing the kind of experience that no amount of money can buy.

These issues will need to be addressed, but for now the future has never looked so promising beyond the Test world.

The ICC has confirmed that Vanuatu's application for Associate membership will not be put forward at the annual conference in late June. Although they met almost all the criteria, they had not beaten three other Associate sides, as required. It was expected that they would achieve this during the ICC World Cricket League Division Five competition in Jersey last month, but they failed to win a game.

Digicel, the telecommunications operator, will sponsor the Vanuatu national side as part of a three-year partnership with the Vanuatu Cricket Association (VCA).

“We are looking forward to this new partnership with this highly respected sporting association," said Digicel Vanuatu general manager, John Delves.

The VCA’s programs, including the primary and secondary school schemes, have helped to increase participation from around 400 players in 1999 to over 8000 today.

Mark Stafford, the VCA president, said: “We are delighted that Digicel
has come on board as our principal sponsor, and we look forward to working together to build cricket from grassroots to national elite level. We have great plans for the development of the sport at a schools level, and taking cricket to Santo, Tanna and other islands around Vanuatu.”

Asco Motors have also handed a cheque for 500,000 Vatus (US$5400) to VCA. The company has sponsored the VCA for the last three years in different areas of cricket development.

It may be three long years years away, but the road to the 2011 World Cup begins this week in the unlikely setting of Jersey. More famed for its cattle and potatoes than a venue for cricket tournaments, Jersey plays host to 12 of the world's lesser-known teams in Division 5 of the World Cricket League (WCL), as they battle to climb the ladder to the fourth division and dream of a World Cup place in Asia.

Will Luke previews Division 5 of the World Cricket League which gets underway this week.

Three countries have applied for ICC Affiliate membership and two more to be upgraded from Affiliate to Associate membership.

Bulgaria, Estonia and Turkey’s applications for Affiliate membership will be considered by the ICC and its annual conference in Dubai at the end of June.

Guernsey and Vanuatu have applied for an upgrade to Associate membership which, if successful, will mean a substantial increase in the funding available to their national associations.

Consideration of Vanuatu's application is subject to it meeting the playing standard criterion in its matches against existing Associates in the World Cricket League Division 5. An ICC team is inspecting the facilities in Guernsey this week.

The number of people actively participating in cricket outside the Test-playing countries increased 17% in 2007, according to the ICC.

The research, carried out by the ICC's development program, was collated from 33 Associate and 58 Affiliate members. It showed that there were 338,051 male and female players in those countries in 2007, an increase of 49,158 on the previous year. Since 2002, when there were 144,047 participants, there has been a 135% rise.

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The cricket season’s starting early in Vanuatu because of the national side’s commitments in the World Cricket League in Jersey in May. It’s been brought forward six weeks to give players the chance to impress. Port Vila’s premier cricket competition, the BDO Club Championship, will begin February 8 with eight teams taking part this year.

Defending the BDO title will be the APT Dolphins, who won ten straight games last season to win the 2007 Championship. And a Vanuatu spokesperson has a message that the bigger international sides could learn from: “Rivalry remains intense, but never bitter, while umpiring decisions should always be laughed off at the pub.”

Japan and Vanuatu have qualified for the ICC World Cricket League Division 5 tournament following their wins in the final round of the EAP Trophy in Auckland on Saturday.

Japan ended the tournament unbeaten following their five-wicket victory against Cook Islands, while Vanuatu made it four from five with a 65-run win against Tonga. Andrew Mansale again led for Vanuatu, with 79 in a total of 226.

Samoa, meanwhile, consigned Indonesia to their fifth straight loss with a three-wicket victory with ten overs to spare. The ties were a replay of the washed-out fourth round.

Japan and Vanuatu will now head to Jersey in May 2008 to represent the East Asia-Pacific region in the WCL Division 5.

Airline tickets to Jersey and inclusion in the World Cricket League Division Five tournament in May 2008 await two of three teams contesting the ICC East Asia Pacific Trophy at Auckland’s Waikaraka Park on Saturday. 

After the fourth round of matches was abandoned on Thursday, all fifth round matches were played on Friday, meaning the results from the replay of the abandoned fourth round matches will determine the two teams to travel to Europe in six months.  

Cook Islands routed Samoa after a shaky start in their 40 overs contest. Recovering from a precarious 44 for 5, Cook Islands were rescued by middle order hero Jon Kairua's half-century which ensured his sides’ bowlers had something to defend at the break. The final five wickets realised a further 98 precious runs to set Samoa a target of 143. Within six overs the Samoan innings was in tatters at 15 for 5 and never recovered to finish at 36. Joseph Joe and Tino Etita took three wickets for under 10 runs apiece and Dunu Eliaba took 2 for 10.

Vanuatu recovered from 107 for 6 to set Indonesia 237 to claim their first victory. Simpson Obed made 74 not out and Edy Mansale 50 batting at seven to right the ship and their partnership of 117 for the seventh wicket was the turning point of the match. Indonesia lost early wickets and succumbed for 74. Vanuatu must win their match against Tonga on Saturday to remain in the hunt for inclusion in the WCL Division Five tournament.

In the final game, Tonga played out a thriller against Japan, failing by 17 runs to defeat the unbeaten Japanese after being set 155 in 39 overs to win their second match. Japan remain unbeaten but are still to be confirmed as one of the top two teams. Their match against Cook Islands on Saturday is therefore crucial to both sides.

Vanuatu recorded their first victory of the ICC EAP Cricket Trophy in Auckland, with a win on the second day, while Japan and the Cook Islands continued their winning form. 

Vanuatu bounced back from their Round 1 defeat with a comfortable victory against Samoa. The young side made 200 for 9 after being sent in, with opening batsman Frederick Timakata (44) topscoring. Konelio Faillagi (3 for 23 off 10 overs) was the pick of the Samoan bowlers who toiled hard on a good batting surface. Samoa’s run-chase started disastrously and never really recovered despite a plucky 55 from Ben Mailata. Samoa were eventually dismissed for 108 in the 26th over. The fast bowler Kenneth Natapei (2 for 10 off 7 overs) was well supported by spinners Andrew Mansale (3 for 23 off 4 overs) and Simpson Obed (2 for 2 off 1.1 overs) in an even bowling display. 

Tonga batted against the Cook Islands but were on the back foot when Dunu Eliaba (4 for 15 off 6 overs) claimed the first of four wickets in the fifth over. Sione Holi (31) provided some middle-order resistance before Eliaba and fellow paceman Chris Brown (3 for 16 off 5.1 overs) returned to dismiss Tonga for 101 in only the 26th over. Cook Islands made light work of the run-chase in just 15 overs. Eliaba (28no) completed a Man of the Match double with Pita Glassie (31) and Tino Etita (21no) also chipping in.

Japan joined the Cook Islands on the undefeated list with an impressive 8-wicket victory against Indonesia. Opening bowler Patrick Giles-Jones (3 for 15 off 7 overs) had Indonesia reeling at 4 for 38 and Indonesia were eventually dismissed for 105. Japan's opening batsman Gavin Beath (53) wasted no time in chasing the small total with a swashbuckling half-century that included eight fours and one six. Masaomi Kobayashi (23 not out) continued his good form from Round 1 to guide Japan over the line.

The French speakers of Vanuatu schools could be in for a surprise when cricket coaches come calling, reports Nick Cassidy

At the beginning of this week, cricket was as foreign as a cobra snake to the first and second year student teachers from the Vanuatu Institute of Teachers Education (VITE). But now they can count themselves amongst the millions of fans the sport has worldwide.

Fifty student teachers from VITE have spent the past week learning the intricacies of cricket, including the basic rules of the game and the skills needed to play, at an education course hosted by the Vanuatu Cricket Association.

When they graduate, the teachers will move into schools throughout the islands of Vanuatu armed with the skills to teach children about the game. And given all 50 of them will be moving into French speaking schools, the course has been an excellent opportunity for the VCA to establish connections with dozens of new schools around the entire country.

As well as learning the basic rules and how to umpire and score, the student teachers were taken through batting, bowling, fielding and wicket keeping drills, as well as warm up activities and plenty of games. The VCA’s development program concentrates on participation, and an education course such as this one is no different.

Teachers can encourage children to become involved in cricket if they are involved in the game themselves. So rather than concentrate on the theory of the game, the VCA staff spent most of the week involving all the young teachers in games and practical activities.

The student teachers took to the game with remarkable ease: all games were played in the right spirit and everyone participated in all the drills and games.

Even the rules of the game and the methods of scoring junior cricket were picked up surprising easily. The VCA is hopeful its relationship with VITE can continue long into the future, as education courses like this are exactly how the game will spread effectively through Vanuatu

By Nick Cassidy

Vanuatu have announced their 14-man squad for the East Asia–Pacific Trophy in New Zealand, a blend of youth and experience. 

The regional tournament begins in Auckland in late November and the squad is already training three days a week. A number of practice matches will take place before their departure on November 28. 

As the pool of young talented players that have been nurtured through the VCA’s junior development program in the past five years begins to mature, the impact on the senior squad can only be positive.

Six of the 14 players in the final squad were part of Vanuatu’s Under-19 side that finished second at the EAP Under-19 World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Port Vila in July this year.

But as ever, it will be the experienced approach and cool heads of the older members of the squad that remain vital components of squad’s chances. They will be boosted by lion-hearted performances from such players as national and APT Dolphins captain Patrick Haines and Mele veteran Pierre Chilia, during the recent final series.

These two will be expected to perform with the ball, along with the pace bowlers Manu Nimoho and Eddy Mansale.

But the squad’s strength is the all-round ability of so many of their players. Andrew Mansale and Kenneth Natapei will be called on with both bat and ball, and both are players capable of handling such a burden. These two, plus Ben Kingsbury, Selwyn Garae, Jono Dunn and Aby Joel are all potential match-turners.

The specialist batsman roles have been mainly taken by youngsters: Simpson Obed, Frederick Timakata and Trevor Langa are all selected alongside the experienced Richard Tatwin.

The side will be coached by Tim Curran from Cricket New South Wales, a mentor with decades of experience under his belt in top grade cricket in Sydney and Newcastle.

For most of the squad members, the tournament in Auckland will be their first time playing on turf pitches - yet another challenge for the players.

The EAP Trophy is the first step in regional qualification for the next World Cup, to be held in 2011. If Vanuatu finish in the top two in the EAP Trophy, they will qualify to head to Jersey, next year to compete in the Division Five World Cricket League.

It may be a far cry from World Cup qualification, but the trip itself is a huge incentive for the team to push towards the final of the EAP Trophy.

Squad Patrick Haines (capt), Ben Kingsbury, Andrew Mansale, Pierre Chilia, Richard Tatwin, Eddy Mansale, Kenneth Natapei, Manu Nimoho, Jonothan Dunn, Selwyn Garae, Frederick Timakata, Simpson Obed, Trevor Langa, Aby Joel.

The ICC East Asia–Pacific (EAP) Development Program has announced its squads for the Centre of Excellence in Brisbane in November.

Twelve young players have been selected for the EAP Emerging Players Program, and 16 for the squad camp which will bring together the region’s best players ahead of the Australian country cricket championship in Mackay, Queensland this January. This means players from Cook Islands, Fiji, Japan, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu.

Both squads will experience a week of intensive coaching, training and skill development under the tutelage of Australia’s leading coaches. Each squad will play Twenty20 and 50-over one-day matches against local opposition in Brisbane.

Emerging players squad

Colin Amini (PNG), Arua Dikana (PNG), Willie Gavera (PNG), Masaomi Kobayashi (Japan), Trevor Langa (Vanuatu), Jacob Mado (PNG), Simpson Obed (Vanuatu), Pritchard Pritchard (Samoa), Sekove Ravoka (Fiji), Salesi Tu’Akoi (Tonga), Tony Ura (PNG), Vani Vagi Morea (PNG)

Squad camp

Chris Amini (PNG), Hitolo Areni (PNG), Kapena Arua (PNG), Inoa Baeau (PNG), Jamie Brazier (PNG), Tatsuro Chino (Japan), Mahuru Dai (PNG), Rarua Dikana (PNG), Dunu Eliaba (Cook Islands), Mahuta Kivung (PNG), Andrew Mansale (Vanuatu), Ipi Morea (PNG), Loa Nou (PNG), John Ovia (PNG), Josefa Rika (Fiji), Assad Vala (PNG)

A mouth-watering tussle between last year’s grand finalists Tafea and Mele is by far the pick of this weekend’s match-ups in Vanuatu’s club championship. With Tafea flying high on top of the table, with 90 points, and Mele (70) hitting their straps last week, this Saturday’s 50-over encounter at Kazaa Field could be a good battle.

While the game is being played under the lengthened format, whether the match lasts the distance is another matter, with neither side showing any great desire to bat for fifty overs in their previous day-long matches. As always, the Mele Bulls’ hopes rest on the shoulders of just a few of their stars, while Tafea appears to have a much more rounded squad. But that could count for little if Tafea can’t make the early necessary break-throughs against the Bulls’ top order.

Despite the inclement weather in Port Vila, the National Bank of Vanuatu Beach Cricket Tournament is still set to go ahead as planned Tuesday from 8am.

The day’s activities will be held at Mele Beach, and is a way for the Vanuatu Cricket Association to introduce children to cricket, and show how it can be played in almost any environment.

Around 300 primary school children are expected to participate.