Pakistan move onto Ireland

After rain forced the abandonment of the second ODI against Scotland, Pakistan have moved onto Ireland for another two match series. Pakistan won that first ODI against Scotland, however it wasn't without a scare after they were 115/5 and also in the second innings when Scotland were 52/1 chasing 231. Their bowlers eventually did manage to get on top running through the Scottish line-up bowling them out for 135 to seal a 96 run win.

Ireland will no doubt offer a much bigger challenge, so Pakistan would want to be on top of their game to avoid a second loss to the Ireland side. Weather hopefully holds up with the farcial circumstances last year in the Ireland and Australia match.

Good news for world-wide cricket fans with Google and Cricket Ireland teaming up to provide a live stream via Youtube of the match. This is excellent news to try and showcase the Ireland cricket team on an international scale.

Link here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsRRHwOHuK4

Pakistan's European tour about to begin

Pakistan's short tour of Scotland and Ireland is set to begin tonight. Pakistan organised 2 ODI's each against Scotland and Ireland as preparation for an assault on the Champsions Trophy to be played in England in June. Pakistan has probably been the country most willing to play the associates, so kudos must be go to them for playing these matches.

Pakistan will be a formidable opponent for the European associates. Scotland may struggle, however Ireland will be hoping to spring an upset. With their campaign to get test status by 2020, they will be hoping to remind the ICC powerbrokers just how good a team they are.

Full Fixtures:

17th May: 1st ODI - Scotland v Pakistan @ Grange Cricket Club, Edinburgh, Scotland
19th May: 2nd ODI - Scotland v Ireland @ Grange Cricket Club, Edinburgh, Scotland

23rd May: 1st ODI - Ireland v Pakistan @ Clontarf Cricket Club, Dublin, Ireland
26th May: 2nd ODI - Ireland v Pakistan @ Clontarf Cricket Club, Dublin, Ireland

Ireland and Scotland establish respective inter-provincial series

Both Ireland and Scotland have announced in the past few months details of inter-provincial series. Both cricket boards have secured $1.5 million (US) funding over the next  three years which will go towards setting up domestic cricket.

For Ireland establishing a first class structure is key to succeed in their goal of playing test cricket by 2020. Implementing an inter-provincial structure this year is a good start. Ireland have established three teams for 2013 - the Leinster Lightning, Northern Knights and the North West Warriors. Although three teams may seem small, with the still limited funds available it is a good start.  The teams will play each other in three-day, 50-over, and 20-over matches across the Irish summer. In future years the number of team, and number of matches can be expanded.

Cricket Scotland have established two teams - the Highlanders and the Reivers to play each other in a mix of three day, 50-over and 20-over matches. Cricket Scotland Performance Director Andy Tennant believes that the possibility for a "cross-border competition" in future.

I think this is how European associate cricket can really improve significantly. For Ireland to become a test nation, a competitive first class competition is required. However having any more than four teams would probably stretch the playing pool and funds too thin. Ideally a Euro-League consisting of teams from Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands should be implemented. For instance the league could feature 4 Irish teams, 3 Scottish teams, 2 Dutch teams, and perhaps a national team such as Italy, which would help their development. The ten teams could play across the season, with perhaps a T20 tournament played exclusively over a 9-10 day period. This could hopefully attract sponsorship and some international players.

I think there is no doubt that the heads of the Irish and Scottish Cricket Boards are definitely thinking about this, and the fixtures for 2013 are a step in the right direction.

Ireland Inter-provincial Series 2013 
(Fixtures from CricketEurope - http://www.cricketeurope4.net/CEIRELAND/ZONEMATCHES/IRELAND/2013/DOMESTIC/INTERPRO/about.shtml)

Three - Day

14th - 16th May: Leinster Lightning VS North West Warriors, College Park, Dublin

4th - 6th June: North West Warriors VS Northern Knights, Eglinton

25th - 27th June: Leinster Lightning VS Northern Knights, College Park, Dublin

30th July - 1st August: Northern Knights VS North West Warriors, NCU (TBC)

13th August - 15th August: North West Warriors VS Leinster Lightning, Bready

27th - 29th August: Northern Knights VS Leinster Lightning, NCU (TBC)

 

50 Overs

6th May: Leinster Lightning VS Northern Knights, The Hills
19th May: North West Warriors VS Northern Knights, Coleraine
1st June: Leinster Lightning VS North West Warriors, Malahide
15th July: Northern Knights VS North West Warriors, Comber
10th August: Northern Knights VS Leinster Lightning, NCU (TBC)
21st September: North West Warriors VS Leinster Lightning, Strabane

Twenty 20

 21st June: Leinster Lightning VS Northern Knights, TBA
21st June: Leinster Lightning VS North West Warriors, TBA
21st July: North West Warriors VS Northern Knights, Bready
21st July: North West Warriors VS Leinster Lightning, Bready
22nd September: Northern Knights VS North West Warriors, Comber
22nd September: Northern Knights VS Leinster Lightning, Comber

Scotland Pro Series 2013 
(Fixtures from Cricket Scotland website - http://www.cricketscotland.com/news/article/cricket-scotland-pro-series-2013/) 

Three – Day

28^th July – 30^th July: Highlanders VS Reivers, Goldenacre

20^th August – 22^nd August: Reivers VS Highlanders, New Williamfield

50-over

28^th April: Highlanders VS Reivers, Myreside

8^th May: Reivers VS Highlanders, Titwood

22^nd May: Reivers VS Highlanders, New Williamfield

23^rd June: Highlanders VS Reivers, Forthill

18^th August: Highlanders VS Reivers, Mannofield

20-over

27^th June: Reivers VS Highlanders, Titwood

1^st September: Reivers VS Higlanders VS Cavaliers XI (3 match round-robin), Arbroath

World Cricket Live Update

Apologies for the break in posts so below I have summarised the most recent results on the international cricket scene:

• New Zealand and England drew Test Series 0-0
• India whitewashed Australia 4-0 to end a horrendous tour for the visitors
• Sri Lanka secured a 1-0 series victory in their home test series against Bangladesh
• Sri Lanka lead their ODI series against the same team 1-0 with one match to play, after the second encounter was rained out
• West Indies completed their series whitewash with a 2-0 result in the test matches, after a 3-0 and 2-0 win in the ODI and T20I series respectively
• South Africa won the deciding game to seal a close ODI series with Pakistan 3-2

 

• Ireland clean-swept their tour of the UAE with a win in their Intercontinental Cup match, two World Cup Qualifiers and single T20I
• Kenya won both both WCL Championship matches against Canada, as well as the first class match, while the T20I series was drawn 1-1
• Scotland were smashed by Afghanistan with the Afganistan team winning the two WCQ's, the Intercontinental Cup match and the two T20I's

Afghanistan diminish Scotland's chance of World Cup qualification

Afghanistan have won the second ODI against Scotland and therefore taken the series 2-0. More importantly it means they draw level with Scotland on 11 points in 2nd place, behind Ireland who are on 13 points. With now Afghanistan, Netherlands and the UAE breathing down their necks, they missed a huge opportunity to strengthen their position for one of two automatic qualifying spots for the 2015 Cricket World Cup. Afghanistan meanwhile have put themselves back into the frame for a top two finish. For the full points table click on the '2015 ICC CWC Qualifers' tab on the right hand corner of the page.

Scotland did manage a decent total of 259/9 which was on the back of Kyle Coetzer's first ODI century. He hit a run a ball 133 before being run out in the 47th over. No.3 Josh Davey also chipped in with a 64, with his and Coetzer putting on a 134 run stand for the second wicket. Samiullah Shenwari after his impressive batting in the first game this time chimed in with the ball with three wickets.

For Afghanistan every batsman made a score above 20 with skipper Mohammad Nabi top scoring with 51. Opener Mohammad Shahzad excitied the contingent of Afghanistan supporters in the crowd with a blistering knock of 48 off 34 balls with 5 fours and three sixes. The Scottish bowlers proved largely ineffective only picking up five wickets. Afghanistan reached the total with 8 balls to spare.

These two sides now will do battle in a First Class match for the Intercontinental Cup, where both sides are neck and neck in 2nd and 3rd place on the rankings table. There are more WCL Championship matches coming up in the next few weeks with Canada and Kenya to play in Dubai and Ireland and the UAE to play in Sharjah, before Namibia host the Netherlands in April.

Full scorecard for the Afghanistan Scotland match here on Cricinfo: http://www.espncricinfo.com/wcl-championship-2011-13/engine/match/592271.html

Afghanistan win first ODI against Scotland

Scotland (199/8) defeated by Afghanistan (203/3) by 7 wickets 

Afghanistan have won the first ODI against Scotland in their World Cricket League Championship Match overnight. Scotland struggled to 199/8 with Matt Machan on debut making 44, while Richie Berrington made 51. For Afghanistan Gulbodin Naib was the chief destroyer picking up 4/31.

In the chase Afghanistan were in a spot of bother at 59/3 but that was the last wicket they lost as Nawroz Mangal hit his first ODI century of 112*. He was supported well by Samiullah Shenwari who made a composed 55*.

This result tightens up the race for the two automatic qualifying spots for the 2015 Cricket World Cup as Afghanistan move up to 9 points. Although Scotland are still 2nd, another comprehensive win by Afghanistan in tomorrow's game could mean Scotland drop to 3rd with Afghanistan moving to 2nd with a superior net run rate.

Full scorecard here: http://www.espncricinfo.com/wcl-championship-2011-13/engine/match/592270.html

For more information about the World Cricket League Championship and qualification for the 2015 Cricket World Cup click on the tab on the right hand side of the page titled "2015 ICC CWC Qualifiers"

Afganistan sweep T20I series 2-0 against Scotland

Afghanistan have won both T20 Internationals in Scotland over the past few days by 27 runs and 7 wickets respectively. Both matches were won pretty convincingly with Scotland not really in with a major shot of winning either of the games. Mohammad Shahzad batted well for Afghanistan scoring 55 and 46, while paceman Hamid Hassan picked up 4 wickets in the second encounter. For Scotland Iain Wardlaw took 2 wickets in each of the matches. He was one of the new players Scotland brought into the squad via new eligibility criteria in regards to a player's nationality. Despite this influx of county players it meant nothing as Afghanistan proved to be strong.

These games really though had no significant meaning. Essentially they are practice ahead of the World T20 Qualifier to be played later this year. The most important matches of the tour are the two WCL Championship matches (ODI's) which will play a large part in determining the two automatic qualifiers for the 2015 Cricket World Cup. Scotland are in 2nd place on 11 points, whereas Afghanistan are on 7 points in 5th position. If Scotland could even just win one game, they will strengthen their position. Afghanistan really need to pick up the maximum four points to have any chance of bypassing the 2014 ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier.

Match 1 Scorecard
Match 2 Scorecard

WCL Matches:
6th March: ODI #1
8th March: ODI #2

Pakistan to play Scotland in May

In excellent news for Scotland cricket, Pakistan have agreed to play 2 ODI's against them in May in preparation for the Champions Trophy. This really is great news for the development of Scotland, with an ODI against Australia as well later in the summer. Pakistan also have to be applauded for their assistance to the associate countries. They played Afghanistan in their first ODI against a full member last year. They also faced off against Ireland in 2 ODI's in 2011 after the 2011 World Cup, and have also agreed to play the Irish in 2 ODI's in late May this year*. Presuming these games against Scotland haven't replaced them, that means Pakistan will play 4 matches against associate countries in the space of a week. This really is superb news, and lets hope other full members take note and do the same. What world cricket needs is more competitive teams, so these odd fixtures against associates are crucial to the development of the world game.

Fixtures
17th May - Scotland VS Pakistan @ Citylets Grange, Edinburgh (ODI #1)
19th May - Scotland VS Pakistan @ Citylets Grange, Edinburgh (ODI#2)

Further information here in this article on Cricket Europe
http://www.cricketeurope4.net/DATABASE/ARTICLES6/articles/000026/002643.shtml

*details of matches against Ireland have not been confirmed