Newsletter

May 8, 2008                                                                                              Issue #85

Hello and welcome to this edition of the I.E.C.C. Newsletter.

Index

• Lively Cricket in Kanto
• The Fine Print
• Indian Engineers C.C on Wikipedia
• Chiang Mai Sixes Report
• ICC EAP News –
• Indian Engineers’ Japan Cricket Rating – New results
• IECC Poll results
• Best of the web
• Snippet of the Month
• Trivial facts from our Archives

Lively Cricket in Kanto & Kansai

As The KCL 2008 started with a bang, literally, when in the first match, Al Karam’s Chula Rodrigo banged a short one in, which, the Toyama captain,
Rizwan Mohammed, tried pull but only succeeded in not connecting it and ended up in the hospital with a broken nose. The match was eventually won
by Al Karam. Toyama CC: 146 (30 overs) (Amjad Mirza, 3/15) Al Karam CC: 146/2 (15.1 overs) (Hanif Mohammad, 80*; Javed Niazi, 32*). In other
matches so far, new comers Indian Tigers nearly pulled off a coup in their first match when they had the YC&AC at 92/5 at one stage. A couple of
lives granted to the YC&AC batsmen at that stage helped them post a formidable 257/8. The Tigers, however, could only manage 157 in their chase.
In the third match, the Indian Engineers defeated Shizuoka Kytes by 3 wickets.

In Kansai, the Kansai Cup kicked off as well with various matches being played in the month of April. Watch this space for more updates.

For Latest results are available here.

The Fine Print

Nearly half of the Australian cricketers contracted with their board are willing to give up their international careers for playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) or its rival Indian Cricket League (ICL), a survey conducted by the country’s Players’ Association has revealed.
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A study by the St Andrews University in Britain has revealed that successful Test cricketers have an average life expectancy of 80 years – they are happier because of the acclaim they have received and are therefore less likely to suffer from illness even in old age. The researchers at the university came to the conclusion after looking at 418 cricketers who had played for England between 1876, when the first Test match was played, and 1963. The average life expectancy for those who played more than 25 Tests was 77.95, compared with 73.25 years for the others, found the study which considered players’ social backgrounds, that influences how long people live
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The troubled Olympic torch relay run in India suffered yet another jolt with Sachin Tendulkar pulling out of the event a day before the event on medical grounds. The master batsman has been advised by his IPL team physio A Ijaz not to take part in the run in view of his groin injury, sources close to Mumbai Indians team said.
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Federation of International Cricketers’ Association (FICA) has warned that the ICC may be faced with the biggest players’ revolt in the history of the game if it continues to be “paralysed” by the BCCI and remains “incompetent” in its handling of issues facing the sport. FICA’s international legal adviser Ian Smith said the resentment among the players against the ICC’s handling of affairs is so strong that they are ready to break ranks and run the show themselves
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Security officials posted at the Multan stadium for the fourth ODI between Pakistan and Bangladesh evicted a man trying to enter the host team’s dressing room posing as senior batsman Mohammad Yousuf. Mohammad Shafiq, who has a striking resemblance of Yousuf also styled himself on the batsman with the same flowing beard and cap.
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The Vijay Mallya-owned Bangalore Royal Challengers of the IPL have employed Pompom-wielding cheerleaders from the United States. They roped in “Washington Redskins Cheerleaders” to be its official cheerleaders for the first four matches of the tournament. According to the Redskins’ website, 12 of their cheerleaders and two choreographers will spend 18 days touring the country and performing at major events, including the first four games of the Bangalore IPL team.
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The taxman is knocking on the BCCI’s door on IPL windfall they earn under “business auxiliary service(BAS)”. Under the franchise model, the franchisees have to pay 10 per cent of the bid amount every year to BCCI, as a franchisee fee. With the auction fetching BCCI $723.59 million, BCCI will get $72.36 million each year. Since players, too, are not playing for the country, their purchase fees would be liable to service tax again under BAS. Broadcasting rights for 10 years went for over $1 billion in addition to their sale of time slots for ads. Naming Pepsi as the IPL official drink for five years went for a fee of $12.5 million in addition to the branding of stumps in DLF name. So the taxman is also laughing on his way to the bank.
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Source: Various web and print media.

Indian Engineers C.C on Wikipedia

We recently found out that this Newsletter(issue #43) was cited as external resource in wikipedia for the definition of kilikit.

For a detailed information on kilikit, a Samoan national cricket festival, read our Issue# 43.

Chiang Mai Sixes

Ian Gason Reports:

The 21st Chiang Mai Sixes was held recently and again the Tokyo Wombats made the tour- all in the name of promoting Japanese cricket, of course.
Japan’s World Cricket League participation (Jersey, May/June) cost them 2 players, so re-inforcements were called in: Robin, from Somerset via
Chiang Mai, and Sri Lankan Test player Ravindra Pushpakamara. “Pushy” provided some big hitting and one memorable moment when a hard night saw him
walking a single, only to be run out when a Thai lad’s return from cow-corner rolled into the stumps! Pushy’s heavyweight support was matched by
internationals such as Trevor Chappell, Amal Silva and a few ex-Bangladeshi players too, and Tokyo early losses saw them qualify for the Bowl, 3rd
of 4 divisions.

Running around Chiang Mai’s many bars in traditional Japanese yukatas, and other nocturnal activities which hark to an era before dietitians and
conditioning coaches, left the Tokyo Wombats in less the prime condition. Despite the 8am start, TW won their semi-final on the last ball and took
on Amal Silva’s Silva Stars in the final. A late flurry of runs saw TW post 82, a challenging score. Sadly, for the 2nd time in a row, TW stumbled
on the final hurdle, after an errant opening over handed Silva Stars 42 runs!

The loss hardly dented the memories of another fantastic week in Thailand. Chiang Mai Sixes is one of many 6s in Asia, all working on the theme of
making friends through playing cricket. Thanks to the organisers and sponsors, and we will see you all next year!

Photos: http://www.tokyowombats.com/gallery.html
http://www.cricketsixes.com/index.htm

Three Japanese Umpires on the ICC EAP Umpiring Panel

The ICC EAP office has reconstituted the EAP Umpires Panel and Supplementary Umpires Panel recently, the first revision since it was first formed  in 2005. The Umpires Panel includes two of Japan’s most experienced and widely respected umpires, Neil Harrison and Anton McCloy. While McCloy was part of the Umpires Panel since its inception, for Harrison this a promotion from the Supplementary Panel. The Supplementary Umpires Panel included Japan’s Chris Thurgate for the first time.

Here is the list of the Panels:

2008 EAP Umpires Panel

Geoff Clelland (Vanuatu)
Clive Elly (PNG)
Shahul Hameed (Indonesia)
Neil Harrison (Japan)
Grant Johnston (Vanuatu)
Anton McCloy (Japan)
Lakani Oala (PNG)

2008 EAP Supplementary Umpires Panel

Sachin Gopalakrishnan (Indonesia)
Ioane Henry (Cook Islands)
Raka Ipi (PNG)
Nigel Morrison (Vanuatu)
Peter Poulos (Samoa)
Walesi Soqoiwasa (Fiji)
Chris Thurgate (Japan)

While there are no EAP tournaments scheduled for 2008, both the panel members will be considered for other tournaments including ICC World Cricket League events and domestic competitions in Australia and New Zealand. The ICC Associate & Affiliate International Umpires Panel was established in 2005 and umpires on this panel officiate in ODIs involving Associate members, Intercontinental Cup matches and other ICC events such as the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup. Brian Aldridge of New Zealand and New Zealand Cricket provides a lot of resources to assist the development of panel
members with the delivery of Introduction and Level 1 Umpiring Courses.

Indian Engineers’ Japan Cricket Rating – New results

Results as of April 30:

There were a few changes in the ranking last month based on the few friendly matches played in March.

Here is the list of the top 10 teams(last month’s ranking in brackets):

1 Tokyo Giants (1)
2 Osaka Tigers (2)
3 YC&AC (4)
4 Wyverns (3)
5 Serendip (5)
6 MAX (7)
7 Kansai Fighters (8)
8 Tokyo Wombats (6)
9 Al Karam (11)
9 KRAC (9)
10 Osaka Bulldogs (10)

See the full list here.

IECC Poll results

Here is the last poll result:

In your opinion what should the the IPL and ICL players choose?

Country (and less money) – 71%
Financial Security – 29%

Take the new poll:

Judging by the media coverage IPL receives, do you think IPL has long term prospects or will it be short-lived?

Readers’ Corner

I liked the new addition to dictionary section in the last issue. Very funny!

– Bobby Philips

Best of the Web

Andrew Symonds pushes his coach during a shake hand session

Mainichi Shimbum report on Japanese Cricket

Snippets of the Month

Note: Beginning the Issue #39 (May 6, ’04), we bring you some interesting snippets from the cricket world, to celebrate the fourth anniversary this Newsletter and first anniversary of our popular “Trivial Facts” series. The same will be published on the front page of our website too.

“It was a shake hand at the wrong place” – Sreeshant about the alleged slap by Harbhajan Singh.

Trivial facts (from our Archives)

1. In ODIs, Pakistan’s Saeed Anwar holds the record for hundreds in successive innings(4). In Tests, Sanath Jayasuriya and Brian Lara share the
record with 3 hundreds in 3 innings.

2. In Tests, Don Bradman scored back-to-back hundreds on as many as nine consecutive Tests – easily the best effort by any batsman so far.

That’s all in this edition!

Newbies show their potential

By Sanjeeb Sahoo

      There were a lot of doubt on Friday and Saturday if this match can be played considering the weather forecast. Though we had both Shizouka and Edogawa grounds available , weather forecast was not looking good at either of the places but in the end we decided to stick to Tokyo. Light drizzle posed a threat of cancellation but the captains decided to take the chance at the weather and decided to get to the ground, one eager to play its only second match since inception and the other salivating the prospect of easy four points against their compatriot rivals. But the presence of Japanese women’s team at the ground caused some confusion about who the ground was given to but soon sorted out with ladies agreeing to leave although the Engineers were tempted to take the help of the ladies to fill the no. 10 and 11 spot. You guessed it right, we had only 9 for the match, thanks to last minute drop outs with and without intimation. As heavy rain was predicted late in the afternoon, 35 overs-per-side match was decided. Engineers skipper called the coin right and elected to bat first given the inexperience of the newbies. Skipper spent his first 30 minutes on the phone making frantic calls to have 11 on the field while some weak hearted ones engaged in the conversation with the fairer sex.

    Skipper at last hit the jackpot when he convinced Ashish join an hour later. Vimal and Masood opened the innings but Vimal didn’t last long as he nicked one to the slip trying to drive the ball that pitched almost on the edge of the pitch. Amol then walked in to give company to Masood who was batting well and looking solid after hitting a huge six over square leg. Seemed like he was in an aggressive mood. Amol playing his first match of the season, nicked a slower ball to the keeper and had to walk back quickly. As the score reading 2/35 skipper promoted Raju to no 3 for this game and he made his aggressive intent clear from the beginning. But a poor calling between Raju and Masood resulted in the latter running himself out. Score reading 3/41 at the 10th over, captain walked in with the intent to stabilize things a bit. Raju and yours truly batted and used caution and aggression intermittently and bailed the Engineers out of a tight spot. By the time Raju got out the score was reading 4/102 on the 21st over. Raju sent the Tigers on a leather hunt and one of the best was a straight six over long on that almost landed in the river.

     After Raju got out, Dinesh and Anurag gave company to the skipper and they managed to add another 50 runs. Jagan walked in the score reading 6/151 and opened his account hitting a lovely square cut for 4. Just 2 overs were left and Jagan fell victim to a poor calling , sacrificing his wicket for his skipper. Biju was next, and the field being well spread they decided to nudge the ball around and run as fast as they can. In the last over 10 runs were scored just by running and by the end both Biju and Sanjeeb were gasping for breath. Final score was 7/194 with Sanjeeb remaining not out on 59 hitting 5 fours and a six in the process. After a quick 15 minutes lunch break Engineers borrowed some caps from the tigers to keep there head out of the rain and took to the field. Biju started the proceedings with the new ball. A 5/3 field was set considering that we had only 10 on the field. Biju on his 2nd over got the ball to bounce from the good length and Abraham the opener could only fend it awkwardly to Dinesh at the slip after it brushed the gloves of the batsman. Biju provided another break through again by claiming the Tigers no. 3 and vice captain and Engineer’s former mate Anil. I remember some one saying something which meant that the “after the pressure of captainship is gone, the bounce in the bowling is back”. All the bowlers bowled a tight line.

     Anurag was almost unplayable for the 6 overs he bowled. We took wickets at regular intervals and always kept the Tigers under pressure. In the end Jagan came in and took 2 wickets in just 3 balls and wrapped on Tiger’s innings on the 20.3 overs for 66. He was on a hat trick but unfortunately no wickets were left to be taken. The win came just before the heavy shower. Both the Engineers and Tigers deserve a pat on there back  for the spirit with which they played and made the match possible on a rainy day. Here are few highlights from the match. – Masood maturing as an opener. A thumping Six over square leg showed that he can be aggressive if he chooses to. – Raju played a crucial role as a pinch hitter.

   A huge Six over long on that almost landed in the river proves his ability. – Partnership between Raju and Sanjeeb was the pillar of the IECC innings. – We managed to play out all 35 overs without getting all out. – Biju again leading the attack with the bowling and provided the crucial early breakthroughs. – Anurag bowling with great pace and accuracy with the slippery ball and destroyed the Tiger’s. Sanjeeb provided the support from the other end. – Jagan taking 2 wickets in just 3 balls he bowled and on a hat-trick when he bowls in the next game. Certainly the long absence from the game has not dampened his pace and swing. – Vimal doing a great job behind the stump in absence of our regular keepers. – Our fielding was good. Dinesh’s catch at the slip, high catches by Masood and diving effort by Amol at the point were some of the highlights of our effort in the field. – Special thanks to Ashish who joined us on a very short notice, did not get to bat , fielded in the rain and saved around 10/15 valuable runs for us. Should go a long way to remind everyone that, a team is made from individuals but how successful and long lasting the team is depends on the sacrifices we are willing to make.

Brief scores: IECC: 194/7 (35 ov.). S Sahoo 59* Indian Tigers: 66 (20.3 ov). A Sing 3/15