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In early 2004, six Associate nations competed in an ICC Six Nations Challenge held in the United Arab Emirates, the winner of which would join the ten full members and Kenya at the ICC Champions Trophy to be played in England later in the year.
Bangladesh endured the ignominy of being bowled out for the lowest Test total in 44 years when they were shot out for 43 in just 18.4 overs against the West Indies on the opening day of the first Test at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua.
Zimbabwe are set to host heavyweights Australia and Pakistan in a T20 international triangular series starting from July 1.
England’s 5-0 demolition of Australia was only their second instance of winning every game in a five-match ODI series, the first having come in Zimbabwe back in October 2001.
Sri Lanka are set to begin only their fourth Test series in the Caribbean, and first on the islands in ten years.
It is only fitting that Pakistan are the opponents for Ireland’s inaugural men’s Test.
The first men’s Test to be played in Ireland is almost upon us, as the hosts gear up to take on Pakistan at Malahide from Friday.
The English summer of 1994 was a significant one in the history of the game, as it saw the first tour by a South African team since 1965.
The second day of the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe saw Ireland beat Papua New Guinea by five wickets, but not before witnessing one of the most sensational ODI innings played.
The long-awaited ICC World Cup Qualifier is underway in Zimbabwe, with ten teams vying for the last two berths available at the 2019 World Cup.
The 2007-08 Intercontinental Cup was one of Namibia’s most successful ICC tournaments.
Australia have played ten Tests at Kingsmead in Durban, the venue for the first Test of their upcoming series against South Africa.
The gripping ICC World Cricket League Division Two, hosted by Namibia, culminated on Thursday, with the United Arab Emirates beating Nepal by seven runs in the final.
India’s series-clinching win in the fifth ODI against South Africa was their first in six attempts at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth.
Test cricket more than held its own in 2017, despite the ever-growing domestic T20 scene around the world, not to mention the arrival of an even more watered-down version of ‘cricket’ in the form of T10.
The Test eleven that I have picked for the year 2017 features three players each from Australia, India and South Africa, and one each from Bangladesh and England.
The 2017 Women’s World Cup final at Lord’s was unquestionably a nail-biter, but it lies second-best when it comes to the most exciting World Cup title matches.
Though December 26 is annually celebrated as Boxing Day, it also marks Saint Stephen’s Day, or the Feast of Saint Stephen, who is traditionally venerated as the first martyr of Christianity.
This year’s Boxing Day match in South Africa assumes great significance, with the hosts squaring off against Zimbabwe in the first four-day Test since Test cricket around the world was standardised to five days.
The Netherlands are on the upswing again, not only regaining their ODI status they lost in 2013-14 but also winning the ICC World Cricket League Championship to seal their spot in the 13-team ODI league slated to begin in 2020.
So, it’s two out of two for the Scots now. I won’t be surprised if they scalp Zimbabwe too (they beat them just last year) and end up topping the group. It would be a huge boost going into the Super Six round.
Ten players to watch at the World Cup Qualifier
Thanks, Kersi. I’m glad you liked it.
That’s an interesting bit of trivia. I have definitely heard of Talyarkhan, but never got to listen to his famed radio commentary.
Not too many Vijays to form an international XI I’m afraid, but I’ll probably be taking up a David XI soon 🙂
An all-time international XI of Steves
Thanks, Anindya.
Most them picked themselves. Saha was the better keeper, but it was hard to look past Rahim’s average. The only other dilemma was the third pacer, for which I overlooked Starc and Hazlewood to include Morkel.
The 2017 Test team of the year
Hi Dave, thanks for your suggestions.
The criteria was international cricket, at least ODIs if not Tests. Unfortunately, Jeffries couldn’t make the cut.
Rixon and Boock were were both considered for selection. The latter would replace Elworthy on a turning surface.
An all-time international XI of Steves
Yes, England were beaten by a whopping 329 runs at the WACA, getting bowled out for 123 (Craig McDermott 6/38) in the fourth innings.
England's match-winners at the Adelaide Oval over the years
That certainly seems like an extraordinary match. Thanks for the snippet.
Blast from the past: A wonder at the WACA
Thanks beepee, glad you liked it.
You are correct; Ogilvie was always known by his second name David.
Blast from the past: A wonder at the WACA
That surely was a special innings. Something to cheer about for the Windies on an otherwise forgettable tour.
Blast from the past: A wonder at the WACA
Hi Kersi, glad you liked it. Indeed, Christchurch would make for a perfect venue:)
Cricket's Christmas XI
Thanks, Kersi. Nice to hear from you. Indeed, it was a historic moment that has become quite forgotten over the years.
Revisiting India's first ever win against Australia
Cheers, Anindya. Glad you liked it.
Revisiting India's first ever win against Australia
Thanks, Kersi.
Unfortunately, details regarding man of the match are not available. There may not have been such an award for this game after all, but I’m sure Mr. Extras would have been the worthiest contender.
A Franco-German cliffhanger that made it to a Wisden list
Indeed. Rahul needs to be more consistent if he is to press for a regular spot in the Test XI.
Best of the ODIs: India versus Zimbabwe
Cheers Kersi. Zimbabwe have a great chance of toppling India this time.
Best of the ODIs: India versus Zimbabwe
Yes. The ICC just cannot realise that depriving the Associates will only lead to lack of motivation amongst the budding cricketers. If there is no motivation to play at the World Cup, more and more youngsters will ultimately move away from cricket – which is totally at odds with the ICC’s supposed objective of globalising the game.
I keenly follow Associate cricket and will be looking forward to the early fixtures in 2016. I believe Scotland hold the edge in the FC fixture while Hong Kong will back themselves in the limited-overs formats. Thanks for enlightening about the Braidwood Cup, it will indeed be a landmark for HK cricket.
Wish you a happy new year as well.
Associate cricket’s best moments from 2015
Thanks Sideline.
Ireland should have been playing Tests for quite some time now. It is a shame that they are being asked to go through hurdle after hurdle.
Associate cricket’s best moments from 2015
Hi Tim,
Thanks for the feedback, it is great to have you commenting here.
Completely agree. It is deeply saddening that most of the fans – the biggest stakeholders in the game – are being repeatedly taken for a ride by the powers that be. Be it the ten team ‘World Cup’, the unnecessarily complicated ‘pathway’ to Test cricket or the ’16-team World T20′, every recent decision of the ICC has reeked of insecurity of the elite. Besides the financial aspect, I believe there is a fear among the top brass because of the increasing growth of the Associates.
The ‘status’ bias too should be done away with in my opinion – though it is asking for too much. A country v country should be an international and nothing else. With the current scheme of things, cricket can forget about being a truly global sport. Football and rugby are both expanding, while cricket is moving in the opposite direction.
Definitely, Chapman is a real talent and I do hope he stays with Hong Kong – I read he might move to play for New Zealand. I feel Hong Kong are steadily developing into a good limited-overs unit and they have it in them to make the top ten in the upcoming World T20. It is disappointing that the likes of Hong Kong and PNG are being deprived of official ODIs even after having ODI status.
During the Rugby World Cup, I had written on my blog about how cricket should learn from rugby union in order to be a true global sport. You may like to have a read : https://thecricketcauldron.wordpress.com/2015/09/20/viewpoint-cricket-lessons-from-rugby/
Cheers and best wishes.
Associate cricket’s best moments from 2015
Hi Kersi,
I would like to add an instance of two batsmen in the same innings, each outscoring both the opposition totals.
This happened when Sri Lankans Marvan Atapattu (249) and Kumar Sangakkara (270) both outscored both of Zimbabwe’s totals (228 and 231) at Bulawayo in 2003-04.
Would be interesting to know if there is any other such instance. I reckon there might be a few where two sub-100 totals are involved.
When one batsman outscored the opponents
‘The Big Ship’ Warwick Armstrong perhaps deserves a mention? Can be good skipper material too.
The larger-than-life XI
Cheers, Pope.
Blast from the past: When the Dutch walloped South Africa