Test cricket returns to Sharjah

Sharjah will host its first Test in nine years this November, after Pakistan and Sri Lanka reached an agreement to play the last of their three Tests in the UAE at the venue. The Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium has hosted more ODIs than any other ground but has not had any international cricket between top teams since 2003.

With international stadiums being built in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, it had looked unlikely that Sharjah would make a return as a venue for big matches. However, the Emirates Cricket Board has now said there will be a Test there starting November 3.

"We've finally confirmed that Pakistan will play a Test in Sharjah," Dilawar Mani, chief of the Emirates board, told the Express Tribune. "We offered Sharjah at the very beginning - apart from Dubai and Abu Dhabi - but it was necessary for both sides to agree to play in Sharjah. We're now delighted to know that it has happened."

The other two venues for the Pakistan-Sri Lanka Test series are the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi and the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, which hosted their debut Tests during the Pakistan-South Africa series in November 2010.

Sharjah was once a popular venue for neutral ODIs and tri-series and has hosted 200 one-day internationals, 24 of those between India and Pakistan. However, the venue received a blow when India, who had played 72 one-dayers in Sharjah, stopped playing there. The ground hosted its debut Test in 2002, but after 2003 did not have any international cricket till it was named as Afghanistan's home ground in 2010, and hosted two ODIs between them and Canada.

The stadium had disintegrated in the absence of top-flight cricket but is now being brought back up to top standard. "The renovation work is in full swing and we hope to be ready by November 3," Mazhar Khan, the stadium administrator, said. "The venue was very keen to host a fixture during the two series that Pakistan will be playing [in the UAE]. After all, Sharjah has many Pakistani and Sri Lankan followers who will now be able to watch their teams."

Sri Lanka will play three Tests, five ODIs and a Twenty20 international against Pakistan from October 18 onwards in the UAE.

McCallum to retire

McCallum was regular since 2006.

Neil McCallum, the Scotland batsman, will retire from international cricket after the one-day game against Hampshire on Sunday. McCallum, who held a full-time job in teaching through his career, said he could no longer devote sufficient time for the game.

He first represented Scotland in 2000 but became a regular only around 2006 and played in a national record 43 ODIs and 11 Twenty20 internationals. The 2007 World Cup and the first two World Twenty20s were among the global tournaments he took part in.

McCallum, 33, averaged over 44 in 14 first-class matches, including a career-best 181 against Netherlands in 2007, the third-highest score for Scotland in first-class cricket. Another highlight was the Intercontinental Cup final last year, when his unbeaten 104 helped Scotland take the first-innings lead.

"It has not been an easy decision to retire this weekend, but I believe the time is right," McCallum said. "These days Scotland are training and competing all year round. It was becoming harder to dedicate the correct amount of time to perform and train at an international level. I have been trying to juggle work and family, on top of school, club and regional cricket, as well as the demands of training and competing at the elite level."

Peter Steindl, Scotland's coach, who worked with McCallum for four seasons praised his attitude. "His dedication and enthusiasm both on and off the pitch has always been a major factor in his success and has been the benchmark for other players to follow," Steindl said. "He never shirked from putting in the hours preparing, improving his skills and getting fitter."

Rashid resigns as Afghan coach after tiff with Board, players

Karachi: Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has resigned as Afghanistan's coach after falling out with the country's Cricket Board and some players.

Rashid Latif's contract as the Afghan coach was valid until end of July but he opted out as the Afghan officials and some players were not happy with his coaching style. © AFP

"I can only say that I had sent in my resignation as coach of the Afghanistan team and their chairman of the board has accepted my resignation," Rashid said.
He confirmed that his contract with the Afghanistan board was valid until end of July but he opted out as the Afghan officials and some players were not happy with his coaching style.
"So, I have decided to part ways with them but I wish them the best of luck in their future matches," Rashid, a former wicketkeeper-batsman, said.
Rashid is due to leave for London this week to take up a contract with the Lashings Cricket Club.
The Afghanistan cricket officials have accused Rashid of backing out of his contract which, they said, ran until July.
"Basically Rashid resigned because he was not getting along with the Afghanistan cricket officials and some players who had made it clear they wanted a new coach.
"The only thing holding back the Afghanistan officials from terminating Rashid's contract was that their new coach, Kabir Khan is tied up with the UAE team until September so they wanted to make do with Rashid until then," a source close to the former captain said.
Relations between Rashid and the Afghan official and some players deteriorated when the former captain felt that some senior players had deliberately under-performed against the Pakistan A team in the recent series as they didn't want him as coach.
"They were not happy with Rashid because he wanted changes in the team and insisted only those players who performed should be part of the national team. He was also not in favour of board officials interfering in team and selection matters," one source said.

PTI

Afghanistan go down fighting to Pakistan

A fighting Afghanistan on Wednesday lost to Pakistan's second side by five wickets in their first confrontation, with officials hoping a three-match series can foster more foreign tours.

A fighting Afghanistan lost to Pakistan's second side by five wickets in their first confrontation, with officials hoping a three-match series can foster more foreign tours. © AFP

International cricket has been suspended in Pakistan since militants attacked the Sri Lankan team in March 2009, killing eight people and wounding seven visiting players and their assistant coach. Sri Lanka has refused to tour Pakistan in October and November this year, but officials hope the visit by the Afghan side will be a small step towards reviving international cricket in the country.
Afghanistan, who won the toss and decided to bat at Diamond Cricket ground, recovered through a fighting 72 by vice captain Mohammad Nabi, who helped his team recover from a precarious 94-8 to 152 all out in 37.3 overs.
Nabi added an invaluable 58 for the ninth wicket with Shapoor Zadran, who made four. Captain Nawroz Mangal, with 33, was the only other batsman to reach double figures.
For Pakistan 'A', pacemen Mohammad Talha (3-29), Sadaf Hussain (2-25) and Sohail Tanvir (2-33) shared the wickets.
Pakistan 'A' were led by a brilliant 47 by opener Sharjeel Khan, but paceman Dawlat Zadran (3-45) briefly raised hopes of an Afghan win before Umar Amin (29) and Sarfraz Ahmed (21 not out) helped Pakistan reach the target in 39.5 overs.
The remaining two matches will be played in Rawalpindi (Friday) and Faisalabad (Sunday).
Mangal said his team was proud to be part of the cricket-reviving series.
"The whole Afghan team is happy to be part of history and we hope teams come here and play," said Mangal. "It was disappointing batting and we need to learn from this experience."
Pakistan 'A' captain Tanvir thanked the Afghan team.
"We have not been playing international cricket in our country for a while, but I thank the Afghan team for coming here and playing. It will surely help Pakistan," said Tanvir.
Abbreviated Scores:

Afghanistan 152 all out in 37.3 overs (Mohammad Nabi 72, Nawroz Mangal 33; Mohammad Talha 3-29)
Pakistan 'A' 153-5 in 39.5 (Sharjeel Khan 47; Dawlat Zadran 3-45)

All-round Pakistan A register five-wicket win

Pakistan A 154 for 5 (Sharjeel 47, Dawlat 3-45) beat Afghanistan 152 (Nabi 72, Talha 3-29) by five wickets

	Mohammad Nabi and Nawroz Mangal were the top-scorers for Afghanistan with 72 and 33 © Associated Press

An all-round performance by Pakistan A resulted in a five-wicket win over Afghanistan in Islamabad, in the first game of the three-match limited-overs series.

Choosing to bat, Afghanistan lost wickets in a hurry early on, being reduced to 13 for 3 by the left-arm pace bowling of Sohail Tanvir and Sadaf Hussain. They didn't really recover from the poor start, losing wickets at regular intervals thereafter. The only resistance came from No. 7 batsman Mohammad Nabi. He attacked the Pakistan A bowlers, stroking 72 off 75 balls with seven fours and three sixes to push his side past the 150 mark, something that looked unlikely at 94 for 8. First-change bowler Mohammad Talha finished with the best figures - 3 for 29.

Pakistan A built their chase around a number of cameos from their top order. They stumbled briefly, going from 99 for 2 to 123 for 5, due to a double-strike by debutant Dawlat Zadran and a run-out, but the paltry target was never really beyond their reach. They got home with 61 balls to spare.

Nabi, who had starred with the bat, and later stifled the hosts with his offspin, going for just 34 in his ten overs was named Man of the Match.

The second match is on Friday in Rawalpindi.

Nawroz Mangal calls tour a support to Pakistan cricket

	Afghanistan want more games against top opposition © AFP

Afghanistan captain Nawroz Mangal has said that his side's tour of Pakistan would help in re-opening the gates of international cricket to the country. "This trip of Afghanistan to Pakistan is a support to Pakistani cricket," Mangal told AP.

Afghanistan will play a three-match one-day series against Pakistan A with the first match in Islamabad on May 25, and are the first foreign side to visit Pakistan since the Lahore attacks on Sri Lanka's cricketers and support staff in March 2009.

The series is being played even as Sri Lanka expressed reservations about visiting Pakistan after the PCB sounded out their Sri Lankan counterpart on the possibility of a tour in October.

PCB chairman Ijaz Butt hoped that the Afghanistan tour would pave the way for more foreign teams coming to Pakistan. "We want to send a message to the world that Pakistan is a safe place to play cricket and the people of Pakistan would welcome any team coming here," Butt said.

Apart from doing their bit towards the return of international cricket to Pakistan, Afghanistan are also hoping to get more games against quality opposition, something that hasn't been happening regularly despite their rapid strides in international cricket. Afghanistan have progressed in 2009 from ICC Division Five to Division One and also secured one-day status the same year. They also won the ICC Intercontinental Cup in 2010, and qualified for the 2010 World Twenty20 in the West Indies.

"We are here for ourselves because we don't get international matches as an Associate member," Rashid Latif, Afghanistan coach and former Pakistan wicketkeeper, said.

Afghanistan shocked a second-string Pakistan side in the semi-finals of the Asian Games Twenty20 event in China last year and Mangal said that result proved his team had the ability to beat anyone. "Asian Games was the biggest ever thing that happened in our cricketing history," Mangal said. "Playing against Pakistan A is also the biggest chance for us, we can show talent to the cricketing world."

"We can request the ICC or any other cricketing authority to give us some more matches against Test playing nations and hopefully we will play (the full-strength) Pakistan team one day here in Pakistan as well."

Mangal recalled his days playing cricket during his stay in refugee camps in Pakistan during the Soviet war in the 1980s. "I still remember those days when I was immigrant here during the Soviet war. We learnt cricket here and it's a gift we took back home."

Latif said Afghanistan has at least 120-125 players who compete in regional tournaments in the war-ravaged country. "Out of these at least 30-35 are capable of playing against Associate nations," Latif said. "Not many people have seen us in action on the cricketing field, but I hope we will give good competition to Pakistan A."

Pakistan A will be led by left-arm fast bowler Sohail Tanvir and have international players like Umar Amin and wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed.

Afghan captain hopes for Pakistan revival

Afghanistan cricket captain Nawroz Mangal on Tuesday said he hoped that his team's tour to Pakistan would help the return of international cricket to the troubled country.

Nawroz Mangal said he hoped that his team's tour to Pakistan would help the return of international cricket to the troubled country. © AFP

Afghanistan are the first foreign team to visit the South Asian country since March 2009 when militants attacked the Sri Lankan cricket team bus in Lahore, killing eight people and wounding seven players and their junior coach. Since then foreign teams have avoided touring Pakistan due to security fears which have also seen the International Cricket Council (ICC) move World Cup 2011 matches out of the country.
Pakistan have also been forced to play their home series at neutral venues such as the United Arab Emirates and England.
On Tuesday, Sri Lanka also turned down an offer to play their scheduled series in Pakistan later this year, denting Pakistan's hopes of reviving international series here.
Despite that Afghanistan captain Nawroz Mangal said he hoped that his team's tour would help Pakistan.
"I hope international cricket resumes in Pakistan," said Mangal whose team will play three one-day matches against Pakistan 'A', a second string team.
Their tour opens in Islamabad on Wednesday while the other two matches will be played in Rawalpindi and Faisalabad.
"I think security issues should not be related to cricket," said 26-year-old Mangal who led his team to finish fifth in the 2011 World Cup qualifiers in 2009 which earned him one-day international status.
"Security is a problem everywhere in the world, so I think teams should come here and play."
Mangal, who has played 16 one-day and eight Twenty20 for Afghanistan, said playing in Pakistan is a great challenge for his fast-rising team.
"It is an exciting challenge to play in Pakistan. Although we are not playing Pakistan's senior team yet this 'A' team also has six to seven international players. We are here to learn something and I hope we will learn."
Mangal called on the ICC to give his team more chances of playing top teams.
"This Pakistan tour gives us a chance of exposing ourselves and I would request the ICC to give us more chances of playing full members because we can learn only by playing top teams," said Mangal.
Like most of Afghanistan's players, Mangal learnt the game while living in refugee camps on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border following the Russian invasion of his country in 1979.

Test teams unlikely in New York this summer

	Delay in plans to upgrade the cricket facility at Floyd Bennett Field means New York could miss out on the opportunity to stage a potential game between New Zealand and another Full Member nation this summer © Peter Della Penna

A potential match between New Zealand and another Full Member team in USA this summer appears more likely to happen in Florida rather than New York after plans to revitalise Floyd Bennett Field have not panned out so far. USA Cricket Association President Gladstone Dainty told Cric News in February that a plan had been put in place to install a turf wicket and make other upgrades to the Brooklyn facility so that an international fixture could be staged there in August, but that timeline has been pushed back.

"We're really trying to do something in September," Dainty told ESPNcricinfo. "Now where? We really wanted it to be in the New York-New Jersey area. I don't know if it can happen, but we're still working on it. Right now I'm more sure that we're going do something than I am that it's going to be New York or New Jersey."

"We actually had an inspection [at Floyd Bennett Field] done by a top cricket official or referee. We are awaiting his report. The initial assessment is that it's a great location. It will be a great facility but it needs work. We all know that so it depends on how fast we can get that work done."

Multiple sources confirmed over the weekend that ICC Global Development Manager Tim Anderson and ICC Match Referee Jeff Crowe were both recently in New York to meet with USACA officials and have a look at Floyd Bennett Field. A matting wicket is currently used for club matches there and the overall condition of the field is poor, making it unrealistic that it could be revamped by the end of the summer. Obtaining permits to use the ground could also be another obstacle to overcome.

Dainty did say though that using New York as a venue did not necessarily hinge on a turf wicket being installed at Floyd Bennett Field. It could depend on the ability of Cricket Holdings America's members to convince two Full Member boards that playing on an artificial pitch either at Floyd Bennett Field or elsewhere in New York would create more attention and exposure than playing in Florida on a natural turf wicket.

"What we're more concerned about is what type of match it will be," Dainty said. "I don't think we can get an official match because I don't think New York or New Jersey has a facility. So do we do New York or New Jersey and have a match or do we go to Florida where you can have an official match? So those are decisions we have to make."

Nigeria hope to build on recent success

Endurance Ofem at the Pepsi ICC WCL Division 7

Nigeria skipper Endurance Ofem believes the side's experience at the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 7 will be invaluable in helping his side gain promotion from ICC Africa Division 2.

The captain, who led his team to runners-up position in the Division 7 event in Botswana last week, hopes his side will take a step closer to the ICC World Twenty20 2012 and thinks the time together as a squad in the past month will give it an advantage over its rivals.

"We spent some time in Benoni in preparations for the World Cricket League leading up to this tournament. Three weeks hard work with the world league on the road to the this tournament should play a positive role in our campaign," said Ofem.

Ofem admitted that as this is the first Africa T20 tournament at this level, it is hard to predict who will be the sides threatening Nigeria's chances of advancing to Division 1 in July.

"It will be hard to tell which team will gain promotion. It's the shortest format of the game and this is the first time we will be competing amongst ourselves at this format, but we remain positive."

Ofem is also keen to do well at the event as international success in recent times has helped boost the profile of cricket in Nigeria.

"Since promotion into the World Cricket League in 2008 and our curent promotion to Division 6, the game has continuously gained followership. It might not compete alongside football in terms of popularity, but it has gained profile. The press is following closely the events that we play in."

Afghanistan to play three one-dayers in Pakistan

Afghanistan will play three one-day matches against a second-tier Pakistani team later this month, becoming the first international side to tour Pakistan in more than two years.

Afghanistan will play three one-day matches against a second-tier Pakistani team later this month, becoming the first international side to tour Pakistan in more than two years. © AFP

The tour will include a game in Abbottabad, the city where US Special Forces last week found and killed Osama bin Laden. International cricket has been suspended in Pakistan over security fears since militants attacked the Sri Lankan team bus in March 2009.
The attacks, which killed eight people and wounded seven Sri Lankan players and their assistant coach, prompted the International Cricket Council (ICC) to strip Pakistan of its share of matches for the 2011 World Cup.
Pakistan and Afghanistan officials hope the tour will encourage other international teams to visit.
"It was decided that the Afghanistan national team will tour Pakistan for a series of three one-day matches against the Pakistan 'A' team," said a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) statement.
The Afghan team will arrive on May 24 before playing matches in Faisalabad the following day, Rawalpindi on May 27 and Abbottabad on May 29.
Pakistan has been at the forefront in helping its neighbour improve its promising cricket team. Most Afghan players learnt the game as refugees in camps in Pakistan after the Soviet invasion in 1979.
Afghanistan qualified for the World Twenty20 in the West Indies last year and the same year won the Inter-Continental Cup, meant for Associated countries of the International Cricket Council.
The Afghan team is coached by former Pakistan wicket-keeper and ex-captain Rashid Latif.

Afghanistan XI to tour Pakistan

Rashid Latif will coach Afghanistan XI during its tour to Pakistan

Afghanistan XI will play three one-day matches against Pakistan A team later this month, becoming the first international side to tour Pakistan in more than two years.

"It was decided that the Afghanistan team will tour Pakistan for a series of three one-day matches against the Pakistan 'A' team," said a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) statement.

The Afghan team will arrive on 24 May before playing matches in Faisalabad the following day, Rawalpindi on 27 May and Abbottabad on 29 May.

Afghanistan qualified for the ICC World Twenty20 in the West Indies last year and the same year won the ICC Intercontinental Cup.

The Afghan team is coached by former Pakistan wicket-keeper and captain Rashid Latif.

Kuwait wins Pepsi ICC WCL Div. 7

Kuwait beat Nigeria today by 72 runs in the final of Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 7 (WCL Div. 7) at BCA Oval 1 in Gaborone today.

Having been set a target of 220 by Kuwait, Nigeria didn't start well with the side losing wickets early on and despite a fight-back by the middle-order Kuwait's Mohammad Murad had other plans in mind claiming 4-20 and walking away with the man of the match award for the final.

Murad's second man of the match award along with the fast bowler's 15 wickets in the tournament earned the 21-year-old the accolade of Player of the Tournament. The left-armed bowler had an economy rate of just 3.47 while his best figures came against Norway when he took 6-39.

By virtue of reaching the final, both Kuwait and Nigeria joined Fiji, Malaysia, Jersey and Guernsey in the Pepsi ICC WCL Div. 6 which will be staged from 17 to 24 September in Malaysia.

Elsewhere, Germany beat Botswana in a close-fought fixture that saw the European side finish in third position in the tournament. The already relegated Norway and Japan fought it out for fifth/sixth position with Norway coming out the victor by 56 runs at Lobatse.

Having won the toss, Endurance Ofem elected to bowl against Kuwait and the captain's decision didn't quite have the desired effect when opener Irfan Bhatti hit 60 runs off 77 balls before being dismissed by Joshua Ogunlola after being caught behind by inform wicketkeeper Ademola Onikoyi.

Onikoyi had a great day behind the stumps claiming five catches while bowler Olajide Bejide claimed four wickets but the team's efforts in the field proved futile as Kuwait's batsmen made a decent total of 219 in its 50 overs.

In reply, Nigeria's batting could not withstand fast bowler Murad whose four wickets for 20 runs in just 8.5 overs proved the cornerstone of the Kuwaiti side's attack alongside Saad Khalid. The top order failed to perform today giving Kuwait's bowlers the chance to shine.

The victorious Kuwait captain Hisham Mirza said on receiving the trophy from ICC Board Director and Executive Board Director of Bermuda Cricket Neil Speight: "I don't think we came into this tournament in Botswana as favourites as we didn't know the other teams we would be facing. It wasn't our home tournament and the only side we had background on was Germany having played them in Division 8.

"We played each game as it came and it worked out well for us as we came out victorious again. I don't think I can single out one player that performed for me as we are very much a team effort. However, I will mention my fast bowlers, they've been the best in Division 7 and Division 8 in my opinion. They are quick, they are good but we're in this as a team.

"I don't think Malaysia will be that easy – we've made a few mistakes during this tournament and the higher the division the harder it gets for us as a team. We need to make sure we're well prepared for the event and plug the loopholes in the team and hopefully we'll go there and even better side than we were here in Botswana."

Losing captain Ofem said: "We came here for a purpose and that was to get to Malaysia which we have managed to do now and the good thing is we've played Kuwait twice now so we now know what to expect of them when we face them in Division 6. We're going to regroup now and then go onto Division 6 in Malaysia fully prepared.

"Our player-coach Sean Philips has done a lot for us as a side and Segun Olayinka has come up with the goods for us in the last three games contributing two half-centuries in the tournament and of course Ademola Onikoyi who had given us good starts upfront."

Player-coach Philips added: "I think when the players first arrived in South Africa for our training camp ahead of this tournament they didn't really have the ambition but with the pre-tournament games these guys got some belief and that's what we bought to the tournament.

"We lost two games this tournament – both to Kuwait – but the rest of their games the guys really stood up and wanted to go to Malaysia. We achieved the goal we set and I'm very proud of them."

In the third/fourth play-off Botswana took on Germany with the European side desperate for a win after losing to the hosts in the group stage of the tournament.

Having won the toss, Asif Khan chose to bat first and it was a worthwhile decision as the 35-year-old batsman went on to score a century, his first of the tournament.

The right-hander hit eight boundaries and two sixes on his way to his ton before he was removed by James Moses after being caught by Segolame Ramatu. It was a good day for the young Ramutu removing opener Farooq Ahmed and claiming two catches as the hosts restricted Germany to 269.

In reply, Botswana fell just 25 runs short despite a great batting performance by Noor Ahmad and some hard work by the side and a last gasp attempt by Mosa Gaolekwe could not help the hosts across the line despite huge cheers of support from the local crowd.

Rajeev Vohra and Shakeel Hassan proved the pick of Germany's bowlers today claiming a trio of wickets each on a gloriously sunny day in Gaborone.

Finally, at Lobatse, Japan took on Norway and the side from the East Asia-Pacific rounded off a disappointing tournament with another loss this time by 56 runs.

Despite limiting the Norwegians to 225 in 48 overs the side simply could not chase down the target despite a valiant effort by Patrick Giles-Jones and the young Raheel Kano at the end of the side's innings.

Kano's 15 not out alongside Giles-Jones took the side from being 83-9 to 169-9 in 50 overs to help save the side some face in a tournament that it has not performed well.

Norway's bowler Shahid Ahmed proved to be the pick of the attack claiming 3-27 in his eight overs but despite his best efforts Giles-Jones walked away with the man of the match award after claiming two wickets and batting out the Japanese innings.

Score summaries (Finals Day):

Final at BCA Oval 1: Kuwait 219-9, 50 overs (Bhatti 60; Bejide 4-20)

Nigeria 147 all out, 36.5 overs (Gill 45, Philips 35; Murad 4-20)

Kuwait won by 72 runs

Third/Fourth play-off at BCA Oval 2: Germany 269-5, 50 overs (Asif 100, Pillai 67 not out; Moses 2-63, Ramatu 1-15)

Botswana 244 all out, 48.2 overs (Noor 74, Modise 28; Vohra 3-48, Hassan 3-58)

Germany won by 25 runs


Fifth/Sixth play-off at Lobatse: Norway 225 all out, 48 overs (Gulfam 49; Hagihara 3-35)

Japan 169-9, 50 overs (Giles-Jones 68; Shahid 3-27)

Norway won by 56 runs

PNG Dulux Challenge Concludes in Morobe

Dulux Women's Grand Final Winners, Soti Mobs.

With the National Dulux Provincial Cricket Championships now completed in Morobe Province the teams predominantly from Lae Cricket Association have shown lots of talent, passion and enthusiasm for the game of cricket.

The Lae Dulux Cricket Championships featured four (4) Men's and four (4) Women's teams in Morobe province. The Finals were played over the weekend and the champion team in Men's competition was Lik Lik Wopa and in the Women's Soti Mobs.

The Men's Tournament started on Friday 29 April and ended on Monday while the Women's began on Saturday 23rd and ended on the same day. Four (4) Men's teams comprising PNG Motors, Brian Bell1, Lik Lik Wopa U/19 and Lae Cricket Association Team took part in the Dulux Tournament.

One of the teams that took part in the women's division was from Unitech. The four (4) Women’s teams were: Soti Mobs, Brian Bell Pinks1, PNG Motors2 and Unitech.

"It was a great tournament", said the former PNG National player and current Regional Cricket Manager (RCM) for Morobe Province Mr Rodney Maha. "The games were well looked after by four (4) Level 1 umpires and it was great to see lots of families and kids going around and teams with their colours."

Cricket PNG Regional Manager Rodney Maha thanked all four (4) teams for competing on behalf of Dulux and Cricket PNG. Rodney stated that the game was played in the true "spirit, of cricket and a lot of passion was shown with in the event."

Men's matches were played in the full Tweny/20 over rules while the Women's played 10 overs per side during the tournament.

In the Men's Group Lik Lik Wopa U/19's claimed the title by defeating Brian Bell1 while in the Women's division Soti Mobs were tested in their grand final in their defeat of Brian Bell1.

"The skills shown by the young U/19's which included players as young as 14 were fantastic," said Mr Maha.

There were several strong performances during the weekend. In the Men's Division the Highest individual score was made by Hebou U/19's Garamut Ratu Maha with 76 runs not out.

In the women's division the highest individual score came from Helai Ravu and Elizabeth Vuivagi (Brian Bell) who both made 38 runs.

The best bowling performance would have to go to young leg spinner Hausi Igua (14) from the LikLik Wopa U/19's who claimed figures of 4/8. The 14 year old had the best bowling figures both in Men's and Women's division.

"This young man will play for PNG in the next few years," confirmed Mr Maha.

"Overall the Dulux Lae Cricket Championships again confirmed the amount of talented players we have in Lae," said Mr Maha.

"Cricket is not just a game played in Central Province and in the villages around Port Moresby. In the next few years Lae Cricket can challenge these other areas for many spots in National Teams and also for a National Championship."

Mr Maha even predicted that Morobe would go on to win the next Gold Medal for Cricket at the PNG games.

"We are excited that a company and a global brand like Dulux has come on board to support cricket in PNG. This event is crucial for Morobe Province players and we thank Dulux so much for their support," concluded Mr Maha.

Huge Honour for Dikana at Arafura Games

Rarua Dikana leads his country out at the opening ceremony

Current SP PNG Sportsman of the Year and Hebou Barramundi's Captain Rarua Dikana was perhaps the proudest man at the Opening Ceremony of the 2011 Arafura Games after being surprised and elated by the news that he had been selected as PNG's flag bearer for the march into the Opening ceremony.

"I have been representing our country for many years now and been to many places but to have this honour is definitely something that I will cherish for the rest of my life," said Dikana (33) who has been captain of Cricket PNG's National Team the Hebou Barramundi's since 2002.

"To walk into a stadium with around 4,000 athletes all here to compete for personnal bests, gold medals and the honour of being part of an International event was amazing," he said. "When I think that on Thursday I was told that the Cricket Team had been dropped from the NCD group, I really am so appreciative that Graham Osborne (Chairman) and Iammo Launa (Executive Director PNG Sports Foundation) found a way to save the Cricket Team and also to Air Niugini and Hebou who lent support to find a way for us to compete as Cricket PNG Hebou Hammer in the Arafura games."

Cricket PNG has done an amazing job to create opportunity for young players at this event.

"On Thursday I saw how professional our Organisation was when they managed to completely rebuild our opportunity to compete after we were dumped by NCDC management at 9pm on Wednesday night," said Dikana.

PNG have selected some young up and coming talent who Dikana predicts hold the key to their national sides future.

"We are here to turn heads and showcase the future of Cricket in PNG," he said.

"Once again I want to say just how brilliant the opportunity to lead out my country was," said Dikana. "I want to thank everyone who gave me the opportunity to be here."

The Hebou Hammer take on Team Malaysia at 9.30am today(Monday) in their first T20 match and then the Australian National Defence Forces in the afternoon game.

"We expect to have two (2) wins up after Day 1" said Dikana.

Nigeria and Kuwait promoted to Pepsi ICC WCL Div. 6

Nigeria and Kuwait will participate in the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 6 (WCL Div. 6) tournament in Malaysia in September after the Nigerians defeated Botswana and Kuwait's match against Japan was abandoned due to rain in Gaborone, Botswana today.

Germany beat Norway by 18 runs in a rain-shortened game thus relegating its fellow European side out of the league and maintaining its own position in WCL Div. 7.

It was a disappointing start to the day for the hosts as it found itself reeling at 123 all out in just 37 overs in a game that was key for both African sides as it would prove the decider as to which would be promoted to Division 6 and which would be remaining in Division 7.

Having lost the toss, Akrum Chand's side was put into bat and it was the day of Nigerian bowlers Sean Philips and Femi Oduyebo with the spinner and the medium pacer claiming three wickets each.

Some poor batting by the hosts saw a number of errors with seven of the side out after being caught by some athletic Nigerian fielding.

Thursday's star batsman Faisal Raza Rasheed departed for just four runs and not long after Denzil Sequeira departed after the diminutive batsman went down on one knee and skied the ball up for it to be caught by Ramit Gill.

The downward spiral continued with the removal of captain Chand for just 28 runs, incidentally the top scorer of the side, and from there things went from bad to worse with the all-rounder James Moses' attempts to stabilize the innings thwarted when he departed for 24 after being judged leg-before.

The removal of Omar Ali, when the 26-year-old edged the ball to have it caught in the slips by Gill, signaled more bad news for the hosts as the bottom order fell apart leaving the side on a low score of 123 all out.

After a short innings break, Nigeria's openers Ademola Onikoyi and Segun Olayinka took to the field and it appeared the duo were only dealing in boundaries. Onikoyi smashed his way to six boundaries before being dismissed but not before the pair had made some 71 runs.

A heavy downpour of rain interrupted play at the 11th over, leaving players and spectators running for cover as the heavens opened over the BCA Oval 1. After an extended lunch interval and drying up of the outfield, play resumed at 1500 with a revised target for the Nigerians of 120 in 47 overs.

At the resumption of play it took the Nigerians another 14 overs to knock off the revised target with a star turn by Olayinka to guide the Nigerians to victory and a place in Division 6.

The 22-year-old's 53 not out proved to be the highlight of Nigeria's innings after some disappointing bowling from Botswana with the hosts failing to spark after a poor morning with the bat.

Only Karabo Modise and Segolame Ramatu took wickets for the hosts on a day that saw slack bowling and quality batting by Nigeria's batsmen.

Winning captain Endurance Ofem was obviously delighted if a little surprised at the performance offered up by Botswana: "I expected more from them today, considering the fact that they chased down 271 but I told my guys that if we do well in the morning then the afternoon would be ours for the taking and they gave us the game.

"I think our bowlers worked hard today and it really paid off for us and I'm very happy with how they've put smiles on the faces of those back home and everyone is happy with their performances.

"Today is a great achievement for us as players and for the Nigerian supporters at home who have been following us throughout this event."

Botswana national team coach Arjun Menon was disappointed with a poor batting display from his team. "The batting let us down today, from a bowling perspective we were in good form, we'd taken 33 wickets before today's game and we were always on top. You always need a good total to bowl at and 123 just wasn't good enough just like when we played Kuwait. It's just a real disappointment especially after coming off such a good batting display against Norway.

"Our opening bowlers didn't give us the best start today being hit around a lot and if we'd come off for rain at 30-1 we would have come out perhaps after the rain with our tails up but we didn't and they hit us hard where they shouldn't have and today just wasn't our day," said Menon.

Meanwhile, on BCA Oval 2, Norway took on Germany in a battle that would prove to be equally important for the European sides as whoever came out victorious would be staying in the division while the other would be relegated.

Having won the toss, Damien Shortis elected to bowl first and his side managed to restrict the German side to 184 in less than 50 overs.

Waseem Gill proved to be the pick of the bowlers for the Norwegians, the 40-year-old claiming three wickets including key middle-order batsman Rajeev Vohra. Babar Shahzad and Shahid Ahmed combined well to dismiss the top order but it took all-rounder Shahbaz Butt to dismiss Srinivas Satyanaryana.

Srinivas' 52 was the top score for the Germans with the small wicketkeeper striking three boundaries and two sixes on his way before being caught by Iram Dawood.

With the lower order failing to make runs, the Germans failed to bat out its 50 overs and departed early for lunch, just in time as the rain began to fall in great sheets.

The match did not restart until 1530, with a loss of 21 overs and the Norwegians given a revised target of 141 after Duckworth-Lewis calculations.

A good start by Ehsan Latif and Rajeev Vohra saw the Norwegians reeling at the departure of Shortis, Shahbaz and Adeel Ibrar - all key batsmen for the Scandinavians.

Norway's batting was unable to make the runs with the remaining overs it had and in the dying sun it saw its hopes of remaining in the league slip away. Ehsan Latif of Germany was the man to steal away Norway's dreams claiming four wickets with his left-arm fast bowling proving the linchpin of the Germany side, dismissing the two opening batsmen with ease.

Germany captain Asif Khan was pleased with the victory if disappointed that his side weren't going up to Division 6.

"It's mixed feeling for me today, we had two games that we lost by two wickets and this game we won but it was very close - on the whole though we're still delighted that we're a part of Division 7. Our batting didn't click so well today but Satya proved his worth under pressure and I think to have got them out for under 140 on this wicket is a real achievement."

Norway coach Ole Mortensen was extremely disappointed with his side's performance today but did take some positives.

"Our fielding was a positive today if you had to take something from today's game - to restrict Germany to 184 in less than 50 overs is encouraging as the team in previous matches have not been able to bowl the opposition out.

"We need to do a lot of rethinking in Norway - we need to get back up the divisions, this should be an eye opener that preparation was needed for this event. As the saying goes 'If you fail to prepare then prepare to fail,' and we need to look hard at how we can improve as we shouldn't be in Division 8," said Mortensen.

Regular rainfall out at Lobatse meant that not play was possible today between Japan and Kuwait and the match was abandoned without a ball bowled.

Tomorrow will see Kuwait take on Nigeria in the final of Pepsi ICC WCL Div. 7 at BCA Oval 1, Botswana will face Germany in the third/fourth play-off at BCA Oval 2 while the fifth/sixth play-off between Norway and Japan will be played at Lobatse.

Score summaries (Day Five):

At BCA Oval 1: Botswana 123 all out, 37.2 overs (Akrum 28, Ahmad 27; Philips 3-10, Oduyebo 3-21)

Nigeria 120-2, 25 overs (Olayinka 53 not out, Onikoyi 35)

Nigeria won by 8 wickets (D/L Method)



At BCA Oval 2: Germany 184 all out, 46.4 overs (Srinivas 52, Farooq 34; Waseem 3-29)

Norway 122 all out, 25.4 overs (Shahid 26; Ehsan Latif 4-26)

Germany won by 18 runs (D/L Method)



At Lobatse: No play possible

Kuwait v Japan

Match abandoned.

Faisal and Akrum lead Botswana to stunning victory

Botswana's Faisal Rana Rasheed and captain Akrum Chand lead the hosts to a stunning victory over Norway today in Lobatse at Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 7 (WCL Div. 7). The duo put on a huge 211-run partnership to steer Botswana to victory with Faisal scoring the first century of the tournament in the process.

Meanwhile, Japan slumped to its fourth defeat of the tournament and Germany shocked Kuwait to beat the Pepsi ICC WCL Div. 8 winners by 11 runs.

The hosts having lost the toss and been forced to field at the newest cricket field in Botswana, Lobatse, saw Norway led by Damien Shortis grind out a hefty target of 273 for the Africans.

Having come off a victory yesterday over Japan, the captain led by example scoring an impressive 91 before he was run out by some quick thinking by Denzil Sequeira but not before he'd smashed nine boundaries on a fast outfield.

Yesterday's star performer with the bat Shahbaz Butt had a disappointing day scoring just five while others in the middle order stepped up to the plate to make runs. Ehetsham-ul-Haq and Shahid Ahmed both scoring runs before the former was caught by Omar Ali off the bowling of Botswana captain Akrum Chand.

Chand used a number of bowlers today, eight in total, with his brother Aslam proving the most expensive with his figures of 1-50 while Akrum proved the most economical with his three overs, taking two wickets for just 20 runs.

Middle-order batsman Umran Shahzad had a disappointing day with the bat, facing four balls – lofting one for six – before being caught behind by Sequeira.

After the innings break Faisal Rana and Noor Ahmad took to the field to begin proceedings for the hosts. Noor departed early for just nine runs while Sequeira didn't last much longer leaving for just 14 after the diminutive wicketkeeper-batsman was caught and bowled by Babar Shahzad.

The task then fell to Faisal assisted by Akrum Chand to bat out an impressive innings and bring home another victory for the hosts. Faisal's mammoth innings saw the 27-year-old hit the first century of the tournament and finish the game on 158 not out, fittingly the right-handed batsman smashed a six to seal the game.

Captain Akrum Chand contributed 84 runs off 100 balls as he stuck out the match with Faisal, the 28-year-old right-handed batsman took his time to settle into his innings but once established began to free himself up to score runs and alongside Faisal the duo proved impossible to break for the Norwegian bowling attack.

Norway's Umran Shahzad, Shahbaz Butt and Iram Dawood all proved costly for the Europeans with the trio giving away 168 runs for no wickets.

A delighted Faisal said after sealing victory for the hosts: "It feels so great to win this game for Botswana. I have been waiting for this day to really contribute with the bat and give Botswana everything it deserves and today I managed to provide for my team.

"Credit also has to go to my captain, Akrum, who stuck out the innings with me and kept me calm and collected to help me make my first century of the tournament.

"I was just concentrating on the match, I wanted to stick out the whole innings and help us to win the game. I don't think Norway bowled badly but we just made sure we hit as many balls as we could to chase down a really big target set by Damien Shortis and his team. I'm very very happy for Botswana today."

At BCA Oval 1, it was a re-run of the final of Pepsi ICC WCL Div. 8 as Kuwait took on Germany in a match that the latter wanted to win from the moment the fixtures were announced for Division 7.

With captain Asif Khan injured it was up to Rana-Javed Iqbal to lead the Germans today as Kuwait won the toss and sent the Europeans into bat.

Openers Milan Fernando and Andre Leslie both put on a good effort with the bat in morning sunshine as a strong wind blew across the ground. Fernando put on a hard-fought 59 off 106 balls but the 39-year-old was caught by Muhammed Naseer off the bowling of Midhun Pakalapati.

Kuwait captain Hisham Mirza proved to be the pick of the Kuwaiti bowlers while the German middle-order crashed out to a mixture of pace and spin.

After the innings break Kuwait took to the field confident that it could knock off the low total but all was not to be for the Division 8 winners.

A poor start for the top order with Iqbal dismissing all three of the top order, the task of making runs fell to captain Mirza and Sibtain Raza which the pair managed but after they departed things began to slip away from the Asia region side.

A lower order collapse and later a pull-back from Mohammed Murad could do nothing to help the Kuwaiti side as Farooq Ahmed and Iqbal worked their way through the side with the last wicket falling leaving Kuwait 11 runs short of its target and on the receiving end of its first loss of the tournament.

A delighted Iqbal said: "It feels great to beat Kuwait having lost to them in Division 8 and things just went our way today. I enjoyed captaining the side today and the boys just seemed to really listen to me and it worked out in our favour.

"On a personal note, I think my bowling is well suited to the conditions here in Botswana and we use the same type of matting in Germany which I knew was going to work in my favour. I'm really pleased to win man of the match but it's an even better feeling to win the game."

At BCA Oval 2, Japan slipped to its fourth defeat of the tournament as Nigeria bounced back from its massive defeat yesterday to win by 90 runs.

The African side posted a good target of 221 for the Japanese who have been struggling all week against the opposition it has faced and today's game proved to be no different.

Masaomi Kobayashi's side took its time to claim its first wicket, when with 44 runs on the board Ademola Onikoyi departed for 18 runs off the bowling of Naoki Miyaji.

It was the day of Raheel Kano with the 18-year-old claiming two wickets in two balls after Tatsuro Chino put in some good work behind the stumps. Ultimately the young Japanese bowler walked away with four wickets but not before Segun Olayinka had made 51 and Olajide Bejide had made 43 to contribute to the total.

As the Japanese opening pair took to the field to bat in the afternoon sun of Gaborone the duo put on a good partnership but Nigeria's bowling and fitness in the field over-powered the Japanese batsmen.

Patrick Giles-Jones, Tatsuro Chino and Ko Irie were promoted up the order with captain Kobayashi dropping down to bat in sixth spot, but the promotion proved futile with none of them scoring higher than 14.

Player-coach Sean Philips once again proved a key element to the Nigeria team claiming three wickets including that of Chino and opener Munir Ahmed.

Fittingly it was Philips who took the last wicket of the game as the sun began to set, bowling Satoshi Nakano and all but relegating Japan out of Division 7.

Nigeria captain Endurance Ofem said: "We tried to stay positive after yesterday's defeat and we still believe we have a side that can make it to Malaysia. We know now our game against Botswana on Saturday is crucial especially since Germany has beaten Kuwait today.

"From what I saw of Japan today I feel sorry for them that they are most likely going to be relegated out of this division. I think their bowling attack is a bit weaker than most of the sides in this division and for us they used spin when actually they needed pace to actually threaten the bat.

"I don't think they really knew what we had planned for them when they faced our bowling attack and if they'd protected their wickets a little better against our bowlers perhaps they would have made more of a game of it."

Tomorrow is a rest day with play resuming on Saturday.

Score summaries (Day Four):

At BCA Oval 1: Germany 188 all out, 48 overs (Fernando 59, Hassan 37 not out; Mirza 2-16)

Kuwait 177 all out, 48.5 overs (Raza 56, Mirza 40; Iqbal 5-25, Farooq 3-14)

Germany won by 11 runs

At BCA Oval 2: Nigeria 220-9, 50 overs (Olayinka 51, Bejide 43; Kano 4-52)

Japan 130 all out, 38.5 overs (Munir 38; Philips 3-25)

Nigeria won by 90 runs

At Lobatse: Norway 272-8, 50 overs (Shortis 91, Ibrar 33, Ehetsham-ul-Haq 38; Akrum Chand 2-20, Omar 2-49)

Botswana 277-2, 46.4 overs (Faisal 158 not out, Akrum Chand 84 not out)

Botswana won by eight wickets
 

Mele and Dolphins looking to stay on top in Vanuatu

CPR Mele Bulls Master Blaster Patrick Matautaava in action

The Coconut Palms Resort Mele Bulls and APT Dolphins will be looking to continue their winning ways when they clash in round two of the Twenty20 Championship this Saturday at Club Hippique and Adventure Park.

Both sides enjoyed impressive first round wins, the Bulls easily accounting for Tafea Sandalwood, while the Dolphins caused an upset aginst Ifira, who were looking to have a good season.

The Malapoa College boys had an impressive win against Paama Sharks.

This week Tafea Sandalwood will be hoping for a challenging hit out when they square off with Paama Sharks at Independence Park. Meanwhile North Efate will be looking for its first win of the season when they take on the Malapoa College at Kazaa Field.

The college boys however are looking to continue its winning form after their first round win.

In the Under 15 matches the Junior Mele Bulls and Paama Sharks had easy wins after their opponents, Tafea and Malapoa didn't show up.

In the only Under 15 match that was played the Junior Ifira Black Birds had no mercy on the young APT Dolphins.

Matches for this weekend will see Junior Mele Bulls and APT Dolphins at CHAP in the morning, Tafea and Paama Sharks at Independence Park, Malapoa College and North Efate at Kazaa Field.

The Vanuatu Cricket Association wishes all teams all the best in the weekend matches.

Deaf Cricketer Makes Vanuatu National Pre Squad

Deaf Cricketer Willie John making massive strides in Vanuatu

Vanuatu Cricket Association is proud to announce that deaf cricketer Willie John, aged 22 who plays for Ifira Blackbird Cricket Club as a wicket-keeper, and is not able to hear or speak, has impressed the selectors of Vanuatu Cricket Association (VCA) and has been selected into the Digicel Vanuatu National Senior presquad.

Willie is a product of the VCA's Digicel Community Cricket Development Programme and is heavily involved in the 'Cricket I Blong Evriwan' Program proudly funded by Asco Motors Toyota.

"Vanuatu's ongoing support towards this programme is to ensure that people with a disability have equal access to participate in playing this great sport of cricket.", said Pierre Chilia, General Manger of Vanuatu Cricket.

The VCA ANZ High Performance Manager, Mark Coles said, "The commitment and enthusiasm Willie shows is an inspiration to everyone involved with Vanuatu Cricket."

In other cricket news the Digicel Vanuatu National Senior and Under 19 pre-squads are going through different training sessions every week. The final selection will be announced in the next few weeks.

The Digicel Vanuatu National team shall be competing in the upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) East Asia-Pacific (EAP) Division 1 Twenty20 Cricket Trophy to be held in Port Moresby, PNG from 4-7 July 2011 and the Pacific Games in New Caledonia that begin on 27 August.

The Digicel Vanuatu National Under 19 squad shall compete in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Under 19 Cricket World Cup qualifier to be held in Dublin, Ireland from 27 July to 10 August 2011.

Kuwait cruises to third victory

Kuwait V Nigeria

Kuwait cruised to its third victory of Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 7 (WCL Div. 7) when it defeated Nigeria by nine wickets at Lobatse today.

Hosts Botswana defeated Germany by two wickets in a thrilling match at BCA Oval 1 while despite a valiant effort by Japan’s batsmen the side from the East Asia-Pacific region lost out to Norway at BCA Oval 2 by 53 runs.

At Lobatse, Nigeria got off to a bad start when, after Ademola Onikoyi had taken the first run his opening partner, Ramit Gill was dismissed for a duck leaving the Africans reeling 1-1. Things didn't get much better for the side with Segun Olayinka and captain Endurance Ofem were dismissed totaling just 10 runs between them.

Responsibility then fell once again to player-coach Sean Philips who proved the cornerstone again of the innings hitting a 125-ball 75 to stabilise the innings and save the side some embarrassment after the match proved to belong to Kuwait's Saad Khalid.

The 20-year-old fast bowler claimed 5-24 including the key wickets of Philips and Olayinka to make sure that his side had a small total to chase down in the second innings.

It was then up to Irfan Bhatti and Abid Mushtaq to knock off the runs but not before Abid departed for 16 leaving Bhatti and Saad Qamar to finish off the innings for the team.

Bhatti smashed his way to 83 not out off 76 balls in an innings that included eight boundaries and four sixes by the 32-year-old right-handed batsman and guided the team to victory alongside Qamar who walked away with a half-century.

Man of the match Saad Khalid said, “It is obviously great to make it three wins out of three for the tournament but we can't rest on today's win – we face Germany tomorrow and we know they'll want a good match especially since they lost to us in the final of Division 8.

"I was pleased with the way I bowled today and it was good to dismiss Sean Philips as we know he was the key man in the Nigeria side along with their top order."

At BCA Oval 1, hosts Botswana played a reduced overs game after dew effected the original start time. With the game reduced to 47 overs, Botswana won the toss and elected to bowl which proved extremely worthwhile as the Africans took two quick wickets to begin the match.

Omar Ali once again proved to be one of the bowlers to watch in this tournament claiming three wickets including that of key opener Milan Fernando. The Germans then managed to bed in for a while in the blazing sunshine with captain Asif Khan and Farooq Ahmed adding key runs to the total along with Rishi Pillai.

It was then up to James Moses to dismiss both Asif and Pillai with the latter having his middle stump broken by the 44-year-old all rounder who also managed a superb diving catch of Srinivas Satyanarayana off the bowling of Omar.

Having posted a good target of 230 for the local team to win, the German side took to the field with the belief that they could bowl out Botswana on a surface that the Europeans have had plenty of experience upon.

After a slow start with wickets falling early for Botswana, Karabo Modise proved the man for making runs in the game playing a patient innings to score 65 off 70 balls much to the delight of the watching Botswana locals.

Alongside Denzil Sequeira the duo kept Botswana's chances alive but upon Modise's departure after being run-out by Rajeev Vohra it was then up to Omar to step into the breach with the 26-year-old hitting 45 off 40 balls in an innings that saw him smash 20 runs off just one over and thus increase Botswana's run-rate so substantially that by the time he departed the hosts needed less than a run-a-ball.

Upon Omar's departure it was then Tshepo Mhozya and Aslam Chand to guide the team to victory much to the delight of the local spectators and the team.

Upon winning his first man of the match award of the tournament, Omar commented: "I think today was about us playing positive cricket and when I saw Karabo going out there and playing with a positive good attitude, I decide that when I went out there I would go with the same attitude and it paid off.

"I know I hit it about quite a bit but my plan was just to hit as many singles and push them back and then I realised when I hit my first boundary and they started to panic a bit it was time to take the Powerplay and I fired a few shots which got them under pressure which is what we wanted.

"I hit a few boundaries and two sixes but we ran a lot and credit also to Tshepo who had a lot of composure while he was out there – it was very much a team effort today."

In the final of the three games of the day, Japan took on Norway in a game that was made for Norwegian all-rounder Shahbaz Butt. The right-handed batsman arrived at the crease after the Japanese bowlers began the day on the right foot claiming early wickets with Patrick Giles-Jones and Takuro Hagihara taking down each of the openers.

Shahbaz took to the field with knowledge he would have to be the mainstay in the Norway innings which he did smashing his way to 98 with 12 boundaries. Iftikhar Suhael aided Shahbaz with a deft 53 runs to help the European side build a sizeable total of 244 in the sunshine.

Giles-Jones proved to be the pick of the Japanese bowlers claiming four scalps including that of Shahbaz.

In reply, Japan was valiant in its run chase – Ko Irie, Munir Ahmed and Gavin Beath all contributing but Shahbaz had other plans in mind dismissing the entire middle order and taking a hat-trick for the first time in his career.

"It feels great to win today's game and I just knew I had to stay in there and make the runs for as long as possible and stay in the game for as long as possible which I did. I played safe and it worked to my advantage.

"I was also really happy with the way I bowled but that's not to say Japan didn't challenge us today they put up a good fight with both bat and ball but ultimately we came out on top," said a thrilled man of the match Shahbaz.

Tomorrow will see Germany take on Kuwait at BCA 1, Japan will play Nigeria at BCA 2 and hosts Botswana head to Lobatse to play Norway.

Bennett stars as New Zealand crush Kenya

Hamish Bennett led New Zealand's humiliation of a Kenya outfit clearly out of its depth, attacking the stumps with metronomic accuracy to rip out four quick wickets as the minnows capitulated for just 69 - their lowest World Cup total and the fifth worst overall. Tim Southee helped himself to three cheap wickets, while Jacob Oram also picked up three in three overs before Martin Guptill and Brendon McCullum eased their side to an unchallenged 10-wicket win.

Kenya's first showing at this tournament demonstrated both their lack of competency against good, but hardly exceptional, seam bowling and their incomprehension of the review system - borderline decisions were accepted without question and clear cut ones questioned out of sheer desperation.

Jimmy Kamande called correctly at the toss and opted to bat on a pitch expected to help slow bowlers, but that was Kenya's last success of the morning. The new ball barely deviated off the straight for Southee but Kenya's young opening pair, perhaps over-awed by the occasion, remained nervously rooted to the crease. They had cobbled together just 14 runs - all in singles - when Southee nipped one off the seam to strike Alex Obanda in front of leg stump.

Umpire Marais Erasmus' decision initially looked a good one, but there was a hint that a review might have been in order. The Kenyans were, of course, unfamiliar with the UDRS but that provides no excuse for Obanda's tame acceptance of his demise as replays showed that the ball would have gone over the top of the stumps by at least an inch or two.

With the innings drifting swiftly into mediocrity Collins Obuya got going with a couple of meaty blows off Nathan McCullum, who opened the bowling from the other end, but just as he and Waters were starting to gain momentum Bennett was introduced and soon had the innings in disarray. First, he fired one full and straight at Waters, the ball shooting through at a low shin height to pin the batsman in front of his stumps.

Smart stats Kenya's total of 69 is by far their lowest in World Cup games - it's their first sub-100 total in 24 games. They lasted 23.5 overs, which is the lowest for them. It's also the fifth-lowest total in World Cups. Canada's 36 against Sri Lanka in 2003 is the lowest. For the first time in a World Cup match, New Zealand dismissed a team for less than 100. The previous lowest against New Zealand in a full 50-over match had beenBangladesh's 116 in 1999. New Zealand won the match with 252 balls to spare, which is their most comprehensive World Cup win - and the third-best for all teams in World Cups - in terms of balls remaining. In all ODIs, it's New Zealand's second-most emphatic win. Hamish Bennett's 4 for 16 is his best ODI figures, bettering the 4 for 46 he had achieved against Pakistan in his previous ODI.

There would have been high hopes in the Kenyan camp of Steve Tikolo, their veteran batsman, sparking a revival but he was swiftly removed by a searing full delivery that burst through a lazy swish to make a mess of his stumps. With the ball keeping low and starting to nip off the seam Obuya was the next batsman to be rapped on the front pad, right in front of middle. Perhaps out of desperation, a completely superfluous review was called for but there was no second life for Obuya and the innings sank even further when Maurice Ouma was dispatched in identical fashion in Bennett's next over to leave Kenya staring into the abyss at 49 for 5.

That soon become 59 for 6, Jacob Oram finding the edge of Kamande's bat to end his brief resistance, and with that the fight went from Kenya's innings. Oram had Thomas Odoyo, who was fending at a rising delivery, easily caught by Jesse Ryder and Southee was on a hat-trick when he removed Nehemiah Odhiambo and Shem Ngoche with the last two balls of his sixth over. There was no second international hat-trick for him, however, with Elijah Otieno flicking Oram straight to midwicket shortly afterwards to end a miserable Kenyan innings.

Guptill took the lead as New Zealand completed the formality of the chase in just eight overs, thrashing two enormous sixes and peppering the boundary almost at will in a 32-ball 39. An uninspired McCullum chipped in with a rapid 26 as Kenya at least attempted to remain upbeat in the field despite the futility of their efforts.

While New Zealand would have been hoping for a successful start to their campaign, the ease of their win here is hardly the best preparation for sterner challenges ahead against the likes of Australia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. For Kenya, things can only get better after a day they would dearly like to forget, though their performance won't have done any favours to the argument that Associate nations deserve to be involved in future World Cups.