ICC Europe has announced the European regional winners of the Pepsi ICC Development Programme Awards for 2011 with many countries and individuals across Europe being recognised.
The award for Best Overall Cricket Development Programme in 2011 was won by Cricket Ireland. This follows an exceptional year of success for Ireland on the cricket field, including a historical win against England in the ICC Cricket World Cup in India.
Cricket Ireland have revealed a strategic plan outlining their ambition to be playing Test cricket by 2020 and put into a place a number of new initiatives.
Over the next three years, they aim to increase participation levels, rise to at least eighth in the One-Day International rankings and set up a first-class domestic structure.
All-rounder Kevin O'Brien has been appointed as Ireland's vice-captain replacing Trent Johnston - who has played a role as either captain or vice-captain for seven years.
O'Brien, who blasted a match-winning 50-ball century against England in the 2011 World Cup, will assume the role for the 2012 season as understudy to opening batsman William Porterfield.
The Woodvale Indoor Cricket Sixes sponsored by Boom Boom Cricket makes a welcome return to Shankill Leisure Centre on Sunday the 15th January with 6 sides entered for what promises to be a fun packed tournament.
Indoor Cricket remains one of the unearthed cricket development opportunities and the tournament hopes to provide recreational, pre-season cricket whilst providing coaching opportunities each week for local youngsters in the area to introduce them to the sport.
ICC Europe has announced the tournament schedule for 2012.
The tournament structure consists of eight competitions over the summer including the ICC European World Cricket League 8 Qualifier, ICC European Division 2 Championship (T20) and ICC European Women's T20 qualifier.
The ICC has announced the dates and format of the qualifying tournament for the 2012 World Twenty 20, which will be held in Sri Lanka in September. The 16-team event will begin in the UAE on 13th March, and encompass five different grounds in three different emirates, before coming to its conclusion in a tournament final on 24th March in Dubai.
Ireland skipper William Porterfield is to captain an International Cricket Council (ICC) Combined Associate and Affiliate XI against England in a three-day game in Dubai from 7th to 9th January.
The match, held at the ICC Global Academy in Dubai, will form part of England's preparations for a three-Test series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.
In another major boost for the local game, Cricket Ireland, in conjunction with support from Sport Northern Ireland, today announced the appointment of two development officers who will be working in the NCU and NW regions.
29-year-old Irish international Nigel Jones will have responsibility for the NCU region. The Civil Service North captain has played 25 times for Ireland, and has gained extensive playing and coaching experience in New Zealand, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
It is time to celebrate some of the performances of top cricketers and teams who dazzled their way to stake their claims for the 2011 Cricket World Awards.
Now you can nominate the batsman, bowler, and the team, who you think have produced outstanding performances on the cricket field either with the bat or the ball in the last 12 months.
West Indies were crowned as champions of the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier 2011, after defeating Pakistan by 130 runs. By virtue of winning the tournament, West Indies has risen in the Reliance ICC Women’s ODI Team Rankings - West Indies now sits fifth in the world while Pakistan has risen from eighth to now occupy sixth place.
ICC Women's Cricketer of the Year, West Indies' Stafanie Taylor was named Player of the Tournament. Taylor was the highest run-scorer in the tournament after the 20-year-old from Jamaica amassed 325 runs at an average of 81.25, she also claimed 10 wickets at an average of 9.30.
Hosts of the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2011, Bangladesh, have secured One-Day International status for first time for its women’s side after Salma Khatun’s side beat USA in a low-scoring fixture.
Meanwhile, Ireland defeated fellow European qualifier and ODI side Netherlands, to retain its ODI status – the result means that Netherlands has lost its ODI status for the women’s side. Bangladesh and Ireland will now face-off on Saturday in the 5th/6th play-off for the tournament at BKSP* 2.
Khadiza Tul Kubra claimed six wickets against Ireland today to lead Bangladesh to its second win of the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier.
Bangladesh captain, Salma Khatun, had helped the side to a total of 209 after the 21-year-old struck 73 runs at BKSP* 3, but in response Ireland fell 95 runs short of the target.
Eimear Richardson helped Ireland to its first victory of the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifiers 2011 in Dhaka today after the 25-year-old all-rounder hit a half-century and claimed five wickets to steer the team to 255-run victory over Japan at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mirpur.
Sri Lanka bounced back from their opening day defeat to South Africa by beating Netherlands by seven wickets at the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier Group A fixture at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, hosts Bangladesh also recovered from its loss to Pakistan by crushing Japan by ten wickets. Salma Khatun's side skittled Japan for 38 runs and knocked off the target in just 4.4 overs without losing a batter in the process.
Pakistan, West Indies, Netherlands and South Africa all claimed victories on the opening day of the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Ahead of the 11-day qualifying tournament in Bangladesh, all ten captains of the competing teams pose with the Women's World Cup.
From left to right they are: Stafanie Taylor (West Indies), Ema Kuribayashi (Japan), Doris Francis (USA), Mignon du Preez (South Africa), Salma Khutan (Bangladesh), Sana Mir (Pakistan), Dilani Manodara (Sri Lanka), Isobel Joyce (Ireland), Helmien Rambaldo (Netherlands), Sharne Meyers (Zimbabwe).
Pakistan prevailed in the final over England to be crowned Hong Kong Sixes champions for a record-equalling fifth time on the final day in Kowloon. Sri Lanka and hosts Hong Kong were the losing semi-finalists.
Australia, New Zealand, Bangladesh and South Africa were sensationally knocked out of the Hong Kong Sixes on day two of the tournament in Kowloon at the expense of unfancied sides such as Scotland and the hosts Hong Kong.
There were wins for England, Scotland, Ireland, Sri Lanka, Australia, Pakistan and India on the opening day of the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes 2011 tournament held in Kowloon. Here is Cricket World's round-up of the day's matches.
To much fanfare and celebration the 17th Hong Kong Sixes tournament kicks off in Kowloon tomorrow, with teams from all over the world competing in cricket's most popular six-a-side competition. Here is Cricket World's preview of the event.
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