Forum

It's a bit ironic that the Netherlands are playing England today in the City of Oranges (Nagpur). Lets hope we don't look like a bunch of lemons at the end of it!!!

The Assoiate cricket nations would really need to start 'bucking' up a bit in this present World cup, so far the gulf between them and the Test playing countries is pretty vast, surely they could be making a better fist of it than they are presently doing!

Although fair play to the English skipper Strauss for declaring that they all should remain together for the 2015 competition, albeit in a shorter qualifying format, which I personally think makes good sense.

I say Ireland to break the dead-lock and beat the 'Bangers' this Friday, although the Dutch are getting stuck into good England as we speak !!

All players,club officials and friends who participated in the Woodvale 6s Tournament are warmly invited to the Clubhouse, at 21 Ballygomartin Road, after the final matches on Sunday 27th February for the presentation of medals and trophies. Refreshments will be provided. It would help the Club if you could give us an estimate of the numbers who would wish to attend.
Regards,
Ray Palmer

who's this "you" Nile? And I suppose every comment that I make will be assessed as being anti-English. There was an interesting wee competition on BBC2 before last Friday's Ulster game where players were trying to throw rugby balls into a mock-up of brian Moore's mouth. Made a change to see balls going in instead of, etc. etc.!!! I suppose that the current World Cup entails a considerable amout of travelling hence the "gaps" between matches. Still fancy Pakistan to lift the trophy.

Andy,
I would be sure that Strauss is referring to the fact that the round robin is lasting for 5 weeks! Unlike Ponting, he wants all countries involved.

Re: Andy "not anti-english"

Don't be confused!

You could change the format to 4 groups of 4 with a total number of games of 31 compared with 49 at present.

More teams and a shorter tournament!

I was confused by Mr. Strauss's comments that there should be a "shorter" World Cup but "smaller nations" should have the opportunity to play top sides.

I see Mr Ponting has backed The ICC with regards to ejecting Developing Nations from 2015 World Cup. Apparently he thinks it doesn't do them any good by being thumped in every game! Graeme Swann and Shaun Tait are showing their support for these countries and rightly so.
By the way, at the current state of play, Australias run rate is behind that of Canada's at same stage of innings yesterday. And Australia aren't exactly playing a top side, no disrespect to Zimbabwe!

Andy the Mrs. tells me that as well, but I don't believe either of you !

Wylie, I enquired about the umpire's exams and indeed you're correct, even if unsuccessful at passing the initial level one course, I'm told that you can still stand-out in the middle, but are limited to the lower divisions/leagues.

sorry to disillusion you Caleb but I can tell you speaking from experience that the umpires kit doesn't make you a babe-magnet! Or am I missing something?

Thanks Wylie,

I think you maybe right about that but I'll go ahead and order the new clobber anyway, it's very smart looking and I haven't treated myself to a new rig-out for the last ten years or so and that was when I took the wife out !

So I could kill two birds with one stone here, take the Mrs. out for a nice meal and I could wear my new trendy Umpire's attire at the same time ! (N.C.U. regulations permitting ofcourse).

And all before the new cricket season even begins.

On behalf of Derriaghy Cricket Club can I thank everyone who passed on their congratulations / best wishes to the club following our Clubmark NI Accreditation success recently. I would like to recommend this accreditation scheme to every club, including those who do not currently have youth teams, as it demonstrates commitment to reach minimum operating standards. I also want to thank Tim Simmonite in CI at Stormont and Ryan Haire for their support in helping us achieve this accreditation.

For Derriaghy this is only the start of the Accreditation process and we are now pushing forward to achieving Bronze status.

Hi there,


My names richard faust and I am wishing to come back to the UK or Ireland for the 2011 season. I had a club sorted in South Yorkshire for this season but it has fallen through so I am just emailing around to see if any clubs are in need of a overseas player.

Just a little bit about myself. Im 24 years of age and am from Auckland, NZ. I am a top order batsman and RA offspin bowler. I play rep cricket here in Auckland with the likes of Darryl Tuffy, Peter Mcglashan, Ian BUtlerand lots more, I am on the brink of playing 1st class cricket for the northern knights but am only currently playing in there 2nds at the moment.
So far this season has been one of my best yet, and with 7 games left in the season i have scored 742 runs with a average of 77.4 and have scored 4 100's and 2 50's. And have taken 28 wickets at 28.90.

I know its not far from the season starting so thought i would try my luck and email some clubs as i am very keen on playing some cricket in ireland this year. If you need references etc i can get you some.
Hope to hear from you soon

Caleb - It is my understanding that it is not necessary to have passed the level one exam to be able to umpire in the NCU. Although you will have a greater understanding of what is required from an umpire when you do the course.
Maybe someone from NIACUS could confirm this?

Re: Jonathan Lyttle,

Jonathan will there still be time to order the neccessary umpire's clothing after the first weekend this Aprl ?

I am planning to attend the level 1 Umpire's training course and hopefully pass my exams, but just incase the theory proves too much for me, there's not much point in having all this very smart attire if I can't officiate !

Bit like buying a car before you pass your driving test I suppose !