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As a preview to the World Cup, the two KFC Cup semi-finals on Thursday and Friday made for worrisome watching.Contested on pitches described as “tricky” [Daren Ganga] and “sub-standard” [Haydn Gill] and before a smattering of spectators in stands at Arnos Vale still behind in construction, they simply substantiated the concern over the standard of regional cricket widely shared by those who follow it closely, more recently by convenor of selectors Gordon Greenidge and head coach Bennett King.The totals themselves provided the stark evidence. Guyana all out for 114 from 38 overs, Trinidad and Tobago 64 for 5 before being eased over their Duckworth/Lewis target of 109 by Sherwin Ganga and Reyad Emrit. Barbados all out for 155 from 47.2 overs, the Windwards seven down before they clinched victory in the 45th over.With the notable exception of Devon Smith, the batting was abysmal. His plucky, well constructed unbeaten 75 for the Windwards was the kind of application so often missingin West Indies’ efforts, and immediate justification for his inclusion in the World Cup 15. The contrast between his approach and a few others also chosen in the squad was absolute.In the first semi-final, Lendl Simmons and Kieron Pollard went after deliveries so wide the umpire was already extending his arms in the call when they somehow managed to make contact. Simmons got a touch to the keeper, Pollard, after batting with necessary restraint for 26, then launched a skier to extra-cover. These are the continuing indisciplines that drive coaches to drink – or, at least, to hair-restoring clinics. These are early days for both young Trinidadians; time enough for such impetuosity to be eradicated.No one has been more irritating in this regard than Dwayne Smith who has been around appreciably longer. He was at it again on Friday. Placed at No. 3 for Barbados, he drove his fourth ball, a full-length, medium-pace inswinger from Deighton Butler, tamely to mid-off. It was a familiar method of dismissal. He has been a repeat offender more times than any errant ZR driver, yet the selectors retain him in the hope that he will, somehow, fulfil the potential first shown in his dazzling hundred on Test debut three years ago, but only spasmodically since then.The opinions over Smith have been as sharply divided as those over any West Indies player since Carl Hooper. It extended to the selectors when Greenidge and King finally brought themselves around to announce the World Cup squad on Thursday.”Personally, I’m not convinced, I’m partly convinced,” Greenidge said. “I would like to see him develop more into a total player, an all-round player.” Yet King rated Smith capable of winning matches with “the way he bats”.”If he comes off in two games and there are two important matches in the World Cup, you are going to win two matches on his own bat,” the coach conjectured. “He is the sortof player who can win a match in the twinkling of an eye.”Had Greenidge, King and the others been picking the Cup after Friday’s match, Smith would have been even more fortunate to supplant the consistent Darren Sammy thanhe was in the first place. What seemingly tilts the balance in Smith’s favour is his fielding. There are few better in world cricket. He is as fast as an Olympic sprinter with a swift pickup and laser-like throw that has accounted for seven direct hit run-outs. Clive Lloyd reckons his presence lifts the overall fielding 20 per cent. He and Dwayne Bravo on either side in the semi-circle are a brilliant combination.Fielding is one aspect of the limited-overs game that is as critical as batting and bowling.Viv Richards’ hat-trick of run-outs in the first World Cup final were as crucial as Lloyd’s thunderous hundred. Jonty Rhodes was a more than useful batsman, but his fame was made in the field.”When you’re playing one-day cricket, you can’t have weak links in too many facets of your play, whether it’s fielding, batting, or bowling,” King said. “It’s very hard to push a person who does only one thing.” So someone must have pushed very hard to include both Ian Bradshaw and Corey Collymore in the World Cup 15.Both, even Bradshaw of late, now only “do one thing” and that is bowl. They do it admirably, but what they gain with the ball can be cancelled out through weak throws and methodical moving in the field in contests that are likely to be decided by margins of between 15 and 20 runs.It might have been that the discerning cricket public of St Vincent stayed away from the matches in their thousands because they were aware of what would be presented. However, a more likely explanation was the lack of promotion. Stanley Hinds, the former Windwards’ off-spinner, told us during the radio commentary that very few peoplewere even aware of the presence in St Vincent of the semis and final of the West Indies’ premier one-day tournament, and one that involved the Windwards to boot. With the availability of the many KFC outlets throughout the region for it to be publicised, it was an astonishing revelation.Given the rich man/poor man distinction between its American billionaire originator and the impoverished West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), it might be unfair to make comparison with the remarkable response to the Stanford 20/20 tournament in Antigua last July and August. The more pertinent link would be to the West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) that continues to upstage the WICB on every front.Whatever might be said about Dinanath Ramnarine’s assertive, often disruptive, methods and the pejorative language of so many of his public pronouncements, the WIPA’s chief executive has negotiated contracts that have made millonaires of his elite members and attracted a host of sponsors. He has influenced most television stations in the region to carry live the WIPA’s annual awards ceremony, the fourth of which was held at the Sherbourne Conference Centre last week.As well organised and almost as glitzy as the Oscars, it honoured players in every category and gave the many sponsors, all out of Trinidad, it is true, value for their involvement. What was supposedly the grand finale of one of the WICB’s premier tournaments in St Vincent paled to insignificance in comparison. The WICB’s chief executive is a post that remains open. Perhaps they could persuade Ramnarine to cross the floor.

The United States of America Cricket Association (USACA) is the national cricket organization of the United States and the only participating link with the international cricketing community, through the ICC. Suffice it to say that nothing gets stamped USA without the express written consent of USACA and/or the ICC. Therein lies the need for a more dynamic focus at the domestic level, and through a national organization that properly represents the interests of its members, at the ICC level.It has been more than a year since USACA was suspended from international competition and funding by the ICC, for the second time within the past three years; a clear indication that something is broken – communication, proper governance, true accountability, transparency, credibility, you name it. Some may even argue all of the above.Following the suspension last year, ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed said: “It is especially disappointing that the USA players have had to be penalized in this way for matters that are largely beyond their control.”A national organization must represent the interests of the majority of its members, more so, when that representation is linked to an international organization that has the last say on the participation of the national organization’s members in the international arena. The current USACA administration has failed to demonstrate an ability to represent itself in the international forum, by its own failure to represent the interests of its members domestically, and in so doing lost the majority support of its membership, mainly through its lack of transparency and true governance.Cricket in the United States has hit rock bottom, with the ICC’s suspension of playing rights and finance to USACA. As a result, the morale of the players is matched only by the general malaise of the clubs, leagues and regions they represent. The lethargic nature of those who seek to be represented by USACA is a direct result of the organization’s failure to articulate its vision, while its governance is shrouded in mystery and secrecy.Since a national organization must first and foremost represent the interests of those it governs, it is important that it does so in an open and transparent manner. USACA has failed in this regard. On the contrary, it has demonstrated a blatant disregard for true governance and has failed to address some core issues raised by many of its stakeholders. Though these charges are not new, it is necessary to note them, because, if we fail to acknowledge our past, we are doomed to repeat it. It has been said that stupidity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Cricket in the USA has been managed the same way for some time now, with no innovative approaches attempted by the USACA administration. The current situation has existed for far too long. The time to effect change is now.At the behest of the ICC and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), along with the nudging of the League President’s Reconciliation Commission, an effort was made to correct the wrongs that stood in the way of USACA being readmitted to the international cricket community. Out of that intervention was born a document embraced by a margin of affirmative votes that was less than that rendered at the beginning of 2007, when an attempt was made to ratify a constitution without due process and schedule.I do not believe it was a reflection on the content of the document so much, as it was a reflection of the general frustration and lethargy of those exercising, or refusing to exercise their franchise.None the less, the current document was ratified under the guidance and astute leadership of an Independent Third Party – Chris Dehring, representing the WICB and by extension the ICC. Such intervention should not have been necessary, were it not for the stubbornness of the current USACA administration and the public outcry in some quarters. An outcry though not reflective of proper protocol, begged the question – “Was USACA being governed properly?” The ICC answered that question with another suspension and the withholding of funding, until the WICB recommends that such actions be reversed.”The suspension will stand until such time as the West Indies Cricket Board recommends and the Executive Board (ICC) agrees it should be lifted,” noted an ICC statement at the time.Now that a constitutional document has been ratified, members must look to it as the beginning of new hope. However, such new hope cannot emerge from the bosoms of the incumbents, because they have failed to cradle and protect the development process of US cricket, by throwing the baby out with the bath water.Lost opportunity, lost confidence, lost interest. USACA now, can only survive under the new constitution, with new and dynamic leadership, willing to take USACA in a different, but positive direction.Though cricket in the United States is generally regarded as a recreational activity, with the majority of clubs getting together on weekends, to participate in a sport that for the most part, is linked to the players’ cultural heritage, it can be made into a viable and more productive pastime.The survival of cricket in the United States is largely dependent upon the generosity of some community donors who financially “prop up” the sport in an ad hoc manner. Organized cricket is dying for dynamic leadership that would provide platforms for those players within the appropriate age ranges, to excel at the national and international levels.However, such advancement will not take place without the support of the players, clubs, leagues and regions. This vital support can only be derived from the sale of a vision for cricket in this country, through a development program articulated by USACA, and “sold” to the players, clubs, leagues, regions and potential sponsors. Such a covenant must be based on the reality of the current structure of cricket in the USA, and a program that recognizes those clubs with an express interest in being a part of an energetic national organization.Current trends suggest that not too many of the estimated 600 plus clubs in the United States have any genuine interest in what USACA can do for them, and even less, what they can do for USACA. Simply stated, USACA needs the clubs and their membership alliances, more than the clubs appear to need USACA.How then does one create a mutual trough, from which both parties can benefit? Only through the creation of a new and dynamic direction, can USACA reintroduce member clubs and players to the national organization and the benefits of belonging to USACA. Such a new direction must be based on mutual respect, clear communication, transparent operations, true governance and the development of an organization by the members, and for the members.To say that accurate and timely communication from USACA is practically non-existent under normal circumstances, is putting it mildly. If USACA’s web site is to be recognized as the watering hole of information in a new-age electronic environment, then it must reflect such a trend. It must become the meeting place for the dissemination of information, exchange of ideas, exposure to a larger community, and in a nutshell be the Village Bulletin Board.A vibrant web site can be effectively used as the crossroads of the most expeditious forms of communication. The pictionary use of the medium and its statistical portals can be the glue that binds those who surf within its walls, creating an electronic environment for camaraderie and a sense of pride. Membership in an organization is usually accompanied by some benefits. What benefit does the existing USACA membership derive from belonging to the national organization? If there are any, it’s not properly communicated to the members.USACA was suspended by the ICC almost one year ago, and to date, the current USACA leadership has not issued one statement; at least seeking to reassure the organization’s membership that everything was being done to have the suspension lifted. To put it bluntly, the arrogance and disdain with which the organization treats its members left much to be desired.At the time of last year’s suspension, Speed noted that, “The ICC hopes this measure will serve to focus minds within the cricketing circles in the USA, that sense will prevail and that all those with the good of the game at heart will come together and take control of this unfortunate situation.” That was the precursor to the formation of the League President’s Reconciliation Commission. However, when that group sought to encourage USACA to reconcile any differences within the organization’s membership and leadership ranks, the group was labeled as dissidents and factionalists. And those were the decent condescending terms used in public. Behind closed doors, the words and names used to describe those seeking to change USACA’s behavior cannot be repeated here.Such actions sent a message of fear rather than one seeking to communicate the positive. Further, USACA sought to send such negative messages to the very membership it is purported to serve.Much of what the current USACA administration does appears to be done behind closed doors, and in a clandestine manner. Alas, such behavior has undermined the confidence of even those who still believe in Santa Claus and USACA.Why a national organization that claims to represent such a vast and diverse group not communicate its plan of action in an open and transparent manner, is beyond common sense. With transparency comes confidence, with confidence comes support, and with support comes growth. Three things USACA badly needed to convince the ICC and other affiliates that it was ready to lead from the front.What USACA needs to restore the confidence of the few believers still left, and earn the respect of those who still dare to dream, is a sign that says “Under New Management.” A new management comprising individuals with a passion to do the right thing for the people USACA represents – its members. Those members have been subjected to so many wrongs during the reign of the current administration, that I am sure they would welcome a new and dynamic leadership with fresh ideas, zeal, commitment, passion and a willingness to be honest with itself and its members.The new constitution calls for a hired CEO, for whom funding must be realized to keep him/her employed. However, beyond the role of the CEO, the organization needs an energetic individual as its president, with demonstrated leadership abilities, excellent interpersonal skills, communications savvy, business acumen, and self-honest enough to be willing to surround him/herself with equally smart, honest and committed people.It is no secret that in order for cricket to be successful in these United States, funds must be realized to create development opportunities at the grassroots level. USACA therefore must be perceived as a business with a mission, clear vision, and plan to effectively realize such ambitious development goals.The next leader of USACA must bring a different approach to the cricketing community. That individual must have a CV than encompasses the business acumen that drives corporate America, as well as an understanding of the technology that helps to drive the economy. USACA must rise to the level of competency necessary to win friends, influence people, and encourage investors, while rebuilding a membership base that has given up long before reaching the finish line.The ideal candidate for the leadership role of USACA should be one with a proven business track record that is clearly defined in today’s terms. He/she must be an individual willing to traverse this vast country, meeting and listening to the needs of the members within the various regions. An individual humble and smart enough to understand that he/she serves at the will of the members, and willing enough to admit any mistakes, while making a concerted effort to correct them.A new USACA administration should reflect the cultural and ethnic diversity of the organization’s membership, as well as the vast geographical nature of the various regions of the organization. This is the end of the road for the existing administration. Now is the time for all of the incumbents to step aside, including those who albeit are still faithful to the game and the members, for they too have unfortunately been tainted. The USACA desperately needs to hang out a new shingle that says “Under New Management,” if it is to encourage greater participation of its members in the development of the sport here in the USA, and to be once again recognized in the international cricket community.There is no greater opportunity than now, for all of the cricket stakeholders, including those who unfortunately find themselves on the wrong side of the track, to declare it a new day, a day full of new opportunities, optimism, passion and a brighter future for cricket in these United States of America, and under a new and dynamic management team.Let the electoral process begin!John L. Aaron is a cricket club president and league president in the New York Cricket Region of USACA, and last year served as chairman of the USACA League President’s Reconciliation Commission. He also served on the 2006 USACA Constitution Review Committee. He is a college administrator in New York City

Chris Gayle, the West Indies captain, will join a six-day training camp starting May 12 despite not having fully recovered from a groin injury which he picked up during the one-dayers against Sri Lanka last month. Gayle subsequently missed out on taking part in the Indian Premier League, though he travelled to India to briefly join the Kolkata Knight Riders, who had signed him on for US$800,000.West Indies’ manager, Omar Khan, said Gayle’s fitness will be assessed by team physiotherapist CJ Clarke before a final decision is made regarding his availability for the first of three Tests against Australia, which begins on May 22 in Sabina Park. “Chris will be part of the camp and the physio will do a full assessment to see how quickly he will be able to rejoin the team and play again,” Khan told CMC.”We are happy that he will be at the camp because he is a very experienced player and would be able to share his knowledge in the various planning sessions we will have,” he said. “We are hopeful that Chris will be ready to face the Australians. As we know this will be a very important series for us. We are confident of doing well, and we hope to continue the good work we have started.”Gayle will join 17 other players in the training squad which does not include Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Dwayne Bravo – all of whom are taking part in the IPL. West Indies will announce their 14-man squad for the first Test after the end of the camp.

Pakistan allrounder Shoaib Malik has stated that the foot inflammation that kept him out of the first ODI against New Zealand in Wellington was a minor injury and that he had wanted to play the game but was advised rest by the team management. Malik also revealed that he played the preceding three-match T20 series with painkillers and a strapped foot. His selection for the third ODI in Auckland on Sunday will be determined by a fitness assessment before the match.Malik sustained the injury prior to the first T20 in Auckland while walking barefoot near the ground. He scored 20, 39 and 14 in the three matches but bowled only 2.4 overs.”I played with painkillers for the country,” Malik told ESPNcricinfo. “The injury was minor and I am not a 25-year-old to pull myself in caution. I am an experienced cricketer and can play with minor injuries. I believe that I can give my 100%, so I rather ignore minor niggles. I didn’t even try to hide myself in the field and batted to my full capacity to contribute.”I wasn’t really 100% with my body but I was there in the game with my 100%. I contributed and those three T20 games were quite evident. I even wanted to play the ODI but was rested for the game lest I aggravate my injury further. They wanted me to hold back for a while until the second ODI, giving me ample time to recover.”Having lost the T20 series 2-1, Pakistan are keen to save the ODI series. They lost the first ODI after having New Zealand reeling at 99 for 6, while the second match was abandoned due to rain. Malik said there were plenty of lessons for Pakistan to learn from the tour.”Obviously it wasn’t the one we planned for but you got to give New Zealand an edge being a host,” Malik said. “There were mistakes that could have been cut down and we did our best but it didn’t go well. But such a tour gives you a lot of positives going ahead and this will help us. The competitiveness always gives you lessons and it allow to you assess yourself, and I am hopeful this tour is going to help us in the upcoming Asia Cup and World T20.”Comparatively New Zealand were a better side and we need to enhance our individual performances. Our coaching staff has been emphasising on physical fitness, which needs to be improved, and I feel we are still behind the cricketing world in this aspect of the game. Also, if we need to compete, apart from fitness, we need to enhance our skill level to match the competition.”

The Kanpur ODI, coming two days after Diwali, and featuringIndia and Pakistan, should have the status of the Boxing Day matchesplayed in the southern hemisphere. However, the scenes in Kanpur aday before the match suggested little of that. The deserted town boreno signs that a crucial ODI was less than a day away; only feverishlast-minute activity at the stadium gave the game away.After one has signed an undertaking absolving the hotel of anyresponsibility for any loss of property from their room comes the really good news: there is no room service – and indeed no food -because the workers had gone for their Diwali holiday for a week.One must simply grin and bear it as that is the case in almost all thehotels.People from this part of Uttar Pradesh have a reputation of beingstreetsmart, a quality long and often romanticised in Bollywood andbooks. As one steps out in search of food, such things becomeconspicuous. There are at least four outlets on one road sellingvarious versions of a popular clothing brand. One of them has Saif AliKhan and Preity Zinta endorsing it, another has Uday Chopra andTanisha doing the honours. For the uninitiated, they are allBollywood stars, but they are not earning anything for their serviceshere. Those are cutouts from movie stills that have been superimposedon standard advertisement.As one approaches the stadium, one can see Mahendra Singh Dhoni “canvassing”for a candidate in a local election in much the same fashion, and moresuch. It would have been fun talking to the great brains behind allthis, but the stores are all closed. It would have been much more funto get some lunch, but the restaurants are all closed.It’s all down to the north Indian custom of going to friends’ housesto wish them the day after Diwali. It’s called different things indifferent areas – here it is . For this one day,everything is shut in Kanpur. Quite a hellish morning after.Then a flash of inspiration: the team hotel will surely have arestaurant, albeit obscenely priced. The self-congratulation dissolvesrapidly when the police refuse to play ball, barring all entry intothe hotel.”What if I need to rent a room?””You need a pass issued by the police.”That is the time when one forgives the Indian Railways for all thedelayed trains, the dirty toilets and rude booking clerks. Whennothing works, the railway station does. That the Kanpur Centralrailway station is located in a neighbourhood calledFaithfulganj can’t just be a quirky coincidence.

The race to become Indian coach – which seemed to be a one-horse issue till recently – has suddenly come spectacularly to life in the days preceding the all-important meeting in Bangalore to decide the next coach. Dav Whatmore was, till recently, virtually the only candidate in the fray but in the run-up to Monday’s selection meeting Graham Ford, the former South African coach, has emerged as the No. 1 choice of the players.What’s more, has reliably learned that Ford has written to the Board of Control for Cricket in India expressing both his interest and availability for what is thought to be the toughest coaching job in international cricket. A senior board functionary who does not work out of the Mumbai offices of the BCCI – to where the letter of interest was sent – denied any knowledge of Ford’s interest, asking only, “Who is Ford? We have not had any communication with Ford.” However, Niranjan Shah, the board secretary, later confirmed that they had indeed received an application from Ford.With the BCCI and its top brass neither advertising for the post of coach nor doing any research on the ground about the availability or interest levels of coaches around the world, it fell to the players, who are most directly affected by the coach, to get their act together. Cricinfo has learned that the playing group got in touch with more than one potential candidate, obviously on an informal basis, to check on their availability. John Wright was spoken to, but his mind was already on the Australian academy job, and Tom Moody had committed himself to Western Australia.The players then tapped into their own network – players from other countries, some old contacts from their time in county cricket in England – and the name of Ford figured prominently. South African cricketers including Shaun Pollock and Lance Klusener and former cricketer Jonty Rhodes had plenty of positive things to say about Ford.It now remains to be seen if the players, the board, or the former cricketers in committee prevail in the meeting that will be held in Hotel Ashoka on Monday evening. Some sections of the board are firmly behind Whatmore, while others felt that it was the players who should have the most say in the matter. However, the players are not represented in the seven-man committee – comprising Sharad Pawar, the president, Niranjan Shah, the secretary, N Srinivasan, the treasurer, Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri, S Venkataraghavan, the former Indian captain, and Mohinder Pandove -that picks the coach. This means that it will fall on Shastri, one of the former cricketers on the committee, to speak for the players. Having recently spent a close to a month with the players in Bangladesh as the cricket manager of the team, Shastri has the confidence of the players and vice versa.

What is certain to add spice to the meeting is the opinion of Sunil Gavaskar, an influential figure in Indian cricket at all times. Gavaskar has made his preference for an Indian to get the job fairly clear in the past, and in recent columns he has sharply questioned Whatmore’s credentials. However, while it is tough to predict exactly whom Gavaskar will nominate for the job, no one should be surprised if he goes with a left-field suggestion, perhaps someone like Sri Lanka’s Arjuna Ranatunga. Although Ranatunga has no coaching experience at this level, he is among the shrewdest tacticians in the subcontinent, and Gavaskar might just place a premium on this.Shah, who did not want to commit on who was a frontrunner for the job, told that Whatmore had “a good chance” of landing the job. Srinivasan, though very much his own man and a strong one at that, is someone who is willing to listen to sound logic, and will weigh all the arguments before him and then take a decision on whom to back. Venkataraghavan is another who will not be fazed by the reputations of those making their cases. But, his name has recently been linked to the very job Shastri is relinquishing, that of cricket manager, and this means he might be in a bit of a delicate situation. Pandove, who has little stake in the matter, political or cricketing, is another one unlikely to strongly oppose or support any one group. Pawar, as always, has the power to over-rule everyone in the group. But, if indications on the ground are anything to go by, Pawar may have no need to over-rule those who want Ford as India’s coach.

ScorecardEngland Women slumped to a 27-run loss to New Zealand despite a brisk, aggressive 68 from Lynsey Askew, in the 12th match of the Women’s Quadrangular Series at Chennai.Chasing 268, England’s top order was cut apart by Louise Milliken who picked up the first four wickets to fall. Reducing England to 42 for 4, which soon became 57 for 5, New Zealand had the game by the throat until Charlotte Edwards, the England captain, fought back with a combative 42 from 56 balls. When she edged Selena Charteris behind, there was little left from England until Askew mounted her fight-back, putting on 72 with Isa Guha (26).England still needed 61 from their final ten overs and Askew’s luck ran out when she was bowled by Sophie Devine. With her went England’s chances, in spite of Guha’s valiant lusty blows.”I was happy with my innings but annoyed that I got out at the time I did,” Askew told Cricinfo. “It’s disappointing to be on the losing side of the tournament. But the fact that we have lost does not reflect on the talent in our team.”Unlike England’s stuttering effort, New Zealand’s batsmen were much more consistent. Suzie Bates anchored the top-order with a solid 48, sharing in a 80-run third-wicket stand with Sarah Tsukigawa (41), and there were useful contributions from Sara McGlashan (30) and Selena Charteris (20).If their batsmen set up the win, it was New Zealand’s bowlers who held their nerve – in particular Milliken. “It’s pleasing to get such figures,” she said. “It hasn’t been a successful tournament for me so far. It got away from us in the middle though. But it was good to win, even though not convincingly.”