The Associates thread

[Harlequin Dream]

Their last match is against Kenya, who are the worst team here, and who will be playing for the third day in a row.

All three games looking like see-saw contests right now. Nepal have only themselves to blame for letting Kenya get to 104 so far, but they've taken quick wickets now and might be able to run through them. The UAE chose to bat first and are looking shaky after a strong start. Namibia are nearly at 150 after 30 overs, but have already lost five wickets (though they do bat deep).

I am surprised that Kenya is on track to make the full 50 overs against Nepal's bowling.

Knowing Nepal's batting history, 150 to 160 might be competitive.

Bilal Khan's spell has given Oman an edge. Very chase-able target coming up.

Canada might be chasing 230+ which would be their highest score if they make it. Very interesting match.

 

[The Speaker]

Intelligent batting from Williams and Erasmus (again) right now. Saw off Dutta, who has really been Canada's only truly threatening bowler, and can now afford to go for it in the last ten overs. I mentioned earlier that Canada is decent-but-not-great, and this is why. Their bowling is not quite penetrative enough, and their batting also isn't quite deep enough. They can still win - Namibia's bowling is only a little more threatening than theirs - but it's no guarantee.

The other two matches are virtually the same as each other. Not sure I'd trust either of Nepal or Oman to chase a score over 150 tbh.

 

[Harlequin Dream]

Interesting that Namibia brought in an 18-year-old spinner, might be a risk here. That said, Canada will need a big innings from Kumar or Gunasekera to win.

 

[ioppolo]

Why is it that the bowling in these associate teams is always stronger than the batting? Easier concept and skillset to grasp? The mental toughness for batting and grinding not mature enough?

Steven Tikolo stood out amongst these guys for a reason.

 

[The Speaker]

Why is it that the bowling in these associate teams is always stronger than the batting? Easier concept and skillset to grasp? The mental toughness for batting and grinding not mature enough?

Steven Tikolo stood out amongst these guys for a reason.

Tougher pitches, and batting takes longer to get right.

 

[The Speaker]

Oman lose and are out. Canada trying to do what Namibia did, but they're just getting choked. Need 8 an over. Nepal's still in it, but only just - can't afford to lose more wickets.

 

[The Speaker]

Nepal win on the last ball, Kenya are out!

And Namibia hold on as well. Tomorrow's replay against Kenya is a big match. If they win, they're level with Canada and Nepal. Lose, and they're in an elimination battle against the UAE on 2-2.

 

[Marklar_33]

These results overnight have almost made the last round of matches kind of semi finals. Very interesting finish coming up

 

[The Speaker]

I was very worried for Namibia when Kenya were 1/77 after 12 - thanks to Gondaria being 60 off 42. But the next ball he got out, and they're now 5/100. Choked by spin.

 

[The Speaker]

All out for 110. Kenya have never been as low as division three before, but that's where they deserve to be.

 

[Hellgood]

Read a couple of interesting articles today:

Young (yet been around for seven years making his debut at 15) Namibian gun batsman Gerhard Erasmus who hauled them over the line saving their tournament who likely has to soon make the choice of following his degree or cricket. Obviously the results of Namibia have a big impact on this decision and often overlooked how critical these results are to the lives of the players who play.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/22404986/a-tournament-decide-gerhard-erasmus-career

Most followers of associate cricket would know Dougie Brown as a mainstay as both a player for England, Scotland and Warwickshire as well as a fairly experienced coach, but learnt that he was actually at the World Cup in 2003 as a coach with Namibia but then played again for the Scots in 2007.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/story?id=22406555&coach-dougie-brown-wants-uae-focus-600-events-game=

 

[The Speaker]

Read a couple of interesting articles today:

Young (yet been around for seven years making his debut at 15) Namibian gun batsman Gerhard Erasmus who hauled them over the line saving their tournament who likely has to soon make the choice of following his degree or cricket. Obviously the results of Namibia have a big impact on this decision and often overlooked how critical these results are to the lives of the players who play.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/22404986/a-tournament-decide-gerhard-erasmus-career

Most followers of associate cricket would know Dougie Brown as a mainstay as both a player for England, Scotland and Warwickshire as well as a fairly experienced coach, but learnt that he was actually at the World Cup in 2003 as a coach with Namibia but then played again for the Scots in 2007.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/story?id=22406555&coach-dougie-brown-wants-uae-focus-600-events-game=

PDP has been busy. Shame there isn't more coverage of Associate cricket, because the stories that can be told in it are worthwhile.

 

[ioppolo]

I read something after the 2015 WC about how the UAE team had to ask for time off/take annual leave from their full time jobs for the tournament

 

[The Speaker]

Namibia nearly half-way through the chase and yet to lose a wicket.

I read something after the 2015 WC about how the UAE team had to ask for time off/take annual leave from their full time jobs for the tournament

Common place. Only a few teams can afford to give out central contracts, and even then they're pretty small.

 

[Harlequin Dream]

Kenya won a 2-0 victory against Namibia in Namibia in 2015. Scoring 200+ in each game.

Just over 2 years later they are bowled out twice for about 100 runs each time.

It has been a remarkable drop-off.

Namibia are improving, but Kenya has struggled all season.

They are looking at their 11th one-day loss in a row right now.

 

[Harlequin Dream]

Match ends with a 27 run over.

 

[The Speaker]

That result means that tomorrow's matches are basically elimination finals. Win and you're through, lose and you're out.

Canada vs Nepal
UAE vs Namibia

 

[Cochblocked]

That result means that tomorrow's matches are basically elimination finals. Win and you're through, lose and you're out.

Canada vs Nepal
UAE vs Namibia

I'm going with Canada and UAE to make it through.

 

[The Speaker]

I'm going with Canada and UAE to make it through.

I think Canada is very likely to make it it through, because the only way Nepal wins is if Lamichhane tears it up and Khadka scores big again. Canada's bowling is probably well suited to a team like Nepal, who struggle to keep the scoreboard ticking.

UAE-Namibia is a 50/50.

 

[Cochblocked]

I think Canada is very likely to make it it through, because the only way Nepal wins is if Lamichhane tears it up and Khadka scores big again. Canada's bowling is probably well suited to a team like Nepal, who struggle to keep the scoreboard ticking.

UAE-Namibia is a 50/50.

Yeah i don't think Nepal can chase more than 200. Would be exciting if they make it though especially for their crazy fans

 

[big_e]

Kenya won a 2-0 victory against Namibia in Namibia in 2015. Scoring 200+ in each game.

Just over 2 years later they are bowled out twice for about 100 runs each time.

It has been a remarkable drop-off.

Namibia are improving, but Kenya has struggled all season.

They are looking at their 11th one-day loss in a row right now.

My favourite cricket factoid is that Kenya have played in more World Cup semi-finals this century than Bangladesh, England, West Indies and Zimbabwe combined.

Have fallen off a cliff since then.

 

[The Speaker]

Of all the teams, I think it would be the biggest disappointment if Namibia missed out. They've been the best team all tournament so far, with their only loss being in the first game, defending only 137 and coming so close to pulling it off. They placed a lot of faith in their system by blooding young players years ago, and if it pays off they may be entering a new stage of cricketing life. If they don't, they may lose those players to other careers.

 

[The Speaker]

Nepal has won the toss and elected to field.

Namibia has won the toss and elected to field.

 

[Harlequin Dream]

Of all the teams, I think it would be the biggest disappointment if Namibia missed out. They've been the best team all tournament so far, with their only loss being in the first game, defending only 137 and coming so close to pulling it off. They placed a lot of faith in their system by blooding young players years ago, and if it pays off they may be entering a new stage of cricketing life. If they don't, they may lose those players to other careers.

It is a huge opportunity for them.

The combination of a very young squad and access to the South African Provincial leagues. Gives them plenty of opportunities to improve quickly.

Removing the dangerous Ashfaq Ahmed is a nice start too.

 

[Harlequin Dream]

The risk for Nepal right now is that Canada might be in a dominant position before Lamichhane balls his first ball.