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The Victorian Bushrangers have taken an early lead in the domestic standings of the state Spirit of Cricket award combining the Pura Cup and ING Cup, Cricket Australia announced today.The Bushrangers, who have played two Pura Cup and three ING Cup games, lead the table on 18 points, five points ahead of closest rival the Cascade Tasmanian Tigers, who have 13 points from four matches.The West End Redbacks sit in third place on 12 points, followed by the SpeedBlitz Blues and XXXX Queensland Bulls on nine points, while the Retravision Warriors trail the field on two points.The officiating umpires issue points on a 3,2,1,0,-1 basis at the end of each game, with teams rewarded for displaying the true spirit, traditions, and values of cricket.If a player is reported and found guilty under Cricket Australia’s Code of Conduct during a match, their team is automatically given a score of minus one point.Western Australia’s Paul Wilson and Ryan Campbell have both been reported under the Code for separate incidents earlier this season, while Queensland’s Stuart Law was reported following his side’s recent Pura Cup match against Victoria.Voting in ING Cup games is weighted at a ratio of 1:1, while Pura Cup voting adopts a 3:1 weighting. The state Spirit of Cricket points table, including all Pura Cup and ING Cup fixtures up until Monday 17 November follows:

TEAM	TOTAL POINTS	MATCHES
VIC	18	5 (2 Pura; 3 ING)
TAS	13	4 (2 Pura; 2 ING)
SA	12	5 (2 Pura; 3 ING)
NSW	9	4 (2 Pura; 3 ING)
QLD	9	5 (2 Pura; 3 ING)
WA	2	5 (2 Pura; 3 ING)

Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland said the state Spirit of Cricket award served to acknowledge the efforts of the states in upholding the laws and traditions of the game."Cricket Australia strongly believes that cricket’s appeal to fans and participants is closely related to the values that are firmly entrenched in the game," Mr Sutherland said."Strengthening and protecting the spirit of cricket was one of four Cricket Australia strategic priorities identified in 2002, and we see this award as an important vehicle in helping promote the value of fair play through the states."Earlier this season Victoria, through its Pura Cup captain Darren Berry, publicly pledged to improve the side’s on-field behaviour so it’s encouraging to see them leading the points table at this stage of the season."The state Spirit of Cricket award is part of a broader Cricket Australia Spirit of Cricket project designed to ensure Australian cricketers at all levels understand their obligations to fair play.Announced ahead of the First 3 Test match against Zimbabwe in Perth last month, the project incorporates a national Spirit of Cricket award for grade and local club sides around Australia.It also includes an elite Australian player pledge, defining a set of standards of behaviour and values by which they intend to play the game.The state Spirit of Cricket award will be updated at the end of every second Pura Cup round, and announced on the following dates:

• Tuesday, 16 December, Pura Cup rounds 3 and 4, plus all ING Cup games since last update;
• Friday, 16 January, Pura Cup rounds 5 and 6, plus all ING Cup games since last update;
• Wednesday, 11 February, Pura Cup rounds 7 and 8, plus all ING Cup games since last update;
• Wednesday, 10 March, Pura Cup rounds 9 and 10, plus all ING Cup games since last update. Overall winner announced.

All the latest news and updates concerning the spirit of cricket is available online at www.baggygreen.com.au/spirit

Zimbabwe won the one-day series today at BNS defeating Bangladesh by a fair margin of 42 runs in a high scoring match. The visitors won the toss and sent their opponents to field first.The decision to bat first in a dry wicket like that in BNS was a very wise decision and Zimbabweans took full advantage of it. After an early loss of Grant Flower clean bowled by Manjurul Islam, Carlisle and Dion Ebrahim built a partnership of 108 runs in the second wicket. The sloppy fielding by Bangladeshis allowed them plenty of gaps to score runs frequently.Carlisle departed managing 44 runs before he was run out. The crowd at BNS was utterly jubilant to watch Andy Flower leaving the crease with just 10 runs in his bag. Khaled Mahmud grabbed his wicket assisted by Al-Sahariar who took the catch.But that did not stop the flow of runs as Craig Wishart and Ebrahim were running the run-feast with quite ease. Wishart played his natural knock, a stroke filled innings that included three massive sixes. He and Ebrahim added 124 runs in the fourth wicket to take the tally to 269. Wishart made 68 before Mashrafe clean bowled him. Javed Belim sent back Ebrahim by a superb throw that broke the stumps before the batsman was in. Ebrahim score 121 and struck 11 fours.Zimbabwe ended their innings in style taking 22 runs off Rafique from the final over. Streak whacked two huge sixes and a boundary. The Zimbabwean totals reached 309 after full 50 overs, but match adjudicator reduced 5 runs from their total as a penalty as Wishart obstructed a Bangladeshi fielder while he was picking the ball. So, Bangladesh got a target of 305 to win the match. Mashrafe captured 2 wickets for 48.Al-Sahariar and Javed Belim made a dream start hammering eight boundaries in their 46-run partnership. It was Al-Sahariar to go first tragically when Belim summoned him to take a risky improbable single. Garry Brent himself clipped the bails off before Al-Sahariar could touch the line. A remorseful Javed Belim departed soon after his mate edging a lollypop catch to Andy Flower. He made 27.Little Ashraful was dismissed before he could set at the crease when the score was 76, clean bowled by Travis Friend, who was erratic at his first spell. Bashar, the most successful among the hosts, and Sanwar Hossain started playing rather prudently. They remained inseparable for 24.2 overs to manage 115. Bashar like his other golden days notched up a sparkling 66 before he missed an Ervine delivery that displaced his stumps.Sanwar Hossain, though batted judiciously, spent too many balls to get his fifty. Marillier’s direct throw returned him bagging 52 valuable runs that contained a solitary boundary.Khaled Mahmud (50) hammered Brent for a six and a deafening applaud welcomed his endeavor. He hit several dazzling boundaries all around on his way. He reached his half-century, the third one in Bangladeshi innings, playing only 37 balls. He was caught at extra cover off Friend soon after he got that fifty.Bangladesh managed 262 runs from their stipulated overs. Brent took 2 wickets for 40 and Streak captured 2 for 45. Dion Ebrahim was unquestionably adjudged the man-of-the-match.

Despite a career overshadowed by Imran Tahir, and the possibility of soon being overtaken by a younger crop of spinners, Aaron Phangiso still has a lot to offer South African cricket, according to his provincial coach. Monty Jacobs, who was in charge of Phangiso at North West and will reconnect with him this weekend at the Africa Cup, sees the left-arm spinner as a “complete package”, who could play a major role in the upcoming tour of India, if selected, in any or all formats.”People tend to get boxed in easily and Phangi has got this label as a limited-overs bowler but that’s not exactly the case,” Jacobs told ESPNcricinfo. “The season before he got selected for South Africa, he was playing a lot of first-class cricket for me and that is what got him going. He has a lot of skill with the red ball.”Phangiso first played for South Africa in December 2012, in a Twenty20 against New Zealand and has since been a regular limited-overs squad member, although an irregular in the starting XI. In the two summers prior to his debut, Phangiso had his best returns in first-class cricket, taking 15 wickets at 25.13 in 2010-11 and 16 wickets at 28.50 in the 2011-12 season. Those figures were achieved at the provincial, semi-professional level, not franchise cricket where Tahir edged Phangiso out of the Lions side.A slew of spinners, including Eddie Leie, have since kept Phangiso on the fringes of the franchise first-class XI – he last played for them in the format in October last year – but the national selectors knew of Phangiso’s longer-form ability. He was selected in the Test squad which toured Bangladesh in July but did not play either of the two matches. He will be back in contention for the India series and Jacobs said he would not be surprised if Phangiso is picked across all formats, not just the limited-overs’ ones.”Coaches look for consistency and that’s what Phangi offers, especially in the longer format,” Jacobs said. “In one-day cricket, you tend to bowl with a flat trajectory and target the pads but Phangi is skillful enough to get the ball past the bat as well. He is a good fielder and has even done well with the bat. He is actually the complete package.”Phangiso has seven first-class fifties to his name, more than Dane Piedt (5) or Leie (1), but half that of Simon Harmer, who has 14 and a century. All three are likely ahead of Phangiso in the queue – Piedt and Harmer at Test level, and Leie as a T20 option. This could mean that even if Phangiso travels, as he did at the World Cup, he may not play. And that, according to Jacobs, will be South Africa’s loss.”I do feel a bit sorry for him because sometimes he is more of a tourist and deep down there may be that hurt of not playing but when you see him, Phangi is a happy guy,” Jacobs said. “He is a real character and a great guy to have in any team.”

Victoria 113 and 2 for 73 trail Queensland 341 (Noffke 82, Nye 57, Wise 3-63, Denton 3-65) by 155 runs
Scorecard

Ashley Noffke was celebrating following his six wickets © Getty Images

Ashley Noffke continued his incredible all-round season with 82 but during the innings was struck down with a hamstring injury that left him unable to bowl in Victoria’s reply. Noffke had top scored in Queensland’s 341 and by the close the Bushrangers had reduced their deficit to 155, reaching 2 for 73 with Nick Jewell on 40 and Brad Hodge yet to score.The extent of the problem with Noffke’s right hamstring is still unclear but his batting bonanza virtually assured him of the Man-of-the-Match award after only two days, following his first-innings 6 for 33 as Victoria crumbled to 113. Noffke is now in the remarkable position of sitting second on this year’s Pura Cup wicket tally and fourth on the batting list, where only Simon Katich, Luke Pomersbach and Michael Di Venuto are ahead of him.He built an important 98-run partnership with Aaron Nye, who made 57, and then Chris Hartley (33) and the rest of the Queensland lower order continued to frustrate Victoria. Noffke missed the chance for his second century of the season when he was removed by Allan Wise, who had the best of the bowling figures for Victoria with 3 for 63.Jewell and Rob Quiney made a much more promising start than in the Bushrangers’ first innings, adding 73 for the first wicket. But Nye showed Noffke was not the only allrounder capable of hurting the visitors, removing Quiney (32) and the nightwatchman Gerard Denton from consecutive balls in the final over. Hodge survived the hat-trick delivery but there was not much else to celebrate for Victoria on another day of Noffke domination.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has asked bowlers from domestic cricket with suspect bowling actions to report to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore for a one-week remedial workout on their actions.Intially 41 bowlers were hauled up from last season for having suspect actions, but 19 have not reported to the board at all and have thus been banned. The remaining twenty two bowlers with suspect bowling action were suspended by the board from bowling in domestic competitions and were instructed through local Regional Development Managers/Regional Development Officers to report to respective regional Head Coaches for the first phase of remedial. However, only 15 reported during the first phase while two other bowlers had informed that they had decided not to carry on bowling.During the second phase of the remedial work, which will be held between December 18 and 23, 15 bowlers have been asked to report to the NCA. After completion of the next stage of the remedial work, an analysis report of each individuals will be prepared with the help of Quintic Biomechanics Software and will be presented to the board’s Suspect Bowling Action Committee for review.The following will participate in this activity: Zaheer Aslam (Kasur), Aqeel Ahmed (Faisalabad), Tariq Mahmood (Sialkot), Ihsan Sheikh (Muridke), Ahmed Naseem (Lahore), Nadeem Javed (Sheikhupura), Asad Zahid (Rawalpindi), Munir Ansari (Rawalpindi), Noor ul Amin (Mardan), Misbah Khan (Karachi), Aftab Ahmed Khan (Karachi), Noman Hussain (Karachi), Irfanuddin (Karachi), Mudasar Manzoor (Mirpurkhas), Agha Sharique (Mirpurkhas).

Asif Mujtaba, Pakistan’s former left-handed all-rounder, scored the 49th century of his first-class career, as Pakistan International Airlines‘ (PIA) four-day, Group A, first-round Patron’s Trophy Cricket Championship match against Habib Bank came to an end as a predictable draw at the United Bank Limited (UBL) Sports Complex Ground No.1 on Tuesday.Habib Bank spent more than two days while compiling a massive first innings total of 681 runs for eight wickets before applying closure. Habib Bank needed to make 531 to avert a follow-on. Eventually, they didn’t manage to reach that target but the match was already coming to an end by then. Having resumed at their overnight 202 for four, still needing another 329 runs to make Habib Bank bat again, PIA were all out for 395 in their first innings. They still finished 286 runs in deficit but Habib Bank decided to bat again for nine overs till the final draw of stumps, making 38 for one wicket.The highlight of the final day’s play was a 154 runs fifth-wicket stand between Faisal Iqbal, the captain, and Asif Mujtaba. The latter, now 38 years old and making his 285th appearance in a first-class match, scored 105. Faisal reached 82 before getting dismissed and thus finished just a few runs short of making his 11th hundred in first-class cricket. Asif then found an able partner in Ahmed Zeeshan, the wicketkeeper, (31) as the two added 91 runs for the sixth wicket.Mainly due to the leg-spin of double century-maker Imran Farhat (3-33) and Hasan Raza’s off-breaks (2-11), PIA lost their last five wickets for the addition of just 14 runs.Habib Bank, record seven-time winners of the Patron’s Trophy title, got the three points, however. They had to share the title last season with PIA after the final was abandoned due to rain. PIA have never won the competition outright since its introduction in 1972-73.After Sarfraz Ahmed, Sialkot’s hero of their Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Cricket Championship Gold League triumph, took six wickets to set up the win prospects the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) beat Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) by eight wickets, on the final day of their four-day, Group B, first-round Patron’s Trophy Cricket Championship match at the Sheikhupura Stadium on Tuesday.Four-time champions ZTBL were bowled out for just 171 runs in their second innings, which meant that after having surrendered a first innings lead of 45 they finished only 126 runs ahead of WAPDA, who had ended as runners-up behind them in the 2003-04 competition. WAPDA resumed yesterday morning at their overnight 51-0 and eventually reached 127 for two to win. Adil Nisar, the captain, followed his first innings 73 with another worthy knock of 79, made off 113 balls with 13 fours.In the end, it was easy for Pakistan Customs as they defeated Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) by seven wickets , on the final day of their four-day, Group A first-round Patron’s Trophy Cricket Championship match at the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) Sports Complex on Tuesday.KRL resumed yesterday morning at 171-9 in their second innings, with an overall lead of just 225 runs. Mohammad Wasim’s unbeaten 104 was thus of no avail as their last wicket fell at 183, leaving Customs a target of 238. Wasim, the captain and a former Pakistan opening batsman, carried his bat through the innings, his 104 not out coming off 175 balls with the help of 10 fours. He had made 62 runs in the first innings. Customs were off to a 74-run start between Kashif Siddiq (41) and Hanif Malik, the wicketkeeper, (32). Azhar Shafiq, the captain, (87 not out off 91 balls with 11 fours and two sixes) and Afsar Nawaz (40) then added 97 runs for the third wicket.Needing only a further 127 runs to win, Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) reached 204 for three, on the final day of their four-day, Group A, first-round Patron’s Trophy Cricket Championship match and thus beat Service Industries by seven wickets at the Iqbal Stadium on Tuesday.All their batsmen scored useful runs, Ashar Zaidi and Usman Tariq, the left-hand openers, both getting into the 30s. Eventually, it was the unbroken 79 runs fourth-wicket partnership that took them beyond the victory target. Of these runs, Shahzad Malik hit an enterprising 58 not out off just 45 balls with nine fours and two sixes. Aamer Bashir, the captain, remained unbeaten with 42 runs which saw him negotiate 88 deliveries and hit seven fours. As PTCL had earlier surrendered a 50 runs first innings lead to Service Industries, they collected only six points instead of the full nine.

England’s cricketers go on safari in the Eastern Cape, ahead of the third one-day international at Bloemfontein© Getty Images

England return to the scene of their World Cup exit tomorrow, as the third one-day international against South Africa gets underway at Port Elizabeth. Back in 2003, England seemed to be cruising to victory against the mighty Australians, only for Michael Bevan and Andy Bichel to add 73 unbeaten runs for the ninth wicket, to engineer a stunning two-wicket victory on a slow and exceedingly low wicket.But come tomorrow, there will be only one side harbouring any "what-ifs", after the manner in which South Africa squandered a position of supremacy to tie a thrilling match at Bloemfontein. South Africa needed three to win from six balls, with five wickets in hand, but were held in check by Kabir Ali, whose nerves had at one stage looked so taut they might snap, but then eased at precisely the right moment for England.The first ball of the decisive over was a waist-high no-ball that Mark Boucher had swatted for four, and at that stage, Kabir wanted the ground to swallow him up. “I just thought ‘oh God, what have I done here?’ he told reporters afterwards. “I was nervous but I just tried to get as many yorkers in as I could.” With the scores level and one delivery remaining, he speared the ball into Andrew Hall’s blockhole for Geraint Jones to pull off a smart stumping and trigger wild celebrations in the England camp.”It was a real gutsy performance from the young Kabir," added Michael Vaughan, who was kept off the field by a stomach bug and played no part in the climax. "To gather his thoughts and be mentally tough enough to produce those yorkers was a great effort. The more death-bowling options we have, the better, and he is certainly one of those options.”Twenty-four hours later, the worst of Vaughan’s illness has subsided, and he looks set to take his place in the starting line-up at PE. "I am not too bad," he told BBC Sport. "I didn’t feel too good yesterday, but I hope to play, and it has got better.” But despite his final-over heroics, Kabir may yet miss out on a berth in the side, as Steve Harmison is fit again after suffering a calf strain, and England are eager to get him back among the wickets after his devastating disappointments in the Test series.England enjoyed a break from the grind today, as they took a trip round the Shamwari Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape. But despite the multitude of elephants on display, the only big game that’ll be in England’s sights tomorrow will be of the human variety. Kevin Pietersen, fresh from his maiden international century and showing no signs of being cowed by the hostile South African crowds, will be hunting for even more runs to boost his already formidable average of 234."Kevin’s innings from that position is what we ask of a senior player, not one that has played six games," said Vaughan, after Pietersen had clubbed 108 not out from 96 balls to lift England from a dicey position at 67 for 3. "His potential shone through. He showed last night he has a lot of passion playing for England and he is a huge talent who is strengthening our team.”South Africa’s captain, Graeme Smith, on the other hand, had less to be cheery about, after watching his side fritter away an unassailable advantage in the final over. But he put a brave face on the result nonetheless. "It was disappointing in the end," he conceded, "but we have a lot more confidence now than what we came out with [after the first match in the series].”South Africa (probable) 1 Graeme Smith (capt), 2 AB de Villiers, 3 Jacques Kallis, 4 Herschelle Gibbs, 5 Ashwell Prince, 6 Justin Kemp, 7 Mark Boucher (wk), 8 Shaun Pollock, 9 Andrew Hall, 10 Makhaya Ntini, 11 Andre Nel.England (probable) 1 Marcus Trescothick, 2 Geraint Jones (wk), 3 Michael Vaughan (capt), 4 Andrew Strauss, 5 Kevin Pietersen, 6 Paul Collingwood, 7 Ian Bell, 8 Ashley Giles, 9 Steve Harmison, 10 Darren Gough, 11 Matthew Hoggard.

The Tasmanian Selectors have today announced a squad of fouteen to travel to Maroochydore on a pre-season trip to prepare for the 2003/04 season.

CASCADE TASMANIAN TIGERS
Daniel MARSH (Captain)
Sean CLINGELEFFER
Michael DIGHTON
Michael DiVENUTO
Xavier DOHERTY
Andrew DOWNTON
Adam GRIFFITH
Jamie COX
Shane WATSON
Scott MASON
Scott KREMERSKOTHEN
George BAILEY
Damien WRIGHT
Brett GEEVES

The Cascade Tasmanian Tigers will play three matches against Victoria at the Maroochydore Cricket Club consisting of:19th October – 20 over match20th & 21st October – 2 day match23rd October – One Day matchThe Team departs on Sunday 19th October from Hobart and will be accompanied by Brian McFadyen (Coach), Dene Hills (Assistant Coach), Laurie McGee (Physio) and Ricky Langford (Fitness Advisor).The Tigers will play their first ING Cup match of the season against the Queensland Bulls at the Gabba on Saturday 25th October. It is expected that the twelve to represent Tasmania in that match will be announced by the 22nd October, 2003.

Tamil Nadu emerged worthy winners of the MJ Gopalan Trophy 2001after they got better of Colombo Districts Cricket Association(CDCA) XI by virtue of their 199 runs first innings lead. Onthe fourth and final day of the match at the MA ChidambaramStadium, Chepauk in Chennai, on Monday, play was called offafter eight mandatory overs were bowled. CDCA XI had moved onto 206/4 in their second innings with Ian Daniel unbeaten on77, giving him company was skipper Samaraweera on 4*.Earlier in the day, resuming on 154/3, Tamil Nadu lost theenterprising Sridharan Sriram (81), he had added just two moreruns to his overnight score. Sriram was caught well in thedeep by Dinusha Fernando off the bowling of Samaraweera,looking for quick runs. After batting for eight overs in themorning, Tamil Nadu skipper Robin Singh declared the innings closedon 178/4, setting CDCA XI a target of 378 to win. Sharath(20*) and Arasu (6*) were at the crease at that stage.CDCA XI were in for an early shock, Jehan Mubarak (7) nicked aball from Balaji into the safe gloves of Arasu. The Tamil Naduwicketkeeper is better known as ‘Evander Hollyfield’ for thestriking semblance to the great boxing star.Michael Vandort once again threatened to play a big knock butfailed after making 28 runs off 37 balls with the help of fourboundaries and a six. He was caught by Madanagopal off thebowling of Ashish Kapoor. Tillakaratne Dilshan continued inthe same form he showed in the limited over matches, to score56 runs off 83 balls. He fell to the left arm spin ofRamkumar.Wishvanath Jaywardene made a slow 16 runs off 55 balls andalong with Daniel, ensured that Tamil Nadu did not sneak inan outright win. MR Shrinivas who was generating good pace andbounce claimed the wicket of Jayawardene, caught by Balaji. Bythen both the teams had closed shop and the players wentthrough the motions.Winning the MJ Gopalan Trophy must have been a tonic to theTamil Nadu team led by Robin Singh; they are to start theirRanji campaign very shortly. The highlight of the match wasthe bowling of the young fast bowler Balaji and the battingexploits of Sriram (100 and 81).

Saturday’s ICC town hall in Chicago has received high praise from many of those in attendance at the day-long affair aimed at developing a strategy to take USA cricket forward in the wake of the USACA’s suspension by the ICC.”I think this meeting achieved what it had in mind from the organizers and from the expectations of the attendees,” former USA player Usman Shuja, a member of the ICC’s seven-man local advisory group in the USA, told ESPNcricinfo. “It was a very constructive and necessary meeting. It was excellent and we could not ask for anything more from a process-launch perspective.”What was positive was the ICC’s commitment, from community engagement, a real desire to listen to the people who came out, and at the end of the day getting a consensus of different stakeholders to agree on something that is universally for the good of US cricket. It was extremely encouraging and served its purpose of clearing the air. Overall it was a good first step but there’s still a long way to go.”Tim Anderson, the ICC head of global development , was also very optimistic about the outcomes from both the Saturday town hall as well as a seven-hour meeting on Sunday that was held between the local advisory group and ICC officials. Anderson described Saturday as “tremendous” for USA cricket.”People were largely focusing on the future and solutions as opposed to maybe the past and why things had become the way that they had become,” Anderson said. “It was a really mature attitude and there was an understanding after David Richardson spoke about the process that the ICC was taking with USACA – it was a very factual analysis of what had happened and where things currently stood – but at the same time most of the day was spent talking about future strategy and what were the important things that needed to be focused on moving forward.”A discussion about the way forward, rather than the past, may have been facilitated in part by the USACA board’s conspicuous absence at the town hall, an indication that they are defiantly digging their heels in to defend their position rather than engage with the ICC and other local stakeholders to be a part of the solutions to fix USA cricket. Anderson confirmed that though there were several USACA member league administrators in attendance, no one showed up from the 11-man executive board, including Central East representative and former USACA president Masood Chik Syed, who is based in Chicago.”They were invited to attend,” Anderson said. “They decided not to. That’s their choice.” According to several sources, the USACA’s absence was a result of a decision to boycott the town hall meeting, though USACA officials did not respond when asked to confirm or deny this by ESPNcricinfo.In contrast, the entire nine-man executive board of the American Cricket Federation (ACF) was in attendance at the meeting, as well as Cricket Council USA chief executive Mahammad Qureshi and other CCUSA staff. Former ACF chief executive Jamie Harrison was also one to give the meeting high marks.”Affiliations and past conflicts were put aside for the good of cricket,” Harrison said. “It was as close to a display of an administrative spirit of cricket as one could imagine. This is especially significant when one considers the potentially divisive issues that the group was asked to discuss, issues that have crippled the development of cricket in America for decades. Opinions were frankly offered and debated, but always in a spirit of mutual respect and cooperation.”The day featured several discussions from various speakers, starting with ICC chief executive David Richardson. Shuja said that the “most impactful” speaker was Dan Migala, co-founder of Property Consulting Group. PCG has a large presence in sports marketing around the major USA sports leagues, but Migala has also had a heavy influence in cricket by working on projects with Cricket Australia, most significantly with the Big Bash League. His understanding of cricket and how it can fit into the US sports landscape as a thriving business struck a chord with those listening.”A lot of the people who were at the town hall meeting who are heavily involved in USA cricket in their respective regions are so passionate about cricket that sometimes their reasons behind decision-making can become too emotional,” Shuja said.”What was great about Dan Migala is that his presentation provided a very rational set of guidelines for what has been proven to be successful in cricket, both in the USA and elsewhere, and areas where cricket in the USA is ahead of other sports. When people heard the way he laid these things out, I think it made a lot of sense for everyone and they could envision progress.”In line with Migala’s insights, Shuja also commended the survey that the ICC sent out to stakeholders to complete ahead of the meeting. Respondents were asked to prioritize key issues in USA cricket, and the results of the survey made for solid discussion platforms during the town hall.”One person might think one thing, another person might feel another way,” Shuja said. “But it’s always interesting to look at the data, especially when you put it directly in front of folks. It helped with the debates and it was a great way to have a debate. So from that standpoint it was a very good approach that the ICC took. Sunday we spent a lot of time reflecting on what people had to say and prioritizing feedback from people. Now it’s about how we achieve a strategy.”Anderson said that based on the survey results, most of the time on Sunday was spent discussing youth and women’s development as the cornerstones of the strategy moving forward. Out of the 85 people in attendance, less than 10% were female and Anderson said it was a reflection of the current state of the women’s game in USA. Even the men in attendance rallied behind the discussion points offered by the women who were there.”There’s a major gap in the USA cricket system around youth development and women’s development and that the community at large needed to concentrated more attention in that area,” Anderson said. “That was a really honest appraisal and a really mature conversation about both of those points, as well as attracting a broader spectrum of the American public to cricket, both in terms of participation but also in terms of fan engagement. There was some discussion about high performance and obviously that’s an important area too.”As for what the exact strategy will be going forward, Anderson said that Migala will be working alongside the local advisory group and the ICC over the next several months to formulate it. More town hall meetings may also be organised around November in different cities.”The resourcing, administration and governance of it, we see that as a secondary point,” Anderson said. “Get the strategy agreed and then we’ll look at the way that its implemented but it is a strategy for USA cricket.”Although the ICC is going have a role in helping it become implemented, ultimately it will be the USA cricket community and the governing body of USA cricket that will be responsible for making those things happen, hence the reason why we’re talking to everybody throughout this process to make sure they agree and share in the information that’s going to be put forward in the strategy in the first place.”