MCA and Motown C.C. Plan Joint Practice/Coaching Sessions

MCA Joint Head Coach and senior Motown C.C. player Vasanth Krishnaswami has suggested that the Academy and Motown C.C. hold midweek joint practices, run by a professional coach, at Lyon Oaks cricket ground. This season’s Captain of Motown (and occasional MCA guest player) Satish Thandapani also supports the idea. These practices would be aimed at older MCA members, especially, but not only, those who might want to play with Motown, and at Motown’s own players. In order to make these possible, a “critical mass” of players is required. If you are interested in participating, please let MCA’s information director know as soon as possible. The likely cost per two-hour session will be between $5 and $10, and a commitment to attend will be expected of those who express interest. Currently, Wednesday is the preferred date.

MCA Practice Lyon Oaks, Saturday, 5-7 pm

MCA will hold the Academy’s regular practice session at Lyon Oaks cricket ground (52221 Pontiac Trail Wixom, MI 48993-1917) this Saturday, 30 April, from 5 to 7 pm.

Senior and junior players, experienced and novices are all welcome. Please pass the news on to anyone you think might be interested in joining the Academy this season. This season MCA will combine with Motown Cricket Club to field a team in the MichCA 40-overs tournament; older players interesting in joining the squad should let MCA information director 

Season-opening Practice, Lyon Oaks, Saturday, 23 April, 5 pm

MCA will welcome the new season and the prospect of something like appropriate cricketing weather, with a season-opening practice session at Lyon Oaks cricket ground (52221 Pontiac Trail Wixom, MI 48993-1917) this Saturday, 23 April, from 5 to 7 pm.

Senior and junior players, experienced and novices are all welcome. Please pass the news on to anyone you think might be interested in joining the Academy this season. This season MCA will combine with Motown Cricket Club to field a team in the MichCA 40-overs tournament; older players interesting in joining the squad should let MCA information director Michael Makin know as soon as possible (matches begin in early May). MCA also hopes to begin an instructional league for younger and less experienced players; Joint Head Coaches Shyam Mayasandra and Vasanth Krishnaswami are currently working on the details – more information will be forthcoming soon.

Film Showing Scheduled for Tuesday, 5 April, at UM Cancelled

The University of Michigan’s International Institute has just announced the last-minute cancellation of the planned showing of the film Out of the Ashes, scheduled for Tuesday, 5 April. Sources at the I.I. have told MCA that, after the film’s planned US release was delayed, the I.I. immediately ordered a region 2 DVD from the film’s distributor, but, for reasons that are not clear to the I.I., no DVD has been forthcoming. It is hoped to reschedule this showing at a later date.

Season Plans; National Youth Cricket News

MCA Joint Head Coaches Shyam Mayasandra and Vasanth Krishnaswami are currently drawing up plans for the forthcoming season. It is hoped to announce soon details of an instructional league for younger players, and practice and playing arrangements for more experienced players. MCA members who are interested in playing in the MichCA 40-overs tournament this year should let the MCA Information Director (who is also an officer of Motown Cricket Club) know of their interest as soon as possible.

In February DreamCricket announced the following USACA plans for national youth tournaments this year:

“The first tournament of the year is the inaugural U-17 National Championship which is set to be staged on Memorial Day weekend from May 27 to 30 in Orlando, Fla. It will be used to help select a team for the first ever ICC Americas U-17 tournament that is slated for early July.

The USACA U-15 National Championship is targeted for July 8 to 11 in Connecticut. The state hosted the USACA U-19 Eastern Conference tournament in 2010. USA’s U-15 team will be playing in the ICC Americas U-15 Northern Division in Canada this August.

The USACA Junior Nationals will not be held until after the USA U-19 team has participated in the ICC U-19 World Cup Global Qualifier in Ireland from July 28 to August 9. [It was stated] that it would be held in Los Angeles but that a date had not been determined … it would likely be held on a school holiday weekend in September or October. A quick look at the calendar shows that Columbus Day weekend is the most probable date. Despite not having any tournament before the USA U-19 team travels to Ireland, a camp may be organized in early June in order to prepare the team and offer a chance for reserve players to push for selection.”

Also in February, the