Global Game: Jersey Cricket Board's new junior cricket initiative

The Fairway Super Series, which will act as the curtain closer for this year’s cricket season, will have four teams competing in a two-day T20 event. For this, 48 players, including members of the women’s national team, were entered into the player draft. Players were invited based on performances in junior club cricket throughout the 2020 season.

The four teams (Beresford Street Kitchen Bandits, Shelter Trust Titans, Every Child Eagles and Lord Taverners Lightning) are all affiliated to local charities with the hope of raising awareness and money for their cause. Players from each team will learn about the efforts made by the charities working within the local community.

To ensure that the players get the most out of their experience, four members of Jersey’s men’s national team will take up the role of player mentors.

Scotland seamer Rachel Hawkins retires

Rachel Hawkins, 28, has called time on her playing career after featuring in 16 T20Is for Scotland. Between her maiden T20I game in July 2018 and her last in September 2019, Hawkins played 16 matches in the shortest format, picking up as many wickets.

During that time, she registered the two best figures for Scotland in women's T20Is – 4/10 against Thailand and 3/3 against Uganda.

She was an instrumental member of Scotland's representative side even before they were awarded T20I status in 2018, having played for the side since 2012.

"I have loved being a part of the Scotland team’s journey over the last few years, it has been amazing," said Hawkins, (née Scholes). "I have made friends for life and I know that with the great batch of young talent that is coming through now, led by the excellent Kathryn and Sarah Bryce, that the future is bright for women’s cricket in this country."

Cricket Fiji pay last respects to umpire Walesi Soqoiwasa

Umpire Walesi Soqoiwasa, head umpire for Cricket Fiji and an ambassador for the game's growth in the country, passed away last week.

Soqoiwasa, who represented Fiji as an opening batsman between 1987-89 before taking to umpiring, died of a heart attack.

Apart from playing and later umpiring, Soqoiwasa was also involved in the game's development. He took up coaching for various school teams and was instrumental in the revival of the Secondary Schools Cricket.

His passion to grow cricket remained even after he made his debut as an International Accredited ICC Umpire. He officiated in the 2003 Pacific Games held in Suva, since then as an Umpire he has travelled the East Asia Pacific Region umpiring for Fiji with the most recent being last year at the 2019 Pacific Games.

"He was a genuine lover and contributor to the sport of cricket and always thought of everyone else before himself. We will miss him very much," said Alex Konrote, CEO of Cricket Fiji.

Sue Strachan becomes Cricket Scotland's first female President

Sue Strachan signed a two-term deal with Cricket Scotland on 20 August to become the first female President of the association in 140 years of its existence. The decision was finalised at a virtual AGM.

"Being elected as President of Cricket Scotland is a huge honour," she said. "To be the first female president is an even greater honour and also a huge responsibility."

She aims to strengthen cricket's standing in Scotland by attracting more youngsters to the sport and generating more media coverage for the main teams. "I hope to see young athletes choosing to join our performance pathways in the knowledge that we will prioritise their physical and mental well-being as they develop their sporting skills. I will work to see more media coverage of our national teams – junior and senior, male and female."

New facility to boost University Cricket in Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone Cricket Association have acquired a piece of land at the Fourah Bay College Junior Secondary School, which is being developed into a full-size ground and practice area, according to a report by Emerging Cricket.

The agreement came to fruition through a collaboration between SLCA and a number of the College's committees. The national association has donated cricket equipment to the Fourah Bay College to facilitate a higher standard of training for more people.

"When the ban on sporting activities is lifted and cricket starts playing again, we are going to revive the inter-collegiate cricket tournament, selecting a university team that will compete in the international stage," said Francis Trevor Samura, the SLCA CEO. "With the land now available, the SLCA will have to sit down and work out modalities on how to construct a dedicated cricket ground."****