Malta

[HighFlyingDwarf]

8th September 2001

Hamrun Spartans win Club World Cup group in dramatic fashion
Maria Vella-Galea, Sports Reporter

Maltese international Zakkarija Bellizzi wrote himself into Maltese cricketing folklore with a last ball wicket of Kinshuk Roy Milon
​

Hamrun Spartans have qualified for the Quarter Finals of the World Club Cup and will face either Hokkaido or Rotterdam Super Kings in Winnipeg.

After a stunning upset of group favourites Nordjylland from Norway, the Spartans went up against Bangladesh champions Rajshahi. A half century from Zaren Genius took the Spartans to a respectable total of 234/6.

Rajshahi were confident in their reply, but fell just short of the mark. Needing seven runs off of the final over, the strike fell to Kinshuk Roy Milon. Shahjahan Uddin could only watch in horror as Zakkarija Bellizzi skittled the all rounder with the final ball of the game after a tremendous over of pace bowling.

Television Malta's continuing coverage of the competition will include the quarter final matchup on September 18th, and the public interest in the tournament bodes well for the MBCC's efforts to bring the domestic game to viewers as well.

 

[HighFlyingDwarf]

18th September 2001

Hamrun Spartans into WCC Semi Finals after close fought win over Hokkaido
Maria Vella-Galea, Sports Reporter

Malta international Thomas Fedele added to his growing stature in the game with an impressive 70 run haul in Winnipeg
​

Hamrun Spartans continued their Cinderella story with an impressive run chase of Japanese ODI champions Hokkaido.

The Japanese outfit set a tidy total of 234, but Zakkarija Bellizzi's 5-wicket haul ensured that the Spartans increasingly confident batsmen were able to reach that total with an over to spare.

Thomas Fedele and wicketkeeper Joseph Porsella anchored the innings with a partnership for 119 and a late dash from Adam Spiteri got the Spartans over the line.

Calls are increasing for a review of the international roster in light of Hamrun's success in preparation for a tough series against Norway and the first home tests against Argentina. John Attard has already confirmed that expanding the central contract system and implementing Second XI and A teams are under consideration in light of the rapid growth in public interest in the sport.

The Spartans now face a rematch of their final ball group stage classic against Rajshahi with a place in the first ever World Club Cup final on the line.

 

[Pinch hitter]

Rajshahi takes revenge or Spartans continue there Cinderella story???

 

[HighFlyingDwarf]

22nd September 2001
Rajshahi breakdown puts Hamrun Spartans into shock World Club Cup Final
Maria Vella-Galea, Sports Reporter

Adam Spiteri sends the Hamrun Spartans into delirium after completing his run out of Firoz Foyez
​

After a finish that few Hollywood writers would have dared to dream up, Hamrun Spartans have reached the World Club Cup Final.

It once again came down to the bowlers to bail out the Spartans after a below par outing of 213/7, mostly off the back of another splendid innings from Thomas Fedele.

With Rajshahi gliding along at 178/4, it looked almost inevitable that the Spartans cinderella story was set to end one hurdle short of the final.

But less than two weeks after seeing the Spartans steal a win from his grasp, Shahjahan Uddin would once again suffer a similar fate, losing his wicket LBW before watching his teammates squander what would seem like a routine victory for the Bangladeshi champions.

Kinshuk Roy Milon, the victim in that first matchup, found himself holding up the innings, but even then the mathematics looked routine. When he took to the crease after Uddin's dismissal, he needed just under two and a half runs an over from the remaining 15.

Jafar Iqbal was left stranded by Zaru Decelis LBW, but even then, there was no suggestion that the Spartans could hold off the tide, as Turjoy Vattacharjay began to rebuild a partnership with Milon.

But then the insanity began.

Vattarcharjay's desperation to get his team over the line caused an almost comical scene where he ran almost all the way to the non strikers end with Miloy not moving an inch. Thomas Fedele took the run out gift with ease.

199/8. Just 15 runs to go.

Firoz Foyez stepped in and helped Miloy crawl the score to 202/8 before Rikkardu Susani had Milroy plumb to rights.

202/9. 12 runs to go.

Nirum Debnath set the tone immediately with three runs to settle the nerves and get back on strike.

205/9.

Another single for Debnath put Foyez on strike, and that's when it happened.

Foyez taps the ball towards the off-side, calls for the run, and sets off! But, oh no! Debnath hesitated for a moment, and there's a mix-up between the two. Spiteri quickly collects the ball and throws it to the keeper. Direct hit, and Foyez is miles away from the crease! He's run out! What a catastrophic error by Rajshahi! The Spartans are bound for Toronto in the most unbelievable circumstances!

Moroccan champions Rabat are heavy favourites to defeat the unfancied Spartans after a tournament of drama, but Zaru Decelis and his team will know that the job they have done putting Maltese cricket on the map over the past month outweighs any of their own individual accomplishments by far.

 

[HighFlyingDwarf]

7th November 2001
Malta Cricket Roundup - Spartans, Tari and Norway
James Borg, Associate Sports Reporter

Hamrun Spartans meet President at San Anton Palace
​

Maltese President Guido de Marco honoured players of the Hamrun Spartans, the 2001 World Club Cup runners up, in an event at the presidential palace this week. Notably absent were a number of call ups to the Norway tour, but that did little to dampen the spirit of the occasion. The President stated at the ceremony "Cricket in Malta is on the rise and all of our society can benefit from the positive example that our players are giving both on and off the field".

Andrew Tari announced as first international player to play in Maltese domestic cricket
​

Former Vanuatu international all rounder Andrew Tari has agreed a deal with the MBCC to become the first overseas player to participate in the Maltese domestic game. After initial lukewarm interest from clubs negotiating overseas deals, the MBCC are expected to assign players as necessary to teams based on worst to first previous season records. With Gozo's introduction to the league, it's expected that they will be most likely to secure Tari's services.

Tari last played international cricket at the 2000 CONOC Nations Cup and was a key figure in Shefa Sharks run to the 2001 Vanuatu Blast final, which they lost to Northeast Harpoons.

Malta in search of first series win over Norway
​

After a highly controversial exclusion of Zakkarija Bellizzi, Maltese cricket captain Massiminu Grungo could have been forgiven for having the feeling of walking on egg shells. He would prove to be vindicated however, as his Malta side took a huge first ODI win against Norway to settle the nerves and set up a potential first series win over highly ranked opposition.

Malta won by 6 wickets (with 31 deliveries remaining) and Grungo put in a captains performance, with a knock of 80 and a wicket for just 26 runs. It marks Malta's first win in any format over EUROCON opposition.

 

[HighFlyingDwarf]

2002 Domestic Season Outline

Rules
1. Each team will play each other twice in the FC Championship.
2. Each team will play each other twice in the One Day Championship. The One Day Championship will conclude with a "Finals Week" in which the final two rounds of Matches will be played followed by a playoff including five additional matches (A preliminary stage of two matches in which the league phase leader gains a bye, the fourth place match and Championship qualifier, and the Championship itself).
3. Teams will register a 12 player roster at the beginning of the season.
4. Teams may have a limit of up to five centrally contracted Maltese players.
5. Teams may have up to two international players in line with WCC regulations.
6. Unlimited reserves may be called up as necessary outside of the 12 player roster.
7. All non-centrally contracted players are rated in line with World Cricket Conference guidelines for consistency.
8. Schedules are subject to change in line with international cricketing obligations and the Maltese cricket master schedule.
9. The champion of each tournament will be eligible to participate as Malta's representative in any WCC organised competitions of the relevant grade in the same year if desired (eg. the OD Championship winner will be eligible to apply for the WCC Club World Cup).

First Class Scoring
Win: 16 points
Draw: 5 points
Loss: 0 points

First Innings Batting Bonus Points
250 to 299 runs - 1 point
300 to 349 runs - 2 points
350 to 399 runs - 3 points
400 to 449 runs - 4 points
450 runs or over - 5 points

List A Scoring
Win: 2 points
Tie: 1 point
Loss: 0 points

​

Spoiler: Overall Schedule

Date​	Event​
12th February - 16th February​	FC Round 1​
19th February - 23rd February​	FC Round 2​
25th February -1st March​	FC Round 3​
2nd March​	OD Round 1 (Gozo)​
5th-9th March​	Malta vs. Canada - First Test (Gozo)​
10th March​	OD Round 2 (Valletta)​
13th–17th March​	Malta vs. Canada - Second Test (Valletta)​
19th March​	OD Round 3 (Dingli)​
21st March​	OD Round 4 (Dingli)​
22nd March​	Malta vs. Canada - First ODI (Dingli)​
25th March​	Malta vs. Canada - Second ODI (Marsa)​
28th March​	Malta vs. Canada - Third ODI (Valletta)​
30th March - 3rd April​	FC Round 4​
5th April - 10th April​	FC Round 5​
11th April - 28th April​	2002 WCC Knockout Trophy​
30th April - 4th May​	FC Round 6​
6th May​	OD Round 5 (Dingli)​
8th May - 12th May​	FC Round 7​
13th May​	OD Round 6 (Gozo)​
15th-19th May​	FC Round 8​
20th May​	OD Round 7 (Marsa)​
22nd-31st May​	Indian Quadrangular Tournament​
2nd June-6th June​	FC Round 9​
8th June​	OD Round 8 (Dingli)​
12th June - 16th June​	FC Round 10​
17th June - 15th July​	2002 EUROCON Europa League​
16th July - 21st July​	OD Finals Week (Valletta)​
25th July - 4th August​	Commonwealth Games (ODI/T20)​

Spoiler: Schedule

Spoiler: Schedule

 

[HighFlyingDwarf]

2002 Player Eligibility Statement

The Maltese Board of Control for Cricket can today confirm that the following players have been given central contracts for 2002, expanding the initial list of players to 23 in light of the success of Malta's international and domestic teams on the world stage.

Nunzju Borg
Nick Ubaldini
Valent Periolo
Dom Leone
Zaren Genius
Joseph Desain
Jacob Oliva

Massiminu Grungo
Thomas Fedele
Carmelo Testa
Nikola Miller
Joseph Porsella

Pinu Cascun
Żaru Decelis
Mikhail Castagnia
Guze Rutter
Kyran Dougall
Danjel Samuele
Dumniku St. John

Fonzu Nicosia
Zakkarija Bellizzi
Denzilee Selvatico

Kyle Madiona

The MBCC can confirm that the following international players have submitted the relevant paperwork to play Maltese domestic cricket as of the start of the 2002 season.

Andrew Tari

Storm Høj

Noah Bendtsen

Daniel Emani*

Mark Manusaute*

Martin Bevans

Harri Hurle

Kai Kellaway

Dai Jones

Andrew Bull

*March-May only​

 

[HighFlyingDwarf]

2002 Maltese Domestic Cricket Season Preview: Valletta
Maria Vella-Galea, Sports Reporter

Joseph Porsella has rapidly become Malta's top cricketing star after a huge 2001

Welcome to the first of our team previews for the 2002 Maltese domestic cricket season. After a breakthrough year in 2001, the MBCC are expecting 2002 to mark another big leap forward in the progression of Maltese cricket, with the addition of a new team in Gozo and a dynamic experiment with the OD "Finals Week", expected to be an unprecedented spectacle in Maltese sport.

Valletta are odds on favourites to replicate their First Class success from last season and add the One Day title after the acquisition of Joseph Porsella, who has made a high profile switch from Hamrun Spartans after breaking through with the team at the World Club Cup last season and on the international stage.

There's lots to talk about elsewhere though with this Valletta side however. Thomas Fedele and Kyran Dougall have both been added to the side and have been instrumental in the success of the national team. Fedele was the top List A player in the country last season, and Dougall's 6-13 against England certainly softened the blow for a Valletta side that were unsuccessful in their pursuit of top rated test bowler Kyle Madiona from Santa Lucia.

Valletta have also retained the services of key players in Nunzju Borg and Massiminu Grungo. Borg was the top Test player in the country last season, but it will be a tough ask with a new five day format and teammates such as Porsella and Dougall in the mix for him to replicate the feat despite his steady performances as an opener.

The first two international signings for Valletta come in the form of Kai Kellaway from Wales and Noah Bendtsen from Denmark. Bendtsen is a highly touted Danish international and his bowling prowess will be key as Valletta go heavy on batting depth. Kellaway is a fairly unknown quantity but clearly Grungo and co are optimistic about the spinner.

Nunzju Borg
Annibale Mizzi
Bert Pantalleresco
Massiminu Grungo
Thomas Fedele
Joseph Porsella
Zaru Balzano
Kai Kellaway

Noah Bendtsen

Lewis Mompalao
Kyran Dougall

Guze Vella

Centrally Contracted
International Player
Reserve​

 

[HighFlyingDwarf]

2002 Maltese Domestic Cricket Season Preview: Hamrun Spartans
Maria Vella-Galea, Sports Reporter

Zakkarija Bellizzi has been on the outside looking in for Malta despite his World Club Cup heroics

By all rights, the Hamrun Spartans should be enjoying their status as the second best team in world one day club cricket, but a number of significant departures have put a dent in their celebrations, including some domestic players from last season who've been recognised with central contracts.

Zakkarija Bellizzi has struggled to get into the Malta side of late even after his superb performances in Canada, and with a spell in Denmark on the cards questions are being asked as to whether or not he will see another Malta cap. He remains with the Spartans to try and push them to a second List A title along with Nick Ubaldini and Zaren Genius, the latter of whom has cemented his place as an international opening batsman.

The gruesome twosome of Fedele and Porsella have gone to Valletta. In their place, a combination of retired Vanuatu international Andrew Tari and young Welsh keeper Harri Hurle have slotted into the upper mid order. A domestic arrival from Santa Lucia who is raising eyebrows is Dumniku St. John, who has been a stable figure in the Malta squad since their victory over Norway at the tail end of 2001 and made his debut in the second ODI against Argentina. He will be hoping for a big season to push him into greater starting lineup consideration for the national side.

Nick Ubaldini
Zaren Genius
Laurent Augustin
Andrew Tari

Harri Hurle

Adam Spiteri
Zaru Decelis
Dumniku St. John
Gan Galea
Gann Bruno
Zakkarija Bellizzi

Mason Preziosi
​

 

[HighFlyingDwarf]

2002 Maltese Domestic Cricket Season Preview: Marsaxlokk
Maria Vella-Galea, Sports Reporter

Carmelo Testa shall be hoping to rebuild his career after being overhauled by Joseph Porsella as Malta's keeper

Marsaxlokk finished as runners up in both formats of the domestic game last season and very nearly forced a championship playoff against Hamrun Spartans for the ODI title. Could Carmelo Testa have been stood at the World Club Cup final instead of Zaru Decelis? I think it's fair to be sceptical.

Testa's time as Malta keeper was ignominious to say the least and he's been relegated to a distant backup to Porsella behind the sticks. Marsaxlokk remain cautiously optimistic however. Dom Leone has stepped into the top of the order from Santa Lucia, whilst Martin Bevans and Mark Manusaute are Marsaxlokk's international signings. As one of the two teams with a player from Niue, who will be participating from March to May only, Marsaxlokk have designated an extra reserve player in addition to their backup keeper.

Marsaxlokk's biggest concern is their weakness in the attack. Denzilee Selvatico is gone, and they will be relying on all rounder Guze Rutter to step up since emerging as an international all rounder. It remains to be seen if newly promoted rookie Lewis Despot can step up to replace him.

Valent Periolo
Gorg Bonnett
Dom Leone
Martin Bevans

Mark Manusaute

Carmelo Testa
Guze Rutter
Mikhail Castagnia
Krispin Natale
Indrija Papagiorco
Lewis Despot

Publju Pandolfino
Ben Pizzuto​

 

[HighFlyingDwarf]

2002 Maltese Domestic Cricket Season Preview: Santa Lucia
Maria Vella-Galea, Sports Reporter

Santa Lucia have built a fearsome attack around top test bowler Kyle Madiona

Santa Lucia have gone heavy on strengthening their bowling attack entering their second season. The minnows have been trying to set themselves apart and have found a gem in Kyle Madiona, who is the top rated bowler in international test cricket right now and is club captain. Despite a pursuit by Valletta to acquire him, he has remained loyal to his team.

Pinu Cascun has made the move from Valletta to become Santa Lucia's new keeper, and Denzilee Selvatico has joined from Marsaxlokk. Cascun has not featured for the national side since last years European Championship, but Selvatico has made a name for himself and is looking at continuing his international partnership with Madiona in the attack.

Alongside them, Storm Høj and Daniel Emani are Santa Lucia's international imports. Jacob Oliva is an untested commodity at the top of the order and his acquisition from Hamrun Spartans has raised some eyebrows, but clearly Santa Lucia are not focused on running up the score.

Mikhail Cali
Karistu Metrovich
Jacob Oliva
Duminku Troisi
Danjel Barberi
Nikola Miller
Storm Høj

Pinu Cascun
Daniel Emani

Denzilee Selvatico
Kyle Madiona

Zaru Pelicano
Zontu Malatesta​

 

[HighFlyingDwarf]

2002 Maltese Domestic Cricket Season Preview: Gozo
Maria Vella-Galea, Sports Reporter

Gozo Stadium is already making history with a huge win for Malta over England which was the largest win margin by runs ever in international cricket.

Gozo are the wildcard for this season. Fulfilling an ambition for MBCC Chairman John Attard to place a team on the smaller of Malta's two islands, they have wasted no time in recruiting a talented captain in former Hamrun Spartans top order batsman Joseph Desain and bringing in a pair of Welsh bowlers in Andrew Bull and Dai Jones. Danjel Samuele and Fonzu Nicosia also lineup in the side as centrally contracted players, and with a couple of spots remaining there's room for growth.

Gozo are on paper the weakest of all the sides this season, but it's impossible to predict precisely how teams will fare against this new side, on a good pitch at Gozo which they have been training on readily since the beginning of the year.
​

Joseph Desain
Aaron Emmanwel
Jean Turcis
Petr Lawson
Andre Pitre
Valent Maurin
Christian Williams
Danjel Samuele
Fonzu Nicosia
Andrew Bull

Dai Jones

Alessandro Di Pacien​

 

[HighFlyingDwarf]

2002 Season Official Schedule

The MBCC can confirm the official schedule dates for this season.

Date​	Event​
12th February - 16th February​	FC Round 1​
19th February - 23rd February​	FC Round 2​
25th February -1st March​	FC Round 3​
2nd March​	OD Round 1 (Gozo)​
5th-9th March​	Malta vs. Canada - First Test (Gozo)​
10th March​	OD Round 2 (Valletta)​
13th–17th March​	Malta vs. Canada - Second Test (Valletta)​
19th March​	OD Round 3 (Dingli)​
21st March​	OD Round 4 (Dingli)​
22nd March​	Malta vs. Canada - First ODI (Dingli)​
25th March​	Malta vs. Canada - Second ODI (Marsa)​
28th March​	Malta vs. Canada - Third ODI (Valletta)​
30th March - 3rd April​	FC Round 4​
5th April - 10th April​	FC Round 5​
11th April - 28th April​	2002 WCC Knockout Trophy​
30th April - 4th May​	FC Round 6​
6th May​	OD Round 5 (Dingli)​
8th May - 12th May​	FC Round 7​
13th May​	OD Round 6 (Gozo)​
15th-19th May​	FC Round 8​
20th May​	OD Round 7 (Marsa)​
22nd-31st May​	Indian Quadrangular Tournament​
2nd June-6th June​	FC Round 9​
8th June​	OD Round 8 (Dingli)​
12th June - 16th June​	FC Round 10​
17th June - 15th July​	2002 EUROCON Europa League​
16th July - 21st July​	OD Finals Week (Valletta)​
25th July - 4th August​	Commonwealth Games (ODI/T20)​

MBCC Addendum
The Maltese Board of Control for Cricket notes that due to fixture congestion, the MBCC have been required to start the First Class season early. Pre-existing foreign player contract commitments will be honoured including those of Maltese players playing overseas who will be replaced by reserves for any affected fixtures. The MBCC will be proposing to extend the official domestic window to account for this moving forward.
​

 

[HighFlyingDwarf]

"The theatre of champions awaits..."

 

[Till Valhalla]

"The theatre of champions awaits..."

Amazing