The Press Box

[World Cricket Conference]

Knockout Trophy: Blockbuster Final Four set to close out with a bang
India steamrolled England to book their place in the semi-final of another WCC event​

India's bowling fired on all cylinders against England in the second quarter-final © LaSexta, April 21, 2002​

With the quarter-finals done and dusted, the top-four teams for the 2002 WCC Knockout Trophy are set in stone for a blockbuster weekend of cricket.

Quarter-Finals Recap

Morocco vs Niue: Hervé Hocquard Special

Morocco faced-off against two-time Nations Cup winners Niue in the first quarter-final of the Knockout Trophy. Playing in front of a raucous home crowd, Morocco opted to bat first and consequently posted a mammoth 338/4 on a wicket with no out-and-out help for batters. Their innings was powered by Hervé Hocquard, who struck a magnificent 157 off 117 deliveries to complete his third ODI hundred of his career, surpassing his previous highest score of 146 in the process. A not-so-fired-up knock from Zamen Ibn Al-Hasan added 91 runs from 112 deliveries, which in turn saw the Moroccans finish with an intimidating total. Niue's bowling was entirely ineffective against the rampaging hosts, as was their batting in the second innings. Niue were restricted to 273/7 at the end of their full 50.0 overs, a good 65 runs short of Morocco's total. Dalton Nemani was the only Niuean batter to play a knock of any note, scoring 87 runs from 92 deliveries from the number five position.

India vs England: Utter Dominance

India steamrolled England to book their place in the semi-final of another WCC event. An 8-wicket trouncing saw the Indians embarrass the English, with a slight downpour on display towards the end of the game in Almería, the driest region in all of Europe. England won the toss and elected to bat first, a decision which would not be validated by their batters, who were bowled out for 184 at the end of the 41st over of the innings. WG Charles top-scored for them yet again, but with a lowly 45 this time, indicative of the team's total. Mithun Parag was the only Indian bowler to go wicketless, but he also only bowled a single over. Every other bowler in the Indian attack claimed 2 wickets each, with Mayas Kumble somehow being the most expensive of the lot. India's run-chase was as swift as they come, with a 130-run opening-wicket stand pretty much signaling the end right away. A couple of wickets fell, but India eventually secured the win, and a berth against Morocco in the first semi-final.

Vanuatu vs Denmark: No Respite for Bowlers

Vanuatu may well have caused a remarkable upset if their bowlers turned up the way Nailin Bani and Apolinaire Saksak did. Twin hundreds from the aforementioned pushed Vanuatu to a defendable 293/4 against a completely flat Danish attack. While a lackluster finish may have left them 20-30 runs short, they still would've fancied their chances. But any optimism they may have had was swiftly deconstructed, boundary by boundary, by Chris Mattsson and Aksel Johansson. Both batters scored hundreds, and hit a combined 34 fours and 3 sixes in the process. Their efforts were enough to secure a comfortable 7-wicket win against a completely toothless Vanuatuan attack.

South Africa vs Canada: Batters win you Matches, Bowlers win you Tournaments

In the fourth and final quarter-final of the Knockout Trophy, South Africa played Canada in what ended-up being a completely lopsided affair. A Pierre Struwig-led attack blew Canada over for a measly 171 as the speed demon bagged his second 4-wicket haul in as many games in this tournament. He was supported well by his brother, Rudi Struwig, who claimed 2 scalps of his own. A fifty from Balendra Lathar from the number three position was the only shining light of Canada's innings. Similar to the previous quarter-final, South Africa completed a comfortable 7-wicket win to set-up a semi-final against the defending champions Denmark, with the Proteas being the heavy favorites.

 

[Welwyn]

Anger in Swansea at One-Day tournament
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Staff at Abertawe PR, Swansea's new cricketing franchise, are said to be 'apoplectic' at the announcing of the new One-Day Cup competition earlier today. The tournament will be held next week and they are unhappy at both the short-time to prepare and the condensed format. Because of the immediacy of the tournament, none of the overseas players will be available, however those in Swansea feel they are being unfairly affected because Inzaman Wasim is already in England playing for the East Midlands and will be unavailable as well.

One staff member says it is 'frankly bonkers that we are left with only 12 players to play 6, hopefully 7 games in a week. We only have 5 bowlers available. What happens if one gets injured?'

They are also accusing the domestic cricking authorities of 'running around like headless chickens' in response to the announcement of a British Championship last week and that the entire tournament is a rush job in order to have a one-day domestic side to send to the tournament.

 

[World Cricket Conference]

Knockout Trophy: And then, there were two
Denmark's title defense came to an end with a heartbreaking loss​

Jacque Coetzee misjudged a simple catch during the second semi-final © LaSexta, April 26, 2002​

India and South Africa booked their places in the Knockout Trophy Final after emerging victorious in two wildly different semi-final encounters in Spain.

Semi-Finals Recap

Morocco vs India: Hosts Undone

Morocco and India played against each other in the first semi-final of the ongoing Knockout Trophy in a completely lopsided affair. An in-form Moroccan side posted a respectable 258 for 7 at the end of their innings after being put in to bat first by India. Solid half-centuries from seniors Zamen Ibn Al-Hasan and Abderrahim Zniber shepherded Morocco's innings, with a quick-paced 49 from Hervé Hocquard and a lower-order cameo from Zakaria El Hankouri aiding them profusely. Indian bowling was clinical as always, with Zeeshan Khan and Mayas Kumble bagging 2 wickets apiece. Tight and constrained bowling from India kept Morocco tied up to a modest-at-best total. India's response was similar to their responses in their previous two games, where their top-four pretty much ran away with it unhindered. Shubman Kotak's anchoring knock, coupled with Vijay Kambli's 95-ball century ensured a simple win for India in the first semi-final. Morocco's bowlers could not challenge the might of Indian batting, as a wicket each from Zouhair Rami and Sufyan Ben Barka was their only positive. Hakem Lahbabi, playing in what turned out to be his final match, delivered figures of 0/45 in 7.0 overs. Rabat veteran bowed out from all forms cricket in truly heartbreaking manner, failing to turn up in what was, Morocco's biggest international fixture.

Denmark vs South Africa: The Dream Lives

Undoubtedly the best match of the tournament so far saw the defending champions Denmark go toe-to-toe against heavy-favorites South Africa in an absolute barnburner of a contest. After winning the toss and choosing to bowl first, Denmark bowled South Africa out for a measly 166 on the back of a disciplined bowling performance. Martin Lundgren led the pack with 3 wickets to his name, while Oliver Johansson and Felix Nørregaard bagged 2 scalps apiece. A brazen 47 up-top from Graeme Botha was the highlight of the South African batting card, but little did he know what was to come when he was recklessly toying with the Danish bowlers at the very start of the innings. A total like that needed an all-time performance from the South Africans to pull off a heist of a win against Denmark of all teams, and spoilers, Rudi Struwig conjured up just that.

The South African skipper dismissed Chris Mattsson, a centurion in each of his previous two outings, for a golden duck on the first ball of the innings. However, a resolute fightback from Aksel Johansson and Niels Hjort made the 167-run target seem like a cakewalk despite the early inroad. The pair put together 78 runs for the second wicket to put Denmark firmly in the driver's seat. A wonderful take from Siya Ndlala brought about the breakthrough that South Africa desperately needed, and one they were able to capitalize on to bring themselves back into the game. South Africa could've had another wicket on the very next ball, but Jacques Coetzee spilled a simple chance at mid-wicket. Fortuitously, it did not prove too costly as wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals despite the dropped catch, until the Danes finally lost the plot. Dale Smit's bowling during the middle-overs was key for South Africa who were able to exert a great deal of pressure, as well as pick up quality wickets every now and then. But even still, the game was not fully won until Rudi Struwig struck twice in three deliveries to dismiss Denmark's 8th and 9th wickets. With 12 runs needed, a bit of resilience still could've gotten the job done for Denmark, but Rudi Struwig was spewing venom, as he plucked the final wicket and completed his SIXTH 5-wicket haul in ODI cricket.

His performance almost single-handedly led South Africa to their first major international final since the 1999 WCC Nations League at the Maifeld in Berlin. Denmark's title defense came to an end with a heartbreaking loss, but both teams should be proud with what they accomplished - an instant classic at the Cártama Oval.

 

[World Cricket Conference]

South Africa crowned the Kings of Knockout Cricket, ascend to No. 1 in ODI Rankings
India and South Africa went toe-to-toe in what ended up being an all-time classic between the two-best ODI nations in the world​

Pramod Krishnakumar failed to defend 13 runs off the last over in the final © LaSexta, April 28, 2002​

The 2002 edition of the WCC Knockout Trophy concluded with South Africa being crowned champions after a hard-fought battle with India at the Grand Stade de Casablanca. South Africa broke their multinational tournament jinx, courtesy of a Jacques Coetzee special, whereas heartbreak continued for India, who lost their second-successive WCC final.

The Final: Relived

India vs South Africa: Kings of Knockout Cricket

India and South Africa went toe-to-toe in what ended up being an all-time classic between the two-best ODI nations in the world. A game, decided on the second-last delivery, ran through the entire gamut of emotions until it reached its final crescendo, where the South Africans emerged triumphant against an Indian side that would go on to suffer yet another heartbreak in a WCC final. After winning the toss and bravely opting to bowl first on a typical Casablanca wicket, South Africa made early inroads with the dismissals of Kannaur Lokesh and Shubman Kotak, both falling to Pierre Struwig. Despite the early jolts, Indian skipper Vijay Kambli and his incumbent Varun Muzumdar steadied the ship with a highly responsible partnership which saw both batters bring up their respective fifties in no time. A 122-run stand for the 3rd-wicket gave India a firm grasp on the game, but a desperate breakthrough was provided to South Africa when an ill-timed loft from Varun Muzumdar landed in the hands of Graeme Botha. That breakthrough was quickly capitalized on by Fanie Steyn who removed Pramod Krishnakumar for a measly 3, which was soon followed by Pierre Struwig being brought back into the attack and promptly removing the well-set Vijay Kambli for 76. All of a sudden, the entire momentum of the game shifted entirely towards South Africa, but another stern fightback led by Mithun Parag and Vikas Samant resulted in a 118-run partnership for the 6th-wicket, which once again stabilized India's proceedings. Controlled bowling towards the twilight of the innings resulted in India being tied-down to a rather disappointing 313/7 on a batter-friendly surface. A lackluster finish meant India were shortchanged at least 20-30 runs towards the end of their innings, with their lower-order failing to provide the finishing touches they would've been eager to have. South Africa's bowling did exceedingly well, all things considered, with Pierre Struwig and Fanie Steyn bagging 3 wickets apiece. Rudi Struwig, the leading wicket-taker of the tournament, rather surprisingly went wicketless despite being the only South African player in the team aware of the Casablanca conditions due to his brief stint with the Moroccan club Raja Casablanca. But even with him failing to pull up in the final, South Africa had stopped the mighty Indian batting lineup for posing an imposing total in the final. With 314 being a perfectly chaseable target, India had to bowl out of their skin to defend it.

And defend it, they didn't. But it was only due to the last-over heroics of one Jacques Coetzee, who flailed the Indian bowling to all parts of the ground in the final few overs of the run-chase, including squeezing Pramod Krishnakumar for 15 runs off 5 deliveries in the final over to seal the game in stunning fashion. South Africa were given the platform to chase India's 314-run target by anchoring knocks from Herschelle Meintjies and Petrus Struwig. Both batters subdued the Indian attack early on with mindful stroke-play, which laid the groundwork for the likes of Siya Ndlala and Jacques Coetzee to break free from the shackles in the later-half of the innings. Siya Ndlala's 29-ball 41 woke South Africa up from a predicament that made it seem like the South Africans were on their way to a downward spiral, and Jacques Coetzee's unbeaten 87 from 65 deliveries dragged South Africa across the finish line in a stunning end to the tournament. He was complimented very well by Mark Janssen, who held the other end safe while striking at nearly ninety, giving Jacques Coetzee the cushion he needed to let lose in the end. India's bowling failed to show up in the manner they would've liked, and though they dragged the game to the final over, they failed to get the job done, and they failed to really exert pressure on the chasing side. Their shortcomings were the key to another Indian heartbreak.

By winning the Knockout Trophy, South Africa ascended to No. 1 in WCC ODI Team Rankings for the first time in their history. They also became the first African nation to achieve this feat, displacing the Netherlands who had withdrawn from the tournament before it even began. India moved one rank up to two, and Denmark moved one rank down to three. Morocco leapfrogged every other team to achieve a record-high number four, while the rest of the rankings were followed in the order of the overall standings in the tournament.

 

[Welwyn]

Shock Rees-tirement announced

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Connor Rees, the 38 year old left-handed opener, has announced his shock retirement from international cricket just days before Wales' first ever home international. Rees, who opened in all three games Wales have played so far, was expected to open in their first home test match at his native St. Helens ground in Swansea in just a few days time.

Despite his 73 in that debut ODI being the second highest score in any format during that series, Rees has said he would struggle with the travelling involved in sustaining a full-time international career. As a result he felt it would be 'unfair' to play these home matches when he had no intention of travelling abroad with the national team. He admitted it was a decision that had been 'extremely difficult,' especially with the prospect in playing at his home ground in Wales' first ever Test Match.

However, Rees did commit to continuing to want to play for Swansea and refused to comment on rumours that the selectors had already selected him before he informed the board of their decision.

 

[RUDI]

​

Free State Cricket Union launches new team name and logo​

FREE State Cricket Union (FSCU) says it is “extremely excited” about the transition to the new orange machine era, since their inclusion in the top 6 of division 1 teams as part of Cricket South Africa’s domestic restructuring model.

FSCU said it has a strong backing of already secured sponsorships to start this new journey with the union and that the fresh brand identity will continue to attract more sponsorships and opportunities.

The CEO of FSCU, Johan van Heerden, commented: “The orange machine has arrived! With the new aggressive and impressive identity logo, our approach on the field will be no different. With the major support from corporate SA this will become the biggest year for Free State Cricket and the Knights!”

“We are very excited with the new system and that Free State will be a team on its own. The Knights orange machine will surely hit the ground running and hopefully we can put a few good performances in quickly. With some good sponsorships lined up, the fans surely want to be associated with ‘The Free State Way’. We are very excited about this new adventure,” said Heinrich Bester, captain of the Knights.

 

[RUDI]

Northerns Cricket Union strikes deal with Momentum Multiply - New look, new name

Pretoria - Northerns Cricket Union CEO Jacques Faul announced Northerns will be joining forces with financial giant Momentum. A significant overhaul of the way the brand looks, feels, and what it represents can be expected.

“I had to put it all together with my right-hand man, Eddie Khoza, and the Momentum team of Charlene Lackay and Emmanuel Mahlangu. It was beautiful.”- CEO Jacques Faul​

 

[RUDI]

Standard Bank Cup Draft Underway


New season, new look, new squads. ​

 

[MrDependable]

Namibia A and Scotland A Set to Ignite T20 Fever in Windhoek

Windhoek, Namibia - The cricketing fever is set to reach new heights as Namibia A and Scotland A gear up for a pulsating T20 series at Wanderers in Windhoek. The T20 clashes, scheduled as an experimental exhibition, come right after the shorter format's debut in the Commonwealth Games, promising an exhilarating display of fast-paced cricketing action.

The picturesque Wanderers ground in Windhoek will be the stage for the T20 series, offering a dynamic setting for players to showcase their flair and creativity in the shortest format of the game.

Experimentation and Entertainment:

The T20 series holds a special place in the cricketing calendar as teams experiment with strategies, line-ups, and tactics to adapt to the dynamic nature of T20 cricket. This experimental exhibition is expected to be a cricketing spectacle, providing an entertaining display of big hits, quick runs, and skillful bowling.

The timing of the T20 series, right after the Commonwealth Games, adds an extra layer of excitement as players look to carry the momentum from the global stage to the domestic clash. The series serves as a crucial platform for players to fine-tune their T20 skills, offering a glimpse into the potential strategies that might unfold in future T20 competitions.

The tour will begin with a first-class match between the two sides, followed by a 3-match List A series, and ending with the T20 series. The national teams of Namibia and Scotland will face each other right after this tour in 2 ODIs and a Test match.

Namibia A vs Scotland A Series Schedule:

July 25 to 29: Only First Class (5-day match)
Venue: United Ground, Windhoek

August 2, 4, 6: List A series
Venue: Affies Park, Windhoek

August 10, 11, 13: T20 series
Venue: Wanderers, Windhoek

 

[Till Valhalla]

"Cricket's Dirty Secret: Müller Schwanstegger Accused of Swiping Funds for Personal Gain"
Date: July 28, 2002
Hold onto your cricket bats, folks! The whispers in the locker rooms just got louder, and this time it's Müller Schwanstegger, the head honcho at the World Cricket Council (WCC), who's caught in the crosshairs of a scandal that's shaking up the cricket world.
Rumors are rife that Schwanstegger, the man entrusted with guiding the future of the game, may have just pulled off a financial sleight of hand. The plot? A chunk of change earmarked to resurrect an extinct cricket body in Oceania has allegedly taken a detour, ending up in the coffers of another defunct outfit from a different confederation. What’s the catch? Well, insiders are pointing fingers at potential personal perks for Schwanstegger and his cronies.
Cricket lovers Down Under were hoping for a revival, a chance to see the sport rise from the ashes. But if the whispers are to be believed, it looks like their dreams got lost in the bureaucratic Bermuda Triangle. Sources hint that this fund shuffle might just benefit Schwanstegger’s favorites or line his pockets indirectly. Who needs a fair game when there are personal gains on the table, right?
The grapevine is buzzing with speculation about the shadowy connections between the redirected funds and those in Schwanstegger's inner circle. It's a tangled web of mystery and intrigue, and cricket enthusiasts worldwide are left scratching their heads, wondering if their beloved sport is being played off the field for all the wrong reasons.
We reached out to Schwanstegger for his side of the story, and surprise, surprise – he's singing the denial anthem. According to the big man himself, everything's above board, and the cash flow is just part of the grand plan to take cricket to new heights.
As the scandal unfolds, the cricketing world is left to wonder: is this a classic case of greed trumping the game? Is Müller Schwanstegger playing fast and loose with the future of cricket to score some personal wins? Buckle up, folks, because this cricket rollercoaster just took an unexpected twist, and the ride is far from over.
Amidst the chaos, Niue Cricket and Kilikiti Board (NCKB), a small player in the international cricket scene, cautiously commented on the allegations, emphasizing the importance of fairness and accountability in the cricketing world. Their remarks add a layer of intrigue to an already sensational narrative, leaving many wondering if NCKB's perspective will be a game-changer in the ongoing scandal.


​

 

[HighFlyingDwarf]

I SAID IT ALL ALONG

 

[Till Valhalla]

Title: "Oceanic Showdown: Vanuatu vs. Niue - Battle for Gold in Commonwealth 2002 Cricket Extravaganza"

Date: August 2, 2002

Old Trafford, Manchester, is bracing itself for an extraordinary cricketing showdown as the Commonwealth 2002 Cricket Tournament hurtles toward its apex. In the highly awaited Gold Medal Match, the seasoned Vanuatu, captained by the astute Simon Bule, is set to go head-to-head with Duken Talaiti's resolute Niue side in a clash destined to etch itself into cricketing history.

Both teams have charted an intriguing course to the final, navigating through a labyrinth of victories and defeats, underscoring the unpredictable nature of this tournament. Under the experienced helm of Simon Bule, Vanuatu presents a balanced lineup featuring stalwarts like Dgen Kalsakau, Eprahim Meto, and Phillip Kaltak. Opposing them, Duken Talaiti's Niue team has displayed unwavering determination, with standout performances from key players, including the prolific batter Misikea Feleti and captain Duken Talaiti himself.

The playing conditions at Old Trafford promise to inject an additional layer of excitement into the match. The pitch, rated as "POOR - Ideal for bowling. Requires hard graft but quality batters can still thrive," sets the stage for a strategic battle between Vanuatu's seasoned bowlers, led by Bule, and Niue's formidable batting lineup.

As the teams brace themselves for the Gold Medal Match, cricket enthusiasts globally are eagerly anticipating the clash between these two cricketing powerhouses. The spotlight will undoubtedly shine on captains Bule and Talaiti, leaders who have steered their teams with distinction throughout the tournament. Both nations, united under the banner of the CONOC Oceanic Confederation, stand at the precipice of Commonwealth cricketing glory.

Old Trafford is poised to erupt with the cheers of passionate fans as the captains guide their teams onto the field for the grand finale of this captivating tournament. Whether it's Vanuatu's experience or Niue's unyielding spirit that emerges triumphant, the cricketing world is in for a spectacular display of Oceania's finest on the grand stage.

 

[World Cricket Conference]

Vanuatu take home Commonwealth Gold after thrilling final
The newly debuted 20-over format took flight with a controversial backdrop​

Tim Donald pictured with his Commonwealth Gold © BBC Sports, August 4, 2002​

Cricket's globalization dreams took flight with the debut of the new 20-over format at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester. In the sport's debut at the games, cricket was showcased in a newly developed format designed to be much shorter rather than the prestigious and well-established ODI and Test formats. Initially mocked by cricket purists as 'KFC cricket', the format was a massive hit with general audiences and casual fans of the sport. Fast-paced action, unchained batting, low-scoring thrillers and a final worthy of any highlight reel in the world provided great entertainment to purists and casuals alike.

The tournament came to its crescendo in a thrilling final between Oceanic giants Vanuatu and Niue, both of whom won their groups in controversial manner to qualify for the Gold Medal match. Vanuatu emerged triumphant following a phenomenal run-chase against arguably the best bowling unit of the tournament.

A thrilling conclusion to the tournament only added to the uncertain and mercurial nature of the format, since many would've backed Niue as the firm favourites even a few overs into Vanuatu's innings. Apolinaire Saksak and Clement Lal's sensational comeback, coupled with belligerent batting by Luuk Kalotang and Tim Donald got Vanuatu across the finish line, and gave Niue a heartbreaking loss. Vanuatu won Gold, Niue had to settle for Silver, and South Africa took home Bronze.

But all was not as hunky-dory as it may have seemed, since at the start of the tournament, World Cricket Conference President Müller Schwanstegger was accused of corruption by a Niuean media outlet. Accusations that were given standing ground when Schwanstegger was seen yelling at his assistant during the final, which coincidentally featured Niue. As the incident took place at a moment when Niue were going strong, the same media outlet jumped on the opportunity to propagate a false narrative regarding Schwanstegger's character and temperament. In many lies levied at him, the outlet also made a mockery of themselves when insinuating Müller Schwanstegger demanded the presence of Denmark and Morocco in the tournament, completely disregarding the fact that neither countries are members of the Commonwealth of Nations. More so, they referred to WCC as World Cricket Council, further exposing themselves as a reporting outlet lacking credibility.

However, it is quite evident that Müller Schwanstegger is a pious and righteous man capable of leading the sport in a direction of global growth, as proven by cricket's sudden surge in popularity from the debut of the 20-over format, a brainchild of Müller Schwanstegger himself.

 

[pillowprocter]

BULE QUITS TEST CAPTAINCY TO MANAGE WORKLOAD


There have been concerns over Bule's workload

Vanuatu all-format captain and lead spinner has quit Test captaincy to manage his workload. Bule has just won the 2002 Commonwealth Games and is understood to prefer focusing on white-ball cricket. While he will still be available for Test selection, the reduced burden is meant to help Bule focus on his personal performance.

It is currently unclear who the VCF will turn to, to lead in upcoming Test matches. Vanuatu do not have any other Test series scheduled this year. It is understood VCF are eager to appoint a bowler, as there is a popular notion in Vanuatuan cricket that "batsmen can't be captains", although Dgen Kalsakau and Alphonse Tari have had success at domestic level. Mark Mansale continues to rebuff the international captaincy.​

 

[Welwyn]

Newport Deal already signed for 2003
Spytty Park slated to host First Class cricket from next year
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We can today exclusively announce that Cricket Wales have already committed to adding a fifth franchise to their first-class structure in 2003. Officials, who have been delighted by attendances so far in the Princes Gate Championship, have already sounded out the South Walian club about whether they would be willing to commit to a franchise next year.

Rumours are also circulating that the authorities have sounded out various players who have links to Newport about being moved to the new club, including Ben Smale and Zinzan Taylor from Raja Caerdydd and the father and son combo of Kev and Steffan Moore from the Islanders.

In response, members of Marchwiel and Wrexham CC, Llandudno CC and Aberystwyth CC are already talking about it being a repeat of 'M4 corridor bias' that is seen according to one member from Llandudno 'smacks of something straight out of the Senydd'.

Meanwhile, Port Talbot Town CC, Bridgend Town CC and Merthyr CC have released a joint statement accusing the governing body of 'backdoor dealing' and want more transparency in any expansion process.