The Jakarta Cricket Association Synergy League season has entered into it's last third, and the usual dominating teams are finding themselves in different positions in the table.

Last year's champions, ISCI CC are currently fourth with a mixed performance. Losing finalists, Ceylon CC are even below them, struggling hard to find the run of form that made them look the side to watch this season.

Indorama CC have fought back hard to place themselves at third place, on top of which are last year's cellar-dwellers, Rebels CC, who have transformed themselves into a formidable unit. They have lost only to the current league leaders, Jakarta International CC, who are unbeaten in 10 matches since the start of the season. JICC are also the proud owners of a unique feat of two 10-wicket victories in the season already.

At the other end of the table, Perkasa CC rank seventh, in spite of having just developed a wonderful playing field in Karawang. Gandhi CC are last in eighth place, with school commitments taking the toll on their pitch activities.

The top six teams are vying for the four Semi-Final spots in April, and the eventual Grand Final on April 29th. Very high quality of cricket has been seen throughout.

After the highly successful tour of the Penang Sports Club to Jakarta to participate in the JCA Perkasa Sixes, we found ourselves hosting the Manila Nomads in the first weekend of December. Having the Singapore CC cancel their November tour to Jakarta due to 'security' reasons, the JCA was eager to show to their visitors exactly how fun cricket in Jakarta can be.

The first match the Manila Nomads played on Dec. 1st, 2000, at the Ceylon Cricket Ground in Cibubur, was a 25-over friendly match versus the JCA President's XI. A totally social match, the Manila boys romped to a four-wicket win over the Jakarta boys while chasing a modest 135 runs.

The next day saw them pitted against the cream of Jakarta cricket, in a serious 40-over match. The hosts piled up a massive total of 297-7, while the visitors were bowled out for only 180 runs.

The weekend was definitely fun, with the visitors completely awed by the tremendous cricketing facilities available in Jakarta. A reverse series is planned for sometime in 2001.

Another side from Tokyo, Japan, is confirmed to tour Jakarta and Bali during the over-lapping week of April-May, 2001.

Jakarta has not yet completely recovered from its successful hosting of its 2000 Annual Dinner, with Sir Richard Hadlee, and ICC's Andrew Eade, present at the chief guests.

Word of this tremendous night has traveled far, and the JCA has managed to secure the presence of former Australian Test batsman Keith Stackpole, as its chief guest for this year's Dinner, confirmed for May 19th, 2001. Preparations are already under way for this much-talked about event.

Under the joint coordination of the Indonesian Cricket Foundation, the Bali International Cricket Foundation, the JCA, and the Camden Rams Cricket establishment in Australia, two Indonesians from Bali recently successfully completed a cricket training course Down Under.

They have just returned back to Indonesia, and are currently being 'fine-tuned' so as to take on the enormous task of introducing and developing cricket into the local Indonesian communities and schools.

The JCA itself is currently undertaking a leading role in this aspect, having 'signed on' a few local Jakarta school children to watch and participate with expat school children in the current JCA Colts Junior Cricket Program.

Response and enthusiasm has been very good, and with the proper planning and effort, it may not be too long before the sport is played keenly amongst the locals.

The JCA is currently working to fill up its calendars for the forthcoming year. All these and the latest update on the league, and many other matters are regularly being posted on the official JCA website at :

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