IPL 2023 FINAL

IT’s AAVIN Vs AMUL – IPL 2023  FINAL

D-day arrived.  IPL  2023 Summit clash. It’s CSK Vs GI.

“Dhoni, Dhoni “ reverberates everywhere wherever CSK plays.  The cacophony is enjoyed by the spectators across Indian grounds.  

When Dhoni walks into the ground for Toss tonight , it  may be his  swansong, the mercurial captain of CSK team.  He is the only captain to lead a Franchise team right from its inception. And he led the team to victory on four occasions. 

The Yellow brigade is omnipresent and they travel across the country to cheer the team.  In fact in some grounds they outnumbered the local franchise team supporters. 

“Chennai Superkingsku Periya whistle adinga ( give a big whistle to CSK) is a popular rap doing rounds everywhere.

With 250 games in the League, the highest numbers under his belt “Mr. Cool Captain” M.S.D. with his tactical acumen goad his team into a winning team.  He nurtures the raw talent , tutor and mentor them infusing self confidence in them to perform best at the highest altars of the game.

The juvenile sling action bowler , Pathirana from Sri Lanka is a sensation in this season clocking 140+ in most matches is a classic example of Dhoni’s nurturing.

A mix of young and experienced players always rule the roost in CSK and Winning is a habit in their circle.

And with this high performing team, MSD walks into the ground tonight for the summit clash with Gujarat Titans, who are the defending champions.

Gujarat Titans is led Hardik Pandya, a protege of Dhoni, a promising all rounder is keen to retain the title, leading a bunch of bowlers with high credentials  who vie with each other to perform better and batters like Gill, who is in sublime form with the willow forming into a well-knit unit

The motley crowd at the World’s largest cricket ground, Narendra Modi stadium will be rooting for their local franchise team , Gujarat Titans and an equal number of fans cheering for CSK is on the cards tonight. 

It all started here at Narendra Modi Stadium, Motera  in the pipe opener match between Gujarat Titans Vs Chennai Super Kings ( GI Vs CSK) on 31st March 2023 the Indian Premier League (IPL) this season when GI prevailed over CSK and romped home comfortably by 5 wickets.   And after playing 70 league matches and 3 play-off matches, the  summit clash for the title in the Finals with the same team locking horns tonight  in the same venue i.e. World’s largest cricket stadium with a seating capacity of 1,14,000 at Motera, Ahmedabad (Gujarat).

And it’s Dhoni Vs Hardik and billed as  AAVIN (Tamilnadu) Vs AMUL (Gujarat) , the famous Milk brand product of the two  franchise States.

Though GI was the table topper at the league stage winning 10 matches out of 14, they were trounced at the hustings at M.A.C. Stadkium, Chepauk, Chennai in the Play-off ( Qualifier-1) by CSK  a few days back.  And GI sent packing Mumbai Indians, who triumphed 5 times of the League in the Qualifier 2 match played here at Motera just two days back.

The GI team is defending the title whereas CSK, who won the title 4 times, wants to win the title this year to give a fitting farewell to their mercurial Captain, M.S. Dhoni, who wanted to call it a day in this season.

The home advantage is there for GI but with MSD leading from the front CSK will try to upset the applecart of GI and romp home with the gleaming trophy.

So, let’s keep our fingers crossed for an interesting battle at Narendra Modi stadium, Motera.

ENGLAND’S ODEYSSEY IN PAKISTAN

Courtesy : Cricinfo.com

When England cricket team embarked on a tour to Pakistan to play Test cricket recently in November 2022

there were skepticisms whether the tour will happen given the political turmoil there. And England cancelled a

tour to that country two years back citing security reasons. When the England team reached the shores

of Pakistan this time they were given a royal reception at the Airport itself with heightened security for the

entire cavalcade.

There was a sigh of relief when the England team completed the formalities on the fourth day morning

of the third and final Test at National stadium, Karachi winning by 8 wickets and “Whitewashing” the Test

Series by a record 3-0. This is the first occasion that England defeated Pakistan at their den. This was a

embarassing defeat for the hosts as England won all the Tests in a clinical fashion.

In the first Test at Rawalpindi there were loads of runs as the pitch played benign for batters as it saw 1768 runs

and as many as 7 centuries were scored by both teams in the first innings. The batters from both teams made a

heavy weather of the flat pitch conditions as both team openers put a 200 + runs for the first wicket. When England posted

a mammoth 657 runs in the first innings thanks to 4 centuries by their batters including the two openers, the Pakistan

returned the favour with 579 runs as their openers also helped themselves with centuries and their captain also

scored a century. And the England debutant offie Will Jacks made a dream debut of scalping 6 wickets in the first

innings. And England in their second essay posted a quickfire 264 runs set a target of 343 runs in 110 overs for Pakistan.

England’s new found pace duo James Anderson and Robinson exploited the swing movements well and helped

themselves with 4 wickets apiece. And Pakistan fought valiantly through their tailenders especially the last wicket pair almost

dogged the defeat and England won the game by 74 runs in dying moments in a deteriorating light conditions.

And at Multan in the second Test the sensational debut of a young leg spinner, Abrar Ahmed of Pakistan created

ripples when the England team’s traditional weakness of tentative play against leggies was once again exposed when Abrar

reaped a heavy reward of 11 wickets in the Test. Both teams played true to their potential and England prevailed over

Pakistan in the final moments of the Test and won by 26 runs. And England’s new found batter , the 2 test old Harry Brook’s

century in the 2nd Innings helped England to set a 300 + total for Pakistan to chase.

And in the third Test at National stadium at Karachi, which is a stronghold of Pakistan, it’s again England who showed their

professionalism won by a whopping 8 wickets margin inside 4 days. Again another debutant made the headlines in this Test. The

teenage sensation Rehan Ahmed, the leggie, brought victory for England with his 5 wickets haul in the second innings of

Pakistan including the final wicket again inside 4 days of the Test. And Harris Brook’s century in the first innings helped England

to take a lead of 50 runs and the bowlers did the rest in the second innings of Pakistani batters.

And it was a Test series of Test Debutants make a headlines especially the slow bowlers from both sides.

And the “bazball” effect continues.

ASIA CUP 2022 REVIEW

Asia Cup 2022 REVIEW

The Asian Cricket Council Asia Cup is a men’s ODI  and T20 International cricket  tournament. It was established in 1983 when the Asian Cricket Council  was founded as a measure to promote goodwill between Asian countries. It was originally scheduled to be held every two years. The Asia Cup is the only continental championship in cricket and the winning team becomes the champions ofAsia. It alternates every 2-years between ODI and T20I formats.

After suffering a humiliating defeat, being  bundled out for a paltry 105 runs , at the hands of the emerging Afghans in the T20 format in the pipe opener, the Srilankan tigers tamed the Pakistani juggernaut in the final hustings of the Asia Cup 2022 played at U.A.E and won the title for the first time in a T-20 format and they annexed the Asia Cup for the sixth time.  The Srilankan team supporters erupted in the stadium and fireworks seen in the stadium.

The celebrations started in Srilanka and the players were given rousing reception at the Colombo Airport including an Open Bus and the players standing on the top of the bus waving to the crowds with motorcades following after their  tumultuous title win at Dubai Cricket stadium on Sept.11, 2022.

Photo courtesy : The New York Times

The crisis-hit Srilankan Board could not conduct the Asia Cup on their shores and chose U.A.E., the ultimate destination for sub continent teams , which comes to their rescue to conduct any tournament including T20 WC last year and the cash-rich IPL tournaments.

The Emerland Island nation players stoke to the finals after crossing some tough terrains including a tense going to the wire moment against India when they won the game by a cliff hanger in the 19.5 overs.  

A team which has to qualify for T20 WC to be held later in Australia and a dark horse in the Asia cup, the Srilankans held their nerves in the Finals when they defended 170 runs after they were down with 59/5 half way and a rear guard action by Bhanuka Rajapakse and  Warintu Hasaranka took them to 170 runs.

And a rookie pace bowler Madhushan started the proceedings  of taking wickets when Pakistan started the chase earnestly.  He had the tentative Pakistan Captain Babar Azam, who had a poor series in the tournament, chased a wide leg side delivery only to be caught in short fine leg and soon Fakar Zaman followed him castled by the same bowler.  Then there was some semblance of fight by Rizwan, the ever dependable Pakistan gloveman, who was in sublime form in this tournament and ably supported by Ifthikar and once Ifthikar got out there was sudden vacuum in the pakistani batting line up and they caved in and Srilanka romped home in the ultimate over.  The ground fielding by the Srilankan players was outstanding including some breathtaking catches throughout the tournament.

And the jubilant srilankan players paraded the ground at Dubai in a victory march.  

ENG Vs S.A. TEST SERIES 2022

2nd TEST AT MANCHESTER- REVIEW

Courtesy: Cricinfo.com

After a humiliating Innings defeat inside 3 days at Lord’s last week, the hosts’ Eng paid in the same coin as they inflicted an  Innings defeat to the  Visitors team under 3 days at Old Trafford ground, Manchester played from 25-27 Aug.2022.

The Proteas Captain Dean Elgar after winning the toss did a blunder of choosing to bat in seaming conditions.  They left out the emerging tall and lanky left-arm seamer Mark Jensen and included the off-spinner Simon Harmer.  It was a double blow as the pitch played a true English pitch helping seamers early and the inclusion of the spinner seemed to be redundant in the final analysis.

The senior pro and the local hero Lancashire-born Jimmy Anderson drew the first blood by inducing the left-hand opener Sarel Erwee with a beautiful outswinger only to find the edge of the bat to England’s wicket-keeper, who was very busy behind the wicket during this Test. And a semblance of resistance by the South African skipper Elgar and the diminutive Keegan Peterson was broken by another senior pro the tall and lanky Stuart Broad as Elgar edged an away delivery to a regulation catch in the slip cordons.  And soon there was steady pageantry of the South African batters and they were folded like ninepins under the weight of swing bowling of the English seamers who decimated the Proteas brittle batting line up and they scored a paltry 151 runs in 53 overs as Anderson and Broad claimed 3 wickets apiece.

And when the hosts started their innings in the Test it was pathetic with the first 3 wickets falling under 50 runs before Zak Crawley and Bairstow added a crucial 91 runs for the 4th wicket and the match tilted in favour of the hosts when the England Captain Ben Stokes and gloveman Ben Foakes took the centre stage clobbering all the hapless S.A. bowlers to the hilt and set up a good total with a 173 runs partnership of the 6th wicket as both of them helped the team with a magnificent century.  The England captain who played like a cavalier at Lord’s played here sensibly and was ably supported by the wicket keeper batter Foakes, who scored his 2nd century in Tests.  And when they passed over 400  + runs for 9 wickets, the England captain declared their innings giving his bowlers a little under 10 overs and the SA openers negotiated without losing a wicket.

The third day began on a cautious note by the Proteas but once again the GOAT, Jimmy Anderson bowled a beauty inswinger to the SA captain only to see his stumps cartwheeling bowled through the gates and by lunch they lost 3 wickets.  And then the only bright spot of the SA’s  2nd innings came when Keegan Petersen and Van der Dussen batted cautiously the session between lunch and tea.  Van Der Dussen who was nursing an injury with a broken finger fighting for his spot in the team batted valiantly before the England captain teasing him with an away seamer and the ever vigil England keeper Ben Foakes snapped the thin edge catch nonchalantly and soon Petersen followed him in the next over in a similar fashion as England scented victory. And all the hell broken as the tail could not wag as The tall and agile England seamer Ollie Robinson who was drafted into the side after struggling with fitness issues with the second new ball cleaned the tail with a 4 wicket haul and the visitors meekly surrendered and the hosts handed an Innings defeat to the visitors.

The two BENS caused the havoc in this Test as Ben Stokes who stoked a defining century and 4 wickets and the England keeper Ben Foakes who also scored a century and snapped 7 catches were responsible for England trouncing the Proteas.

And the 3 test series is tantalisingly poised as the Proteas team’s caravan moves to the Oval for the final summit in a week’s time. 

AG-22 MAIFIELD GROUND, BERLIN

AG-22 -MAIFIELD GROUND, BERLIN- GERMANY

Maifield ground.   Photo courtesy –  Cricinfo.com

The Maifield was used for the mass Nazi Rallies of Hitler’s era.  It was developed in the early 1930s at the same time as the adjoining Olympic stadium built as the centerpiece of the 1936 olympic games.   It was a huge lawn of 28 acres with standing room for 2,50,000 and seating for 60,000 spectators primarily intended for holding gymnastic displays and the Annual May Day celebrations.

1n 1936 Olympics Polo and equestrian events took place at this ground. During the games the stands at the Bell Tower 4,500 seats, and accommodated 44,000 standees. Stands on the two sides perpendicular to the Bell Tower stands each provided standing room for 14,000 spectators. This allowed 75,000 spectators to be accommodated during the Olympics. The Bell Tower was built with a searchlight that provided lighting for the Mayfield, and an observation platform that could be reached via an electric lift. After World War II the British military occupation forces  annually celebrated The  Queen’s Official birthday till 1990 on the Maifeld and used it for a variety of sporting activities including Cricket. Starting in 2012, Maifeld became home to the Berlin Cricket Club ( BCC)  In more recent years the Maifeld has also hosted many concerts.

Cricket has been played in Germany since 1850 and at one point it was a popular leisure activity.  At the turn of the 20th Century, Berlin alone had more than 30 cricket pitches.  Now, it is a fringe sport with some 50 clubs across the country under the auspices of the German Cricket Federation founded in 1988.   The National team ranked 39th in the world, takes part in Cricket European championships.

The Berlin cricket club founded in 1985, moved here in 2012.  Maifield comes with plenty of historical baggage, most obviously the Olympic stadium, the dominant 77 metre high Bell Tower and the sense of the past.  Facilities are very good including sight screens, scoreboard, nets and two fields.  It is generally agreed that the move has been a success and good for German cricket.  A youth program run by the Quentin-Blake-Europe school is developing a new generation of young players.  Women’s cricket is well established too.

Berlin cricket club has been playing cricket since 1985.  Cricket games take place on summer weekends and start at 11 a.m. at the Maifield in Berlin-Charlottenburg and normally last until 6 p.m.

The nearest railway station is S. Bahn Berlin-Pichelsberg.  There are refreshments available at the ground and you can also bring your own food and rug with you.  This ground is also ideal for young children-no traffic, no dogs!  Toilet facilities are available.  Cricket training is given every Thursday from 5 p.m. and we have to bring our own pair of training shoes and sports clothing and shower facilities are available.  Special protective cricket equipment is supplied by BCC.  And with support from Qatar International Electricity company, BBC is managing it.  

COURTESY “ cricinfo.com           MAIFIELD  GROUND with bell Tower.

The Maifeld was granted to the Berlin Cricket Club by the local sports authorities for 2012. The historic bell tower in the background was damaged in the Second World War and restored in the 1960s  •  Fabian Muir

At the center of the bell tower stands was the Langemark-Halle, the eastern entrance of which provided access to the middle platform of the stands which allowed one a view of the entire Reich Sport Field. The Langemarck-Halle was a neo-classical building with a large podium atop it. Langemark-Halle was built beneath the Maifeld’s stands, and served as a memorial to the forces that fought in  Langemark. This consisted of huge halls built under the stands of the Maifeld. Pillars were raised on which hung flags and shields commemorating all the forces that participated in a battle fought in Langemark November 10, 1914, during World War I. Since 2006, the ground floor of this structure has been home to an exhibit about the area of the former Reichssportfeld.

Photo courtesy : Cityseeker.com

Situated next to the Olympiastadion within the grounds of Olympiapark, the Maifeld is an open space which is used not only for sporting events but also for festivals and concerts. Conveniently located in the center of the city, the vast field has served as the venue for several tournaments and cultural events over the years.

Photo : Glockenturm.de

The Mayfield is able to accommodate 250,000 people, the terracing can additionally hold 60,000 spectators. Until 1994, the annual birthday parade for the British Sovereign was held on the field, attended by thousands of German spectators. The Mayfield was part of the British Protecting Powers zone. British administrators organized various athletic competitions, such as rugby, football, and polo. Today, the Mayfield continues to be used for sports competitions by German teams. The sculptures at the east end of the Mayfield, representing horses being led, is the work of Josef Wackerle.

Cricket fans, however, could do worse than start with the Berlin Cricket Club (BCC), where they will find the game played competitively on brand new pitches and in a distinctly unusual setting. All signs suggest the game is set to prosper here.

But first a little history, for just 12 months ago things looked very different. Shortly before the 2011 season, authorities quietly dug up the BCC’s pitch and expropriated the field, citing danger to passers-by and parked cars from flying balls. That the pitch had been in use since it was first laid by British servicemen in the 1950s counted for nothing.

The BCC’s story was taken up by the media, including the London Times, after which the authorities were suddenly prepared to allow the BCC to play out the 2011 season at the old ground and to engage in talks. Arduous negotiations ensued, culminating in a completely unexpected offer: the provision of new sight screens (based on the intriguing notion that these would offer protection for the cars), a substitute ground for 2012 and two brand new pitches.

For the BCC, this was their miracle of Berlin, because the new venue, the so-called Maifeld, is quite unique. 

it is clear that the BCC is no mere collection of village cricketers out for a trundle. An affable and articulate group off the field, they play the game hard on it, complete with club-branded kit. Umpires are qualified and paid for their services. The white lines are measured and marked out impeccably, and once they are crossed, a real battle is joined.

Importantly, the club is also actively engaged in promoting the game in Germany. With the Maifeld as its trump card, it is now hoping to attract new players, stimulate greater local awareness and bring in touring sides. It has launched initiatives at school level. A German member of the 2nd XI, Hans-Heinrich Mai, is coach of the national women’s team. There is even talk of ICC Division 6 matches being played there.

The scores above are from a T20 match played recently between Britannia Cricket Club (Glenn’s team) and Berlin Cricket Club. 

AG-21 LORD BRAYBROOKE GROUND, ENGLAND

AG-21 – LORD BRAYBROOKE’s GROUND, ESSEX, ENGLAND

Photo : Audley End cricket ground.

Audley End House, Essex, the beautiful mansion that stands serenely in the hearts of the grounds, now belongs to English Heritage.  Over the centuries , it has reflected many of the twists and turns of English history.  Originally dating back to the Norman era, in the 16th century it was a Benedictine Abbey. 

In the 17th century it was rebuilt on a scale so palatial that Charles II bought it for 50,000 pounds as a base for attending Newmarket races.   Subsequent owners cut it down to the scale it is today.

Towards the middle of the 18th century it passed to the Braybrooke family, who owned it until 1948.  The local cricket club is enjoying the use of one of the most lovely settings in English cricket designed big, among others, the renowned landscape architect Capability Brown, thanks to them.

Cricket has a long history at Audley End.  The MCC visited regularly in the 19th Century.  In 1848 one of the Audley team was none other than John Wisden ( founder of WISDEN magazine).  He took 5 wickets in the second innings in a game which the Audley End team mainly made up from Estate workers, won by 61 runs.

In 1948 when the Lord Braybrooke of his day decided to hand over his property to English Heritage, he made it a condition that the club should continue to use the ground rent-free.

Today Audley End plays in Division 1 of the Cambridge League on a wicket described as slow, visiting teams are very keen to sample the Ultra-English atmosphere and the home team finds itself playing a good number of friendlies.  A visiting side from Australia once insisted on playing for the “Ashes” and current chair Bill  only found a suitable facsimile at the very last minute.  The house has many interesting period features and exhibits and its amicable relations with the club side extend to challenging it to a game of cricket.  The catch was that the game has to be played with curved Georgian bats and old style wickets with only 2 stumps and in Georgian clothing.

Henry Mellor Braybrooke, MBE, was an Amateur English cricketer who played first class cricket in England for Cambridge University and an unofficial England XI between 1891 & 1899.

MEDIA  APPEARANCES 

The house and grounds have been used in popular television and radio shows, including Flog it! Antiques Roadshow.  

The exteriors and gardens were also used for the 1964 feature film Woman of Straw starring Sean Connery. 

Scenes were shot at The Audley End for movies like TRUST, The Crown and in a Popular series of videos on English Heritage’s YouTube channel. 

AG-20 LAURIE LEE FIELD GROUND, GLUCESTERSHIRE, ENGLAND

Sheepscombe Cricket Pavilion. Courtesy : Sheepscombe. Org

Courtesy : FB page of the club.

Sheepscombe Cricket Club is inextricably linked with the poet Laurie Lee ( the poet best known for Cider with Rosie).  For many years Lee allowed the club free use of a field he owned in Sheepscombe, now called the Laurie Lee Field.

Sheepscombe, a sleepy village in Gloucestershire lying in a narrow hypnotic village behind the Cotswold scrap.   It nestles amidst green hills with clumps of trees and quaint elevation.  It is short walk up the hill from the village Hall car park to the quintessential Butchers Arms Pub.

The ground is idiosyncratic in the best traditions of English village cricket. There is a huge drop of 15 ft from the pavilion side to the boundary on the other side.  It plateaus enough to prove a flat pitch area more or less in the middle.  The bowler’s run up from one end is so steep that the shorter batter can’t see him till the last few strides. Yet it remains one of the most beautiful grounds of the World.  The home side knows to alert fielders and shout a warning if a catch or groundstroke is on its way.  Boundaries are a lot easier to earn on the downward slope.  A six up the hill towards the pavilion is a rarity.

Lee wrote affectionately of his Uncle Sid who learned his cricket “ on the molehills of Sheepscombe, which is not far from chacterising the ground today.  It is all very English and reminiscent of A.G. Macdonall’s famous chapter about county cricket in “ England, Their England”.

Lee’s sympathy towards cricket remained even after a disquieting experience at SCG.  He was watching a game from the  notorious Hill (Hill was since demolished now to make way for “Victor Trumper stand”) “ when he was hit by a flying beer bottle.  After 4 stitches in hospital he said of the experience “ I enjoyed it, but if I go back again I will wear a Tin hat”.

Lee died in 1997, but is still remembered with warmth at Sheepscombe.  After his death, the club bought the ground from his Estate with help from the England & Wales cricket Trust and from a very supportive local community.  In celebrating the purchase, the club unveiled a fine bench overlooking the pitch in his memory.

The Pavilion that stands today was erected in 1994 and has all the modern facilities of showers, toilets and a proper kitchen counter.  The sense of history that pervades through is fascinating.  The pavilion walls are covered with pictures and reports of the development of the ground.  A table is stacked with books about English cricket including this ground.  There are also several volumes of books penned by the Gloucestershire cricket writer, Nico Craven, a frequent visitor to the ground.

The SCC (sheepscombe cricket club) was founded in 1896, playing in Gloucestershire County cricket League on Saturdays and enjoy occasional Sunday and evening matches.

In 2013, the Club bought this ground by fund raising and a grant from ECB.

Sheepscombe village hall is the centre for many activities and events acts as the social centre for village life.   It is the place for parties, film shows, meetings, Bridge and Table tennis, concerts and the home of the Famous(Infamous)Sheepscombe Pa

AG–19 LAKE St. MORITZ GROUND

AG-19  LAKE  St. MORITZ GROUND, SWITZERLAND

Once in a year in February a group of ardent cricket lovers will put on their whites and venture out onto a frozen lake in front of the promenade at St. Moritz, the famous Swiss ski resort.  Over the course of the weekend 4 English and Swiss teams will play a round-robin tournament of 3 games per team.

Apparently, back in 1988 the snow failed to appear and rather than twiddle their thumbs, someone had the bright idea of playing a game of cricket.   That’s how Cricket on Ice was born.

Participation is by invitation only,and there are tedious tests of skill and players of varying abilities from a novice to quality cricketers.

The St. Moritz Club has a very limited fixture list and relies on guest players who have included former England Test stars like David Gower and Gladstone Small.

The St. Moritz Tourist Board takes a keen interest and helps out with the lake infrastructure and some financial backing.  A little luxury is heating inside the tents, courtesy a sponsor.

A women’s team is all set to take part very soon.

The social aspect of the weekend is important, according to organisers.

In an incident which made the newspaper headlines, David Gower left his hired car on the lake overnight while he enjoyed an evening’s conviviality to participate at the tournament’s blacktie gala dinner.  Returning in the morning, he found the vehicle had sunk to the bottom of the Lake, an incident which cost him around 20,000 Swiss Francs

An International tournament called “Cricket on Ice “ has been played on Lake St. Moritz since 1988.  British Olympic Bobsledder ( Bobsledder is an Olympic winter sport)  Keith Schellenberg is sometimes credited with inventing ice cricket in St. Moritz.

Few sporting occasions can beat the February Cricket festival on the ice of the frozen lake of St. Moritz.

In 1988, a group of intrepid British cricketers challenged the student of the international boarding school Lyceum Alpinum Zuoz to a match.  Ever since, it has become an integral part of the official cricket calendar , attracting international players and high-flying business people from all over the world. There’s no entry ticket and anyone is welcome to drop by and watch cricket while enjoying some food and drinks and relaxing and enjoying with the players and other guests.  

Recently in 2018, a team led by Virender Sehwag (India) and another team led by Shahid Afridi (Pak) played T-20 Tournament On Feb. 8 & 9, 2018 here in St. Moritz , Switzerland comprising of yesteryear cricket players.

Virender Sehwag led the team called Palace Diamonds and Shahid Afridi led another team called Royals in a T-20 two match series here at St. Moritz and both the matches were won by Royals.

https://youtu.be/mebCao6951k  ( 2018 Tournament Video)

Cricket on Ice

Cricket on Ice, the most prestigious annual event in the domestic Swiss cricketing calendar, takes place on the lake of St Moritz from Thursday to Saturday every February.

A view across the cricket field and the lake at Cricket on Ice 2019 (14-16.2.2019)

Cricket on Ice in St Moritz is a sensational experience, attracting cricket enthusiasts (some international players, some high-flying business people) from all over the world. The event provides teams the opportunity to participate in the most prestigious annual event in the Swiss cricketing calendar in an atmosphere of fun and sporting brilliance.

It also provides businesses with an exceptionally unique platform for communication, networking and, of course, business. Your team and your brand will shine in the extraordinary setting of the mountains, sun & sport.

The picturesque Swiss resort of St Moritz is famous for the beauty of its ski slopes and the Adrenalin rush of the Cresta Run. But for sheer quirkiness, few sport events can beat the February cricket festival on the ice and snow on the frozen lake.

It would be a pleasure to welcome you to St. Moritz, to offer you a chair in the sun from where you can watch a cricket match & enjoy delicious refreshments in the champagne climate of St Moritz.

Cricket on Ice 2022

(THURSDAY 17TH – SATURDAY 19TH FEBRUARY 2022)

Debutants AID UK CC won the 2022 Cricket on Ice Trophy, beating Penguins CC & Touring Cavaliers into joint joint second place on net run rate.

St Moritz CC, Old Cholmeleians XI & Lyceum Alpinum CC shared last spot.

Cricket on Ice Trophy (17-19.2.2022)

TOURNAMENT REPORT

After a one year absence due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2022 Cricket on Ice Trophy was bigger & better than ever with six teams competing from Thursday 17th – Saturday 19th February 2022.

Source :  Cricket on Ice.com

  Carbon neutral solar panels powering media & officials tent at Cricket on Ice 2022

Photo courtesy :-  Cricket on Ice,  Feb. 2022

AG-18 KAPIOLANI GROUND, HAWAII, USA

AG- 18 KAPIOLANI PARK GROUND- HAWAII, USA

Photo courtesy :  Hawaii Cricket Club

Rooted in the days of monarchy, sown with the seeds of tradition and watered with the acceptance of different cultures.  That’s cricket in Hawaii, U.S.A.

In May 1893 two of the foremost cricketers of Honolulu cricket club, Mr. Aurerbach and Weedon, wrote to the Minister of Hawaii enquiring whether they might use an abandoned baseball ground in the shadow of the Diamond Head crater for their cricket matches.  The Minister said yes and granted them the use of the ground for practice and play. They could also take over the run-down baseball stand if they wished for “dressing rooms’,  Keeper’s room etc.  The board would also gladly allow them use of the sprinkler.  With this permission, the Honolulu Cricket club was established, becoming the oldest sporting organisation in the Pacific. 

Cricket itself had become established in the mid-19th century under the patronage of King Kamehameha IV, surprisingly for a game which has never really been taken by the indigenous population.  

Players today are drawn from cricket loving countries like South Africa, Trinidad, New Zealand, India and Pakistan 

According to Honolulu CC, cricket was the King’s favourite sport and he would often practice his skills on the grounds of the Palace.  A political motive for his interest can’t be ruled out as a devotion to cricket aligned his country more closely to the United Kingdom, a policy he favoured.  The State flag of Hawaii still carries the Union Jack in its corner.

The matches involving English ship putting in the Sandwich Islands were being reported in local publications as early as 1847.

Cricket slowly spread to some of the other islands such as Maui and Big Island of Hawaii.

Originally called Makiki, Kapiolani Park is named after Queen Kapiolani. Queen consort of King David Kalakaua ruler from 1874 to 1891 and an honoured guest at Queen Victoria’s 50th Jubilee celebration in 1887.   This Park is the largest and second oldest park in Hawaii located in Honolulu on the east end of Waikiki just beyond Kuhio Beach park and the Waikiki residential neighbourhood..

The dominant landmark Diamond Head, is a significant backdrop for the cricket overlooking very popular surfing beaches with majestic ironwood trees providing cover for visitors.

The Park began life as a race course and nowadays cricket is just one of the many sports including tennis, football, Rugby Lacrosse, Archery and baseball.

Right at the edge of the World famous Waikiki Shell and nestled at the base of Diamond Head Crater in picturesque Kapiolani Park, the Honolulu CC boasts one of the most idyllic cricket grounds in the world keeping with the Hawaiian spirit of Aloha.

Kapiolani Park is a peaceful refuge from Downtown Honolulu & Waikiki Shell.  Tall trees, lawns and gardens are there.  All kinds of sports are played there from Tennis to Soccer to basket ball and baseball to Lacrosse, rugby and archery and even frisbee.

“We are quite the International mix “, Berwick, the HCC President said.  Part of it, has to do with Hawaii’s isolation and part of it ties in with Hawaii being a melting point.  “We are as much a social club as we are a cricket club.   It’s special for a number of factors.  And that includes being recognised as the oldest sporting club in the Pacific.  Though the Club was established in 1893, but competitions were being held in 1840s gaining the favour of Kamehameha IV.

The first cricket pitch in Honolulu is near where Makiki District park is located and was known as the Makiki cricket grounds.

HCC’s social cricket and its Hawaii Premier League matches last 5 hours.  While players do wear traditional white shirts and slacks there’s no hot tea served between innings.

HCC has hosted various foreign sides and has been hosted by many teams whose club shields are displayed in HCC’s virtual club house online.  Honolulu toured New Zealand in 2010 and India in 2011.

Sachin Shah isn’t sure he’ll make the trip to his home country (India) but has been happy to maintain a connection to his native India through cricket.  Shah continues ,“ I lived in Chicago and Detroit where there are many Indians and cricket was common  . When i came here (hawaii) in 2001, there were not many Indians , so i was really surprised to see it played“.  

HCC welcomes the interested and curious , those who don’t know the difference between a carry and cherry or a doosra and a donkey drop.

Blessed with a beautiful climate, we are able to play all year round which enables us to entertain visitors from around the world at anytime. As one of only two cricket clubs throughout the Hawaiian islands along with the Maui Cricket Club, the Honolulu Cricket Club always looks forward to hosting visiting teams.

In recent years, HCC has hosted teams from Australia, California, Canada, England, Hong Kong, New York and New Zeland.

AG- part 17

AG-17  – HONG KONG CRICKET  CLUB

In a city of Skyscrapers, where land is sold at a premium, some children play cricket on the rooftop of a high rise building. This is Hongkong and cricket has been played on this island since 1841.  Hong Kong Cricket club was established in 1851 and is the oldest club in Asia. 

Present Address :

Hongkong Cricket Club,

137, Wong nai Chung gap road ,

Tai Tam, HONG KONG

Photo courtesy : living.hongkonghomes.com

This club played inter-port matches against Shanghai in 1866 and in Srilanka ( Ceylon) in 1890. In 1892 the ship SS Bokhara carrying Hong Kong Cricket players was capsized by a tycoon and only two of the 13 Cricketers survived in that tragedy.

The club moved from its Charter Road premises to a ground in Victoria business district overlooking Happy Valley Race course in the mid-1970s.  The present ground at Wong Nai Chung Gap is in the middle of the Island.  The Club has a Long Room resembling Lord’s cricket ground, London.

MCC teams touring Australia and New Zealand frequently played a match in Hong Kong against ex-pats living on the island.

The Hong Kong Cricket Sixes organised by Hong Kong Cricket League in 1961 has become a regular feature for professional cricketers.

In the 1990s Dermot Reeve, an England Cricketer, who was born in Hong Kong captained a successful Cricket Sixes team.  The game was shown in SKY SPORTS TV series.

In 1983 a team from Hong Kong played a 3- match series in Beijing, the first of such a visit to the Communist China.

Hong Kong  Cricket team became an Associate member of ICC in 1969.  In the T20 WC tournament in 2014, Hong Kong team  stunned the Bangladesh Team when they beat them by 2 wickets.

Hong Kong CC also showed interest in social activities.  In partnership with Zubin Foundation it has distributed 5,000 second hand books and 10,000 masks to 800 families in and around  Hong Kong.

Besides Cricket, rugby, tennis, squash, Lawn Bowls, Pool, Gym, Dance Classes ( from Balley to Scottish Country) and other sports facilities are also played here.

Hong Kong CC is a prestigious club as the Entrance Fees itself costs $ 2,88,00 with a monthly fee of $ 1,660 and the waiting period is 7 years and those who win a place in main sports like Cricket, Lawn Bowls, Squash, Tennis will get accelerated sporting membership. 

At present this club has 2,300 members.

The club aso conducts Umpiring Course  by arrangement with ICC.  This year it will be conducted in March & April.

Hong  Kong CC ‘s Fair Break event, a T-20 tournament, attracts international women cricketers around the world.

The Club’s Mission statement goes like this : “ We will engage, educate, and inspire through programmes and initiatives that reflect our diverse, vibrant community, also providing professional structures and pathways to support the identification and development of talented cricketers to ensure Hong Kong is represented by champion teams “.10

Cricket features in the Asian Games for the first time and Hong Kong’s men’s and women’s teams participate in the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China in November 2010. The women’s team has a poor tournament and fails to win a match however the men score victories over Nepal and Maldives1

Hong Kong hosts the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 3 featuring teams from Denmark, Hong Kong, Italy, Oman, Papua New Guinea and USA. Hong Kong lost its first two matches of the tournament but won its last three games to qualify for the final.014

In January 2014, the Hong Kong team travels to New Zealand to contest the ten-team ICC Cricket World Qualifier 2014. In group matches, Hong Kong beats ODI ranked teams Scotland and Canada and thrashes Nepal by 10 wkts to qualify for the Super Sixes phase of the tournament. A narrow loss by D/L to Kenya in the opening game of the Super Sixes proves costly as despite impressive victories over Namibia and PNG in their remaining Super Sixes matches, Hong Kong cannot improve on their third place and so narrowly miss out on qualifiying for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. However by finishing third, Hong Kong gains ODI status in 2014.