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.
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.
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
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