Cricket

The West End of Richmond has become such a diverse community. The beauty of differing cultures coming together as neighbors is learning new ways of living, new foods, new looks, new sports, and so much more. An addition that I have enjoyed learning about is the sport of cricket. I see games being played on the school playgrounds and on TV. Internationally, cricket is a very popular sport. Now we get to experience it here in Richmond.

Cricket dates back to the early 1500s in England. As England expanded its empire, cricket became a popular sport in many countries around the world. Some of these countries include Australia, South Africa and the subcontinent of India. The International Cricket Council oversees the Laws of Cricket and the world tournament was held in Australia/New Zealand this year. I believe it is the second most popular sport in the world with over 120 million players.

Cricket has some similarities to American baseball, but the lingo is very different. You will hear words like overs, wicket, stump, bowler, bails and crease. Similarities to baseball include using a bat and ball, scoring runs, and playing innings. There are 11 players on each team and all come to bat each inning. Games last one to two innings and the field is usually oval.

One of the premier cricket tournaments this year is held in India called IPL 8. 60 matches will be held all over India and will include 2 qualifiers, 1 eliminator and then the finals. The tourney begins April 8^th, 2015 and ends May 24^th, 2015. There are 8 teams participating and each team will play the other teams twice.

Check out the international cricket schedule at http://schedule.cricket.com.pk/. If you get the chance, watch a cricket match on TV or if you get lucky and see one happening at a local field, stop by to enjoy the action. Extra Attic loves the many new activities, like cricket, that diversity brings to our communities.