It is not uncommon for sports to travel across the world and be enjoyed by new players. Hockey originated in Canada, and there are national teams all across Europe. Golf originated in Scotland, and it is now a famous casual pass time for people everywhere.
Although the sport of cricket originates in England, and it has be come popular in many countries, which has resulted in National teams in India, Pakistan, England, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Scotland, Canada, Kenya and the Netherlands.
Recently, a reboot for a group of men from St. Paul area to come together and play cricket has began. The group originally started come together to play the game about five years ago, and a handful of the previous members came together to form this group once again, which has a stronger following this time around. Sanjith Thetalli was the main driver behind this reboot, as he bought the equipment needed for the group on his last trip back to India in May.
Every week, the group tries to get together at least three nights per week at the Glen Avon School grounds. Practice starts at 6:30 and the players go until they have to leave. Now that the group has a sufficient number of people, they are planning a game vs. a group from Two Hills that also meet to play cricket, and the players are excited to play in a true game situation rather than practice and a scrimmage.
Rajesh Sejwal is one of the men involved, and he is glad they have restarted the group and hopes they can continue this group for quite a few years down the road. “We all got excited when we discussed it at Sanjith’s daughter’s birthday. Right now we are just practicing and playing against each other, it’s a good way for us enjoy our hobby. We only have minimal equipment right now, but I hope we can get more next year and play as an official team.”
The team has been meeting for about a month, and they have been able to meet rather often despite the facet everyone is working on different schedules, and there are players who drive 45 minutes all the way from Two Hills who show up every time they come together to play.
The sport is important to many of the men who are of Indian descent, as they played it during they’re younger years when they still lived in India. “We wanted to play this because we all grew up playing the game. Most of our teenage time was spent playing cricket and I’ve really missed it for a long time. Now we have enough guys to play.”
Rajesh hopes that their group will help to get others and local kids interested in the sport.
He says that his favorite parts of cricket are bowling and batting. “I like bowling because I have more control over the game, I can pitch the ball wherever I want and its always a good feeling to knock the stumps or get the batsman out. My batting isn’t so good but I still love to harass the bowler by hitting long shots.”
The bowler is the player that delivers the ball for the batsman to swing at, much like the pitcher in baseball.
It is uncertain when the team will be playing against the team for Two Hills, but one of the players jokingly said that “Its between India and Pakistan so it will be a tense game.” The players await the game closely as they will play their first real cricket match in many years.
