Cricket comes to Cambodia (21 Dec 1999)

19 December 1999

Cricket comes to Cambodia

Cricket has come to Cambodia - here Natarajan Srikanth reports on the birth of the Phnom Penh Cricket Club and the players who keep it alive.

The Phnom Penh Cricket Club is relatively new as it was formed in the early part of 1999. Initially the games involved the Indian, Sri Lankan and the English expatriate crowd but as time went by, only the fanatical Indians play it now. Tennis balls were used initially as most of the players were playing the game after a gap of a decade or so, in some cases even more. Poor medical facilities in Cambodia were one of the reasons to play with the tennis ball, as a leather ball can be dangerous. But as time went by the players regained their confidence and started playing with the red cherry.

The Indian lot love the game and play it almost every week at the beautiful North Bridge International School of Cambodia. The lush green playground of the school has a beautiful pitch right in the middle. The school's campus has great surroundings as it is about 10kms outside the city of Phnom Penh. The School's administrator Mr. David Eaton is kind enough to let us play every week. The typical game starts at about 2pm in the afternoon and finishes by 6pm. Mornings are very hot here in Phnom Penh and hence the afternoon starts. Carloads of Indians land up by two and along with them comes the most complete cricket kit I have seen for a long time.

Bats bearing famous logos, pads and new shiny leather balls that will last a couple of season come with it. There is even a first aid kit along with it - thanks to the pharmacy business run by the Indians here. On an average there are about 12 players, and teams are formed with 6 a side. However, the rules are different here as all players field to make up the 11.

The game is 15 overs a side and there are tow such games played. Teams may be the same or maybe shuffled. Usually we see about 50-60 runs being scored in the allotted 15 overs. The best part of Phnom Penh cricket is that every player is a star and is given the importance however poorly he plays the game. The people make the game and I will give you a gist of all those who make that Sunday afternoon so special in the otherwise boring city of Phnom Penh. I will start with our absolutely enthusiastic keeper in the form of Kiran Desai. This Mumbaikar keeps wickets tirelessly for both teams and encourages both the bowler and the batsman. A perfect team player, Kiran adds colour and life to the field.

Inder Mohan Singh is over six feet and weights 180 pounds. When he hits the ball, the ball stays hit!!! This gentle giant will wield his mighty willow and you can be sure of a 6 every innings he plays. He also can bowl wonderfully well and holds the record of having taken the only Hatrick in Phnom Penh Cricket. Anurag has an eye of a hawk and the agility of an athlete. This former state martial art black belt champion has great reflexes and speed. He opens the batting and bowls great offies...

Aggressive and fast - that's how one can describe Subash. He loves to bowl and opens the bowling. A sports enthusiast, Subash loves to play cricket and badminton and is in the process of learning tennis...Spends most of his time outdoors.

Mohit is the tennis player turned cricketer but I strongly feel tennis is his first love. Mohit is a good clean striker of the ball and can bowl leg spin too. On a good day Mohit can send the ball packing with a mean punch.

Remy is a football crazy Goan who for the sheer love of the game comes to play cricket and he is a sight too see with his dark glasses and bright T-shirts.

Salaam from Bombay is the Shoaib Akthar of our team. With him opening the bowling, one does feel apprehensive about getting hit. Anurag will vouch that it does pain when hit by a cricket ball. Salaam is usually given an over of pace after which he turns to gentle medium pace... People prefer to live to play the game rather than die for it!!

Umesh is the opening bat who plays a good solid game but has his own idiosyncrasies - like wearing a maroon helmet when the ball does not come above the knee, wearing his protective gear outside his pants and not to forget the non stop jabber!! He's a great bat and is always good to have in the field. Rohit is another enthusiast who never misses the game (unless he has a broken finger!!). Rohit loves to play the game fairly.

The team will not be complete without a mention of Unni, the Malayalee!! Unni opens at times and is a sweet timer of the ball. His medium pace can be difficult to get away with.

Anand loves to miss-field!! Put him anywhere in the field and the ball will go to him and he has to give that additional run!! Just joking Anand, but his presence and his smile will instantly make his forget his follies...Anand is a great enthusiast and is always encouraging the team...on and off the field.

Sanjay - almost bats like his namesake Manjrekar. Yet another Mumbaiker, Sanjay never fails to pack the icebox with water, coke and beer for he is in charge of the refreshments. Great work Sanjay - you have saved us many a time!!

Which brings me to the last man - the Devil himself - Yours Truly. I just love the game. What a noble sport cricket is. The legacy of the British and today this sport can bring the entire sub-continent (and parts of South East Asia!!) to a stand still. Cricket is like food and water. Basic things to survive. It's a pity the world does not play it but that makes this game very exclusive. I can bat a bit and I bowl awfully!!

There is no greater feeling than donning on a sweaty pair of gloves, padding up and taking guard. The bat in your hand and a cap to cover your head. Leg stump, please and you look around to see the field. Where are the gaps, which is the bowler and what you're going to do next flashes in your mind.... No greater feeling than seeing the ball well and placing it in the middle of the bat...the sweet sound of wood hitting leather and the cherry running away for a four.... You feel good.... that's why the 12 odd cricket crazy Indians gather in a far away school in distant Phnom Penh. The city by itself has very little to offer and the weekly game makes you forget your worries and you become that carefree schoolboy again.