Expatriate Beijing competition collapses (19 Nov 1999)

18 November 1999

Expatriate Beijing competition collapses

Cricket in China has received a severe setback with the collapse of the expatriate Beijing competition.

Problems with finding a suitable ground prevented any cricket being played at all in Beijing this year and with the competition's main organiser, Mark Frodsham, moving to Sydney in his employment in the next year, the situation is bleak.

The manager of a college sports field in Beijing's eastern suburbs exploited the situation by charging 3000 yuan per day. Previously this had been covered by sponsorship from a Hong Kong businessman, who provided $US2000.

Eight teams, all based around foreign embassies, competed in the 1998 competition, playing eleven matches. There were teams from Australia, Great Britain, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The New Zealand and South African embassies do not have sufficient staff to provide teams.

Even within the expatriate community the interest has been lukewarm, with participation only guaranteed if everything is 'laid on'. No companies or private individuals have started teams.

There were about six indigenous Chinese playing the game, although they had all learnt the game during overseas education.

One positive note are rumours that the Australian Ambassador, Mr. Rick Smith, has been taking locals on to the embassy grounds and teaching them the basics.

Apparently there is still cricket activity in Shanghai.