The American University helps install cricket in Bulgaria (4 Aug 1999)
While it has been the ultimate dream of cricket visionaries to induce Americans to play our game, none would have imagined it would have happened in the unlikely setting of the Bulgaria's American University, (about an hour and a half's drive south
02-Aug-1999
2 August 1999
The American University helps install cricket in Bulgaria
While it has been the ultimate dream of cricket visionaries to induce Americans to play our game, none would have imagined it would have happened in the unlikely setting of the Bulgaria's American University, (about an hour and a half's drive south of the capital, Sofia).
Two years ago, American faculty members there became interested in cricket through watching occasional television transmissions of games.
They got some gear together and practiced on the University's baseball field.
Soon word got out in Sofia and the British Embassy team drove down to the University and the Americans experienced their first loss.
The Saturday before last (July 24), the American University cricket side played their first game of the season against the British Embassy. Both teams included Britons as well as Bulgarian students. Each side fielded over 13 players in order to meet demand for a game.
As well, pre-teenage youngsters (girls and boys) have taken to the game after coming to the baseball field and end up joining the cricket practice sessions taking place.
Officials of the American University envisage a healthy fixture list with interest in Sofia growing. The Indian Embassy is keen to put out a team, while it is rumoured that Australian, British and South African expatriates may also form sides.
The MCC has provided equipment, further boosting cricket in Bulgaria.
The next plan for enthusiasts is to send the baseball converts out into the schools to spread the game.
Jason Barry was scheduled to bring his 'One Man And A Bat' tour to Bulgaria last Saturday but was stumped by a stomach infection caught in Latvia and is expected to come in September.
Just to emphasise the remarkable spread of cricket in the former Eastern Bloc, cricket is now played in Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Russia, the Ukraine, Belarus (according to the European Cricket Council), the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Croatia, Romania and Bulgaria.