On October 10, 2023, the inaugural Chinese Cricket League kicked off in Hangzhou, coinciding with the one-year anniversary of the cricket events at the Asian Games and China’s preparation for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Organized by the General Administration of Sports of China’s Small Ball Sports Management Center and the Zhejiang Provincial Sports Bureau, and hosted by Zhejiang University of Technology, the league features a total of 10 teams in both men’s and women’s divisions.
The matches are being held at the cricket ground located on the Pingfeng Campus of Zhejiang University of Technology, a facility equipped with a clay pitch that meets international standards. The clay of the pitch, which is central to the game, is of particular importance, as both bowling and batting must occur within this area.
To ensure international standards are met, the organizing committee enlisted the expertise of Ding Jishi, an authorized expert and curator from the Hong Kong Cricket Association, who was present at the Asian Games cricket events. Ding focused on improving the condition of the turf and adjusting the pitch setup, expressing optimism about the venue’s capability to host competitive matches.
Notably, the home team, Zhejiang University of Technology’s cricket team, was established in the summer of 2024. Many of its players, like Lin Deqi, initially engaged with cricket as volunteers during the Asian Games, where their exposure to the sport sparked a passion to participate.
Reflecting on his journey from being a volunteer to a key player on the team, Lin described it as a “wonderful experience.” As a main bowler, he takes on the responsibility of positioning his teammates and maintaining focus. Although the team faced defeat in their opening match, the players demonstrated unity and showcased their spirit.
During the Asian Games, scenes of volunteers running in the rain to cover the pitch became popular online. In this league, these same volunteers returned to ensure the smooth progress of the matches.
According to volunteer Xie Chen, maintaining the pitch’s clay conditions is crucial and affected by weather changes. “On good days, we generally cover the pitch with rain cloths in the morning and evening. But on days with poor weather, we have to act quickly to protect it,” Xie explained. “The smooth running of the cricket matches heavily relies on our work.”
Additionally, technical officials play a vital role in the success of the league. Veteran Hu Zhebing, who has previously served in events like the East Asia Cup and the Asian Games, returned to his role in technical support. “Familiarizing ourselves with the lounge for technical officials and mastering the manual scoreboard operation are essential tasks,” Hu noted. Volunteers in this area also need to prepare materials in advance and understand the officials’ requirements to ensure the event runs smoothly.
