Now cricket is determined to convince immense nation and economic powerhouse that it is a vibrant game open to everyone. If it works, rewards will be considerable. After all Chinese are not inclined to half-measures.
All the more reason to invite them to stage a World Cup and give them a decade to prepare. If the idea of China staging a cricket tournament seems far fetched then think again. Next year it will host Asian Games and for the first time cricket is part of the programme. A 12000-seat stadium is under construction at University of Technology in host city, Guangzhou.
In few weeks, China will take part in Asia Cricket Council Twenty20 competition. Not bad for a nation that only took up game in 2005. At present, China has only few thousand cricketers, but fields a women’s and men’s team. Women reached semi-finals of council’s 20-over competition.
China need not fear isolation at 2023 World Cup. Asia is cricket’s biggest growing area. Nepal & Afghanistan are poised to become World Cup regulars. Recently Nepal won its first cricket trophy, taking the Asian Under-17 cup.