Cricket in South America: Not as obscure as you might think

3. Chile – Affiliate Member

A game of cricket in Chile

Chile, a country more known for developing footballers like Arturo Vidal and Alexis Sanchez, has a bit of history with modern cricket. Their first fixture was played against Argentina years ago – back in 1893. The First World War saw a slump in the following of the sport, resulting in cricket becoming only a minor game in the country.

Cricket in Chile is played on the picturesque grounds in the capital city of Santiago, Viña del Mar and Iquique. Michael Meade, President of Chilean Cricket Association tells us, "The sport is mostly unknown in the country and is taking baby steps into the development. Cricket in the country is perceived as an elite sport, played by the British and Subcontinent settlers in the South American Nation.”

Asked about the tournaments in the country, Meade said, “The team regularly features as a part of South American Confederations Tournament (SAC), the highlight cricket tournament of the region.”

In our conversation with Michael Meade, we realized that players cannot make a sufficient living with cricket as their profession. But senior players such as Tim Messner (Elementary School Teacher), Guy Hooper (Wine Sales), Simon Shalders (Hotel Owner), Iain Last (Engineering Constant), Hector Fuentazila (Military) and Jose Tomas Andreu (Pilot) continue to ply their trade despite the odds being against them.

For the growth of the sport, Meade rightly points at the need of the countries to tour during the cricket season in Chile. He says, "Brazil, Peru, Chile and Argentina make a nice tour of South America and one can get a good game of cricket in each country.”

If the complete members send their junior teams to the continent for expansion of the sport in the country, there’s no reason why cricket can’t flourish here.

4. Brazil – Affiliate Member

Ashok Gondatra played two Tests for India

Ashok Gondatra, best known for representing the Indian national cricket team in two international matches, is a part of the Brazilian board. Gondatra, born in Rio de Janeiro, played his final international game in 1969 against Australia.

Two of the senior players in the team are also from the Indian subcontinent – Rubabul Islam and Viki Chaudhry.

The Rio cricket club is one of the oldest cricket clubs in South America, but as cricket faded from the main city of Brazil, it was taken up by Sao Paulo. The development of cricket in the region can be credited to British multinational bank HSBC holdings plc. In 1999, HSBC constructed a cricket ground at its staff sports facility, which is now home to three men's teams.

Sao Paulo has three men's teams as well.

Prince Harry impressed young kids in Brazil with his batting skills

Prince Harry, during his visit to Brazil, chose to play a game of cricket in order to promote the sport in a country obsessed with football. Recently, there have been positive strides towards the growth of the sport in a region which has deeper roots with cricket than football. The first recognized game of cricket was played roughly 20 years before the first football game was played in the country.

Henrique Dolabella of the Brazilian international cricket team says that people usually confuse the sport with croquet, but when he introduces himself as a part of the international team, people tend to get curious. With the advent of local night cricket games in the country, the sport is further strengthening its roots as an entertaining sport.

5. Falkland Islands – Affiliate Member

Falklands Cricket Team

Falkland is one of the tiniest nations in the world with a population of little over 2,000. It is famously known for sending really small contingents in international sporting events like the Olympics and Commonwealth Games. Louis Charles Baillon is the only medal winner from the island nation, who won gold as part of England’s hockey team at the 1908 London Olympics.

Cricket was popularized in the region by the British settlers who colonized the island. The first ICC recognized fixture was played against Chile in 2004, and the first victory for Falklands came in Division Four against Costa Rica in which captain Elliot Taylforth took magical figures of 6-14, including one hat-trick.