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

6. Peru – Affiliate Member

Peru cricket federation flag

‘Chak De’ is the name of a team from Indian subcontinent settlers in Peru, who play in the domestic season of the country. Cricket in Peru is played in the Lima Cricket and Football grounds and has been taking small steps towards the development of the sport into other cities of the country.

Cricket has a 150-year history in Peru. Recently, Peru Cricket has started a Twenty20 league which has been received well by the people of the nation. The sport is developing at a good pace here, and we can expect to hear more stories about Peru Cricket soon.

7. Turks and Caicos Islands – Affiliate Member

Turks and Caicos Cricket Team

A 50-over tournament played in Argentina featuring five teams – Belize, Brazil, Chile, Peru and Turks & Caicos Islands, had a stunning climax with three teams in a position to win the tournament before the final ball of the tournament. The eventual winners were the Turks and Caicos Islands, who were promoted to Division II.

The crux of the team’s triumph lies in the fact that the Island is an overseas territory of Britain with a population of almost 30,000 people. Cricket is played at Gustarvus and Parade Ground stadiums, which are used for other sports as well.

Colin Steerling from Turks and Caicos cricket says that there is very less information available on the internet about the state of cricket in the country, and to produce more information will take time. Turks is a small British overseas territory but has already won a few tournaments despite being relatively insignificant in terms of area and population.

Promotion of the sport in the region

South Americans are naturally compatible to cricket; they can hit the ball long and at good speed consistently. To take the sport further there needs to be a collective initiative by the ICC and the cricket boards of the Test-playing nations.

Michael Meade, President of Chile Cricket

Meade has taken keen interest to promote the game in the continent. He looks at South America as a region which can be a strong force in the coming years, perhaps at internationally competitive levels in the years to come.

With recent development activities by Meade and Juarez, the sport has started its journey at a good speed in South America.

One thing that emerges after a discussion with Michael Meade of Cricket Association of Chile is that cricket can only be made a strong sport in the continent if the major cricket boards send their junior teams to tour in South America.