U of S cricket club hosts co-ed tournament
Members of the University of Saskatchewan cricket club are hosting a first-of-its-kind event, and they’re hoping to grow the game on campuses across the country.
While there’s still snow on the ground, students nearing the end of another year of studies are eager to get some exercise and healthy competition.
“This is the first time we hosted this and it's our very first time in Canada also where we are hosting this male and female tournament all together in the same team,” said Saad Mostafiz, president of the U of S Cricket Club and member of the U of S Sharks.
“So we are looking forward to more tournaments.”
More than 50 players spread across five teams are competing indoors in a modified cricket format called T-5, which moves much faster than traditional formats, and games last less than an hour.
“T-5 tournament so there's five overs max,” Mostafiz said.
“So each team has 20 minutes to complete their first innings or second innings. So 20 minutes is a timeline, after that, they're going to face the penalty.”
With computerized scoring and official umpires, they also use a modified tennis ball wrapped in tape for indoor play. With the ball and the surface, players say it takes practice to read the bounce.
“The ball doesn't bounce so much on this kind of surface because I think this is a basketball surface,” said Sahrima Oishwee, U of S master's student in computer science.
“We are using a taped tennis and the ball is just rounded over the tape. It's not bouncing that much, so we have to maintain the line so that the batsman doesn't get the chance to hit it hard.”
Oishwee said the co-ed component is making it an enjoyable experience for everyone, and she thinks the game will grow quickly.
“Sometimes males are being very aggressive in the bowling stand,” said Oishwee. “But here is a very good thing. They are very respectful to the women, so we are enjoying the game. We are having a very fair game, and we can show our strength in the bowling and batting as well.”
And with the stress of being a student and the long winters, she’s excited to be getting active and sharing the fun of competition.
“That is very good for our mental health as well,” Oishwee said. “Because sometimes we become very depressed and frustrated with our studies and lots of issues. So this is one of the great things that can heal our mental health and keep up the good work and everything.”
Mostafiz hopes to have competitions between universities in the future.
“We're looking forward to doing a joint venture with other universities to play T-10 leagues with taped tennis,” he said.
“We can fly or drive to the university if they have any pitch, or they can come and back and forth like that. So if universities are interested in that they can contact us at usaskcricketclub@gmail.com, or cricket@usask.ussu.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian family stuck in Lebanon anxiously awaits flight options amid Israeli strikes
A Canadian man who is trapped in Lebanon with his family says they are anxiously waiting for seats on a flight out of the country, as a barrage of Israeli airstrikes continues.
Suspect in shooting of Toronto cop was out on bail
A 21-year-old man who was charged with attempted murder in the shooting of a Toronto police officer this week was out on bail at the time of the alleged offence, court documents obtained by CTV News Toronto show.
Scientists looked at images from space to see how fast Antarctica is turning green. Here's what they found
Parts of icy Antarctica are turning green with plant life at an alarming rate as the region is gripped by extreme heat events, according to new research, sparking concerns about the changing landscape on this vast continent.
DEVELOPING 2 dead after fire rips through historic building in Old Montreal
At least two people are dead and others are injured after a fire ripped through a century-old building near Montreal's City Hall, sources told Noovo Info.
Yazidi woman captured by ISIS rescued in Gaza after more than a decade in captivity
A 21-year-old Yazidi woman has been rescued from Gaza where she had been held captive by Hamas for years after being trafficked by ISIS.
A 6-year-old girl was kidnapped in Arkansas in 1995. Almost 30 years later, a suspect was identified
Nearly 30 years after a six-year-old girl disappeared in Western Arkansas, authorities have identified a suspect in her abduction through DNA evidence.
Dolphins 'smile' at each other when they play and to avoid misunderstanding, study finds
For humans, flashing a smile is an easy way to avoid misunderstanding. And, according to a new study, bottlenose dolphins may use a similar tactic while playing with each other.
Pit bulls in B.C. pet mauling tested positive for meth, cocaine, says city
Three pit bulls involved in a deadly attack on another dog last month in Kamloops, B.C., tested positive for methamphetamine and cocaine, and the city is going to court to have them put down.
Tax rebate: Canadians with low to modest incomes to receive payment on Friday
Canadians who are eligible for a GST/HST tax credit can expect their final payment of the year on Friday.