The crack of a bat isn’t an unexpected sound in Oak Bay’s Windsor Park, but a one-day battle for the best in tennis ball cricket is new to the region.
Nine teams will compete on May 19 for a trophy, medals, individual awards and cash prizes in the inaugural Island Cup, hosted by Island Cricket and Island Tuskers Sports and Recreation Club.
As the name suggests, tennis ball cricket uses a hard tennis ball rather than leather balls. Featuring fewer safety requirements and more relaxed rules, it fits in a smaller size field.
The sport is popular in South Asian countries due to the simplicity of the game and lower space requirements, says Jay Jagadeesh, one of the organizers for the inaugural Island Cup.
“My prior experience of running tournaments and leagues motivated me to set up a competitive tournament in Victoria,” Jagadeesh said.
READ ALSO: Cycling Victoria photographer a sensation for sharing urban jewels
Attempts were made earlier to create leagues or week-long tournaments, but this is the first of this style in Greater Victoria, showcasing players from up Island and the mainland, where similar formats are popular, Jagadeesh said.
He attempted to coordinate a tournament last year, but couldn’t find a field for it.
“I began the preparations for this tournament late 2023. Island Tuskers being a cultural and sports organization expressed their interest in supporting and running the event early 2024 which led to the collaboration,” said Jagadeesh, of the Island Cricket Store and Club, supporting the sport in the region since 2022.
The Island Cup tennis ball cricket tournament fills Windsor Park in Oak Bay on May 19 starting at 8:30 a.m.
READ ALSO: Rock snake art project on Greater Victoria beach combats isolation