Canada has a long tradition of playing cricket. Canada was once one of the cricket-loving countries; in fact at some point, it was the most popular sport in the country. Dating back to 1785, the first cricket match was recorded in Canada, and already in the mid-19th century, cricket was even named the national sport by Canada’s first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald. It’s worth mentioning though that as the time went by, other sports such as ice hockey, baseball, and basketball, trumped cricket and became the pros here in the country. Now we discuss about Does Cricket Work in Canada? Let’s brings the excitement.

As opposed to nations such as India, Australia, or England, where cricket is embedded in the native traditions, Canada hasn’t been that appealing. While cricket was once widely played, the popularity of hockey and American sports led to its eclipse. When contrasted with the ever-dominating hockey in the context of the Canadian sports culture, cricket still has a long way to go.

Does Cricket Work in Canada? Is cricket a growing sport in Canada?

Yes, cricket is a growing sport in Canada, even so, it has a long way to go in order to become the mainstream sport in the country. Although historically it was popular in Canada, it was pushed out by others such as ice hockey, basketball, and baseball which became the dominant sports of the country.

But, in recent years, cricket has been resurgent because of the growing number of immigrants from countries where cricket is one of the major sports. It is by far the thought in countries like India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies. Not only has there been more of a presence in local leagues, grassroots programs, and international tournaments, but they have also been the key force behind the sport’s expansion.

Having been kicked off in 2018, the Global T20 (GT20) Canada league seemed to have been a positive proof of the rapid development of the sport in Canada, bringing an international unit of players on board and being really effective in attracting more people to the sport in Toronto.

Also, the national team is progressing good as they have recently qualified to play in the ICC T20 World Cup and this has been their first appearance at this level. Therefore, there is a confidence that Cricket Canada will shine. There are obvious issues like poor standard of facilities, low media cover, and competition from traditional Canadian sports. Nevertheless, the growth in fans, the larger sum municipalities allocate for the sport, and the acquisition of skills from young players paint the picture of a sport that will possibly dominate the future of this country.

Canadian cricket leagues

Cricket in Canada is becoming more and more popular. Different leagues are responsible for the development of the sport all over the country. The Global T20 Canada (GT20) makes a significant difference as it was the first-ever to take place in 2018. T20 professional leagues are the ones that attract the greatest cricket stars from India, Australia, and England.

 GT20 is as important as it is innovative in the sport of cricket in Canada; it has helped the game gain more stakeholders among young players, who in turn, have been highly motivated by the league and decided to pursue the sport as their profession.

Another important competition, the Super 50 Cup, which is a domestic one-day tournament, includes the participation of teams based in Canada.

NCL is a big national cricket league that receives support from CIBC. It is another tournament that is organized as a part of the program, the main goal is to enhance the local talent pool in cricket. The league provides the best Canadian players with a platform to showcase their abilities and be victorious at a higher level.

When looking at the grassroots level, the Provincial and city-based leagues such as the Toronto & District Cricket Association (TDCA) and the British Columbia Mainland Cricket League (BCMCL) are the two groups that provide the opportunities to amateurs and semi-professionals in order to play regularly, acquire their skills, and evolve.

Top Canadian cricketers

For a long time Canada has kept cricket talent that can compete both locally and internationally. The aforementioned one being a former player with a great career in cricket, who is none other than John Davison, was the person who hit the fastest century that had ever been scored in the history of the World Cup when he managed to do that during the 2003 Cricket World Cup batting performance .

Nicholas Kirton can also not be disregarded as he has displayed outstanding skills in his performances. A very competent all-rounder, without whom the team’s T20 success could well have been in jeopardy, is Saad Bin Zafar. Among the other really good players, worth mentioning also, are Dillon Heyliger and Navneet Dhaliwal who have also been essential parts of the Canadian cricketing journey.

Cricket teams in Canada

Cricket in Canada  has various levels, from national to club teams. The Canadian national cricket team is a representation of the country in the international arena. They have played in many ICC tournaments, among which the Cricket World Cup and T20 World Cup are the most noteworthy. On the domestic front, the Global T20 Canada (GT20) League is where the franchise teams, such as the Vancouver Knights, Toronto Nationals, Montreal Tigers, Brampton Wolves, Winnipeg Hawks, and Edmonton Royals, play. T20 matches are the main competition where the games attract international stars and local talents. Young teams, as well as club leagues and county associations, such as the Toronto & District Cricket Association (TDCA) and British Columbia Mainland Cricket League (BCMCL), contribute to the development of the sport.

Why cricket is growing in Canada?

Cricket sport is gradually growing in Canada for many reasons. One of the biggest catalysts is the increased immigration. A great many immigrants from cricket-loving countries like India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies have taken their enthusiasm for the sport to Canada, thus enhancing local participation and fan interest.Taking part in a new professional franchise competition Global T20 Canada (GT20) League, which got underway in 2018 is one big reason. This league has brought in international players who have raised awareness as a result and in the process have made this sport more popular.

Also, in the country of Canada where the men’s national team has been getting into the world’s best tier of success in various tours, the team has for the first time managed to introduce its most excellent form in the international games, such as the participation in the ICC T20 World Cup which is held in the United Arab Emirates. Besides the international level, local cricket clubs and leagues are also growing, which is the reason behind the young players getting more chances to enhance their skills. The big cities of Toronto, Vancouver, and Brampton are the hubs for cricket where the clubs are encouraged by their communities.

The government and private sector are engaged in funding the cricket infrastructure like improved pitches, and facilities to further promote the game. Media coverage and streaming services have also made it easier for fans to follow the games.

How to start playing cricket in Canada

If you feel like wanting to join a cricket club, you can start by looking for one in your area. The three cities, like Toronto, Vancouver, and Brampton, are homes to many cricket clubs that are happy to receive beginners. The Toronto and District Cricket Association (TDCA) are such organizations where you can get help from for the information, but you can also try the Cricket Canada or the British Columbia Mainland Cricket League (BCMCL).

At first, you must possess the proper equipment that is required. The cricket kit? will require you to master the bat, gloves, pads, ball, and helmet. A few sports clubs offer you to rent your gear often so that you get used to play and in turn, become a professional. Attendance in a coaching program or a practice session will be the next step after having the equipment ready.

Many cricket academies and community centers provide beginners with the necessary tutorials. The knowledge of the fundamentals like batting, bowling, and fielding will cause the game to become interesting for you very soon.If you are thinking about playing in the tournaments, sometimes you need to register. There are numerous leagues that give the opportunity to the players with different grades of skills, from which you may start with a beginner league and build up the level with time.

At the same time, it is pivotal to keep a stable pace of cricket practice, and as one of the ways of improving oneself by regular training and outings, you would thus become a member of a very thrilling cricket society. Cricket has become increasingly more popular in Canada, and as a result of this high practice  you will be a part of the exciting cricket community.