Cricket returns to the Feildian Grounds as Cricket NL launches summer league

Cricket Newfoundland and Labrador are pleased to announce the start of play in it’s first Summer League with matches this weekend at the Feildian Grounds. This makes a major step forward for cricket in the Province, following the establishment of the Provincial body last year. After last summer’s tape ball exhibition matches, the summer league will feature three teams competing in full scale hard ball cricket, using the popular 20-20 format. Under this abbreviated format of the game, matches will be completed in 2-3 hours, and will feature players from the successful provincial team that won a bronze medal at the eastern Canadian championships in Halifax in June.

The Feildian Grounds were originally established in part as a cricket ground for Bishop Feildian school, and was the last field regularly used for cricket in St. John’s up to the 1930s. The Grounds are now an important soccer facility, but with the cooperation of the Feildians Association will be adapted for cricket use this weekend, thanks to the donation of an artificial cricket pitch by former Cricket Canada CEO Atul Ajuha. The pitch, valued at over $4000, was recently shipped from Toronto.
Cricket NL are working with the City of St. John’s to establish a permanent ground, but in the meantime play gets underway at 2pm on Saturday afternoon, with two matches scheduled, with a further two games on Sunday, also starting at 2 pm. All are welcome and there’s no admission charge.