On July 13th (2024), Saugeen Shores officially opened the new Cricket pitch in Port Elgin and, yesterday on June 14th, the first cricket tournament since the 1800s made an historic come-back, the Saugeen Shores Challengers Cup cricket tournament.
Cricket has a long history and is the second largest game in the world after soccer when it comes to players and spectators.
Now, cricket has returned to Saugeen Shores. While for those who have watched baseball in Canada, cricket can be somewhat confusing but, similar to baseball, there is a bat and a ball involved.
Cricket is played between two teams of eleven players. The main objective is to score more runs than the opposing team. Runs are scored by batsmen who hit the ball and run between wickets, or by hitting boundaries. The fielding team tries to get batsmen out in various ways, such as catching the ball before it bounces, hitting the wickets with the ball, or by running a batsman out. The rules are extensive but make the game more exciting.
At the Challengers Cup held in Port Elgin (Saugeen Shores) on June 14th, four teams participated –
Port Elgin Warriors
Kings XI Southampton
Saugeen Titans
Jammu Panthers(team from GTA)
At Saturday’s tournament, the ‘northern’ teams of Port Elgin and Southampton outplayed the Jammu Panthers from the GTA, with the Southampton Kings XI coming in as the runner-up team and the Champions, the Port Elgin Warriors, taking first place.
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In addition to the team trophies, individual trophies were also presented.
For larger view, click on image
While the play on the field is being hotly contested, cricket games are also very much a social event where families on the sidelines to cheer on their teams.
Rotary of Saugeen Shores members also tried out their hand at bat and found it more difficult than expected while other members sat on the sidelines.
“We are hoping to see this sport and tournament grow in Saugeen Shores,” said organizer, Kanishk Sharma, “and hope to see more teams participate next year.”
