LONDON CRICKET CLUB 1856

Published by – April Wall – BVM Sports User Submission Updated: September 15, 2023

LONDON, Ontario — If you walk through some of the Forest City’s sport fields, you may already have caught cricketers in action. Cricket enthusiasts are coming out more and more to play or watch. Some have immigrated from countries where this game is hugely popular and played year-round. Despite the challenges of the seasons here at home, cricket was actually the first sport to be declared Canada’s “national sport” in 1867, by Prime Minister, John A. MacDonald (although it seems to have been ousted the following year in favour of lacrosse). Ahead of this national trend, the London Cricket Group (often called the London Cricket Club) was in full swing as far back as 1856, where it is recorded in London’s archives.

Despite the occasional weather-related curveball (or “googly”) precipitating a lost match here and there, cricket is once again being played in earnest in London! Friends and families come out to watch, sometimes bringing “field tea”, a tradition of light snacks served on and around the oval play area during a refreshment break. London resident and cricket enthusiast, Waheed Mirza, says his wife Tanzeela has been known to prepare a delicious picnic to bring out on a nice day. He is a firm believer in, “Build it, and they will come” … and the City did build it.

In 2022, a new pitch on a regulation size cricket field opened at Northridge Fields. The London Cricket Club, which saw renewed interest in the sport during the pandemic, had grown to 65 members (including their board of directors). In 2023, there are 14 local teams (including 3 from Sarnia) actively involved in the Local League. These teams work diligently to secure their ground bookings from the City of London, and a collective of volunteers work together to establish the local London cricket league, efficiently distributing league schedules to the participating teams via online platforms. Teams play mid-May through September at Northridge Cricket Field, North London Athletic Cricket Field, and Silverwoods Park Field.

“We all love cricket,” says club chair, Sudhanshu Chopra. “Whether a player is looking to be recruited to a competitive team or just there to have fun, everyone gets a chance to play.” The London Cricket Club has three competitive teams; one participates in the Hamilton & District Cricket League in the Elite divisions and the other two participate in the local London league. “One of the club’s most memorable moments was when we secured victory in the Hamilton and District Cricket League’s Premier Division, showcasing our team’s dedication and talent.”

Chopra adds that club members are there to help and support anyone who would like to learn the sport. And what does he say about the weather? “Sure, it would be nice to have an indoor facility… but for now,” he smiles and shrugs, “we are seasonal.”