LONDON – In England, you can’t get out of the house if it’s -5 DegreesCelsius,” Owais Shah told Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi as they stood on afrozen lake in St Moritz, ready to play cricket in the Swiss ski resort onThursday.
Standing on a matting wicket rolled over wood planks in the morning inminus 10 degrees chill, several former stars wondered what was in store asthe two-match cricket series was ready to unfold in this picturesque Swissvillage.
Sporting their respective colours but making sure they were protected fromthe cold, cricketers from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, England, South Africaand Australia entertained a small but colourful and enthusiastic.
St Moritz is a famous sports destination. It has held two Winter Olympics(1928, 1948). But organising something as complex as cricket, the IceCricket 2018 tournament also aims to draw attention of those who want toexplore the interiors of Europe.
Much to the delight of many, the sun rose over the snow-capped mountainnear the lake as the players took the field. Shoaib Akhtar didn’t chargein, but wicketkeeper Matt Prior had his task cut out.
TOUGH TO FIELD
Fielding was the toughest task; the ball didn’t bounce but it was slipperyand dodged any fielder on its way to a blue-printed boundary line.
Spectators came in with their pets; many locals, used to skiers rather thancricketers, wanted to see what the fuss was about. But there were die-hardAsian fans too — travelling from nearby Zurich as well as Dubai for thistournament.
Altaf Syed has travelled all the way from Dubai to watch his favouritecricketers in action. He saw them train on Wednesday and was also spottedoutside the team hotel in the evening.
“It’s difficult to play on ice, but we’ve trained a bit. We are here forthe love of the game and I want to entertain the Swiss people,” saidVirender Sehwag, captain of Palace Diamonds, ahead of the match.
“T20 is short and sharp,” he said, backing the slam-bang format to promotecricket in continental Europe.
Mahela Jayawardene said, “It’s a new experience for everybody. Cricket hasbeen played here for last 15 years in similar conditions. For us to comehere and show that cricket can be played on ice, (try and) be a bit morecompetitive… it’s slippery, but we have to be careful.”
Lasith Mainga said it was all about enjoying. “It’s cold, but we have toenjoy. T20 cricket is good, it requires all kinds of skills. Everyone hastime to watch it.”
Sehwag said he wanted to play his ‘see-the-ball-hit-the-ball-game’, and didthat in scoring a 31-ball 62. However, his team lost to the ShahidAfridi-led Royals by six wickets with Owais Shah hitting 74 not out.