We’re bowled over! Cricket hits big in Mississauga

Cricket has become increasingly popular in Mississauga. It is a sport with billions of supporters and is played all over the world. It is a fan favourite among many diverse communities, including those in the South Asian, Caribbean and Black communities and has become popular among a wide range of ages.

Cricket takes place between two teams of eleven players each. It is a bat-and-ball game played on a grass field, with a flat strip of ground called a pitch. At each end of the pitch is a set of wooden stumps, called a wicket. Each team takes turns batting and playing the field, just like in baseball. A bowler, pitches a cork-filled, leather ball and the batter tries to hit the ball to score runs. The bowler is trying to make the batter miss the ball and hit the wickets to record outs. There are three different types of formats of the game: Five-day test matches, One-Day International cricket and Twenty20 International cricket.

Cricket is a passion-fuelled sport. One of the most appealing things about the sport is its accessibility—anyone, at any age or skill level can participate.

Many Mississauga residents enjoy playing and watching cricket. You can find people ready with their bats, balls and wickets ready to start up an impromptu game at many of the city’s cricket pitches.

“Cricket has picked up over past last few years and the demand for pitches in neighbourhoods is on the rise. Our current cricket pitches are well-utilised by the residents and community groups. We know there is a desire from the community to see the City add more pitches. It’s one of the things we’re looking at through our long-term recreational planning and in collaboration with community cricket groups,” says Kristina Zietsma, Director of Recreation and Culture with the City of Mississauga.

For more information about Mississauga’s cricket pitches and clubs, visit mississauga.ca.