On a cool and windy April Sunday, the university held its first cricket match of the year. The match was a friendly game between the university First XI and the International Students XI. The university team was missing one key player, the star of last year's semi-final victory in the national championships, Jerry Adrian. For this game, Jerry captained his fellow overseas students, leading them to an impressive victory.

Cricket is yet to really take off in China, but the game has been quietly spreading over the last six years. SAU has participated in the past two National Cricket Championships, the players claiming silver medals at last year's finals in Zhejiang. Key to their achievements has been the chance to mix with players from around the world, particularly those from south Asia, where the cricket is such a part of the fabric of life it sometimes seems more like religion than sport.

This Sunday was the first chance for some of the new international students to show their skills, and the first chance for everyone to get out on the pitch after a long winter. International Cooperation Director, Richard Chen braved the cold wind to offer his support and encouragement to the players.

Dean of International Cooperation, Richard Chen with, First XI player, Liu Chuanjun. 

Winning the toss and batting first, the 'visitors', were initially cautious against disciplined First XI opening bowlers Liu Jia (4-0-18-2) and Jiang Shilei (4-0-15-0). Opening batsmen Subash Chabagaia and Aditha Pathirage were watchful as the Chinese students tried to maintain the pressure. Chances were created, but the fielders failed to back up their bowlers and the batsmen had already laid a solid foundation before Aditha was finally caught for 15. When the first wicket was quickly followed by a second, the Chinese players might have felt that they were on top, but Subash, now in full flow, on his way to an impressive 37, and Pubudu Tharanga built steadily.  

First-change, Li Zheng, bowled briskly and nabbed two scalps, but after a solid start, and with wickets in hand, Ali Syed and Khair Khan powered the International Students XI to an imposing total of 184. 

With a confident International Students team now in the field, the First XI batsmen would be under pressure from the start. Opening pacemen, Jyothi  (2-0-5-2) and Mohammad Rasheed (2-0-12-2), tore through the top order, with only First XI skipper, Liu Tao, offering brief resistance. When Jiang Shilei, who batted gamely at number seven, and his captain were removed by Suman Giri (2-0-11-2), it was all over for the school team; they limped to 75 from 20 overs, as the International Students generously rotated their bowlers. 

The Chinese players learnt some tough lessons. The lack of depth in their bowling really showed once the big hitters were in. Had they remembered the old maxim, 'catches win matches' and held onto their chances, they might have made life more for difficult for the International Students. With the bat, the Chinese players still have a lot to learn, but the quality showed by the International Students' batsmen suggests that fine role models are close at hand.   

SAU First XI, in white, and SAU International Students, with coaches Hu Rong (right) and Matt Smith (left)

With both teams keen to play more cricket, make new friends and encourage and support each other, the prospects look good for the newly founded SAU Cricket Association as it seeks the support it needs to develop.