A Taste of International Cricket: China Ladies vs Shenyang Aerospace University
No doubt many of the talented young cricketers at Shenyang Aerospace University once imagined making their international debuts, perhaps in a World Cup match against India or Australia, or maybe in a Test Match at Lords. Presumably, never in their wildest dreams did they conjure up the image of themselves taking to the field against China Ladies, in Shenyang. But on a breezy day in early May, that's exactly what they did.
(China Ladies and Shenyang Aerospace University Cricketers)
SAU cricket is thriving, with over 70 players from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal, and a further 40 Chinese players. Competition within the school can be pretty tough, as national pride is often at stake, but players from the cricketing powerhouses always have time to encourage and guide the less experienced players in their host country. As a result, more and more Chinese players at SAU are showing that they too can compete.
This weekend, rivalries were put aside as two SAU teams, each made up of players from four nations, including China, took the field against China Ladies.
The national women's squad, fresh from reaching the final of the ACC Women's Premier in Thailand, is currently based at Shenyang Sports University, as part of their preparation for this year's Asian Games. Their schedule will see them playing in Pakistan and England, before they arrive in Incheon, South Korea, in September.
Their coach, former Bangladesh Test star, Monjurul Islam, was keen to assess the progress of his charges, and kindly invited SAU to provide the opposition.
Two T20 games were played, with SAU's men finally triumphing in each, though not without a fight. In the first, China Ladies made a very respectable 112 for five, and had SAU in trouble until Sri Lankan skipper Jerry Adrian steadied the ship alongside Bangladeshi opener Shaon Asrafuzzaman, and saw his team home with five wickets in hand. Sri Lankan opening bowler Pandula Niyarepola had earlier returned excellent figures of two for 18 from his four overs.
In the second game, SAU restricted the ladies to 97 for five, with Chinese seam bowler taking two for 22. Pakistan pair Ahsan Ali and captain Junaid Siddiq then came together at the fall of the first wicket and rode their luck to see SAU home.
At the end of the day's play, China's coach generously took the time to give an impromptu bowling clinic for the SAU players, who were keen to learn from the World Cup star.
(Monjurul Islam Discusses the Art of Pace Bowling)
China Ladies look to have a very good squad and should be well placed to claim a medal in Incheon later this year. SAU's cricketers would love to think that they've helped them on their way to achieving that dream.
