The Melbourne Stars, a team in the Big Bash Twenty20 cricket tournament is to feature a unique competition reflecting Victoria’s culturally diverse communities by giving them an opportunity to represent their country of origin in cricket competition.
The inaugural competition of the Melbourne Stars League will see seven teams - T20 tournament for male and T10 for the female - split into their country of origin - Greece, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal and India battling it out for the inaugural title.
Melbourne Star's CEO, Clint Cooper told SBS Gujarati, "Melbourne Stars League is an opportunity to engage with the local Indian, Greek, Sri Lankan, and Afghanistan communities residing in Melbourne.
Cricket Victoria's Multicultural Participation officer Hussain Hanif addressing players of various communities . Source: Melbourne Stars
"We are also featuring the first-ever female league which will uncover some great talent throughout the tournament."
"Melbourne Stars are starting the tournament with five communities and looking forward to adding other South Asian communities to the tournament in coming years," he said.
India, Sri Lankan and Afghanistan are cricket loving nations and migrants here play cricket frequently.
But surprisingly, this tournament also features Greece. Australian Hellenic Cricket Federation president Nick Hatzoglou explained that the Greek community in Victoria has a cricket club in Melbourne which plays in local cricket associations.
"The Greek community has been residing in the country for almost 50 years and the the third or fourth generation cricketers are now coming through the several pathways systems. Many of the cricketers of Greek heritage plays cricket in various premier divisions."
"The future is bright for Greek talent and many cricketers are now making their way to the national side. Melbourne Star's and Australian national team's cricketer Marcus Stoinis is one of them," says Mr Hatzoglou.
Victoria's Multicultural Participation officer Hussain Hanif told SBS Gujarati, "The competition will feature five countries with seven teams in total. With the growing popularity of Women's cricket in the Women's Big Bash League and worldwide we hope Melbourne Stars female T-10 match will give an opportunity for female cricketers from India, Sri Lanka and Nepal in Australia.
Players from various communities taking part in the selection trials. Source: Melbourne Stars
"For the T10 female competition, we are encouraging females of all ages, fitness levels and skills to participate as this is the inaugural league."
"If they have never tried cricket this is a great time to get involved and get the community to support the females representing their country of origin," said Hussain.
Female players from various communities taking part in the selection trials. Source: Melbourne Stars
Competition fixtures
Men’s Fixture:
• 4th November 2018
• 11th November 2018 at Casey Fields, Casey Oval 4 and oval 5
Women’s Fixture:
• 18th November 2018 at Marriott Waters, Casey Oval 4
The final of the Melbourne Star's League for women will be played on 15th December and male final on 16th December 2018 on the Melbourne Stars family day at Casey Fields in City of Casey.
