By NOUMAN KHALIL
The National Cricket Championships this week got underway on a puzzling and confusing note, creating disappointment for both players as well as officials in Ontario. Upsetting and frustrating scenes were witnessed when two separate Ontario teams were each set to take on the Prairies this Monday, but the venue of this inaugural match was suddenly switched to an unknown site. One Ontario team was fielded by Mike Kendall, president of Ontario Cricket Association (OCA), while the other Ontario team was brought with the support of Cricket Canada. On arriving at the Malton venue just before the start of the match, OCA’s Ontario team members came to know the venue had been shifted to an unknown place due to a wet and unfit outfield.
As at the time of going to press, an official response from Cricket Canada is still awaited. However, according to Cricket Canada’s website, the match was played at Inverhaugh, Ontario.
A few hours later that day, OCA joined heads together in an emergency meeting and decided to take legal action against Cricket Canada over a range of issues including not allowing its Ontario team to participate in the championship.
OCA alleges Cricket Canada has illegally and unconstitutionally picked its own Ontario team for the championship with the intention of sidelining OCA, and that it changed the venue purposely.
The association contended that by virtue of its membership with Cricket Canada, OCA continues to suffer financially due to the conduct of CC executives pertaining to the recent departure of national sponsor Scotiabank.
“We are members in good standing. Then how come the national selectors have no right to pick the Ontario team. This is illegal and unconstitutional,” OCA’s Kendall told Focus.
Kendall said OCA has also lodged its protest with the International Cricket Council (ICC), the apex international body governing cricket.
The Cricket Canada website meanwhile indicates the venue shifting decision was taken a day earlier. However, the ground staff don’t agree.
“I am shocked to hear they have changed the venue. We did our best and prepared the ground for this tournament,” said Renford Williams, head groundsman.
He said Ranjit Saini (CC president) inspected the ground earlier in the morning and the staff was informed about the cancellation of the match at Malton Cricket Ground. However, he didn’t know where the match will be played.
“Is it right the venue of this match has changed? I just heard about it” Travice Felthman, a vendor who had also set up tents and the pavilion, surprisingly asked this scribe.
Meanwhile Geoffrey Crosse, Ontario coach, argued: “I’m bitterly upset that the president of Cricket Canada has called off the match here, reasoning the ground is unfit. A match can be called off only when both team captains, both umpires and the match referee inspect the ground.
“This is cricket and everyone has to follow the rules,” said Crosse.
Added Karun Jethi, captain of Ontario: “What is happening here is totally ridiculous. We’re so exited to represent our province, but have now been disappointed. At the end of the day we (the players) suffer.
“Please leave players alone – let them play real sport and don’t involve them in any dirty politics – it does affect their performance,” pleaded Jethi.