TEAMS THRILLED TO PLAY AT BLUNDSTONE FOR GALA

ONE Nepalese rock band, three matches on hallowed turf, and unlimited passion — Cricket Tasmania’s inaugural Community Cricket Gala Day had it all.

Held at Blundstone Arena on Sunday, the gala began with a game between all-abilities teams from the state’s north and south, then featured a match between an Indigenous XI and a Cricket Tasmania Pathway XI, and concluded with the grand final of the Intercultural Sports League.

Cricket Tasmania general manager of community cricket, Ben Smith, said he would like to see the gala day become an annual event.

“It got more competitive as the day went on. I think the North and South, in the all-abilities space, those guys are a real celebration of the game,” Smith said.

“They just enjoy playing. It was played in great spirits and everyone’s there to make sure that everyone’s having a good time.

“The Indigenous game, all the players in that program are in the Tasmanian cricket pathway, and are looking to pursue the game to their full potential.”

Smith said hundreds of spectators turned out to watch the Intercultural Sports League final, which had a Nepalese rock band perform before the game.

“Their game was possibly more competitive than any game that’s been played here this year,” he said.

Southern All Abilities player Blake Bonnitcha loved the experience.

“It was just amazing to play out here. So many unbelievable players have played on that cricket pitch, and played on this ground,” Bonnitcha said.

Intercultural Sports League chair Raj Chopra said the grand final was live streamed with commentary in English and Hindi.