SIT’s unplanned success story

Southland cricket folk have their chests puffed out with pride at the moment. Piece by piece, a jigsaw puzzle has been laid out for all to see a picture of success.

Southland are holders of the Hawke Cup, New Zealand’s prized trophy in regard to minorassociation cricket.

A rather large piece to that jigsaw puzzle was placed by the Southern Institute of Technology close to a decade or so ago. Although SIT officials did not have the Hawke Cup in mind when they did so.

SIT went about enticing international students to the city, in particular from India.

Large numbers of Indian students arrived in Invercargill, many moving from cities with a population in the tens of millions.

The winters in Invercargill can be brutal given the Indian students’ home country has an average temperature of between 35 and 40 degrees Celsius.

However, it is a passion for cricket that has helped ensure they feel at home in Invercargill.

SIT’s Indian recruits have flowed into Southland cricket clubs in large numbers. Some have emerged as key figures behind the province’s Hawke Cup success.

Harsh Visavadiya, Amarpreet Singh, and Venkat Kotte moved to Invercargill to study at SIT.

All three have finished their studies but have remained in the city, firstly to help Southland win the Hawke Cup and now help their adopted province defend it.

Southland coach Steve Jackson said the Indian presence had provided a positive boost.

‘‘The Indian guys have come here and brought a completely different style of play. The likes of the spin bowlers and the way they play the ball so late.

‘‘It has probably changed the way we coach younger players.’’

But their contribution was much bigger than just what they offered on the field, Jackson said.

He said the different personalities and culture they had brought to Southland cricket had opened some eyes.

‘‘We live in a very isolated and small part of the world. [The Indian players] have broken down a lot of stereotypes.

‘‘They are popular members of the team and it has built up a really cool team atmosphere.’’

The Indian players had adapted to the New Zealand culture, although Jackson said ‘‘it is not one-sided’’.

‘‘The guys have made an effort to try to learn some Hindu words, like when a player hits a boundary. It’s not a case of, ‘you fit into our culture’. The guys are trying to learn things about the Indian culture as well.’’

Southland Cricket Association general manager Jason Domigan said the international players had provided a boost at all levels.

‘‘They are an integral part of club cricket now. Not just Indians, but Sri Lankan guys, as well.

‘‘It brings a lot to our [Hawke Cup team] culture and also our cricket community culture. It has to be a positive thing.’’

Visavadiya has been a revelation as a batsman since arriving in Invercargill in 2015.

That included becoming just the fourth Southlander to score a double century in Hawke Cup cricket.

‘‘The [Southland] people have been very, very positive. They have offered me a lot of moral support,’’ he said.

Southland’s next defence of the Hawke Cup against Nelson starts today at Queens Park in Invercargill.

‘‘They are popular members of the team and it has built up a really cool team atmosphere.’’ Steve Jackson