Cricket, often dubbed a gentleman’s game, is scarce locally, yet expatriate-led teams enthusiastically participate, forming a tight-knit community.
These teams epitomise the enduring charm and unwavering commitment of players, despite cricket’s distinctiveness compared to other popular sports like football and sepak takraw.
HISTORIC ORIGINS
Cricket’s roots can be traced back to 16th-Century England, where it was initially played by shepherds who used their crooks as bats.
Over time, the game gained popularity, and formalised rules were established in the 18th Century.
Cricket has spread to various corners of the globe, ardently embraced by countries like India, Australia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and the West Indies.
Each nation adds its distinct essence to the game, resulting in a profound global impact.
Cricket has evolved into a cultural phenomenon, fostering unity across diverse communities and outdoing geographical boundaries.
This aspect of cricket can also be seen in Brunei as teams form with the wistful thought of playing cricket also helping spur the growth of the sport in the nation one toss at a time.
Encountering teams from the recent Panaga Club’s Cricket Tournament showcased a standout moment: the finals featuring Tamilnadu 11 (TN-XI) and Vikings.
Vikings captain Sandeep Surendran Nair emphasised the enduring rivalry between the two teams in the tournament.
TOURNAMENT TALES
“We always saw TN-XI as our friendly rival, and when we go up against a strong team such as Tamilnadu 11, both of us can grow our skills and talent as cricket teams and players.”
This sentiment was shared by the deputy captain of TN-XI Kumara Ruban as he recalled that every friendly bout with Vikings has always been a learning experience and a memorable journey for him and the team.
“Going up against Vikings is always a good time for everyone involved. There will be some times when we manage to win, but other days we might see other teams such as the Vikings winning.
“But at the end of the day, it’s all about having a fun time playing cricket.”
Both TN-XI and Vikings can trace their history to the 2010s and over the years, both have continued to grow as a team and as individual players, with Surendran Nair noting that the formation of Vikings sprouted from a small passionate group of players.
“We (the Vikings) started playing cricket around 2010, and one of the most memorable moments for the team is our first win in 2013 in the national D20 league.”
With Vikings still going strong in 2024, Surendran Nair aspires to continue playing cricket as a team, noting that “consistent and disciplined players are not only something we aspire to but also being able to share the time in good spirit is what keeps us going and playing cricket.”
Similarly, Kumara Ruban also highlighted the importance of passing down the captivating culture surrounding cricket to the next generation, “We need to have the same culture (of cricket) as whatever the next 10 years will bring, we will continue to play cricket and so will the next generation as they carry on the same passion and love for cricket.”
FUTURE PROSPECTS
While the friendly competition between teams like TN-XI and Vikings often takes centre stage, the efforts behind the scenes are frequently overlooked, as highlighted by Ramana Rao, the head of the cricket section at Panaga Club.
“It takes a lot of work to make it (cricket tournament and competition) happen, as we want the interest in the sport to grow, so too must the expectation of matches held here in Brunei to be on par with the regulations found in international competitions,” he explained.
From ensuring fair sportsmanship is practised to the use of a pitch brought over directly from the United Kingdom to ensure that the field is in line with the proper rules and regulations of the sports, Ramana Rao spares no expense in making sure that the sports are as faithful to the expectation found across the world.
“We do this because we want to make sure that not only the players can get to experience and compete in the proper field and regulations, but also for the children to see how a cricket match is played properly so that they can carry on the culture as they become the next generation of cricket players.”
He also noted that cricket appeals to people of many backgrounds, from the common labourer to heads of companies, all coming together in sharing the same passion for cricket.
“They are people from all walks of life, from labourers to managers and CEOs, all of whom come to play and support their team each Sunday.
“So this keeps us motivated to continue organising tournaments and competitions which forms a loop where the players and teams are also motivated as they look forward to more tournaments and competitions to be held.”
Although predominantly played by expatriates, he anticipates an expansion of inclusivity, particularly among Bruneians, fostering a more diverse and united cricket community.
“While I have been involved in the sport for more than 22 years in Brunei, I would be more than happy to see more Bruneians taking a swing at cricket.
“We would do our best to reach out and teach those who are interested in cricket.” As cricket enthrals both players and spectators, it thrives on friendly rivalry and ongoing efforts to nurture talent beyond grassroots levels. Teams like TN-XI and Vikings cultivate future cricket stars through friendly competitions, ensuring the sport’s enduring spirit for generations. – Daniel Lim
