Speculate on Cricket

Cricket is a fast growing sport in China, in fact, as early as 2006 the Chinese Cricket Association (the official governing body of the sport of cricket in the country) has outlined three prime goals for the sport:

• 2015: Have 20,000 players and 2,000 coaches
• 2019: Qualify for the World Cup
• 2020: Gain Test status

Cricket came to China a bit late (as opposed to Boxing or Basketball). The Chinese Cricket Association became an International Cricket Council affiliate member only in 2004.

An April 2016 report from the ICC pegged the number of male cricket players in China at 45,000. Meanwhile, the same report estimated that there are 35,000 female players.

Before to the establishment of the Chinese cricket team, the Shanghai Cricket Club, the largest club in China, played games against many touring sides. However, they do not receive official recognition from the Chinese Cricket Association.

Since September 2005, the Chinese Cricket Association has conducted 8 coaching/ umpiring training course under the assistance from the Asian Cricket Council ("ACC"). The sport is now promoted in 9 cities in China namely Beijing, Shanghai, Shenyang, Dalian, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chongqing, Tianjin and Jinan. More than 150 schools were involved.

China also participated at the 2009 ACC Trophy Challengers Division and the 2010 Asian Games.