Key Points
- Two of the top three most popular surnames registered in Australian cricket are of Indian origin.
- Singh, Smith and Patel are the most common surnames in Australian cricket.
- Cricket Australia says it has strategies to encourage growth among diverse communities.
In the recently concluded summer 2023-24 season, Bani scored 268 runs in 30 matches at an average of 33.50 runs and took 12 wickets.
Bani Singh plays for the Craigieburn Cricket Club in Melbourne. Credit: Tejbir Singh
Bani’s father, Tejbir Singh, encourages her to play cricket.
“When I played in the South Caulfield League, I was the only Indian-origin player on the four turf teams. Over the years, the situation has changed a lot.”
What’s in a surname?
The surname Singh first exceeded Smith in the year 2018-19, and has held top place since.
Credit: Cricket Australia
“This significant trend highlights the growth in South-Asian registered participation across all areas of Australian Cricket, as well as the opportunities to grow attendances with India’s men and women’s teams and Pakistan’s men’s team to tour Australia next summer,” Cricket Australia said in a statement.
Tejbir, who said he supports his daughter the same way whether she scores a lot of runs or a duck, is encouraged by this trend.
I have seen teams full of players of Indian and South Asian origin, which I believe is awesome for our game.
Tejbir Singh
According to the cricket data management website Play HQ, other Indian-origin surnames Sharma, Khan and Kumar are among the top 16 most registered surnames on the list.
Love for cricket among South Asian communities
“I represent the Under 12 Division 1 team of the Seven Hills Toongabbie RSL Club, and my performance has improved,” he said.
Tirth Patel plays for Seven Hills Toongabbie RSL Club in Western Sydney. Credit: Supplied
Tirth scored 177 runs from 27 matches this season, with 42 runs being his highest score.
“We all know that cricket is like a religion in India. When we migrated to Australia from India two decades ago, we didn’t have enough opportunities to play cricket, but I am fulfilling Tirth’s dream of becoming a professional cricketer.”
From early morning practice sessions to attending matches and tournaments, we as parents invest considerable time, effort, and resources in nurturing Tirth’s talent and providing growth opportunities.
Vishal Patel
Plan to attract more CALD communities
“Cricket Australia’s Multicultural Action Plan, launched in December by Usman Khawaja and Lisa Sthalekar, is a significant part of cricket’s commitment to fostering inclusivity within the sport,” it said in a statement.
A batsman preparing to hit a cricket ball. Credit: Corbis/VCG/Getty Images
To convert this high participation rate into representation at the highest level, Cricket Australia said it would enhance talent pathways for cricketers and bursary programs for elite coaches and umpires.
Since 2007, the percentage of South Asian players in Australian National Teams for men has been 2.3 per cent in tests, 5.2 per cent in one-day internationals (ODIs), and 3.1 per cent in T20 internationals. For women, it has been 5.3 per cent in tests, 3.6 per cent in ODIs, and 3.8 per cent in T20.
Australian Cricket said it is looking at ways to ensure cricket lovers from multicultural communities attend more matches.
Out of every 100 players playing cricket in the first-class, men’s and women’s Big Bash Leagues (BBL), representation of South Asian communities stands at 4.2 per cent. Cricket Australia’s target is to take the ratio to 8 per cent by 2027.
James Quarmby, Cricket Australia’s Head of Participation, said progress is being made to ensure cricket is a “sport for all”.
We want people from multicultural communities to play a major role in all aspects of the game at the community and elite levels, whether as players, coaches, officials, administrators, or fans.
James Quarmby, Cricket Australia’s Head of Participation
Source Agencies
