A 12-day exchange programme with one of the world most prestigious cricket clubs has lifted the standard of China's young coaches and players and boosted the sport's future development.

The England's Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has just wrapped up its first time China's mainland tour in the Club's 219-year history after exchanges and competitions with teams from Beijing and Shanghai.

The MCC is based at Lord's in London and is regarded as the home of the game.

"We had two matches in Beijing and two more in Shanghai last week. It is a big success and we benefit a lot from the MCC's China trip," said Liu Wei, deputy director of the Cricket Development Committee of China Cricket Association (CCA).

"MCC's participation means cricket in China has drawn attention internationally. MCC has some international players and our players and coaches have never had such a chance with the word's top players.

"Everybody felt a big improvement from the matches. More importantly, MCC coaches offered instructions to China's young coaches before and after matches."

Liu is confident more clubs from cricket powerhouses such as England, Australia and India will come to China in the near future.

"I am so glad to see that more and more local people show interests in the sport. The increasing popularity is set to lure more international clubs to China and help further develop the sport," said Liu.

MCC officials also share the same ideas with Liu and promise to expand the sport's presence in China. "China is a country of great population, and cricket is becoming one of the fastest growing sports here. The MCC hopes to help the country to develop the sport and encourage the enthusiasm," said MCC president Robin Marlar, who co-managed the squad.

It will be the first time in recent history that a serving MCC president has managed an overseas trip. "And it is the MCC's role to help increase cricket's international appeal and promote cricket to young people," added Marlar.

Bright future

It has been only two years since China joined the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2004 but China has received extra attention and help from ICC and Asian Cricket Council (ACC).

Last month, a high-level delegation led by ICC Chairman, Malcolm Speed and ACC President Shaharyar Khan had visited Beijing and Shanghai and had praised China's efforts in promoting cricket in 2005.

The ICC and ACC had also announced a joint funding of US$400,000 to China to build its cricket infrastructure.

"Chinese has just started the sport so you can not expect too much. The level is still low. But we have trained more than 100 coaches and 100 players at the moment. Those coaches will be capable of coaching youngster. The future of China will be better," said Rumesh Ratnayake, cricket development officer of ACC.

China already has 63 umpires of international level and qualified coaches while the governing body has introduced cricket to 19 primary schools, 20 middle schools and more than 20 universities throughout the country with 6,416 students learning the game, 995 of which turned players.

But the CCA, founded in 2004, has set itself a target of 15,000 players by 2009 and 150,000 by 2020. A junior team will compete in the ACC Cup in Thailand in December.

"There was a national championships (aimed at elementary schools and junior high schools) three months ago. Each team belongs to a school. Quite well organized, we are impressive," said Ratnayake.

"But you should not stay there. You have to grow. It is still in its ground stage.

"We can start everywhere as long as the place has green field."

From October 14 to November 5, The national championships between universities and high schools will be underway in Beijing, Shanghai and Shenyang.

(China Daily October 12, 2006)