The seaside resort of Ostend has inaugurated a new cricket batting cage. The initiative came from a local resident who pioneered the installation that was funded through a so-called ‘neighbourhood incentive’ – a grant application for a local project. Since its opening, the cage has already proved to be incredibly popular.
Cricket is gaining popularity in Ostend, largely thanks to the large communities of people of Pakistani or Afghan heritage. Until now youngsters have been playing the sport on the streets or in car parks. This sometimes caused damage. “Just as a window would sometimes get smashed when we used to play football, the same thing happens when cricket is played on the streets,” says alderman Fabrice Goffin. “That is why we have now decided to install a batting cage.”
In addition to the cage on the Sint-Catharinaplein, others have also been installed on Guldensporenlaan and at the De Schorre sports park.
Soft balls rather than hard
The cage on the Sint-Catharinaplein is about 5 metres high and provides a safe space for batting, both for the players and for bystanders and vehicles in the vicinity. Although cricket is usually played with hard balls, the city is asking that only soft balls are used.
“Since it opened on Wednesday, there’s been a queue to use the batting cage,” says Goffin. “It’s constantly full and the children are really delighted with it.”
Although cricket in Ostend is particularly popular among young people of Pakistani and Afghan heritage, the pitch also attracts other local children. “Almost all the local children were present at the festive opening,” said Goffin. “It was really lovely to see.”
Cricket: a Flemish gift to the world
Cricket is mainly associated with England and Pakistan and other Commonwealth countries but according to Goffin, the sport has Flemish roots. “It may be little known, but cricket actually originated in Flanders and was then exported,” he claimed.
The alderman too tried his hand at the sport during the opening ceremony. His conclusion was brief: “I’m not going to make a career out of it!”