Cricketers Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir are likely to open an innings for Australia, on a different pitch, supporting the Australians’ initiative to infuse confidence in Indian students in the aftermath of the recent attacks.
Greg Shipperd, who coaches the Indian Premiere League team Delhi Daredevils and also Victoria Bushrangers in Australia, said he would use his influence with the Indian players to send a strong message to the Indian students that Australia is a better place to live and study in.
“If they cannot come personally, I can get their messages recorded and play them. And that would be a big boost,” he told a visiting Indian media delegation. Terming the recent attacks unfortunate, the former western Australian and Tasmanian cricketer said the game has the charm to wipe away the recent unsavoury past.
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He said efforts would also be made to rope in players like Anil Kumble. Using cricket to build bridges with other communities, more so international students, is already on.
Cricket Victoria has drawn up plans to give away 1,00,000 free tickets to international students to watch the Australian national championship, Sheffield Shield matches, starting in November. “It’s our social responsibility,” said Tony Dodemaide, CEO of Cricket Victoria.
The former Australian all-rounder has plans to involve Victorian cricketers in inviting the international students. “A few bushrangers, who are also representing the Australian team now, will go to universities and promote the programme,” he said.
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Events and Promotions Coordinator of Cricket Victoria Andy Lee said tickets worth Australian $3 million (Rs. 12 crore) would be distributed free of cost this year. This is part of the Cricket Harmony programme, launched by Cricket Victoria spending Australian $15 million. The concept is being promoted through posters that depict “Cricket — Smashing the cultural, ethnic and gender boundaries.”
Taking Indian students down memory lane, a street tournament is also being planned across Australian universities. The round-robin matches are expected to be a huge draw.
Cricket Victoria has plans to give 1, 00,000 free tickets to international students.