The first Craigengower Cricket Club team to win a trophy of note – the 1936-37 first division championship. Photo: SMP
Source:
https://scmp.com/comment/letters/article/2173398/hong-kong-cricket-league-and-south-china-morning-post-115-years Letters
Hong Kong Cricket League and the South China Morning Post: 115 years of building social bridges
- When apologists are everywhere and cricket is often seen as just a colonial artefact, the truth can benefit from a little rediscovery
Royal Navy’s Elyas Ismail bats during a cricket league game against the Crusaders, at the So Kun Po Stadium in 1979. Photo: C. Y. Yu
Congratulations to the South China Morning Post as it celebrates 115 years of serving Hong Kong. Some readers may be surprised to learn that the Post also shares a common anniversary with Cricket Hong Kong or, more correctly, its forerunner – the Hong Kong Cricket League.
In 1903, with the foundation of the Hong Kong Cricket League, organised cricket became available to all, regardless of race, colour and creed. Soon after, the Kowloon Cricket Club, Club de Recreio, the Chinese Recreation Club, Hong Kong University Cricket Club and the Indian Recreation Club joined in.
To help celebrate this milestone, which opened the way for “cricket for all”, the fledgling Post donated a magnificent shield for the Hong Kong Cricket League Championship.
Many champion sides graced the intricate and most wonderful shield from 1903 on an almost annual basis, until it disappeared in 1941.
In our modern world, when apologists are everywhere and cricket is often seen as just a colonial artefact, the truth can benefit from a little rediscovery.
The Post and organised cricket share a common cause for celebration – both help connect people and act as a bridge for society. Photos of the winning sides reveal some of the diversity of the time.
Perhaps some readers may have some knowledge of the shield’s story and possible whereabouts?
Kevin Styles, cricket convenor, Craigengower Cricket Club, Happy Valley