China cricket can take Afghanistan’s example, says MCC boss Mike Gatting
Former England captain says the Afghans became a test nation within 20 years as ICC meet to formulate mainland development strategy
Former England captain Mike Gatting is hoping China can follow the example of Afghanistan in becoming a force in world cricket in just two decades.
Gatting, in Hong Kong with the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) touring team, said the rise of Afghanistan cricket to test status should serve as an example for what can be done.
World governing body ICC is to meet this month to formulate a strategy to grow cricket in China, which includes lobbying for the sport to be included in the Olympic Games programme.
“The MCC can help only in so many ways,” said Gatting, who is MCC chairman. “The ICC is the main protagonist in this. They’ve got the money and they have got the brief to promote cricket around the world.
“We supported Afghan cricket and really started to push it forward. We gave them money initially and as the game grew in Afghanistan, the ICC took over and really help give them the support and extra money to become what is now an international team.
“And all this in the space of 15 to 20 years. China is in a different part of the world, there are a lot more people [than Afghanistan] and hopefully that means a lot more people to take up our great game.”