Players feel like 'absolute celebrities' in the most unique cricket competition

Dough nudged the ball and started for a quick single. A fielder attacks, and in one swift motion, picks up the ball and flicks it into the stump behind him.

Key points:

• The century-old church is a unique venue for Melbourne cricket competitions
• Over a decade, the competition grew to include hundreds of players
• The parish church closed the competition, citing security concerns

An uproar erupted in the stands and it seemed the hitter was less than the ground. To be sure, the referee made a reference to the Decision Review System (DRS).

It’s the kind of scene that plays out at the Melbourne Cricket Ground every summer, but tonight takes place inside the halls of an Anglican church, beneath a replica of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel masterpiece, The Creation of Adam.

For more than a decade, St Columb’s Hawthorn has been a spiritual home for players who play cricket five days a week.

The church hall, which is over 130 years old, ranks as one of the most unique places in the world of cricket.

“It’s the perfect combination of outdoor, indoor and backyard cricket,” said Anil Mirchandani, chairman of St Columb’s Premier League (SPL) and captain of his team, The Misfits.

“Because we’re playing in church, there’s just a sense of humility and purpose, in a way you’ll never find anywhere else.”

Judgment is coming … with video review

The competition is as fierce as traditional outdoor cricket. (ABC News: Kristian Silva.)

Just like the famous Lord’s Cricket Ground, the SPL pitch also has a slanted tone. But that’s where the similarities end. The surface of the church cricket is made of carpet once used in the Olympics, and the arena is secured with fences and nets, protecting spectators sitting in the old church pews. On one side, the referee was standing under the chair of the old archbishop.

Electronic scoreboard, four-camera DRS system, speakers and live streaming of matches elevate the game to new heights. A hall-of-fame has even been set up.

“It makes every player feel like they are absolute celebrities here. During that hour and a half, they can disguise themselves and feel like they are on top of the world,” Mirchandani said.

Added Sunny Krishna, fellow SPL player and commentator: ‘It’s like backyard cricket on steroids.

SPL commentator Sunny Krishna analyzed the replay, which is being vetted by the Decision Review System (DRS).(ABC News: Kristian Silva)

Over the years, there have been legendary chapters and spectacular agile efforts that have gone down in SPL folklore. Once, a scraper broke through the church door and ran into the field.

Anil Mirchandani says there is a sense of ‘humility and purpose’ when playing cricket inside the church.(ABC News: Kristian Silva)

“We have it on camera too,” Mirchandani joked, before clarifying that the streaker had nothing to do with the competition and its players.

The league was founded 12 years ago by St Columb pastor Pete Horsford as a way to make Indian students feel welcome after a spate of racist incidents in Melbourne. Regardless of religious place, Christianity is never imposed on participants.

The SPL has evolved into a six-tier competition with 400 odd players. Although everyone is welcome, almost all of them are of South Asian background.

Those involved in the SPL say it evolved from a cricket competition into something bigger—a genuine community where people take care of each other.

“Whether you’re Indian, whether you’re Sri Lankan, whether you’re Christian, it makes no difference when you come here. That’s what I enjoy,” said Sangeeta Gupta, a regular on the SPL bench.

St Columb’s Anglican Church in Hawthorn has hosted the SPL for 12 years.(ABC News: Sean Warren )

‘Security issue’ ends the competition

The current SPL season, which ends this month, will be the last to be played at St Columb’s.

The parish church has decided to evict players, citing “many safety issues that need to be addressed” with the building.

In a statement, St Columb vicar Reverend Mark McDonald said ending the competition was a “difficult decision”, but “like many organizations carving their way out of the pandemic, parishes must adapt to new environments”.

“Safety issues related to stands, platforms and fire exits which according to advice do not conform to current building standards,” said Rev. McDonald’s.

“There are also concerns with electrical wiring and other problems resulting from years of minimal maintenance on the building.

“We wish members of the cricket community success in finding a new venue. We have provided written references to the current management team for them to provide to the appropriate hosts.”

Thousands of players have rolled or been hit over the history of the competition.(ABC News: Kristian Silva)

Mirchandani said SPL had previously donated tens of thousands of dollars to the church, and proposals to help pay for renovations and returns when they were finished were rejected.

He said players respected the parish’s decision, but many went through “a bit of a grieving process”.

“That feeling of emptiness – it’s a resonant feeling that I know a lot of the members have,” he said.

“We really hope we’ll find somewhere else, and with all the discussions we’ve had with other churches, things are looking very positive.”

Players from The Misfits celebrate their hard-earned victory.(ABC News: Kristian Silva)

Krishna, who works as a GP, said the mental health benefits of community sport cannot be underestimated, especially after Melbourne’s two-year stop-start lockdown.

“This is an opportunity for people to mingle, discuss, laugh and even cry here,” he said.

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