Indian cricket legend and one of the game's greatest batsman, Sunil Gavaskar, got a glimpse of local talent at the 'Cricket Sixes' tournament in Pudong on Sunday, and he was seemingly impressed.

While cricket is popular among Shanghai's expat community, the game -- known to some locals as 'shen shi yun dong' or 'the noble game' is yet to catch on locally, although an increasing number of city schools have begun to offer the game as a sporting option.

International cricket will come to China for the first time in 2010, as part of the Asian Games that will be held in Guangzhou. In an effort to raise awareness of the game at the grassroots level, the Chinese Cricket Association, set up in 2006, is committed to training more than 30,000 cricketers and 15,000 coaches.

The International Cricket Council and the Asian Cricket Council have also declared China a "special project" to accelerate the development of the game in the country.

"The ICC is committed to globalizing the game and the Asian Cricket Council has been very active, not just in China but other countries as well," said Gavaskar, who once headed the ICC's Cricket Committee.

"Other cricketing nations are now sending their coaches to China. These efforts might not bear fruit immediately. But over a period of time, I understand China is determined to have an international status by 2020, which is fantastic. And I believe that it is entirely possible for China to achieve that target."

Five teams from Shanghai and two from Shaoxing took part in Sunday's tournament, held at the British International School in Pudong, with the Pudong Cricket Club winning.

(Shanghai Daily June 10, 2008)