FERVOUR - Cricket Fever
Move over the mundane nuances of cricket, St Moritz adds a fun
twist to this sport with `Cricket on Ice'
Sitting in the lap of Engadin valley, St Moritz is Switzerland's
winter wonderland that offers a unique delight. Cricket on Ice, a yearly
tournament, attracts business executives from all over the world. The town
garnered a lot of fame due to its mineral springs, which were discovered 3000
years ago. The resort town has come to establish its mark for the beauty of its
ski slopes and the Adrenaline rush of the Cresta Run.This has created a surge
in a number winter attractions such as ski marathon, cresta run, White Turf
Horse Races. For sheer quirkiness, few sport events can beat this cricket
festival, which takes place in the peak of winter, on a frozen lake.The
dazzling aquamarine lake, shimmers like a jewel, enveloped by the lush forest
and towering Alps.
Incepted in 1988, Cricket on Ice was the brainchild of a few
British enthusiasts who challenged the students of a boarding school to a
match. Ever since, the cricket festival has been attracting international
players and participants from all over the world.
Although, the game played has a fresh twist. Players ditch the
white suit for warm track suits and the ball is made of hard rubber, as the
traditional leather one would become wet and difficult to handle on snow.
Furthermore, an artificial grass pitch is rolled out on an oval-shaped cricket
ground. In its 31st edition, the game consists of 20 overs per inning; bowlers
are limited to four overs. The climate and the setting offer a unique set of
challenge and hence, demand a considerable amount of skill and ability from the
players.
The game played, although, is a competitive one, on an amateur
level and seeks to heighten the spirit of friendship between the teams. Most
importantly, it aims to allow the participants to enjoy the pure alpine beauty
.
ET2NOV17
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