Organizers of the Masters Tape Ball Cricket League are the latest to bring the sport of gentlemen to Milton.
And to draw as many players as possible to the local Indoor Turf Centre, where the games are held, friends and cricket enthusiasts Kazz Khan and Sunny Khan are kicking things off with a winter tournament.
Fourteen teams will vie for the right to call themselves champions of this nascent league, which began its run on Oct. 20. Since that recent launch, teams have been outfitted with uniforms, a league trophy is in place and more than a dozen sponsors have been secured.
Kazz Khan is hyper-aware of the popularity of the sport, but also recognizes that some variations of it present too high a barrier to entry. For example, tape ball cricket, in contrast with the hardball variety, requires less protective equipment and skill.
Cricket is generally an outdoor sport and is limited to the summer months as a result. Those who want to play year-round are usually out of luck, which didn't sit well with the Khans.
“We wanted to give the community an opportunity to enjoy cricket with us,” Kazz Khan said. “We don't have any financial gains, nor are there any teams that are hoping to win big prize money or anything like that. It's just for an activity in the winter.”
Cricket is enjoying explosive growth in Milton, with other leagues like the Markhor Cricket Club and the Yukti Cricket League opening their doors to all who want to pick up a bat and play.
Masters league organizers bill the winter tournament as “a family event” and a chance for “everyone to come out” for the love of the game. “It's an open invite to everybody. Come down with your families, enjoy some cricket and play some cricket. Everybody loves cricket here.”
The competition isn't limited to Milton teams, with the field including such teams as GTA Godzillas, Toronto Reindeer, Signature XI and the OCC Cousins ‘N Neighbours.
Several teams take to the pitch every Sunday starting at 8 p.m. and going until 11 p.m. The tournament will run until February -- with a short break afterwards until the Ramzan Tournament starts up shortly before the start of spring.
The highlight of the year will be an American invasion. “A huge club in Chicago is coming down (in late January), CASO Cricket Club,” said Kazz Khan, noting that the Canada vs. U.S. clash with add intrigue to the overall competition.
Cricket's rapid local growth has prompted Milton elected officials to push for more venues. The Town of Milton will be reviewing its Recreation Master Plan and several proposed recreational facility expansions are in the works for 2025.
Ward 3 Councillor Adil Khalqi, who paid the Masters league a visit earlier this month, highlighted several plans coming down the pipe, pending budget talks.
“In addition to cricket, we're seeing a demand for various racket sports such as pickleball, badminton and tennis as well in the community,” Khalqi told MiltonToday. Among the proposed plans are “plans for cricket batting cages at Optimist Park” and the inclusion of provisions for cricket play as part of designs for a new community centre and district park (likely near Bronte Road and Ethridge Ave).
Khalqi encourages residents to take part in the budgeting process and provide the Town with feedback.
All Masters Tape Ball Cricket League matches are live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube.
Those who want to keep up with scores and standings can do so on CricHeroes website or phone app.