Tigers support China development squad
Forty players plus 10 officials arrived from China into Sydney in December 2024 to spend 10 weeks learning and developing their cricket skills. The men’s and women’s national teams and the u16 women’s national team stayed and trained at Sydney University.
The visit was driven by Sydney CC which signed an MOU with the Chinese Cricket Association in 2023. As the scale of the initiative grew, Cricket NSW lent its support. Michael Ho and Ben Schutz were involved in the coaching and development of the China players, and Tigers officials offered administrative support.
While China is not often associated with cricket, the Chinese Cricket Association became an affiliate member of the International Cricket Association in 2004 and an associate member in 2017. China is investing heavily in cricket, following the decision that cricket is to be readmitted to the Olympics for Los Angelkes in 2028.
The China development squad played T20s early in 2025 against both men’s and women’s teams at Drummoyne Oval. The day was a happy one, with the China players showing both skill and room for growth. The Tigers got the chance to offer some younger players the opportunity to have a taste of international cricket. And the barbecue went well.
