Cricket isn’t a household name in China—but beneath the surface, the game is quietly stirring. From university grounds in Hangzhou to elite training in Sydney and from Beijing to Guangzhou, China is charting a slow but deliberate course toward becoming a cricket-playing nation.
A Historical Snapshot
- Cricket first appeared in China in the mid-1800s, largely through expatriate clubs like the original Shanghai Cricket Club, which hosted interport matches with Hong Kong and Singapore until 1948.
- After a long hiatus, cricket was revived in the 1990s, and in 2004, China became an ICC Affiliate Member, later upgraded to Associate in 2017.
- Ambitious goals were set: in 2006, the Chinese Cricket Association aimed for 20,000 players and 2,000 coaches by 2015, World Cup qualification by 2019, and Test status by 2020. However, those targets remain long shots.
Infrastructure & Grassroots Growth
- China has only a few dedicated cricket venues:
- Guanggong Cricket Stadium in Guangzhou (12,000 capacity), built for the 2010 Asian Games and granted ICC certification for limited-overs internationals.
- Zhejiang University of Technology Cricket Field in Hangzhou, opened in 2021 for the 2022 Asian Games.
- Yet access remains limited. According to player accounts, Beijing cricket still uses school fields with artificial wickets and competes with football and rugby for space.
China’s Cricket Footprint Today
- As of 2025, cricket revenue in China is projected at just US $9.4 million, with slow future growth forecast (CAGR ~0.9% to 2029). The fan base is expected to reach around 23 million users, but penetration remains low (~1.6%).
- The Chinese national teams finally made their T20I debuts in 2023, including a first win against Myanmar in T20 qualifiers
Overseas Development: A Sydney Story
- In a pivotal move in 2025, the Chinese Cricket Association signed a five-year partnership with Cricket NSW and Sydney Cricket Club.
- A group of around 50 Chinese players and coaches trained in Sydney—utilizing elite facilities, receiving high-performance coaching and nutrition guidance, and participating in practice matches with club teams.
- This program is tied to long-term ambitions of Olympic qualification (Los Angeles 2028) and competitiveness on the global stage.
Why Cricket Struggles to Grow
- Cultural and historical disconnect: Cricket was not introduced through British colonial influence, unlike in South Asia. Popular choices remain basketball, table tennis, and football.
- Academic pressure and lifestyle priorities: Young Chinese athletes are encouraged toward stable career paths; long-term amateur cricket lacks professional incentives.
- Media & exposure gap: Cricket receives minimal broadcast coverage or media attention inside China, limiting visibility and awareness.
Where Cricket Lives Today
- Cricket is largely sustained by expat communities in cities like Shanghai and Beijing. Clubs such as the Beijing Ducks CC and Shanghai Cricket Club play social and competitive cricket, often against regional expat teams.
- Women’s cricket in the region—particularly in Hong Kong—has seen relatively stronger engagement from ethnic Chinese players than men’s cricket.
The Road Ahead
- China’s game remains developmental, but strategic partnerships and rising interest show signs of change. The Sydney training hub and ICC-backed coaching initiatives—including ACC-led courses—are helping build expertise.
- If cricket features in the 2028 Olympics, and if China fields competitive teams, it could ignite domestic interest. But realizing that requires sustained investment in youth programs, facilities, and coaching—far beyond current levels.
Conclusion: Cricket’s Long Game in China
Cricket in China is not yet more than a curiosity—but it’s hard to ignore the seeds being planted. From historic Shanghai matches to modern training camps in Sydney, the sport is quietly laying roots. Whether China becomes a competitive Associate nation—or even the next ICC wildcard—depends on vision, patience, and long-term cultural embrace.
The journey is just beginning—but the potential, rare as it may be, is real.
Baishali Karmakar 
Tanya Singh