Prepare Your Bat: 4 Best Places Where You Can Play Cricket in Hong Kong

Originated in Britain, cricket is a commonly played ball game among European countries. As a former British colony, Hong Kong began playing cricket during the 1840s. Since its introduction, cricket has gained increasing popularity among locals throughout the years. More playing grounds have been built and opened to the public, enabling them to experience this exciting sport. Want to know where you could best enjoy this sport? The Beat Asia compiled a list of some of the best venues where you can enjoy playing cricket with your friends and family.

Yip Shing Street Playground

For the best playing ground for a small team, Yip Shing Street Playground is your best bet. Located up the hill in Kwai Chung, Yip Shing Street Playground provides a venue for small cricket teams to practice their skills. It has a 5-a-side hard-surfaced soccer pitch, which serves as a tape ball cricket venue. Sitting-out areas are also available where you can take a rest after a long game.

As the venue is free of charge, many cricket players troop to this place to practice regularly. To reserve the venue, form by sending a mail or submit it to the office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD). You can reserve for two hours in a single application, and each person can only submit one application. You can also try to check if there are vacancies in the following month by paying the playground a visit beforehand.

Location: Yip Shing Street, Kwai Chung, New Territories

Contact details: 2619 9200

Kwun Chung Sports Centre

Located in the vibrant and busy Jordan, Kwun Chung Sports Centre is one of the best indoor venues for you to enjoy cricket. It can be reached through various public transportation such as MTR and buses. Cricket enthusiasts may try playing cricket in the squash court, although only softball cricket is usually allowed there.

Like other venues under the LCSD, bookings must be done in advance. Applications must be submitted via mail or in person two months in advance. Of course, you could consider looking for vacancies at the end of the month. Unlike Yip Shing Street Playground, facilities in Kwun Chung Sports Centre are charged. You have to pay HK$28 for a 30-minute use on weekdays and HK$27 on weekends.

Location: Kwun Chung Municipal Services Building, 17 Bowring Street, Jordan, Kowloon

Contact details: 2619 9200

HK Cricket Club

If you consider yourself a professional player and long for a stage where you can shine, then consider applying for membership at the Hong Kong Cricket Club. Being one of the best cricket teams in the city, Hong Kong Cricket Club values local talents and is looking for people to join their team. Members can enjoy all types of cricket games on their pitch – that is the best part of being their member.

If you wish to take part in such activities, you have to join their club as a subscriber member. To do this, two current members must endorse your application. The waiting period to become a member is usually 48 to 60 months. Upon joining, you need to pay an entrance fee of HK$280,000. After joining the club, you may use the cricket field for free if there is no prior booking from other societies.

Location: 137 Wong Nai Chung Gap Road, Hong Kong

Contact details: 3511 8668

India Club

Founded in 1941, India Club is a longstanding club fostering the communication and cultural exchange of people of all nationalities through sports. It is also one of the recreational clubs that allow non-members to use their recreational facilities. India Club permits members to engage in an array of sports activities, including badminton and tennis.

Cricket, as a sport popular in the West, can also be played here. You can hire their cricket nets a week before use. On weekdays, you have to pay HK$100 an hour in the daytime and HK$150 per hour at night. Like other clubs, the rates increase during weekends Visitors have to pay HK$150 per hour during daytime and HK$175 per hour during night time. You can also book the whole court for four times the price of renting a single net for a day.

Location: King’s Park, 24 Gascoigne Road, Jordan, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Contact details: 2388 8184