Are you ready for some …. cricket? The international game of bowlers, bats, and wickets may not be as popular in the United States as it is in India, Britain, some African countries, and the Caribbean Islands, but there, it is to those citizens what football or baseball is to Americans.

Because it is loved, and missed, by the international student population at Midwestern State University, the Office of Global Education will host a free exhibition cricket match between the Mustang 6ers and the Maverick Superstarz at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 17, at the recreational field near the Bruce and Graciela Wellness Center. There also will be music and free food and drinks.

Members of the Caribbean Students Organization and the Midwestern Indian Students Association will make up the Mustang 6ers and the Maverick Superstarz. Trophies, MVP awards, and other smaller prizes will be given.

“Cricket is something they all have in common,” said Kamilah Tobin, International Recruitment and Retention Specialist in the Office of Global Education. “It’s a way to connect with our international student population.” Almost 8% of MSU Texas students are international.

Like baseball, cricket is played with a bat and a ball, and the object of the game is to score runs and defend against the other team scoring runs. Similarities with baseball end there. Cricket teams have 11 players and play for two innings. The bowler makes a running start in the windup to an overhand throw and tries to knock down the wicket, the three sticks defended by the batsman. The batsman tries to prevent the bowler from hitting the wicket by hitting the ball.

An instructional cricket demonstration will be held at 5 p.m. Friday, April 16, at the recreational field near the Wellness Center.

The exhibition match closes out the Office of Global Education’s World Wide Week of Sports. Along with other MSU Texas organizations and departments, Global Education hosted demonstrations of sports popular in other countries. Those included pickleball, one of America’s fastest growing sports; netball, similar to basketball but with no dribbling or running with the ball; and badminton. “We wanted to have a taste of something for everyone,” Tobin said.

Masks will be required and attendees will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms. For more information, please contact Tobin at kamilah.tobin@msutexas.edu.