While Australia’s current test cricketers attempt a clean sweep of South Africa, another team of Greats has embarked on a radically different tour on the other side of the world.

A team of Australian cricket legends will play against the best Bali can offer this week, as they showcase their sport in Bali and show support for the youth affected by the island’s tourist downturn.

Former Australian Test and State cricketers Jo Angel, Ryan Campbell, David Colley, Wayne Holdsworth, Paul Wilson, David Fitzgerald, Brian Taber and Richard Chee Quee are playing a series of limited-overs matches against Balinese players, until April 8.

Between them ‘The Garuda Indonesia Aussie Legends’ have represented Australia in 42 Tests and One Day Internationals, and their States on more than 1,000 occasions.

In Bali yesterday, the tourists were greeted at the airport by representatives of co-sponsors, Garuda Indonesia and Hotel Sanur Beach, and treated to a traditional Balinese welcome dance.
 
After transferring to a local horse and cart (dokkar) for the latter stage of their trip to the hotel, the players were met by a musical group of 115 traditional “tetakkan” performers who provided a noisy accompaniment from the entrance to the lobby where a carpet of flower petals offered a fragrant welcome to the island paradise.

The ‘Aussie Legends’ will also undertake coaching clinics and workshops, and visit schools to spread the message about cricket. They are taking kits of new and used cricket equipment, clothing and merchandise to donate to the Balinese cricket clubs.

‘The Aussie Legends’ are confident this inaugural tour to Bali will help generate interest in the game in South-East Asia, while supporting Balinese youth at a time of their greatest need following international events which have devastated its tourism industry and its economy.

“The Balinese have been very loyal and supportive of Australian visitors for the past three decades and we want to return the favour,” said tour manager Barry Hyland.

“Whilst the matches will be friendly contests, the 18 or so local cricketers chosen to represent Bali may not be so sure. . . . .
facing a battery of Australian fast bowlers could be dangerous!” said Hyland.

The mammoth pair of Jo Angel and Paul Wilson – both around 200cm tall – will open the bowling, followed by Wayne Holdsworth, who was capable of speeds around 145km. David Colley, who partnered Dennis Lillee in three Test matches, was also fearsomely fast in his day.

“Our batsmen have never faced bowlers of this pace so it is going to be a real test for them,” admitted Alan Wilson from the Bali International Cricket Club. “We do have some pretty handy players who will benefit enormously from the experience, and the tour will be a huge boost to the popularity of cricket in Bali and Indonesia.”

The first series of matches were six-aside, played against three different teams representing Bali. These commenced today following an official welcoming ceremony from 9am at the Udayana Cricket Club, one km from the Burkit Ground at the Udayana University in Jimbaran.

On Wednesday, April 5, ‘The Aussie Legends’ will conduct training sessions at three locations in the three Regencies of South Bali, then visit schools and stage cricket games with the students.

On Thursday, April 6, ‘The Aussie Legends’ will play a 20:20 match at the new Gianyar Cricket Oval. The match will start around 10.30am, with four ‘Aussie Legends’ in each of the teams, playing alongside seven Balinese players.

Cricket in Bali is not as unusual as it sounds. They have five clubs which play in three cricket leagues (Under 15, Under 19 and open), a girl’s competition and an expanding schools program. They have two cricket ovals with turf pitches, tended by grounds staff.

For many years Bali was Australia’s Number One overseas holiday destination, with more than 246,000 visiting the fabled ‘Island of the Gods’ last year. This number has fallen significantly over the past six months, and the Regional Manager of Garuda Indonesia Mr Suranto Yitnopawiro is hoping the cricket tour can be the catalyst of a tourism revival.
 
“Having such Australian cricket legends experience the hospitality of this island is our way of helping foster cricket in Indonesia, strengthen relations between both countries, and to help show everyone that Bali is as wonderful as ever,” Mr Suranto said.