Michael Meade
What promises to be a busy 2008-09 Chilean season kicked off on October 5, with the traditional season opening friendly between the President's XI and the Grange XI.
The President XI's, mainly thanks to 69 from Dawie van der Merwe, compiled 159 from their 26.2 overs before skittling the Grange XI for 127.
While the six team Metropolitan Cup will form the basis of the Chilean domestic season Cricket Chile officials are pleased that the work of national development officer, Patricio Caama o (in the 5th region, Valparaiso), has paid off.
One of the benefits of this work is the new field at the St. Peter s School. Beginning in February, three teams in the 5th region will contest the first ever Freddy Brown Cup. Freddy Brown went to St. Peters school before moving back to England.
Vi a del Mar CC, Renaca CC and Con Con CC will play three rounds of Twenty20 cricket at St. Peters School on Saturdays followed by Metropolitan Cup matches as the Vi a del Mar XI will be hosting the other five teams from Santiago on Sundays. The Vi a del Mar XI is a select team from the 5th region teams. Development in this region has been very satisfying for the ACC as Vi a del Mar CC and Renaca CC are almost 100% Chilean with only one or two ex-pats.
Meanwhile, a motley collection of visiting teams will give the summer an international feel.
Titan CC, an over-50s team from Canada, arrives next month, followed by a British navy frigate in early December which will dock in Valparaiso for a game.
English club side Stoic CC will stop off in Buenos Aires in January to play the Argentine national team as a warm-up for the World Cricket League Division Three tournament, prior to touching down in Santiago for two matches.
Next up is the Honorable Artillery Company CC, also from England, which will visit in February.
Chile's preparations for the South American Championships in Sao Pao Paulo, Brazil at Easter will peak when they are joined by Hampshire Seniors, Falkland CC and Hollywood Golden Oldies for a quadrangular in March.
Falkland CC tour to South America is part reciprocal, as they hosted the Falkland Islands cricket team earlier this year.
Michael Meade is the president of Chile Cricket. For more information on cricket in Chile, go to http://www.cricketchile.cl/