Hungary eyeing ICC slot to make mark on global cricket scene by 2012

Budapest, Aug 10 (ANI): Cricket might not be a popular game among the Hungarian youth as football, but the Hungarian Cricket League is reportedly aiming to make it big by becoming an affiliate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2012.

A delegation of the ICC arrived in Hungary this month to conduct a necessary audit on the available pitches, a step that is necessary for any nation to become a member of the organization.

"The ICC has 105 members. With the encouraging enthusiasm we see here, Hungary could be the 106th," The Wall Street Journal quoted Richard Holsworth, regional development manager of the federation, as saying.

Gabor Torok, who heads the Hungarian Cricket Association (HCA) said that a group of enthusiasts had actually initiated the game in the country after seeing its popularity abroad.

Insisting that the game is becoming increasingly popular, especially among children and young people, Torok said: "We have high hopes from the ICC membership that it will give the sport a huge boost in Hungary."

The Hungary cricket league has been in existence since 2007, with seven teams and about 150 adult players. There is also a national squad, where two of the players are women. (ANI)