As the tour bus squeezed its way down Corfu’s northeast coast road and my mobile phone beeped as it flicked between Greek and Albanian service providers, a running commentary was being delivered by one of the more vocal members on the tour.
There’s something quite unique about watching a cricket match on a late Ionian summer’s afternoon from a shaded cafe beside this hallowed turf. Mike Sweet
Microphone in hand, the self-appointed ad-libbing guide reveled in regaling snippets of his knowledge of Greek ancient history, and particularly how the Albanian city of Sarande, clearly visible just 3kms away across the water, was of course Greek once.
Such expressions of ethnic belonging – brought on by feelings of second-generation xenitia – came to the surface throughout the tour as the players passionately embraced the experience of being in Greece.
They were there to play and share a love of cricket – but this tour was much more than that. Phil Evangalides was one of the main co-ordinators of the tour and the setting up of the Australian Hellenic Cricket Federation (AHCF).
“When the Greek teams first saw us and interacted with us, they had this stunned look on their face, like ‘how’s it going to be? What’s going to happen?’ And then they realized it was genuine friendship coming and it wasn’t about us coming out here and showing how great we are.” The tour had a busy schedule of school visits, where the players would coach. For Evangalides, those sessions are unforgettable.
“When you see the kids find their confidence in themselves, and you’ve been party to that – you’ve just taken them one step further, that is a very sweet moment.”
Evangalides’ intense passion for the project and sharing his Australian heritage with those he encountered was something to see. On the last night of the tour at the official reception, the guest of honour was Angela Gerekou, Member of Parliament for Corfu. As Gerekou, a tireless supporter of the development of cricket in Greece, closed her speech, Evangalides presented her with an Aboriginal painting for her to accept on behalf of the Greek people.
Speaking after, she told me that she was amazed by the emotion of the Australian tour party. “With this tour we’ve opened a new road to develop cricket not only in the base here, but all over Greece” said the Pasok MP “We have to educate and learn and give cricket the place it deserves – and to connect with each other through sport.”
Richard Holdsworth, the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Development Manager for Europe was also in Corfu during the tour. Holdsworth has watched the growth of cricket in Greece for many years (and was involved in the ICC’s judgements during the problematic 2006 tournament).
But his enduring support for the game in Greece is clear to see. Richard was impressed by what he saw on this latest visit. “It’s been very productive – a whole host of initiatives – a lot which have been in the pipeline, but many have been initiated by the [Australian] tour”.
Holdsworth feels a crucial step forward, is how the Greek Cricket Federation has been able to persuade local government in Corfu to establish cricket as an official sport within the school curriculum. It’s a step that can begin to “change the culture of the society,” says the London based ICC official.
After playing four games in Corfu against local sides (all of which the Aussies won) the climax to the tour was the game against the Greek national team, which takes place on Corfu’s ancient cricket pitch in the heart of the old town, where in 1823, sailors of the British Navy first played the game here.
There’s something quite unique about watching a cricket match on a late Ionian summer’s afternoon from a shaded cafe beside this hallowed turf. Glimpsed through the netting that protects spectators from lustily hit blows to the boundary, it’s a sublime combination of cultures; frappes at fine leg; mezedes at mid-wicket.
The captain of the AHCF XI throughout the tour has been Grade player Paul Maraziotis, who plays in Sydney for Blacktown and started out at Bankstown. On the day of his 36th birthday, with great irony, Maraziotis was about to play against the team he had captained in the European ICC tournament of 2006.
That tournament, and Maraziotis’ involvement, is forever etched into Greek cricketing history. In short, during that competition held in Scotland, Greece looked set to reach a historic pinnacle in its cricketing achievements internationally. After being undefeated in the pool games, Greece were favourites to win the tournament, a feat that would have seen them promoted to the second division of the ICC’s European league, joining the likes of Scotland, Denmark, Netherlands and Ireland in the top flight of non-Test playing countries in Europe.
But on the eve of Greece’s semi-final against Jersey, disaster struck. Gibraltar lodged a complaint which questioned the eligibility of Maraziotis to play. At a hastily arranged hearing by the ICC, despite his Greek parentage and citizenship, Maraziotis was declared ineligible to take any further part in the competition. The ICC ruled that to be eligible, he must have resided for 100 days in Greece over the previous three years.
Innocent of any wrongdoing and like his team-mates, unaware of the rule, Maraziotis fell on his sword. Ironically, Maraziotis was on track to be named player of the tournament with the highest batting aggregate and average. Greece’s games in the tournament were declared invalid and the national team was relegated to the bottom of the ICC’s European league system. They have been clawing their way back ever since.
Maraziotis has never played for Greece since that calamitous tournament. As we talk on the boundary before he takes the field against his old team, the modest Maraziotis admits it’s a special day.
“We’re really good mates and there’s been a bit of banter going into the match. I never thought I’d play against them.” He’s kept in close regular contact over the years, offering advice and helping them prepare for matches.
On this tour, Maraziotis’s batting often made the difference between the teams. “I’ve never been one to stand up and be a bit of a hero. It doesn’t stand well with me. I don’t choose that position,” says Maraziotis.
“I felt excited to be playing on this tour. If I can come here and play good cricket, others will follow and set the standard. It’s very close to my heart what we’ve done here”. After winning the toss, Greece bat first and make 223 for 9 in their 40 overs.
The Aussies start slowly but surely, making 50 without loss off their first 10 overs. With the first wicket falling, Maraziotis comes to the crease. After playing himself in, towering sixes are soon landing on the tables of the cafes that edge the ground, creating eruptions of coffee cups and plates – much to the mixed delight and consternation of the cafe’s customers.
Maraziotis makes an almost faultless 130 not out. The game is won comfortably – 229 for 3 off 34 overs. It is Maraziotis’ second century of the weekend, taking his average in the five games of the tour to 113.
Just before the guys left Greece, Nick Hatzoglou, President of the AHCF, reflected on what had been achieved. “We wanted to get a tour up and running and begin to develop some relationships, but we’ve exceeded what we were expecting. All the ducks have lined up.” At the heart of the considerable achievements during their two week stay, is the signing of an MOU between the AHCF and the Hellenic Cricket Foundation – a blueprint for collaboration between Australia and Greece for cricket development in the future.
The signing, witnessed by the ICC’s Richard Holdsworth, sets down a clear path for future partnerships. “We want to open this up to all of Australia,” says Hatzoglou who points out that creating exchanges of players is one of the key elements of the MOU. “We want to help create opportunities for Greek Australian boys to come and represent Greece. This will grow the game here and take it to new frontiers.”
To play for Greece in the next ICC European tournament in June 2011, Maraziotis will have to meet the ICC’s criteria. It’s a big ask for a young man with a career outside cricket and a young family in Sydney. But have no doubt; Paul’s intention is to play once again for his ancestral homeland.
To contact the Australian-Hellenic Cricket Federation email Nick Hatzoglou at nick.hatzoglou@afl.com.au