John
04-14-2009, 11:34 AM
The 50-strong expedition is on its way to Gorak Shep, a plateau 5,165 metres (17,000 feet) above sea level, close to Everest Base Camp, for the record-breaking charity game.
"We are acclimatising on the foothills of Everest. All the players are looking forward to the match," expedition leader Richard Kirtley told AFP by telephone Tuesday from Khumjung village, where they were taking a day's rest.
Self-confessed "cricket obsessive" Kirtley dreamed up the idea during a trip to the world's highest mountain in 2006.
He said he thought Gorak Shep resembled The Oval cricket ground in south London, and resolved to organise a fixture.
The 22 players, eight reserves, medics, groundsmen and even a few spectators will take up to ten days to get from the Nepalese capital Kathmandu to the "venue" before the game scheduled for April 21.
"I think it's going to be a very competitive match. We all know it is going to be tough but all the players are ready for it and they are really excited," said Kirtley.
Kirtley said the two teams -- named Hillary and Tenzing after the first men to climb Everest -- would play the short-form Twenty20 version of the game.
Nepalese weather forecasters told AFP that the cricketers could face testing conditions.
"There is a chance of fresh snowfall above 5,000 metres near Everest," said Keshab Das Shrestha, a senior meteorologist.
But the players are prepared, and will use a pink ball to make it easier to see.
"We have come all the way here to play. Nobody goes home without playing. Even if it snows we'll play," Kirtley said.
"We've got coloured kits just like the ones professional players wear in Twenty20 matches. And underneath we will have special layers that will keep us warm."
They have even brought a synthetic track that will be laid on the plateau to ensure a fair game.
The players include lawyers, farmers, bankers and policemen, all of whom play amateur cricket back home.
"We are ordinary people who love cricket and want to do something extraordinary by playing the highest-ever match," said Kirtley.
They hope to raise 250,000 pounds (350,000 dollars, 270,000 euros) for The Lord's Taverners and The Himalayan Trust UK charities.
Nir Lama of Peace Nepal Treks, the local agency handling the expedition, said that the event would help promote adventure sports tourism in the Himalayan nation.
"Mountains are not just for climbing," he said.
"We are acclimatising on the foothills of Everest. All the players are looking forward to the match," expedition leader Richard Kirtley told AFP by telephone Tuesday from Khumjung village, where they were taking a day's rest.
Self-confessed "cricket obsessive" Kirtley dreamed up the idea during a trip to the world's highest mountain in 2006.
He said he thought Gorak Shep resembled The Oval cricket ground in south London, and resolved to organise a fixture.
The 22 players, eight reserves, medics, groundsmen and even a few spectators will take up to ten days to get from the Nepalese capital Kathmandu to the "venue" before the game scheduled for April 21.
"I think it's going to be a very competitive match. We all know it is going to be tough but all the players are ready for it and they are really excited," said Kirtley.
Kirtley said the two teams -- named Hillary and Tenzing after the first men to climb Everest -- would play the short-form Twenty20 version of the game.
Nepalese weather forecasters told AFP that the cricketers could face testing conditions.
"There is a chance of fresh snowfall above 5,000 metres near Everest," said Keshab Das Shrestha, a senior meteorologist.
But the players are prepared, and will use a pink ball to make it easier to see.
"We have come all the way here to play. Nobody goes home without playing. Even if it snows we'll play," Kirtley said.
"We've got coloured kits just like the ones professional players wear in Twenty20 matches. And underneath we will have special layers that will keep us warm."
They have even brought a synthetic track that will be laid on the plateau to ensure a fair game.
The players include lawyers, farmers, bankers and policemen, all of whom play amateur cricket back home.
"We are ordinary people who love cricket and want to do something extraordinary by playing the highest-ever match," said Kirtley.
They hope to raise 250,000 pounds (350,000 dollars, 270,000 euros) for The Lord's Taverners and The Himalayan Trust UK charities.
Nir Lama of Peace Nepal Treks, the local agency handling the expedition, said that the event would help promote adventure sports tourism in the Himalayan nation.
"Mountains are not just for climbing," he said.