Bowling a Chinaman Takes on Whole New Meaning

England may be seeing the biggest cricket boom in more than a century, but on the other side of the world yesterday a group of 30 novices took part in what may prove to be a more historic event: an attempt to spread the art of willow and leather among schools and universities in China.

The Asian Cricket Council has organised a six-day workshop for PE teachers in Beijing, conducted by professionals from Australia including John Harmer, the former coach of the England women's team.

The setting - a basketball court in a local spa - could not be further from the Oval, nor could the level of understanding among the participants, a mix of baseball, softball and table tennis teachers from top educational establishments such as Beijing, Fudan and Shanghai universities. Until yesterday none of them had even seen a game of cricket on television.

But the coaches said they were impressed by the enthusiasm of the teachers, who will be given the basics of cover drives, seam bowling, spin and running between wickets, before being sent back with new equipment and a promise to start playing friendly matches next year.

Although there is a small expatriate league in Shanghai, which yesterday hosted former England bowler Derek Underwood at the start of its mini-tournament, cricket has made almost no impression on China's 1.3 billion population.

Last year, however, China joined the International Cricket Council, prompting speculation that it could become a source of talent and revenues. "The long-term objective is for China to participate in future World Cups," said ACC chief executive Syed Ashraful Huq. "The potential benefits and commercial revenues from its presence in the cricket world are enormous. As soon as China breaks through I foresee the total global revenues for cricket increasing by up to 30-40%."

There is a long way to go, however. "I was a bit worried about the safety of my students when I saw how hard the ball was," said Wu Fei, a PE teacher at Beijing University. "It was very different from the ping-pong balls I am used to."