20/20 Vision

12th June 2009

To virtually nobody's surprise England are inching towards an ignominious exit from the short version of the pyjama cricket world cup. Inadaptable, unimaginative and uninspiring, they have won one game and their low water mark in the opening game did nothing except confirm the future was both bright and orange.... for Dutch cricket.  

Many would say the more serious matter happens in a few weeks against Ponting's side, currently licking their not inconsiderable wounds as well. There are a few cricket fans at Exodus who will be enjoying the Ashes (outside office hours of course) but many more who consider it just a game played in rather nice jumpers.  

What is definitely more than a game is the annual match played adjacent to the tiger reserve in Bandhavgarh in the small village of Tala in Madya Pradesh. Each year a bunch of wildlife fans and a few cricketers spend a week at the reserve. All are aware and perceptive enough to see the symbolism of the game. Thousands turn up to support a showpiece that takes place in the school yard. For the first time in years Paul Goldstein's '09 Xl actually won, so come early January 2010 the local side will be keen for revenge.   

Exodus has raised almost £40,000 for both the park and the school and the simple message is that if it is good for the school, it is good for the park and therefore good for the tourist and tiger alike. The cricket game, which was picked up by the national papers in India, is a focus for the plight of this magnificent predator. Their future is a precarious one so the battle for the tiger may yet be won on the playing fields of Tala.

For more details concerning the project, please see our Bandhavgarh Project page