The name of Mike Gatting may not be familiar in China or North America, but in much of the English-speaking world and South Asia he is remembered as a combative and hugely talented cricketer, who was involved in many of the sport’s most exciting and controversial moments between 1977 and 1995.

Gatting almost became a footballer instead; at 14, he tried out for London club Queens Park Rangers, but was told he was “too short and fat” to be a goalkeeper. Instead he joined his local county cricket club Middlesex, where he played for his whole career, and now sits on the board. He represented England in 79 Test matches (the long form of the sport, where one game can last up to five days) and 92 One Day Internationals (a shorter game, which takes a mere seven hours). From 1986-1988 he was captain of the national team.

I met him when he came to town for the second annual Mike Gatting Cricket Festival at Dulwich College Beijing (DCB). As a player he was described as “pugnacious, bold, brave and belligerent”, but in person he is courteous, modest and patient, taking time with everyone who asks for a picture or an autograph. I talked to him about his sporting career, and what he learned from it about leadership and life.

Tell us about the Mike Gatting Cricket Festival.

“It all began when I came out here with the MCC Women’s team [a touring team consisting of distinguished female cricketers]. We talked to the schools here and realized there wasn’t much cricket, so we looked at what we might do. Dulwich said we should organize a competition. On the day of the first one we weren’t sure who was going to turn up! But nine schools came.

“This year we held it in June, at the end of the school year, but next year we’ll hold it in May, or maybe September or October. We’re looking to cement the work we’ve done with Dulwich, and create regional hubs in Beijing and Shanghai.”

With all the different sports on offer, why should children take up cricket?

“Cricket teaches you important life skills: self-esteem and respect. It’s a game with history and traditions. You have the chance to be a star, but you still have to play as a team, to integrate with others, and however well you play as an individual you can still lose. You can be elated one minute, sad the next, and it’s all about how you cope with that, how it drives you to become better.”

Twenty20 [a fast-paced form of cricket in which a game takes about three hours]has been a huge success over the last decade. What does this mean for cricket in East Asia?

“I think it’s a good thing. It’s a game that children will like: it’s not long, not complicated. There’s lots of it on TV and on the internet. It encourages innovation, you need to improvise; it’s a good thinking game. When you’re facing different bowlers, or different batters, you have to work out how best to play them.”

You played in an era when cricket and cricketers were still front page news. In many countries cricket can only be seen on TV on pay-to-view channels. Is this a problem for the game’s development?

“Not at all. Many kids don’t watch TV these days! It’s not the way they view things; they’ve grown up using Skype, email, Facebook, Google, Youtube… They watch things on their own phone or iPad. TV used to be important, it’s not so much now.”

Your talent was obvious from an early age, and the selectors showed great faith in you – you played in 31 Tests before you scored your first century [100 runs scored in one innings, an important indicator of success for batsmen]. Do you think there’s too much pressure on young people these days to succeed immediately?

“I certainly took the tough way through, but it didn’t do me any harm. It’s good to see selectors being loyal. In fact one of the reasons I got that century was because David Gower [then England captain] told me he wanted me in his team, as vice-captain. He said “What number do you want to bat? I want you to bat at three, but if it doesn’t work we’ll move you down to five, and I’ll bat at three.” That helped me because I’m a very loyal person, I appreciate loyalty.

“That had a big impact on the way I captained. I never felt I was welcome, not because of individuals but because of the system. [Gatting came from a working-class background, which was unusual for an England cricket captain at the time.] I always made sure people knew they were there because I wanted them to be there. I made big efforts with the younger ones, made sure they had someone from the senior players looking after them.

“When I made my debut in Karachi Mike Brearley, who’d picked me, was injured, and he was replaced by Geoff Boycott [a notoriously blunt Yorkshireman] as captain. Boycs said to me, ‘Here Gatt, you’re lucky on two counts. One, you’re playing today, and two, if I’d been captain you wouldn’t be here [in Pakistan]at all.’”

As England captain you achieved something few have: you won the Ashes in Australia. [The Ashes is the prize for a series of five Test matches between England and Australia, held in each country alternately. Dating back to 1882, it’s the oldest international sporting rivalry in the world.] What did you learn about leadership which helped you to victory?

“I’d never toured Australia, but I played grade cricket [Australia’s top level club competition] in Sydney for three years. I knew the sort of people I needed on the tour, knew the sort of cricket we’d have to play to win. I made sure the senior people were on my side, that they knew I was open to suggestions. I told them ‘You’re going to have to help me,’ and that helped settle everybody down. Of course they needed to understand that I had to make the decisions in the end, but they had input.

“I had to get them to play the right sort of cricket, and they all did it when they needed to. Ian Botham [legendary England all-rounder] helped enormously, his contribution was enormous. He said a few words before the first Test in Brisbane [England’s warm up games had been disastrous, prompting one journalist to write that they ‘had only three things wrong with them – can’t bat, can’t bowl, can’t field’]. Beefy [Botham] said ‘There’s eleven of us, and we haven’t played well, but that’s just practice. Let’s do what we can and be the best we can.’ We didn’t drop a catch in that test match, and we went on to win the series. We won the ODI series too, and then the World Series: all three competitions on that tour.”

You captained a team with a lot of big characters. Are there fewer characters in cricket these days?

“There aren’t so many characters in the county game. Character comes with talent, so if you look at the national team, you’ve got Stokes, Anderson, Broad, Root, Cook – they’re all very different characters. Johnny Bairstow, now he’s a character, as was his father.

“What’s changed in the county game is that you used to have overseas players playing against the guys there all year round. If you had someone like Malcolm Marshall [celebrated West Indian fast bowler] for the whole summer, it raised the standard of county cricket.”

You were famously bowled by the “Ball of the Century” [Australian spinner Shane Warne delivered a ball which appeared to defy the laws of physics.] What’s the secret to playing spin?

“You have to be positive, use your bat not your pad. A lot of people try to just kick the ball away, but that’s harder now with DRS

; DRS makes them play. You have to use your feet, hit both sides of the wicket, and have a shot that will get you up the other end and rotate the strike. That’s very important against spin.”

Do you think technology like DRS has made life easier for umpires, or undermined their authority?

“I think it has taken the angst out of the game, like neutral umpires did. [Gatting was involved in an infamous row with an umpire chosen by the country hosting the game, after which the rules were changed so that umpires had to come from a neutral country.] People can say ‘I was unlucky to get out’, but now you know if you’re out or not – providing you believe it works well, of course! And decisions have only improved by one or two percent, which shows that umpires do a great job. It’s a difficult job, they’re under much more scrutiny than they used to be. But we can’t do without them.”

It seemed hard at first to reconcile the fiery, controversial competitor that I remember from my childhood, with the genial, almost avuncular man that I met at DCB. However, although Gatting was always diplomatic in his responses, a picture began to emerge during my conversation with him: of a talented and sensitive young man who experienced snobbery and prejudice at the hands of sporting organizations still in transition from the days of Empire; a man whose “belligerence” was driven by a strong sense of justice and loyalty; whose most notorious moment was triggered by a wholly justified indignation at being falsely accused of cheating.

Mike Gatting played a pivotal role in bringing cricket into the modern era. Now he is working to drive the next stage of its development, expanding interest in the game beyond its traditional heartlands. Only time will tell whether Beijing is ready for this historic, subtle, and rewarding sport.

(If you are interested in cricket coaching for your children in Beijing, please contact me via email to cricket@beijingwriters.com or via WeChat ID AndyKilleen. With sufficient interest it may be possible to get a program off the ground.)

Photos: Bob Thomas/ Getty Images, Getty Images, Karen Killeen

Cricket enthusiasts of all ages gathered at Dulwich College Beijing (DCB) on Sunday, June 12 for the second annual Mike Gatting Cricket Festival.

Mike Gatting was one of the game’s top batsmen during his heyday, captaining England to victory against Australia in the world’s oldest international sporting rivalry, The Ashes, and the great man was there in person to oversee events. (You can read our exclusive interview with Gatting here, and find out what competing at the highest level has taught him about leadership and life.)

Students from DCB, Harrow Beijing, and the Pakistan Embassy College Beijing took part in games and coaching, with Gatting himself offering guidance to the young players. In the afternoon DCB staff competed against parents in a friendly twenty-over game. The staff were victorious, by a generous margin!

The idea behind the Mike Gatting Cricket Festival is to promote the playing and understanding of cricket in East Asia. Although cricket is estimated to be the world’s third most popular sport after soccer and basketball, with over two billion people regularly watching games, it remains virtually unknown in China outside Hong Kong. (The Hong Kong team is ranked 15th in the world.)

The Festival is sponsored by wealth management group Brooks Macdonald, who brought Mike over to Beijing, and support a similar event in Shanghai. beijingkids is proud to be the Festival’s media sponsor.

Photo: Courtesy of DCB

Shunyi Soiree
The British School of Beijing (BSB), Shunyi has planned an evening of creative arts, showcasing a delightful mix of entertainment by their secondary students. Stunning pieces of artwork will form an exhibition in the foyer, drama students will present theatrical shorts, and a musical program will deliver performances from a range of musical talents. Thursday, June 11 with a drinks and canapés reception at 6pm. Music begins at 6.45pm.

Book Fair
One of Roundabout’s biggest book fairs will be held at BSB Shunyi from Saturday, August 29 to Thursday, September 3.  If you’re still spring cleaning, or clearing out ready to leave Beijing, please support Roundabout by donating gently used books you no longer need. All books will be sold at the BSB book fair. Children’s books, cookbooks, bestsellers, fiction, and non-fiction, all types of books are needed. Books can be dropped at BSB Shunyi Chatterbox Café before June 19. Volunteers are needed to help with the event. Setup on Friday August 28 from 9am, book fair sale dates Saturday, August 29 from 9.45am-12.30pm and/or 12.30-3pm, Sunday, August 30 from 12 – 3pm, take down on Thursday, September 3 from 9am. To volunteer, email Estelle Kriek eikriek05@gmail.com or Bettina Haupter bettinahaupter@hotmail.com

Community Fun Day
Dulwich College Beijing (DCB) hosts the AustCham and BritCham Community Fun Day on Saturday, June 13 from 11.30am-4pm. Taking place on DCB Legend Garden cricket pitch. Come and join a thoroughly international afternoon as the Australian and British communities clash in a thrilling 20-20 cricket match. Enjoy delicious barbecue food, snacks from local vendors, and a cool drink. Kids will be well looked after with supervised activities throughout the day. In addition, the most anticipated rugby game of the 2015 Yellow Sea Cup will be held. Come and cheer on the Beijing Devils as they face Shanghai RFC. Tickets RMB 200, RMB 100 (kids over 12). Family Package RMB 500 for two adults, two children. Price includes all you can eat BBQ and salad, with free transportation available, to and from the Australian and British Embassies and DCB. RSVP to events@austcham.org

Community Cricket Day
Come along to support DCB parents and staff teams, as they play three rounds of ’10-Over’ cricket matches. Sunday, June 14 from 10am-4pm on the cricket pitch at DCB Legend Garden. Drinks and food will be on sale from various vendors, or bring along a picnic basket and blanket to enjoy a lazy family day out.

SSAT Boot Camp
Get your child primed for the Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT) with The Learning Center’s summer boot camp. Students will be grouped according to their level, with course content and homework included. Study the whole test in a five week course for RMB 13,950 or select those sections of the test where your child would benefit most. The camp runs from July 20 to August 21, from 9am-12pm. To register email registration@hyde-education.com

beijingkids Shunyi Correspondent Sally Wilson moved to Beijing in 2010 from the UK with her husband and son. Her daughter was born here in 2011 and both her kids keep her happily busy. In her spare time, Sally loves to stroll through Beijing’s hutongs and parks. She is a (most of the time) keen runner and loves reading: books, magazines, news, and celeb websites – anything really. Sally is also a bit of a foodie and loves trying out new restaurants.

Photos: Luz Adriana Villa, David Surtees, Alberto G. (Flickr)

Last Friday, May 15, students at Yew Chung International School of Beijing (YCIS) had the chance to participate in a coaching masterclass from former England cricket captain Mike Gatting OBE. On arrival at the school, Gatting was welcomed by YCIS’ Year 5 and 6 students in the school’s auditorium after which he gave an entertaining talk about how playing cricket and other sports at school helped him learn valuable life lessons such as making friends, working hard, and learning from mistakes. As a sport, cricket is synonymous with good sportsmanship and the former England captain stressed the point of being a good loser as well as a good winner.

After his talk, a coaching session was held with Year 6 students in the school gymnasium in which Gatting went through some batting, bowling, diving, and catching drills before an exciting and close game of cricket was played between two Year 6 teams with Gatting himself bowling to the students. With Gatting explaining all aspects and skills of the game to students as he coached them through the session, it was a special day for students.

Gatting was one of the world’s greatest cricketers from England during the 1980s and 1990s. A powerful middle-order batsman, excellent fielder, and useful medium-pace bowler, he began his career with Middlesex in 1975 and remained with them until his retirement in 1998. He went on to represent his country 79 times in test cricket between 1977 and 1995, captaining his country 23 times. He scored a total of 36,549 runs across 551 first-class matches, making 493 catches and taking 158 wickets. His crowning glory was to lead England to victory in the Ashes series in Australia in 1986-87. He currently serves as President of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and as Managing Director at the English Cricket Board (ECB).

Photos: Courtesy of YCIS

What better way to enjoy summer than relaxing in the sunshine watching some fast and furious cricket? Come and watch this year’s International Cricket Sixes, bring the family and have a wonderful weekend. Registration has opened for more summer camps in Shunyi. For the truly energetic, O’le Sports will be running a crazy camp combining water, snow and walls. The kids can try their hand at sailing, kayaking, climbing, skiing and being a pirate. House of Knowledge have a pirate and rainforest themed camp and for young art lovers, look no further than MAC Time’s mini art summer camps for some wonderful creative inspiration. Beijing United Family Hospital is providing first aid support at a number of school events and fairs, so you’re in safe hands this summer.

2014 Beijing Cricket Club International Cricket Sixes
The Beijing Cricket Club’s Sixth Annual International Cricket Sixes – the Chander Oberoi Cup – returns to Beijing in June. Dulwich College Legend Garden Oval will be home to the event from June 20-22. This event has grown from year to year and brings sixteen teams from Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenyang to do battle with teams from Beijing. Phoenix CC of Beijing is seeking their fourth consecutive victory this year. The weekend tournament is regarded as one of the city’s premiere sporting events of the year. Friends, families and supporters are welcome to enjoy a fast, fun and furious display of entertaining cricket. At the venue there will be a selection of food and beverages available, including burgers, BBQ sausages, Indian cuisine and ice cream. Kids can come and join in with some of the activities and enjoy a bouncy castle, on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 from 12.00pm to 5.00pm. Entrance is free. For further information visit www.bjcricketclub.org

Summer Camps
O’le Crazy Camp
How many activities can you pack in to one week of summer camp craziness? O’le Sports summer camp is a veritable feast of fun on the water, on the slopes, and on the wall. Taking place at their Shunyi and Sihui locations, the camp is open to children of all abilities from 7-16 years. The camp runs from Monday through to Friday, every week from June 16- August 15. Activities for each day include:

Age: 7-16
Times:
Mondays – a big boat, kayaking, learn about sailing
Tuesdays – build a raft, test it, more kayaking
Wednesdays – climbing, balancing, and making music
Thursdays – indoor snow and ski
Fridays – sailing and a pirate treasure hunt
Price: RMB 5,000/wk
Transport: Drop-off and pick-up at Olympic Rowing Lake, Shunyi on Monday, Tuesday and Friday, O’le Climbing Centre, near Sihui on Wednesday and Qiaobo Ice and Snow World, Shunyi on Thursday.
Contact: www.ole-sports.org/summer-camp or Email peter@ole-sports.org

House of Knowledge Summer Camp
During this two week camp at HoK Quanfa Campus, kids will be kept busy with themed activities. In the first week, they will discover the life of a pirate, as they hunt for treasure, pretend to walk the plank, and play water games. In the second week, the theme moves to the rainforest. Kids will have the opportunity to make their own rainforest out of clay, and find out what sort of animals and creepy crawlies live in the rainforest. The camp runs from Monday June 30-Friday July 11 and kids can join every day or just a day or two. HoK Families receive 20% discount (not including school bus).
Age Range: 3-6 years old
Time: 9:00am- 3:30pm
Prices: Full Day RMB 2200/wk, Half Day (without lunch) RMB 1350/wk, Half Day (with lunch) RMB 1720/wk
School Bus: RMB 200/wk
Contact: 6431 8452 or email: qf@hokschools.com

MAC Time Mini Art Summer Camp
MAC Time holds mini art summer camps of different themes every year. Children can experience various forms of art, with the camps designed to enrich their creativity and imagination. For those aged 5-12 years, there is the Chinese Art Tour Camp covering the beauty of dyeing and weaving, Chinese ceramics and Chinese painting. This runs Monday to Friday 10.00am-12.30pm and is RMB 1,500 per session, which includes all materials. For the younger ones aged 3-4 years, there is the Art Summer Camp for Pre-schoolers. This runs Monday to Friday 10.00am-12.00pm and is RMB 1,380 per session. Early Bird promotion if you book before May 31.
For more information call: 8046 1820/13810334208 or email: bj_mactime@hotmail.com

Beijing United Family Hospital – Event Support and New Appointment
BJU have been busy supporting various schools with free First Aid at their Spring Fairs and they hosted their most successful ever Blood Drive at ISB last Saturday, supported by the Boy Scouts of Troop 943. They will be on hand at the WAB Fun Fair on Saturday May 24 with a First Aid booth and their ambulance. Young children are welcome to stop by for a look-see at the ambulance and to play a game. They are also providing First Aid support for the Sports Beijing tournament taking place on May 25 and 26 at ISB. The Shunyi Clinic has a new rehabilitation therapist, Mr. Wang Wei, joining the team. Mr. Wang comes to BJU with over five years of working experience in Singapore and Hong Kong. Orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Ren Gang is now seeing patients on Friday’s in Shunyi. Dr. Ren has been with BJU for several years and having him in Shunyi one day per week will certainly be an added convenience for his existing patients.

beijingkids Shunyi Correspondent Sally Wilson moved to Beijing in 2010 from the UK with her husband and son. Her daughter was born here in 2011 and both her kids keep her happily busy. In her spare time, Sally loves to stroll through Beijing’s hutongs and parks. She is a (most of the time) keen runner and loves reading: books, magazines, news, and celeb websites – anything really. Sally is also a bit of a foodie and loves trying out new restaurants.

Photos courtesy of O’le and Beijing Sixes.