Action Cricketers play for more than a day
The Benoni Action Arena was the place to be this weekend, when a 16-member Benoni Tigers Action Cricket team took on the physically gruelling and intimidating Guinness World Record attempt for the longest marathon playing indoor cricket.
The record idea became a reality following the successful application and approval by Guinness World Records of the attempt, on April 30 and, after months of planning and practising, the players achieved their goal with a magnificent final time of 26 hours and four minutes, on Sunday, September 21.
They now await official confirmation of the world record by Guinness World Records, which is expected to be finalised within four to six weeks, after Guinness officials go through and process all the photographic and video evidence and document packs from the attempt.
The record is new one and has never been attempted before.
Divided into two teams of eight players each (the “Tigers” and the “Jaguars”), the two teams played against each other in 22 games during the attempt, with an average game completion rate of one hour and five minutes.
The teams were evenly matched throughout and each won 11 of the 22 games played.
Despite some personal battles between some of the players, the teams played their games in the spirit of the sport and showcased true camaraderie.
Organiser Craig Thomson was extremely chuffed with the achievement and praised the players for sticking it out to the end.
“It was just as well that we had physiotherapists on call, because each and every player experienced a few niggles during the 26-hour stint and required their assistance,”he said.
“From about 3am to 5am on Sunday, heads drooped and fatigue set in, and it was then I though that they might not do it, but their fitness levels got them through to the very end and we are proud of them.”
Thomson also thanked the South African men’s national Action Cricket team, who held a training camp over the weekend in preparation for the 2014 Action Cricket World Cup to be held in New Zealand, in October, for their support at the event.
He also expressed his gratitude to all the sponsors, witnesses, stewards, umpires and spectators who made the attempt a successful one.
According to him, the Tigers’ fund-raising for their 2015 nationwide “farewell” tour, to play against other provincial teams, also went well and the team (of mostly matriculants in 2015) will embark on this tour next year.
To see full statistics, fixtures and results from the 26-hour world record attempt visit www.benoniactionsports.co.za.
