Mackay’s Kamal Kour opens up about what the India Australia cricket game

Cricket is more than just a ‘sport’ for fans. But for Mackay’s Indian-Australian community, securing three women’s international games also offers a slice of home.

India’s “cricket mania” is famous around the world – but now Mackay is set to get a sneak peek into the colourful frenzy.

Mackay’s Kamal Kour said the one-day international games between the Australian and Indian women's cricket teams offered a slice of home for many Indian families in Australia.

“It’s a celebration everywhere,” Mrs Kour said about the “cricket mania” in her home country.

“There are screens in every shop, no matter where you go, there are screens.

“You can only truly understand the cricket craziness when you visit [India].”

Harrup Park Country Club’s Great Barrier Reef Arena will host the Australian and India cricket teams for three One-Day Internationals, with the first match to be played on September 21.

World-class cricketing talent such as Ellyse Perry, Meg Lanning and Alyssa Healy will descend on Mackay as a part of the Australian squad.

The Indian Aroma Grocery and Spice owner said she usually returned to India yearly but with Covid-19 shutting down travel she was desperately missing her family, especially her ageing parents.

She said many other Indian-Australian families were in a similar position, which made the Harrup Park matches between the world’s first and third ranking teams “especially good”.

“It is so exciting, so exciting to have an Indian cricket team coming to Mackay,” Mrs Kour said.

And just to sweeten the deal, Mrs Kour would be cheering on a cricketing star from her childhood region.

“Harleen Deol, my husband and I both root for her.”

Harleen Deol of India looks on during the ODI Tri-Series Cricket match between Australia and India in February 2020. Picture: AAP Image/Scott Barbour

Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hooley said the Covid-19 situation had forced the sides to get creative with fixtures.

“We’ve been monitoring the situation across the country and it’s clear that the current Covid challenges prevent the original schedule from proceeding as initially planned,” he said.

“We are also delighted to be bringing our world champion women’s team to Mackay and regional Queensland.”

The three ODIs come on the back of three NRL matches hosted at BB Print Stadium.

The second and third cricket matches will be played on September 24 and 26.

The announcement has forced AFL Mackay to shift the location of its grand final weekend on September 11, with a ground for the matches yet to be confirmed.