What is Tape-Ball?
It’s a game of thrills, spills, passion and drama – now a brand new national competition is being launched to showcase the best of tape ball cricket from diverse urban communities across the country.
Tape ball is a variation of the game which originated in Pakistan and is now played across the country and all over the world, often within South Asian communities. A tennis ball is physically taped up to create swing and bounce variations in play. No protective equipment – such as helmets or pads – is needed as the ball remains soft and the game can be played on any surface, in any area, making it widely accessible and popular.
The format was identified as a key area for potential growth of the game at the Core Cities Summit in November 2023 because of the casual format’s accessible nature. Now its profile is due to be elevated through the annual competition – the National Core Cities Tape Ball Competition – with hosting duties shared among the Core Cities, welcoming more people into cricket.
Each of the Core Cities – Birmingham, Bradford, Kirklees, Leeds, Leicester, London (Middlesex, Essex and Surrey), Luton, Manchester, Sandwell, Slough and Nottingham – can have a women’s and a men’s team in what will be two separate competitions. The inaugural competition will be held at Bradford Park Avenue this weekend, with the ambition of promoting inclusivity and fostering grassroots engagement while also identifying and nurturing talent.
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Slough Superstars participated in the first ever ECB Core Cities Tape Ball competition which was held in Bradford. With 13 teams, from across the country, competing against each other.
After a disappointing loss in their opening game, Slough Superstars showed resilience to fight back and earn a spot in the semi-finals where they would take on Birmingham. During this semi final, Slough Superstars showed great determination and progressed to the final. This progression to the final meant they had an intense showdown with Manchester. The final was played in high spirits and after a close game, Slough Superstars were crowned the ECB Core Cities Tape Ball Champions.
Captain, Raabia Akhter reflected on the competition…
“It was a very well organised event which consequently enhanced the playing experience. It was amazing to see so many women supporting, empowering and inspiring each other. I hope this encourages others to get involved and give cricket a go.”