The interesting twist is that it isn't baseball they're excited about, but an old-world exercise they're trying to interest their young friends in - cricket.

Waleed and Humza Nusrat, 17 and 18 respectively, have been avid cricket fans since they were kids and now have more than 50 other students interested in a cricket club at J. Clarke Richardson Collegiate in Ajax.

And now the teens have taken it to the next level, having applied for and received a $1,000 grant from the Take the Lead program for equipment. They also have mentors such as Melvin Croning, who played cricket for Canada and runs a cricket academy at the Ajax Cricket Club (615 Monarch Ave).

The boys deserve a lot of credit for pushing to get the program going from scratch. When they started two years ago, there wasn't much interest at J. Clarke Richardson, but they persevered and they're confident there will be consistent growth.

Cricket is a natural sport for Ajax-Pickering which has seen a large influx of immigration from South Asian and Caribbean communities over the past few decades. Those are among the world's hotbeds for the sport. The World Cricket Championships were held in the Caribbean in 2007 while the next championships are slated for South Asia in 2011.

Canada also has a tradition of cricket excellence and there are a few Durham natives who have played nationally so there are reasons to aspire to greatness. More than that, the sport doesn't require much equipment.

All that's really required are a few bats and helmets, some pads and catcher's gloves, and a field. It's fun and inclusive, and all ages can play.

And the sport is popular in many countries across the globe.

Waleed and Humza are on to something here and deserve support from the business community and contributions for a successful program.

When they come calling and ask: Is it cricket? The answer should be a resounding: Yes!

- Metroland News Service