India's influence on Australian cricket is bucking all sporting trends — and it is much needed
ABCAustralia has once again been humiliated in the Test cricket arena by India. "Cricket is a part of life in South Asia," Mumbai-born Adelaide-based cricket commentator Bharat Sundaresan says. The boom The current participation boom is unlike any other trend in Australian sport: Five years ago, 10 per cent of cricket players registered at all levels in Australia had South Asian heritage; Cricket Australia Chief of Cricket James Allsop says that figure is 20 per cent and rising. "It's 11 or 12 people that get picked in the Australian cricket team," Sangha tells 7.30. "The majority, 98 per cent of people, that I've dealt in cricket were great people, but whether they understand or like to admit it or not, there's always a certain connection you have with someone who looks a bit more like you, who has got similar cultural beliefs as you."