'We're bringing it back': Cricket N.L. trying to boost sport's profile

Cricket was a popular sport in Newfoundland before Confederation, but there's not much of a following these days.

But the Cricket Newfoundland and Labrador league is hoping to change that.

St John's Morning Show6:25Getting in on the St. John's cricket craze

With the unlikely sport flourishing in St. John's, guest host Adam Walsh speaks with Senthil Selvamani - the president of Cricket Newfoundland.

"We're bringing it back, that's a good way to put it," said Senthil Selvamani, president of Cricket N.L.

On Saturday, the group's four teams competed in the summer league championships in St. John's.

The Avengers won the Atul Ahuja Cup with a 63-run victory over the Tigers on Saturday, taking home the top prize.

The Eagles and the Superkings, the third and fourth place teams, competed for the Liam Herringshaw cup, with the Eagles taking it home with 33 runs over the Superkings.

Cricket isn't a big sport in Canada, but Selvamani said his league has seen lots of growth since it started back in 2010.

"Cricket was played in schools until the 1930s, I believe, in Newfoundland, so it was quite popular and then hockey and soccer came and took over cricket," he said.

"We're definitely trying to bring it back because cricket is indigenous to Newfoundlanders and we all enjoy playing the game."

Cricket N.L. had just a single team in 2010, but now there are four teams of about 70 players in the outdoor summer league. During the cold months, the indoor league sees more than 100 players sign up.

Selvamani said compared to the other Atlantic provinces, this league has seen rapid growth — and he hopes that trend will continue.