It is virtually unprecedented for cricket's structure in a non-Test country to be built entirely from the ground up.

Typically the initial wave of cricketers will be consist of migrants to that country from Commonwealth nations.

Thanks to Paul Gibson, Head of Physical Education at Addis Ababa's International English School, the first sizable batch of cricketers in Ethiopia most likely won't be from the expatriate community, but Ethiopian school children.

Over the past four years Paul has been introducing Kwik cricket to Primary age pupils at the school, personally purchasing the necessary equipment.

"The younger Primary pupils all play Kwik cricket....and they love it. All of the pupils have responded very enthusiastically to Kwik Cricket and many would love us to start the `proper' game indoors."

The children's preference for the indoor version is due mainly to the state of the outdoor pitch.

"We have to play on the football pitch outdoors and as it is generally quite dry here it can be `interesting'."

Kwik cricket is played both indoors and outdoors depending on the size of the group. When a new floor for the indoor facility is installed Paul hopes to make cricket part of the Physical Education curriculum within the senior school. The Kwik cricket programme normally starts at the start of the third term in April.

To develop the children's skills and enhance their enjoyment, Paul holds assessments in the indoor facility and gives awards.

Around 55% of the children are Ethiopian in a school which includes over 50 nationalities, with all Primary age pupils involved in the cricket programme at some stage.

All of this has been achieved with no outside help, however Paul is hoping to entice the International Cricket Council's Africa region Development Officer, Hoosain Ayob, to visit Addis Ababa to see what assistance can be given.

While the greater number of Addis Ababa's cricketers are children, there is some cricket played between the British and Indian Embassies, matches the Indians invariably win.

Typically the Embassies play twice a year, however the turnover of personnel means the matches have been less frequent. They are usually staged at the Indian Embassy where staff have cleared a small space on the compound, using a pitch of rolled earth.

The matches are played to 'backyard' cricket rules, as batting is only from one end with obstacles such as trees, buildings and slopes to contend with.

Like most outposts, the Indian community are the at the centre of cricket activity in Addis Ababa, and apart from the British involvement in the Embassy match, are the only nationality playing regularly at the senior level.

The Indians are rumoured to be playing amongst themselves on Sundays on a pitch on the Embassy grounds using a hard tennis ball.

The relatively small expatriate community and its turnover means attempts by British Embassy staff to increase the freuency of matches and number of players have been unsuccessful.

For a country infamous for its droughts, not surprisingly, most of the year the Ethiopian weather is well suited to playing cricket.

It is only the rainy season from July to early September and the short rains of March and April which restrict the playing of matches.

© 2001 CricInfo Ltd