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In 2010, entries will be accepted from any citizen residing in an ICC country i.e. – Australia, England & Wales, New Zealand, South Africa, West Indies, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe who write their poem in the 12 months leading up to the closing date – 1st September 2010.

This annual poetry competition offers AU$2000 to the winning poet with international exposure for the top twenty poems.

The organisers invite poets from test playing nations to submit a poem celebrating aspects of life in and around the game and sport of cricket, in settings of park cricket, backyard cricket, street cricket, beach cricket, social-cricket or local club cricket.

The genre may be narrative, dramatic, satirical, lyrical, elegy or verse fable.

The written & spoken word reflects the emotions, beliefs and prejudices that influence our thoughts, behaviour and personality. Poets will be asked to use a national pastime and global sport – cricket, as the vehicle to unsettle preconceptions, generate new ideas and consider our contemporary culture.

The Cricket Poetry Award will be run in conjunction with the Cricket Art Prize, and the winner will be announced at the Cricket Art Prize opening at the Members Pavilion of the SCG – 7th Oct 2010.

The judges encourage poets to write a poem commenting on life in and around the game and sport of cricket either metaphorically; using cricket as a figurative ‘vehicle’; as an analogy or an ironic simile.

The judges in 2010 are published poet Adam Gibson, Walkley Award nominee, sports & feature writer Jessica Halloran and Peter Fenton – published poet, writer and film maker.

Key Organiser, Derek Zilich said “Poetry is a carefully sculptured canvas, with the poet using words instead of paint, and the canvas is you and me. This annual poetry competition serves the interests of all test playing nations involved in art, poetry and cricket, so pick up an entry form and wax lyrical.”