St Edmund’s Canterbury – Senior School Sport News – Cricket Week
11 Jul 2019
Sport played it’s own role in the St Edmund’s Festival this week, as we welcomed the prestigious MCC team to our wonderful cricket square on Sunday. With glorious weather and a gentle breeze, the scene was set for what we hope will become an annual fixture.
The MCC, based at Lords Cricket ground are both one of the oldest and most prestigious cricket teams in the world. St Edmund’s School was initially based next to Lords and therefore it seemed only fitting that the school finally play this wonderful team. The MCC batted first, as tradition dictates, and with a star studied line up posted 280 from their 43 overs. The star of the innings was 2005 Ashes winner Geraint Jones gracing the large crowd with power hitting and impeccable timing to score 110. Wickets were shared between Gordon, Vant, Gray, Scott-Kilvert and Millard; one or two taking prize scalps. Matty Nordin’s slick keeping skills led to two stumpings, one none other than the other Centurion, Dan Patching. With the nature of gaming being of declaration, the MCC declared on 280 leaving the boys 43 overs to chase down the score and/or survive for a draw. St Edmund’s innings got off to a good start with the renewal of a now well-established opening partnership of Nordin and Gordon. The latter swashbuckled to 36 before being caught by a magician of a man on the boundary, who popped up from nowhere. Nordin went on to score 55 off of 103 balls in what was a majestic and defiant innings. Partners came and went but Matty stood firm until a fast and furious full length ball took his off stump. There were two overs left to survive and Matty’s dismissal meant that the St Edmund’s innings was all but over. Nonetheless strong contribution from Gray, Sherwin, Charousset and Jackaman resulted in the St Edmund’s team winning the respect of the MCC in what was a lovely day of cricket.
The staff took on the boys on Monday in a quite fabulous 20/20 match. Who knew that Richard Quigley, our Head Groundsman and Mr Morrissey, Head of History, were such cricketing talents?! With the early wickets of Mr Millard and Mr Buckingham, some stability was needed. Mr Stubbings got his eye in and, as expected, started to hit the ball consistently to the boundary. Mr Bodle brought some obvious class to the match with Mr Kincaid, Mr Symaka and Miss Munoz finishing the innings with individual style and glamour. Louis Charousset was top fielder for the boys with 3 wickets and a catch.
The boys were ready to attack and the staff bowlers were fired up. Mr Buckingham took the staff fielding honours with two wickets and two catches but the boys were quick to pile on the runs with Rob Gain scoring 49. The boys were triumphant finally with a massive six hit by Seriosha Crowder. Congratulations to all involved.
The final match of Cricket Week was against Kent College at Polo Farm. Suffice to say our 1st X1 were supreme yet again winning with 4 wickets to spare.