The Cricketer Schools Guide 2022 by The Cricketer

SCHOOLS GUIDE 2022 FEATURING THE TOP 100 SENIOR, TOP 20 ALL-GIRLS AND TOP 50 JUNIOR & PREP SCHOOLS

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W W W. K AT C H E T. C O M

SCHOOLS GUIDE 2022 CONTENTS 4

The Cricketer schools’ coverage

Jake Lintott

Durant Cricket

Woodstock Cricket

The Winning Mindset

The 1

Top 100 secondary schools

Top 20 all-girls schools

109

Guide to touring 2022

118

Top 50 junior/prep schools

153

Highly commended

154

Index

STAFF Editor-at-large Simon Hughes Editor Huw Turbervill Deputy editor James Coyne Art director Geoff Barton Proofreader Richard Hobson Director Chris Smith Commercial director Jim Hindson Business development manager Ed Krarup Project manager Jess Davidson Subscriptions executive Gemma Lang Digital editor Sam Morshead Social media editor Owen Riley Digital journalist Nick Friend Digital journalist Nick Howson Digital journalist Elizabeth Botcherby

Welcome to The Cricketer Schools Guide 2022 When my daughter Nancy started at Emanuel School in 2012, there was no such thing as a girls’ cricket team. She joined the U11 boys’ XI. They welcomed her with open arms, and she soon became an important and valued member of the team, with a better throwing arm than many of the boys, who was also a respected opponent subjected – in later years – to fast bouncers just like any of her male teammates. In that first couple of years she was practically the only girl in the school who played cricket. Most of the rest played rounders which is a euphemism for standing around on the playing field looking bored unless it is actually your turn to bat. We began a campaign to replace rounders with cricket (for girls). It took a couple of years. By the summer of 2015 the school sports fields were covered with boys and girls playing cricket. There was no rounders in sight. Some girls earned places in the boys teams. The benefits were both short and long term. Initially it introduced a healthy competitiveness between the sexes outside the classroom. But also “it enhanced the relationship between the boys and girls with shared goals and changing rooms,” Nancy says. “The six or seven boys I played cricket regularly

with in my school days are some of the most rounded and open-minded people I know.” One of the most noticeable aspects of this annual schools’ supplement is the increasing provision for girls to play cricket, and the growth in the numbers playing. Once again we include our top 20 all-girls schools, in partnership with Lydia Greenway’s Cricket for Girls. All those listed have made incredible strides in starting programmes from scratch without the facilities that mixed schools benefit from. It is not only a major step for the game which will have ultimate benefit across the board, but also, if Nancy and other girls’ experiences are replicated, create a more harmonious and inclusive school environment. Added to that it will enrich school sport, establish lifelong friendships and produce even more memorable moments that will, in the true spirit of school cricket, become more and more embellished year by year. Well done to all of you for the efforts you have put in this year, appropriately acknowledged in the following pages.

SIMON HUGHES Editor-at-large @theanalyst

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Inclusion in the guide: every year we invite schools across the country to submit their entries. Having collated the entries the judging panel scrutinises the schools against a number of criteria including facilities, fixture programmes and coaching set-up to determine which should be included in the top 100 senior schools, top 20 all-girls schools and top 50 prep and junior schools. We can, of course, only include the schools who submit an entry – so if you believe your school is worthy of consideration please do make sure you submit via www.thecricketer.com/schoolsguide or by emailing us at magazine@thecricketer.com

Durant Cricket are one of the country’s leading suppliers of cricket ground equipment to cricket clubs, professional counties and schools across the country. We have enjoyed a long and distinguished relationship with The Cricketer and are

TO SUBSCRIBE or for any subscription enquiries call 0203 198 1359

On the cover: Haileybury (main pic) by Aaron Parsons; Hurstpierpoint boys (bottom left) and Worth School (bottom middle) by Paul Carroll; Guildford High School (bottom right) courtesy Guildford High School

Supporters of The Cricketer Schools Guide proud to support the magazine’s fantastic coverage of school cricket. We wish you the best of luck for a cricket-filled 2022 season. Cristian Durant, Managing Director Durant Cricket

Additional pictures throughout the guide: Getty Images

thecricketer.com | 3

SCHOOLS GUIDE 2022

The playing fields of the UK are buzzing with life once again as schools cricket enjoys busy season

T ABOVE The distinctive Haileybury backdrop RIGHT Jonathan Batty

4 | thecricketer.com

he sound of bat on ball was warmly welcomed back to the school playing fields during the 2021 summer. It wasn’t a normal season but all of our cricketing schools should be commended for getting the game back on. Some were able to complete fixture lists while others were struck down with unavoidable cancellations but cricket, however it looked, was back on the curriculum. The Cricketer’s schools coverage has been constant and ongoing almost since the previous edition of the Schools Guide hit the presses. George Campbell, who leads the cricket programme at Berkhamsted School, told of his friendship with Australia’s Test captain Tim Paine: “I do mention to him whenever we speak that I have to get him here and he is always very keen. He is such a genuine lad,” Campbell said. “It would be a lovely idea for him to be the professional at Berkhamsted when he retires but I have a feeling bigger jobs might be

available to him!” If you look at the quality of exprofessionals who are coaching at schools now – such as Ryan Sidebottom at Scarborough College and Chris Adams at Seaford College, Paine wouldn’t look too out of place passing his wicketkeeping wisdom onto the next generation. Speaking of ex-pros now in the schools game, Jonathan Batty had to face the difficult reality that many cricketers encounter as their career nears its end. “But at the end, I thought: ‘Actually, what am I going to do?’ I was probably a bit naïve in thinking I’d get a job in the pro game coaching, which didn’t materialise,” Batty remembered. However the teaching community has found itself a new asset, both on the field and in Batty’s geography classroom. “At the end of that first year

of teaching, I remember the day when the A Level results came out,” Batty said. “I was at home and was sat with my wife. I logged onto the system to check the results. She turned to look at me and said: ‘Are you crying?’ And I was. I was so proud of how those pupils had done in their A Levels.” In late January The Cricketer presented The Winning Mindset, a webinar hosted by ex-England cricketer and now eminent psychologist Jeremy Snape who founded high-performance consultancy Sporting Edge. The event highlighted how important mindset is in optimising performance at all levels of the game, especially in younger players regardless of whether they aspire to reach the professional game. The virtual event was attended by key personnel across the schools cricket landscape and Snape included exclusive insights from

AARON PARSONS PHOTOGRAPHY

It has been an action-packed summer in the schools game. Ed Krarup rounds up some of the notable stories

star names such as Stuart Broad, Shane Warne, Sir Dave Brailsford, Ade Adepitan, Fran Halsall and Kate Richardson-Walsh in his presentation. As the summer term arrived so did competitive outdoor cricket and while for the pupils it felt like normality had resumed, for the staff it was a very different story. Director of cricket at Denstone College, former Yorkshire wicketkeeper Simon Guy, gave The Cricketer a fascinating insight into life inside the schools cricket bubble with the summer term a few weeks old. “On buses to away fixtures, we all face forward and each year group is separated. We have to keep a list of exactly where every student sits so that if one records a positive test we know exactly who they have come into close contact with,” Guy explained. “On top of everything, we have the ECB guidelines to follow too and we check 24 hours in advance with the opposition that there are no cases.

Then after all of this, you’ve got a bit of coaching to do! “The headmasters of all these schools are asking whether we’re aware and happy with all the extra time and work it is taking to operate a cricket programme this summer, but we’re all fully aware and why would we not want to make the effort? “I’ve not slept for seven days but you see the kids playing on a Saturday and it’s all worth it.” The last edition of the Schools Guide introduced the top-20 allgirls school list for the first time. Produced in partnership with Lydia Greenway and her coaching platform, Cricket For Girls, it has been wonderful to see the advancements all-girls schools are making with their cricket. Two such schools are Guildford High School and Mayfield. Keely Harper, director of sport at Guildford High, is clear in her ambitions for the game: “We do aspire to be great at cricket, but

ABOVE Denstone director of cricket Simon Guy; girls at Guildford High School; The Judd School BELOW Trent College first XI captain Kieran Pell

what we aspire to more is that our girls enjoy the game. We want to promote inclusivity with as many coming out to practice as possible, then if girls go on to play for clubs and get picked by their county, that’s brilliant.” Mayfield meanwhile have enjoyed a superb summer. They welcomed the MCC for a fixture for the first time and have plans to build three fixed outdoor nets this winter. Head of cricket Emily Starr was also picked by Greenway to be on the Girls Cricket Club advisory board, helping other schools establish girls cricket programmes. Elsewhere in the girls game, Sophie Hughes made history as she became the first female cricketer to play in the Denstone College 1st XI. Hughes is following in her father’s footsteps by being a part of the school 1st XI. Jan Hughes was captain of Denstone College’s 1st XI (82-87) while Emma Hughes, Sophie’s aunt, played for the women’s 1st XI (83-90). The Cricketer’s first match on our schools summer roadshow saw Trent College take on MCC. Trent’s coaches include stars Jenny Gunn and Tash Farrant, though Farrant’s meteoric rise in the professional game has since rendered her understandably increasingly unavailable for school matters. After MCC set an imposing 205 for 8 from their 40 overs, a heavy defeat loomed for the college until Trent skipper Kieran Pell played a superb innings, eventually perishing an agonising three runs short of a century, his innings of 97 coming from 89 balls, including 13 fours and three sixes. Pell’s fireworks made the result uncomfortably close for MCC, who eventually ran out winners by 19 runs. State school cricket was badly affected by the pandemic. Funding is crucial yet often not available so state schools need to make the most of what they can control: enthusiasm for the game. The Judd is a state grammar school in Kent, and despite not having school on Saturday, they run a full Saturday programme from Year 7 up to sixth form. After a missed summer in 2020, it may have been difficult to rebuild momentum but the thecricketer.com | 5

SCHOOLS GUIDE 2022

reality has been quite the opposite. “The enthusiasm to play has been enhanced by missing last season,” master in charge of cricket Ralph Richardson explained. “A lot of boys have realised now what they have available to them in the summer.” Richardson was speaking following The Judd’s quarter-final loss to Sevenoaks in the U18 Kent Schools Cup, a T20 competition also known as the Lemon Cup. Brighton Aldridge Community Academy are a state school on the other end of the spectrum. They have significant financial support from Sir Rod Aldridge but are committed to using this support to provide top-class coaching and opportunity for free. “I had a huge desire to close the huge gaps that exist in state education,” BACA director of cricket Alexia Walker explained. “It was Rod’s vision to go: ‘Why do you have to only play cricket at private schools? It doesn’t make sense.’ Well, it’s costly, you have to maintain a big ground, you need indoor facilities – there are big barriers. But I said if he was willing to knock those barriers down, I was happy to help move them. “We want to help the talented cricketers that can’t afford to or don’t want to go to private schools.” The top 50 prep and junior schools lists is in its fourth year, and one of the leading prep schools is Cumnor House School for Boys in Croydon. With only a few hundred pupils, they punch well above their weight and are the breeding ground for one of cricket’s most fruitful programmes. 6 | thecricketer.com

ABOVE The MCC Foundation Hub XI with Patrick Gada, MCC Foundation Nottingham Hub manager BELOW Cameron Andrew of Calverton CC and the Nottingham MCC Foundation Hub XI

Three of England’s Test openers over the past two years – Dom Sibley, Rory Burns and Jason Roy, have been through Whitgift School, but while Whitgift are supplying England, Cumnor House are supplying Whitgift. “This year’s 1st XI captain at Whitgift is an old Cumnor pupil and last year I think five of the 1st XI would have been former Cumnor boys. This year we may have six,” director of sport at Cumnor House Ryan Brotherton told The Cricketer. With the summer in full swing, The Cricketer headed to Haileybury as they faced Bishop’s Stortford College in a T20. It was a piercingly hot day at the stunning Hertfordshire school and having been put into bat, the hosts followed a steady start with an explosive display of power-hitting. Captain Bill Meacock scored a wonderful century off just 61 balls while Harry Seagrave smashed 88 not out from only 26 deliveries, including three fours and 10 sixes. The final total of 242 for 2 is even more remarkable given they were 41 for 1 after eight overs. Bishop’s Stortford, who it should be said were only able to train as a team for the first time the day before due to Covid-19 restrictions, were brave in their chase and after six overs were only six runs behind Haileybury’s total at the equivalent time, but Ben Spencer took four wickets in four balls to wrap up the game. Yorkshire Cricket College – featured in this year’s top 100, are a further education institution but what sets them apart is providing pupils with invaluable life skills and offering a direct route into a career in cricket. “We are classed as a college. Our students are all 16 to 18-years-old and arrive with us after doing their GCSEs,” Nick Robinson, education manager at the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation, told The Cricketer. “The programme is 100% based at Headingley and we currently run two qualifications, the NCFE Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport, and Level 3 BTEC in Business.” Importantly, there is no tuition fee to attend the college, while training kit has a subsidised cost. Based at Headingley, the college offers opportunities in groundskeeping, sports marketing, physiotherapy among many

other areas. And those with professional playing aspirations are fully supported. Recent success stories include three recent graduates who are part of the Yorkshire Diamonds academy and Yorkshire’s left-arm spinner Sam Wisniewski. “They come to us loving cricket, but they leave with qualifications and experience that will set them up for the rest of their lives.” As the school season drew to a close, The Cricketer caught up with Reece Topley about his time at Royal Hospital School. Topley broke into the Essex set-up very young, so the support given by the school was crucial. Reece’s father, former Essex bowler Don was grateful for the school’s input. “Reece’s relationship with his housemaster Andy Wynn and tutor Piet du Toit were hugely important in his day-to-day life,” Don added. “He would go on tour with Alastair Cook and Ravi Bopara with Essex, but then the next day be back at school and have to be in bed at a certain time. Mentally that could be tough to get your head around but he had people to help him cope.” The Cricketer’s final match of the summer was an MCC versus MCC Foundation Regional Hub at Repton School. The Regional XI featured players from 12 hubs for state school cricketers in the Midlands and the East of England – part of the scheme delivered by MCC that engages 3,000 state-educated young players from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds across 64 hubs in the UK. The match was a hybrid two-innings affair of 20 overs each innings, providing multiple opportunities to bat and bowl for the young players on show. Cameron Andrew stole the show for the Hub XI, scoring 78 in 43 deliveries in the second innings with 15 boundaries that included two sixes. A last-over finish saw the Hub fall short of the total by four runs despite Andrew’s heroics. Club cricket remains vital to developing young state school cricketers, with the MCC Hub Foundation performing a commendable supporting role, narrowing the gap with the county age-group sides.

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SCHOOLS GUIDE 2022

Never too late Warwickshire’s Jake Lintott talks to Ed Krarup about how he juggled the professional game with being head of cricket at Queen’s College, Taunton

I ABOVE Lintott presenting 1st XI caps at Queen’s College, Taunton; showing off his Birmingham Bears shirt

8 | thecricketer.com

t has been a whirlwind year for Jake Lintott. His eyecatching performances in 2020 earned him a three-year deal at Warwickshire at the start of 2021 before he starred in Southern Brave’s victorious campaign in The Hundred. A stint in the Caribbean Premier League with the Barbados Royals followed before a well-earned break where he could finally catch breath and reflect on a year that has entirely changed his career trajectory. “I’ve loved every second of the last 12 months, it’s been surreal,” Lintott tells The Cricketer. “I pinch myself at times to see how far I’ve come. I’m pretty proud of what I’ve achieved but also really excited about the next couple of years.” At 28, the left-arm unorthodox spinner is a relative latecomer to the professional game and his

match-winning performances on domestic cricket’s glitziest stage, with terrestrial audiences captivated, have shot him into public consciousness. His is a path less frequently travelled, as his rise has been juggled with his full-time job as head of cricket at Queen’s College in Taunton. Lintott was once a pupil at the school, who are featured in this guide on page 61, and aged 24 secured a graduate teaching role which then turned into the top cricket job. It is unusual to play at the highest level and also coach full-time but Lintott credits his experiences at Queen’s with his personal development. “Coaching has helped my cricket both from a mindset and skill perspective,” Lintott explains. “When you play your best cricket you have a good relationship with your coach, you’re happy and confident. At a

school like Queen’s, which is a bit smaller, it’s about getting as many kids playing and enjoying cricket. It’s about having fun and I try to support them as much as I can. “Having the school job has given me a lot of perspective on my own cricket, how privileged I am to be playing professionally.” It is important to note that Lintott’s role at Queen’s was not just ambassadorial. “I love my job and love being part of Queen’s but it is hard work. You’re working 12 hours a day and often up to your head in emails.” Juggling this with a growing professional career is inevitably tough, but the school are fully supportive of Lintott’s ambitions. “Without the support of Queen’s I couldn’t have done it. I was really lucky that the head gave me lots of flexibility so I was able to go up to Birmingham and train. “I got my car in March and have done 23,000 miles since. I’m not complaining though!” As shown by those featured in this guide, the quality of school cricket programmes has shot up with many almost replicating professional set-ups in terms of facilities and a dedication to the game. Queen’s is no different, and what could set them apart is Lintott’s current experiences in the modern

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE LEFT Sharing a moment with Liam Livingstone in The Hundred final BOTTOM Bowling for Birmingham Bears in the Vitality Blast

game that he can call upon to guide the next generation. “I do call upon my learnings with certain players and I install theories from the professional game. These could be as simple as showing energy in the field or considering how many boundaries we can score as a group, rather than individuals feeling pressured. “The first-team at the school have really bought into this and see the value. The key thing about school cricket is that it’s not about the individuals, it’s about getting them to buy into the team and understand their roles.” Inevitably, Lintott’s success this past summer has generated huge excitement at the school. “The kids loved following The Hundred. When they had someone in

coaching because it’s something I’m really passionate about. I’ve been back in and seen the kids a couple of times, they’re really happy for me and have been very supportive. “For them I hope they can see a pathway and what can be achieved by going to Queen’s [as Lintott did]. I’ve come into the game at a time where I

“When you play your best cricket you have a good relationship with your coach, you’re happy and confident” particular to follow it gave it a real identity for them. They were glued to it and speaking to other members of staff the school has been buzzing about cricket.” Lintott’s finest moment was arguably in the Eliminator, as he soared to pluck a Samit Patel on-drive out of the air at full stretch in front of a raucous Oval crowd and millions more watching on the BBC. In the final, he took the crucial wicket of a set Moeen Ali who was dangerously set in pursuit of the Brave’s total. Lintott hopes that his displays for Warwickshire, Southern Brave and Barbados will result in more T20 opportunities around the world and as such he is stepping back from the head of cricket role at Queen’s. “I’ll still be dipping in and out of

feel very comfortable with my cricket. That’s a good thing, I wouldn’t have liked to come in this late ideally but it stands me in good stead. I’m more grounded as a person, more aware of my game and my skills are higher than they were 10 years ago.” Lintott’s is an inspirational story, but one that is full of determination, commitment and patience. But even after rubbing shoulders with the biggest names in the game, and with so many opportunities ahead, Lintott is still invested in life at Queen’s. “I’m helping set up the school’s winter programme at the moment and sorting the one-to-ones as well as the admin side of things. I haven’t been asked to organise the fixtures yet though, I’ve got away with that one!” thecricketer.com | 9

SCHOOLS GUIDE 2022

Net result

Supporters of The Cricketer Schools Guide

ABOVE AND RIGHT The new sevenlane nets, artificial strip, sightscreens and covers at Haileybury

10 | thecricketer.com

t was the school playing fields that felt the quietest during the 2020 summer. By the time clubs were eventually able to return schools had already broken up for the year. Perhaps that is why the hunger for cricket this year has been at its strongest in schools. As The Cricketer covered the schools game in 2021, it was clear that more and more pupils want to play the

game, and schools need to be able to accommodate them. However, cricket is not a safe game to play in large numbers unless proper facilities are used. Haileybury realised this, and quickly got in touch with Durant Cricket. Fast-forward six months and the Hertfordshire school now have a brand new seven-lane net facility, a new artificial strip, upgraded

sightscreens and portable covers. As well as the obvious benefits of having seven lanes that can safely house hundreds of pupils in an afternoon, Rupert Kitzinger, director of cricket at Haileybury, observed the need for quality facilities. “We’ve all been in club nets that are quite narrow, and batters in particular can get quite the false impression of how well they’ve hit the ball,” Kitzinger tells

PHOTOS AARON PARSONS

Haileybury are facilitating more cricketers than ever before thanks to Durant Cricket

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE The Cricketer. “Having a good width is really important as it also allows bowlers to follow through wider. They can bowl with a proper follow through without fear of getting hit. “The surface too plays much better than what we had before. There is much more longevity and it plays much more closely to grass. It’s also got a nicer look to it! “We can easily accommodate over 30 players safely in accordance with covid guidelines and over three

hours on a games afternoon we see close to 150 pupils come through. It’s brilliant.” Haileybury have a thriving girls programme, but with more teams being run more space is required and this can be a headache for head groundsman Andy Richards. But he invested in a Durant artificial wicket to ease the burden. “The benefit of the artificial wicket is that it’s added an extra ground, particularly with the volume of girls playing that we didn’t have three or four years ago,” Richards explains. “There’s now a greater demand for pitches and all-weather surfaces that we can rely on. It gives us a lot more time to prepare grass wickets as well as we possibly can.” Boys and girls teams are treated equally regarding access to pitches, with the artificial wicket, and enhanced nets, easing the pressure on providing all pupils with facilities to practice and play on. The pandemic created logistical challenges with delivery impacted by lockdowns in November 2020 and then at the start of 2021. But Kitzinger and Richards were delighted with the service and result provided by Durant. “Cristian was brilliant,” Richards says of Cristian Durant, managing director of the specialist cricket equipment company. “We had limited time and budget which kept on changing because of covid.

“The surface plays much better than what we had before. There is much more longevity and it plays much more closely to grass. It’s also got a nicer look to it!” RUPERT KITZINGER, DIRECTOR OF CRICKET AT HAILEYBURY Cristian came out four, five, six times and re-quoted, changed little bits. They have been really good to work with.” The Haileybury grounds are staggeringly impressive so their facilities need to match. Durant Cricket built new mobile covers within two weeks and were in full use from September 2020. The school also got new sightscreens and a new scoreboard is on the agenda too. “To be able to go to a place that

delivers the quality, service and choice that Durant Cricket did was fantastic,” Richards continues. “They are a one-stop shop, from constructions to covers to stumps, they do it all. The amount of time it would have taken me to get three sets of quotes for covers, sightscreens and nets, this has saved me a good couple of weeks of paperwork as I’m able to just have one invoice. “The prices are competitive too so it’s a win-win.”

To find out more about how Durant Cricket can provide equipment and facilities for your school, visit www.durantcricket.co.uk or call 01572 822013 thecricketer.com | 11

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SCHOOLS GUIDE 2022

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

Stepping up The Cricketer speaks to Worcestershire’s Josh Baker as he makes the transition from school cricket to the professional game

t’s been a whirlwind few months for Josh Baker. Having only left school last summer he is making a name for himself on the professional stage, taking wickets and smashing runs for Worcestershire. As any player will testify, it is a tough step up from the schools game to the county arena, but Baker’s time at Malvern College equipped him well to make these leaps. “I still remember my first game for the Malvern 1st XI,” Baker tells The Cricketer. “It was a Sunday game against Wellington and I was in Year 10. Like in any changing room, I was a bit nervous to start off with but then the lads get around you and being the young one they were nice to me. It was a good atmosphere to be in.” Baker recalls taking four wickets in that first match, and since then has not looked back. He went on to represent the Malvern 1st XI for four years alongside turning out for Worcestershire age groups. The Pears could consider Malvern as their La Masia academy, such is the constant quality of cricketer that emerges from this institution under the tutelage of Mark Hardinges and Noel Brett. Another player to have come off this production line is Jack Haynes. “Jack was my 1st XI captain in my first year in the team. He was unreal, he scored 1,000 runs and his cricket knowledge really helped me develop. “When I first walked into the Worcestershire changing room I knew a couple of the lads but Jack was really welcoming.” Haynes spoke to The Cricketer about 18 months ago, and he and Baker were equally praising of Malvern’s approach to the game. “Hardinges and Brett were quite relaxed about things, they weren’t

forcing you to train six times a week, it was very much ‘come in when you can’, but when you did the training was intense. “They encouraged you to do other things too so you could enjoy and make the most of your time at school. I also played 1st XI hockey and was golf captain.” But cricket was always the dream for Baker and having impressed in academy and county 2nd XI cricket he soon received the call he had always hoped for. “I got a call initially telling me I would be on a three-month deal to play in the Royal London Cup, but that soon turned into a 16-month contract. It was pretty special, when I told my parents they both started crying. All the driving, all the equipment they’ve bought, all the support, it meant a lot to them.” But Baker still had school cricket to focus on, most pressingly the National Schools T20 final against King’s College, Taunton. Having helped secure victory for his school, Baker broke the news to his coaches that he would be playing cricket for a living for Worcestershire. “They were both really pleased,” Baker fondly reflects. Fast-forward to September 2021 and Baker, a bowler by trade, is smashing Middlesex to all parts of Lord’s with a Woodstock in hand. “It was special to get my maiden first-class half century at Lord’s. I got to about 40, and hadn’t been in that situation before so got a bit nervous but the coaches wanted me to be positive so I went out and tried to biff it.” And biff it he did. Baker ended on 61 not out off 51 deliveries,

ABOVE Josh Baker with his Malvern College team TOP & BELOW Baker has made a successful start at Worcestershire

hitting 10 fours and one six. “I was middling everything, it absolutely flew off the middle. I was really happy with the bat.” Baker has been using a Woodstock long before he turned professional but signed sponsorship terms just after his Worcestershire contract. “Johnno Gordon [Woodstock managing director] messages me quite frequently to see if there is anything I need. If I need any kit he’s straight on it, the service is rapid. For a bat, to my specs, he’ll get it turned around in a week and equipment will only be a couple of days.” Despite being a hugely promising cricketer with so much ahead of him, Baker is grateful for the support he has been given, both recently from Woodstock, and from Malvern. “That I could go have a net with a coach anytime was great. It was a really good environment to play in with some of my best mates for life. “I’d say to school cricketers to simply enjoy their cricket and their time at school. Try and learn as much as possible and focus on doing what you do best. If that’s good enough the coaches will see and they will help you along the way.”

For more information about sponsorship, or to arrange a Woodstock Cricket visit to your school, visit www.woodstockcricket.co.uk

thecricketer.com | 13

SCHOOLS GUIDE 2022

The Cricketer webinar series:

The Winning Mindset

Leading cricketer-turned-psychologist Jeremy Snape presents the second webinar in The Winning Mindset series, this time focusing on leadership

n January 2021 The Cricketer presented The Winning Mindset, a webinar hosted by ex-England cricketer and now eminent psychologist Jeremy Snape. The event highlighted how important mindset is in optimising performance at all levels of the game, especially in younger players regardless of whether they aspire to reach the professional game. Snape is the founder of highperformance consultancy Sporting Edge and drew upon exclusive insights from some of the biggest names in sport to present a fascinating evening of learning and discussion. While still captaining Leicestershire, Snape embarked on a Masters degree in Sports Psychology at Loughborough University and has since set up Sporting Edge, a company dedicated to helping anyone reach their maximum potential, whatever their field, through strengthening their mindset in sport and business. He drew on his years of study and expertise to present to an audience of those in charge of cricket programmes at some of the top cricketing schools in the country, who were treated to a fascinating

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evening of insight, learning and discussion. Attendees came from public, prep, state and all-girls schools with significant value for all present. They were treated to exclusive insights via interviews Snape has conducted with star names in the world of sport and beyond, such as Stuart Broad, Shane Warne, Sir Dave Brailsford, Ade Adepitan, Fran Halsall, Kate Richardson-Walsh and Professor Carol Dweck from Stanford University. One of the many takeaways from the night came from World Cup, Ashes and Indian Premier League winner Shane Warne on how to deal with pressure. Warne reflected on the 1999 World Cup semi-final, where he led Australia to victory against South Africa using simple techniques to maintain composure. “Steve Waugh brought me on to break the partnership. I remember taking a couple of breaths and took longer than I would normally take to deliver the ball. I asked myself, how am I getting him

BELOW Jeremy Snape in his England playing days RIGHT Working with Shane Warne at Rajasthan Royals

out? I’m going to try and get him to hit through midwicket. It’s as simple as that. I’m not worried about the score.” Warne snared three wickets in two overs and suddenly South Africa were 53 for 3. Shortly after, Daryll Cullinan was run out, such was the impact Warne’s spell had on the opposition. “People talk about how do you get into that zone? What is the zone? To me the zone is 100 per cent concentration on what you’re about to do. And that is clearing your mind of everything, the crowd, everything,” Warne explained. “That was something I was really proud of because I overcame nerves and that helped me for the rest of my career because it was just something I did.” Following the Warne clip Snape addressed the audience: “I worked with Warnie for six years and he is one of the most incredible people I’ve met under pressure. Absolutely phenomenal. “He slowed down his physiology. He took a wider walk around his run-up and took a big deep breath in. That does two things. “Firstly that relaxes our physiology. The next thing is, when

SEE SNAPE’S FULL LIBRARY OF INSIGHTS AT SPORTINGEDGE.COM

considering fight or flight, our flight breath is shallow and fast. If you’re breathing deep in your diaphragm it sends a signal to your head to say the sabre tooth tiger’s gone and it opens up our vision more and we can read the game. “That ability to focus in on the moment, not what the papers are going to write tomorrow, not what the crowd are saying, that’s out of my control. “Warne is back in control and executes his skill.” Snape concluded that while Warne

showed unrivalled physical skill throughout his career he was only able to showcase his talents because his mindset was strong enough to let him. Following the presentation, Snape engaged in a Q&A to answer the audience’s questions and all left with a deeper understanding of optimising the performance of young people, not just in cricket but in life also.

The Winning Mindset: NEXT WEBINAR Snape will continue The Winning Mindset series with the next webinar taking place on Tuesday, January 25 at 7pm. This instalment will focus on leadership, both for coaches and players. One of cricket’s greatest qualities is the importance given to captaincy which, unlike other sports, is not just an ambassadorial role. A cricket captain needs to make quick, often difficult, decisions and Snape’s insights will explore how coaches can nurture leadership qualities in young people and also how coaches can enhance their own strategies. Snape has spoken to experts such as Gareth Southgate and Tammy Erickson, a professor in organisational behaviour, on this subject, alongside bluechip CEOs and military leaders. Ideas will also be shared on how coaches can inspire leadership groups, creating an atmosphere of accountability and responsibility. Skills and thoughts shared here will benefit on the cricket pitch and in life. Tickets will be available to buy at www.thecricketer.com/leadership and cost £49 (+VAT) per person. Those who have bought tickets will be sent a Zoom link shortly before the event. It is one Zoom link per ticket and links cannot be shared.

thecricketer.com | 15

SCHOOLS GUIDE 2022

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

Maddy Reynolds becomes The 1 The 18-year-old won the inaugural competition, designed by Lydia Greenway to find cricket’s next best female allrounder

or most teenage cricketers, to have a sponsorship deal and backing of a former England international is just a dream, but for Maddy Reynolds, inaugural winner of The 1, it’s a reality. The 18-year-old triumphed in the multi-format competition, created by Lydia Greenway, to find the country’s next star female allrounder with some superb prizes, such as a sponsorship deal, on offer. Entries flooded in and following a fiercely competitive day of cricketing challenges, Reynolds, who plays for Mildenhall Women (Suffolk) and Ketteringham Hall men (Norfolk), was crowned the winner. The competition brought together some of the brightest young female cricketers who were tested in a cricket combine, with challenges set to test certain attributes such as power-hitting, batting accuracy, high-catching and bowling accuracy. For Reynolds, entering was a no-brainer. “My dad pointed it out having seen it in The Cricketer and said I should do it. I didn’t need much convincing and signed up immediately,” Reynolds tells The Cricketer. “The allrounder element is what really made me want to go for it. I’ve always enjoyed all parts of the game. When I first started playing I loved fielding then the batting and bowling came later. I love throwing myself around in the field. “To be able to showcase my talents and be up against other good players competitively was great.” The 1 is another example

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of Greenway’s dedication to furthering opportunities for young female cricketers, alongside her Girls Cricket Club and Cricket For Girls initiatives. Upon the competition’s launch, the former England international told The Cricketer: “The 1 has been created to put a twist on cricket to make it more exciting for young girls, both those who are already involved in the game and those who aren’t. It allows the girls to have a lot of fun in a competitive environment. “It’s really got a bit of X Factor about it.” Greenway imparted her significant knowledge onto the participants, much to Reynolds’ appreciation. “She was a great help throughout the day,” Reynolds says of Greenway. “ She led the warm up then chatted to all of us individually. It was a great experience to listen to her tips and advice. It helped you feel calmer as it was a nervous experience at times.” The competition was designed to test the players, especially when under pressure. Points were scored for each challenge and updates throughout the day of the current leaders turned up the tension. “We were told who was in the top five at points throughout the day but the names were different each time, it changed so drastically.” Reynolds’ final challenge was the bowling accuracy challenge and the task was simple; bowl the perfect yorker. “Before our last ball in the yorker challenge there was one point between the frontrunners,” Reynolds continues. She knew that if she nailed the perfect delivery then the title would be hers. “I hadn’t done as well as I should have on the bowling. My batting

accuracy and hitting were my strongest challenges but I got it on the last ball.” Reynolds’ faultless execution under extreme pressure delivered the win, with Bella Johnson , who attends Colchester County High School for Girls and plays for Colchester and East Essex, in second and Rhia Sedha, Allerton High School and Shadwell Cricket Club, in third. Greenway’s design of the competition worked perfectly, as competitors needed to execute their skills under pressure to win, just like in matches. Reynolds receives a custom handmade bat, a 12-month kit sponsorship with Kookaburra, one-to-one coaching with top internationals, a training day with a professional women’s cricket team and media training with a leading sports PR agency following her victory and will head up to the Kookaburra factory in December. The future is very bright for the teenager, who is in her final year of sixth form, and the plan is to further her cricketing education at university. “I’ve always wanted to take my cricket as far as it can possibly go. Hopefully I’ll be going to university next year, near a first-class county I hope! “I’ve been looking at Loughborough, Birmingham and Chichester, all places linked to counties where I can play cricket at a higher level.” Greenway told The Cricketer: “It would be great if we could unearth a gem,” and in Reynolds The 1 have certainly done that. With the profile of women’s cricket soaring in the past few years, and more professional opportunities than ever before, it is well worth keeping an eye on her. To register your interest in entering The 1 2022, visit www.girlscricketclub.com/the-one

TOP 100 SENIOR SCHOOLS

BEDE’S SENIOR SCHOOL Upper Dicker, East Sussex BN27 3QH Established 1978 Number of pupils 760 Director of cricket Alan Wells Professionals Neil Lenham (Sussex), Sarah Taylor (England), Petch Lenham Teams 15 - boys 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, U17, U16, U15AB, U14AB; girls 1st XI, 2nd XI, U17, U15, U14, junior girls Girls’ cricket Bede’s run a full girls’ programme headed up by former England international Sarah Taylor. Girls from first years through to U18s take part in indoor and outdoor friendlies, shields and cup competitions. Elite girls train and at times play with the boys’ teams from Prep School level until the 1st XI How has cricket bounced back Online skills and strength & conditioning training during lockdown to keep pupils active and involved in sport. A full fixture list was fulfilled in 2021 and the online sessions helped Bede’s bounce back from lockdown Fixtures 1st XI, 2nd XI, A and B teams

play 10 fixtures, plus additional cup matches. Most notable fixtures are Eton, Tonbride and MCC Facilities 8 outdoor artificial nets, 6 indoor nets, 4 grounds, cricket pavilion Club/county affiliation Close links with Sussex CCC Best prospects Archie Lenham and Dan Ibrahim. Both boys made their 1st XI debuts for Sussex in 2021. Archie, a leg-spinner and top-order batter, made 19 appearances across all three formats. Allrounder Dan became the youngest half-centurion in County Championship history, scoring 55 against Yorkshire on debut aged 16. PCA Young Player of the Year, Alice Capsey, who won silverware with South East Stars and Oval Invincibles in 2021, and left-arm seamer Freya Kemp (England Women’s academy) Cricketers of note Ollie Rayner (Sussex, Middlesex & Kent), Luke Wells (Sussex & Lancashire), Callum Jackson (Sussex & Kent), Fynn Hudson-Prentice (Sussex & Derbyshire), Delray Rawlins (Sussex), Shai Hope (West Indies) Brief history Bede’s are a nationally recognised school. The 1st XI (boys) have won the County Langdale Cup

nine times in 12 years, the U17 boys were national runners-up in 2019, the U15 boys were national champions in 2018. The U15 girls were double national champions in 2019 What sets the school apart? The unique cricket programme run by ex-professional and international

cricketers. Training and competitive opportunities are available all year round to players of all levels, from participation to elite, and for boys and girls Finest moment Joe Sarro’s hat-trick against Millfield in the semi-final of the U17 National Cup Recent progress Producing two professional Sussex debutants at age 16 (Lenham and Ibrahim) plus Sussex first XI debuts for Ali Orr, Joe Sarro and Henry Crocombe; Sarah Taylor, Freya Kemp and Alice Capsey securing Hundred contracts Future plans Upgrade facilities with two new grounds Tours 1st XI tour to Barbados or Cape Town, depending on restrictions thecricketer.com | 17

TOP 100 SENIOR SCHOOLS

BEDFORD SCHOOL

BEDFORD SCHOOL De Parys Avenue, Bedford, Bedfordshire MK40 2TU Founded 1552 Number of pupils 700 Director of cricket Gary Steer (Derbyshire) Teams 16 teams - 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, 4th XI, 5th XI, U16ABC, U15ABCD. U14ABCD Fixtures Approximately 185 fixtures are played across all teams with notable fixtures against MCC, Harrow, Eton, Oundle and Oakham Facilities 8 grass nets, 10 artificial nets, 6 indoor nets Club/county affiliations Bedfordshire Cricket Board and Bedfordshire Schools Cricket Association Best prospect The school currently has two boys on county academy programmes. Charlie Mumford is a wicketkeeper/batsman and is with Hampshire, and Rohan Mehmi, a batsman/seamer, is with Northamptonshire. Both boys have already played a significant amount of 2nd XI county cricket and both played in the Bunbury Festival. Charlie played in the equivalent of Bunbury at U17s this summer, while Rohan was the school’s 1st XI captain for 2021.

Director of cricket Gary Steer

Cricketers of note Sir Alastair Cook (Essex & England), Alex Wakely (Northants), James Kettleborough (Northants, Glamorgan & Derbyshire), Will Smith (Nottinghamshire, Durham & Hampshire), Toby Bailey (Northants), Ian Peck (Northants), Emilio Gay (Northants), William Weighell (Sussex), William Woof (Gloucestershire), Herbert Orr (Western Australia), Ralph Joyce, Francis Joyce (both

www.bedfordschool.org.uk 18 | thecricketer.com

Leicestershire), William Sime CMG MBE QC (Nottinghamshire), Brian Disbury (Kent), Percy Christopherson (Kent), Michael Allen (Northants & Derbyshire), Robin Boyd-Moss (Northants), Adrian Shankar (Worcestershire), Charlie Thurston (Northants) Brief history Records go back to 1886 but it is in recent years that Bedford has become one of the leading cricket schools. The school won the national U17 tournament in 2010 and 2014. The Alastair Cook Room in the refurbished pavilion is a daily reminder of his inspiration What sets the school apart? Steer was academy director at Warwickshire for many years and understands the system and requirements to make it in county cricket. Emilio Gay

He knows what it takes for a schoolboy to convert their form into the professional game and can guide them through Finest moment Winning the national U17 cup on two occasions (2010 and 2014) Recent progress The winter programme has been well attended by boys of all ability levels. The highlights were arguably the Masterclass sessions with the former and current professional players as follows: wicketkeeping – Adam Rossington (Middlesex & Northants), pace bowling – Lloyd Tennant (Leicestershire & Essex), batting – James Kettleborough, spin bowling – Peter Willey (Leicestershire, Northants & England). The sports hall at Bedford School has a new floor and new grass pitches have been added to the 1st and 2nd XI squares to help meet the demands of the cricket programme Future plans The school plans to install new artificial surfaces in the net area Tours In 2017, two U15 and an U18 team toured Dubai. There were plans for an U17 and an U15 team to tour Trinidad & Tobago over Easter 2020. However, due to the pandemic, the tour was cancelled

Admission Team: 01234 362216

Bedford School is part of The Harpur Trust

That they be good men. We reward sporting talent. Bedford School has an enviable cricket tradition and offers a wealth of expert coaching in addition to specialist masterclasses from former professional players. All boys receive 1:2 coaching as standard as part of their games lessons, and scholars receive a personalised fitness programme, sports psychology support and theory sessions. Scholarships and bursaries worth up to 100% of fees are possible for talented boys aged 13+ and 16+. Visit our website or email admissions@bedfordschool.org.uk to find out more.

bedfordschool.org.uk Boarding and day for boys aged 7-18 thecricketer.com | 19

TOP 100 SENIOR SCHOOLS

BERKHAMSTED SCHOOL

BERKHAMSTED SCHOOL Castle Campus, Castle Street, Berkhamsted HP4 2BB Established 1541 Number of pupils 1,500 Head of cricket George Campbell (Sussex), supported by Jason Rance (Buckinghamshire Cricket Board head coach) Teams 19 boys – 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, U17, U15ABC, U14ABC, U13ABCD, U12ABCD; 11 girls – 1st XI, U15, U14, U13ABCD, U12ABCD How has cricket bounced back With fewer restrictions, the school completed a full summer fixture card in 2021 Post-pandemic changes Berkhamsted played a number of fixtures last September which were extremely popular and something the school will pursue Fixtures 212 fixtures were played last season, including matches against MCC, Stowe, Buckinghamshire U17 and Merchant Taylors’ Northwood Facilities 10 grass squares, 3 grass nets, 5 outdoor all-weather nets and 6 lane indoor nets Club/county affiliations Buckinghamshire CB partnership school, Berkhamsted CC Best prospect Bethan Miles is in the England academy training squad and represents South East Stars and Buckinghamshire Women. She is a left-arm spinner and righthanded middle-order batter as well as an ambidextrous fielder. She played a full season in the first XI in 2021, recording best bowling figures of 5 for 10 against Buckinghamshire CB U17s Cricketers of note Derek Morgan – captained Derbyshire in 1965, became the first Derbyshire player to score 10,000 runs and take 1,000 wickets; Anna Nicholls (Yorkshire Diamonds 2016-17) Brief history Cricket has a long history at the school. The first published school magazine in 1880 recorded 10 matches that season, including home and away against Berkhamsted Brewery. Former

Head of cricket George Campbell

Derbyshire player Alf Pope - a member of the 1936 County Championship-winning side - was the professional and groundsman at the school for 20 years in the 1960s and 1970s Cultural cricketers James Rodwell (head coach England Sevens), Will Fraser (Saracens and England Saxons), Sir Robin Knox-Johnson (British sailor and the first person to perform a single-handed nonstop circumnavigation of the globe) What sets the school apart? A new cricket pavilion has transformed the 1st XI ground with wonderful views across

the playing fields from the balcony. Buckinghamshire play a number of fixtures at the school, including the Bucks Senior Women’s team. Campbell spent many winters in Tasmania playing and coaching and remains in close touch with Tim Paine Finest moment 2019 was an excellent season with the U17 side reaching the last-16 of the Cricket Paper National U17 Cup; the U15 girls team made the quarter-finals of the National U15 Cup Recent progress The growth of girls’ cricket, with 11 teams playing regular Saturday fixtures. The school’s links with Buckinghamshire CB are also firmly embedded in the cricket programme, allowing pupils of all abilities to receive specialist coaching Future plans Create another three pitches on the playing fields to provide more opportunities for students Tours Hopefully Sri Lanka in 2023. The U17, U16 and U15s spent 12 days there in Easter 2019, playing 15 matches

Scholarships available at 11+, 13+ and 16+ • berkhamsted.com • admissions@berkhamsted.com • 01442 358001 20 | thecricketer.com

Developing Remarkable People Since 1541

Discover more about Cricket at Berkhamsted Scholarships available for 11+, 13+ and 16+ entry

berkhamsted.com/cricket-at-berkhamsted/ Located in a Chiltern Hills market town only 32 mins by train from Euston

TOP 100 SENIOR SCHOOLS

BISHOP’S STORTFORD COLLEGE

BISHOP’S STORTFORD COLLEGE 10 Maze Green, Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire CM23 2PJ Established 1868 Number of pupils 1,128 Master in charge Dave Hughes (head of cricket, head of strength and conditioning, PE teacher) Teams Boys: 1st XI, 2nd XI, U15ABC, U14ABC. Girls: U15AB, U14AB Girls’ cricket All girls from U8 to U15 do cricket in P.E. as a main sport. From next year, cricket will be offered to U16, U17, U18 Post-pandemic changes Adapted elite winter programme to allow more pupils to attend these sessions within year-group bubbles. Bishop’s Stortford ran squad training for 1st and 2nd XI in year-group bubbles (U16/U17/U18), with the different groups rotating between three separate activities (cage on the square, nets and fielding) during a

Master in charge Dave Hughes single session Fixtures 60 matches, with an annual fixture against MCC Facilities 3 main squares, 18 artificial outdoor nets, 2 mobile net cages, 2 indoor nets plus 10 shared training/ match pitches Club/county affiliation Hertfordshire CCC use the main square for one-day and two-day representative matches. Bishop’s Stortford CC (Herts Premier League) offer the opportunity for boys and girls to play local club cricket. Pupils play for Hertfordshire and Essex at various age-group levels. Essex CCC’s head scout, John Childs, attends summer fixtures while Luke Humphrey (Herts and Essex Cricket Centre) holds regular holiday training camps and coaching sessions Best prospect William CutlanSmyth (year 13 in 2021/22), first XI captain and Essex academy Cricketers of note Graham Doggart (Middlesex & MCC), Charles Titchmarsh played for MCC in Tests against New Zealand (1922/23) and West Indies (1923) Brief history The Doggart Pavilion was opened in 1933 – noted for its modern architectural style – and was presented by the Doggart family. The outfield square for the 1st XI is one of the best in the region, having previously been used for international hockey matches until the 1970s Cultural cricketers Sir Stephen

Lander, former director-general of MI5, played 1st XI cricket for Bishop’s Stortford. Andy Peebles, former Radio 1 DJ and Top of the Pops presenter in the 1980s, developed a life-long love of cricket while at the college and is a passionate advocate of college cricket What sets the school apart? Bishop’s Stortford offers sports scholarships plus an elite cricket programme throughout the offseason. Three practice sessions per week are complemented by tailored strength and conditioning programmes for all players involved.

Regular overseas 1st XI pre-season tours to Cape Town (last during Easter 2018) Finest moment The college was the first UK school to tour Sri Lanka in 1985/86; played in the inaugural Sir Garfield Sobers International Cricket Schools Festival in Barbados Recent progress Uptake of girls’ cricket, especially the growing fixture list Future plans Develop and enhance the college’s strong links with Essex CCC Tours Cape Town in spring 2022, if restrictions allow

www.bishopsstortfordcollege.org

Senior School/Sixth Form Admissions to Mrs Christine Stanley on admissions@bishopsstortfordcollege.org

Further information can be found in this section of our website bishopsstortfordcollege.org/187/admissions-and-open-mornings 22 | thecricketer.com

TOP 100 SENIOR SCHOOLS

BRADFIELD COLLEGE // BRENTWOOD SCHOOL

BRENTWOOD SCHOOL

BRADFIELD COLLEGE Bradfield, Berkshire RG7 6AU Established 1850 Number of pupils 812 Master in charge Mike Hill, supported by 1st XI coach Charlie Ellison Professional Julian Wood (Hampshire) Teams 19 teams – boys 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, 4th XI, 5th XI, U17, U16AB, U15ABC, U14ABCD; girls 1st XI, 2nd XI; junior AB Girls’ cricket Girls choose between cricket or tennis as their major sport option How has cricket bounced back Bradfield College have created new teams and fixtures due to increased demand for cricket, both boys and girls Fixtures Around 170 fixtures from T20 to a two-day declaration fixture against Malvern. National competitions are entered for boys and girls at 1st XI, U17, U15 and U14s Facilities 5 indoor nets, 10 astroturf nets 15 grass nets, 6 grass squares and 3 all-weather strips Club/county affiliations Strong links with Berkshire and Hampshire who regularly use the college’s facilities. Julian Wood works with county coaches to support each individual’s progress Best prospect Sheridon Gumbs, who played for Surrey 2nd XI in 2021 and hit four centuries for the college’s first XI, including 150* against the MCC Cricketers of note Graham Roope is the only old boy to have played Test cricket. Ryan Higgins (England U19, Middlesex & Gloucestershire), Harry Came (Derbyshire), Gus 24 | thecricketer.com

Atkinson (Surrey) and Lauren Bell (Southern Vipers, Southern Brave & Middlesex) have joined the long list of OBs to have made it in professional cricket. The college is proud to have contributed half of the Berkshire Minor Counties 1st XI in some recent fixtures Brief history The cricket club’s aim is to foster a lifelong love of the game for all of the boys and girls who play while providing the opportunity for the strongest cricketers to work towards a career in the game. Pit is the spiritual home of cricket at Bradfield. It was created from an old chalk quarry in 1927; Ted Dexter ranked only Lord’s and Radley higher. A 15-year-old Sachin Tendulkar cleared the River Pang, and young Indian batting sensation Privthi Shaw, who spent a summer at Bradfield in 2013, is forging his own career Cultural cricketers Commentator Mark Nicholas captained the Bradfield XI before enjoying a long career with Hampshire What sets the school apart? Julian Wood works with the leading batters around the world through his Power Hitting programme and is a batting consultant for the England teams Finest moment Victory at the HMC T20 Finals Day at Wormsley; the girls XI had their first fixture against MCC in 2021 Recent progress Growth in participation post-lockdown and the progress made with the quality of the cricket played by the girls’ teams Future plans Continued investment in the school’s facilities and coach education Tours A mixed U14/U15 squad to Dubai every other year. The 1st XI will travel to Spain in 2022 for pre-season

nets plus access to a local indoor cricket centre, 6 outdoor nets plus 2 roll-on nets, 4 senior pitches Middleton Hall Lane, across 3 sites, and 1 grass Brentwood, Essex wicket pitch. The school CM15 8EE Head of Cricket has recently partnered with Andrew Nolan Brentwood CC, gaining Established 1557 access to an additional 2 Number of pupils 1,640 squares, 2 outdoor nets and Head of cricket a senior pitch Ollie Prior (outgoing), Club/county affiliation Andrew Nolan (incoming) Essex CCC, Brentwood CC Professional Jaik Best prospect Jack Levy Mickleburgh (Essex) was the 1st XI’s leading Teams 18 – boys 1st XI, wicket-taker for three 2nd XI, U15ABC, U14ABC, Cricket seasons and captain for U13ABC, U12ABC; girls U15, Professional one. He came through the U14, U13, U12 Jaik Mickleburgh Essex age-groups and now Girls’ cricket Brentwood trains with the academy offer girls-only indoor practices and Cricketers of note Stanley Scott an academy during the winter while (Middlesex), Rishi Patel (Essex & also entering the Lady Taverners Leicestershire), Charles Kortright, indoor competition. In the summer Colin Griffiths, Graham Horrex, David they enter U13 and U15 teams in the Acfield, Richard Baker, Max Osborne, Essex Cup, host a girls’ cricket festival, Ian Pont, Kishen Velani, Thomas play local games and enter the MidMoore (all Essex) Essex League. Cricket is available as Brief history Brentwood has a strong an afternoon games activity cricketing history, with many exHow has cricket bounced back pupils providing good competition for The school put on a September the 1st XI when they play their yearly cricket programme featuring internal fixture. The school has achieved matches for A and B team players much county cup success and and lunchtime training sessions. reached the latter stages of national The winter academy pre-season competitions programme attracted over 150 Cultural cricketers Jack Straw, participants while at Easter they ran a Frank Lampard full outdoor pre-season. Brentwood What sets the school apart? A fulfilled a full fixture schedule in 2021 winter academy for all pupils and Post-pandemic changes The year-round 1:1 coaching for the top programme was altered to cater for players in each year group. Pros like year-group bubbles, with the 1st XI Adam Wheater, Paul Walter and Sam splitting into U16, U17 and U18 Cook (all Essex) have come to coach Fixtures 150 fixtures, including Finest moment U19 Essex Cup finals matches against Framlingham College, Ipswich School, Felsted, New days in 2019 hosted at Brentwood. In the semi-final Brentwood won thanks Hall and The Leys School. The endto an excellent 80 from Robin Das. of-season festival features matches They went on to win the final against Oundle, Abingdon and St Future plans Hoping to build a new John’s Leatherhead. Brentwood also indoor cricket centre and provide play the MCC on speech day. Girls more girls with opportunities for - Lady Tavs indoor competition and competitive cricket T20 national U15 competition Tours UAE in 2022 Facilities Indoor sports hall with 4

BRIGHTON ALDRIDGE COMMUNITY ACADEMY

BRIGHTON ALDRIDGE COMMUNITY ACADEMY Lewes Road, Brighton BN1 9PW Established 2010 Number of pupils 950 Director of cricket Alexia Walker (Sussex and England Women) Professionals Georgia Adams (Southern Vipers & Oval Invincibles), John Spencer (volunteer coach; Sussex), Sussex cricket staff: James Kirtley, Ian Salisbury, Jason Swift and Richard Halsall Teams 3 for boys up to Year 10; 2 for girls; 2 in sixth form (Aldridge Cricket Academy) Girls’ cricket The school’s Sir Rod Aldridge Cricket Centre is the home of Sussex Women & Girls. If good enough, girls can play with the boys: 4 have played for the 1st XI. Recent graduate Tara Norris is a member of Sussex Women, Southern Vipers and Southern Brave. The MCC

Foundation Hub and Aldridge Girls Project Hub, which are based at the school, are open to girls in the local area How has cricket bounced back The school was able to offer cricket, including fitness, skills and nutrition guidance, throughout the winter. The summer programme featured a range of fixtures, including Sussex Martlets at Arundel Castle and the annual MCC fixture Post-pandemic changes Outdoor cricket continued into September/October to provide more opportunities for matches, training and technical and tactical development assessments Fixtures 12 summer fixtures for Aldridge Cricket Academy plus an annual MCC fixture Facilities The Sir Rod Aldridge Cricket Centre – three lane hall with full run-ups, two BOLA machines and

a BOLA Merlyn; full strength and conditioning room; physio room. Full grass square with 12 grass wickets and one artificial wicket, now managed on a full-time basis by Sussex Cricket ground staff Club/county affiliation Sussex CCC, Southern Vipers, St Peters CC Best prospect Frankie Cripps (year 11). In 2021, he made his 1st XI debut for the sixth form team aged 14, made his Sussex Academy debut and was a substitute fielder for Sussex 2nd XI Cricketers of note Keith Greenfield (Sussex 1987-99, performance director at Sussex), Will Sheffield (Sussex), Tara Norris (Southern Vipers, Southern Brave & England

Academy), Liam O’Brien (England Physical Disability) Brief history The vision for cricket was driven by Sir Rod Aldridge and delivered in close partnership with Sussex Cricket. The initial work involved installing a high-quality cricket square as well as developing a programme which allows students to train, and play cricket regularly What sets the school apart? The partnership with Sussex Cricket. With the opening of the £1.8m Sir Rod Aldridge Cricket Centre, BACA became one of the few state schools to invest significantly in cricket. ACA allows pupils to develop sporting talent and academic qualifications together. BACA is a satellite venue for Southern Vipers Recent progress The development of youth cricket for state school students; over 50 pupils involved in cricket programme from September 2022 Future plans Developing outdoor hybrid grass nets, a hybrid glass wicket and a non-turf pitch Tours Every two years. Previous destinations include Cape Town, Dubai and Galle

Outstanding education for boys and girls 13-18

One of the UK’s leading independent schools in Brentwood, Essex for boys and girls aged 3-18.

As our cricket professional, former Essex batsman Jaik Mickleburgh knows, it ’s about trust in your team, hours of practice when nobody’s watching and that hard-earned feeling of sa satisfaction. 01277 243 314

www.brentwoodschool.co.uk

@BrentwoodSch

www.charterhouse.org.uk

TOP 100 SENIOR SCHOOLS

BRIGHTON COLLEGE Eastern Road, Brighton BN2 0AL Established 1845 Number of pupils 1,185 Master in charge Mark Davis (Sussex player and coach; head of cricket) Teams 14 boys – 1st Xi, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, 4th XI, U15ABCDE, U14ABCDE; 3 girls – 1st XI, U15, U13 Girls’ cricket Brighton College enters teams into the Lady Taverners tournament during the winter and runs U13, U15 and 1st XI teams in the summer. The best girls also play in the boys’ teams How has cricket bounced back The school has developed a fantastic 3-lane indoor cricket facility in the new School of Science and Sport building, which was ready for use at the start of the term. Due to lockdown, the new facilities were unable to be used during the school’s winter programme in 2020/21. However, both the pupils and the cricket staff are excited at the prospect of having indoor facilities of their own Post-pandemic changes Year groups train together during games sessions, which has allowed for more

BRIGHTON COLLEGE

Master in charge Mark Davis specialised individual coaching. The school have set up a complete remote online cricket programme that can be accessed by players and coaches Fixtures 120 matches with notable matches against MCC, MCC Women, BOWS Cricket Week and the old boys fixture at Arundel Castle Facilities 2 grounds, 2 grass squares, 1 astroturf wicket, 9 astroturf nets, 3 grass nets, 3-lane indoor facility Club/county affiliations Sussex CCC: Brighton College use the county’s indoor centre for winter training and run a programme where pupils in the academy can use one weekly school training session to work with their coaches at the county ground Best prospect Charlie Woodage (U16) is a promising opening batter and involved in the Sussex academy. Orli Alymer (U14) is the best female cricketer, performing well in the Surrey academy programme and the school’s U14 boys team Cricketers of note Sammy Woods (Somerset, England & Australia in cricket; England rugby), Matt Prior (Sussex & England), Matt Machan (Sussex & Scotland), Carl Hopkinson, Neil Lenham (both Sussex), Joe Gatting (Sussex & Hampshire), Michael Thornely

(Sussex & Leicestershire), Malcolm Waller (Zimbabwe), Bazid Khan (Pakistan), Holly Calvin, Sarah Taylor, Laura Marsh (all England Women), Georgia Adams (Southern Vipers & England Academy), Freya Davies (South East Stars & England). Current MCC president and women’s cricket pioneer Clare Connor (Sussex & England) attended Brighton College and was the first girl to play for the 1st XI Brief history Founded in 1845 by William Aldwin Soames, Brighton College was the first independent school to be built in Sussex. Over the years, the school and its campus has evolved into an excellent co-educational facility with a strong cricketing heritage What sets the school apart? Brighton College is the most successful girls’ cricket school in the country. The cricket programme is the most comprehensive for females and the school has produced more England

Women’s cricketers than anywhere else. The boys’ programme has also produced a number of professional and international cricketers. The school’s strong relationship with Sussex CCC, most notably the sharing of indoor facilities Finest moment In June 2016, the 1st XI tied two consecutive games in the space of three days. Both fixtures (against MCC and Ardingly) were played on the same wicket Recent progress Brighton College have developed an indoor school in the basement of the new School of Science and Sport. Facilities include a state of the art strength and conditioning suite, rooftop running track, 25m swimming pool, doubleheight sports hall and a 3-lane indoor cricket facility Tours Since 2014, the school has completed a 1st XI tour of Dubai, two U15 tours of Sri Lanka, and a girls’ 1st XI tour of Sri Lanka Matt Prior

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TOP 100 SENIOR SCHOOLS

BROMSGROVE SCHOOL // CATERHAM SCHOOL

BROMSGROVE SCHOOL Worcester Road, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire B61 7DU Established 1553 Number of pupils 967 Director of cricket Dave Fallows Professionals Kelly Evenson (Staffordshire) and Phil Tongue Teams 10 senior boys teams - 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, U16, U15ABC, U14ABC Girls’ cricket U15 and U18 teams plus cricket taught in curriculum time How has cricket bounced back Cricket has been heavily hit by the pandemic with year-group bubble restrictions and limited matches. The school is looking forward to a brighter 2021-22 Post-pandemic changes End of term cricket week re-established with matches for 1st, 2nd, 3rd XIs, U16 and girls over a 10-day period to finish the term on a high. Matches and training in September have also proved popular Fixtures Fixtures were hit heavily in 2021 with many cancellations. In a typical summer, the school plays 77 fixtures, including matches

CATERHAM SCHOOL Harestone Valley Road, Caterham, Surrey CR3 6YA Established 1811 Number of pupils 1,100 Head of cricket Jonathan Batty (Surrey & Gloucestershire) – master in charge and assistant director of sport Teams 22 – 1st XI, 2nd XI, U15ABC, U14ABC, U12ABC, U12ABCD. Girls: U14, U13AB, U12ABCD Girls’ cricket Nine girls teams playing a mixture of hard and soft ball (U12 and U13). Cricket is an option during P.E. lessons in all year groups How has cricket bounced back Cricket is thriving post-lockdown, with more pupils than ever selecting it as an option in games lessons Fixtures 145, with a showpiece fixture against MCC Facilities 6 cricket squares, 5 outdoor nets, 2 roll-on net cages, 4 indoor nets in the sports hall Club/county affiliation Caterham CC uses the school’s second ground as their home ground. It has 3 28 | thecricketer.com

against the MCC, Sedbergh, Malvern Shrewsbury and Clifton Facilities 4 outdoor grass nets, 5 outdoor artificial nets, 12 indoor nets and 4 squares Club/county affiliation Worcestershire CCC, Warwickshire CCC, Bromsgrove CC, Barnt Grove CC Best prospect Year 11 Charis Pavely is involved with Worcestershire and Central Sparks, joining the club’s inaugural academy cohort in February 2021. Charis is a hard-hitting lefthanded batter and is developing into

a good left-arm spinner Cricketers of note Ben Cox (Worcestershire), Will Fraine (Yorkshire), Tom Banton (Somerset & England), Matt Lamb (Warwickshire) Brief history Bromsgrove School has a long-standing tradition of quality cricket, which sees many old boys returning to reminisce. Teams regularly reach the latter stages of national competitions. The school retains strong links with the Lyttelton family of Worcestershire whose

squares and a new £2.5m pavilion Best prospect Nathan Barnwell is a promising allrounder, batting right-handed and bowling right-arm fast. He is a Surrey academy player and has represented the 2nd XI since U15s Cricketers of note Alistair Brown (England, Surrey and Nottinghamshire), David Sales (England A and Northamptonshire),

James Benning (Surrey and Leicestershire) Brief history Caterham has produced some outstanding cricket talent over the years and regularly has representatives in the Surrey schools squad. Cricket is the main summer sport for boys and matches are played every Saturday across all age groups. Home Field is a truly magnificent setting for cricket

family seat is Hagley Hall Cultural cricketers Christopher Cobham, 12th Viscount Cobham; Ralph Lesingham Spreckley (awarded the Military Cross in WWI); Charles Whitley (awarded the Military Cross in WWI); John Taylor (former Conservative Party MP); Soweto Kinch (jazz musician and BBC Radio 3 presenter) What sets the school apart? The school boasts a 12-month cricket programme, offering both participation and excellence; an impressive fixture list with matches against the top cricket schools in the country; and an overseas tour every two years to give the players an allround cricket education. The school’s excellent cricket facilities Finest moment U17s National Champions in 2019 Recent progress Developing a winter programme for the boys and our curriculum time for the girls Future plans The development of girls cricket in the senior school, with fixtures on a Saturday in the future Tours Sadly the 2020 India tour was cancelled. All future tours are on hold

Cultural cricketers Angus Deayton (actor and comedian), Chuck Iwuji (actor), Sir John Butterfill (politician) What sets the school apart? Beautiful grounds, particularly Home Field which is set in front of the main school buildings and allows the 1st XI to draw large crowds for home fixtures. A rich cricketing history and success in producing first-class and international cricketers. Finest moment School record 427 for 5 versus Christs Hospital School in a 50-over fixture in 2015 Recent progress The continued growth of girls’ cricket in both the senior and prep schools Future plans Caterham school are looking to continue to grow girls’ cricket. Also, the school would like to progress its links with Caterham CC, who share the facilities Tours In October 2018 the 1st XI enjoyed a two-week tour of South Africa. Trips to the Caribbean and Sri Lanka are planned for the future. Annual U13 tour to Suffolk and North Essex, where they play against St Joseph’s Ipswich, New Hall and Colchester Grammar School

CHARTERHOUSE // CHELTENHAM COLLEGE

CHARTERHOUSE Charterhouse Road, Godalming, Surrey GU7 2DX Established 1611 Number of pupils 850 Director of cricket Martin Bicknell (Surrey & England) Teams 14 boys teams – 3 seniors, 2 U16, 5 U15, 4 U14 Girls’ cricket Charterhouse became a co-educational school in 2021/22. A full girls’ cricket programme will be introduced with teams starting at Year 9 How has cricket bounced back The school ran its winter nets programme as normal as preparation for the 2021 cricket season. During lockdown Charterhouse’s P.E. department created Cricket@Home documents on a weekly basis and uploaded these onto the school intranet system for pupils to access. It included video instruction and guidance from Martin Bicknell and focused on one bowling, one batting and one fielding technique each week. The Charterhouse branded content and

CHELTENHAM COLLEGE Bath Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL53 7LD Established 1841 Number of pupils 720 Master in charge Matt Coley Professional Mark Briers (Durham) Teams Boys - 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, U16, U15AMC, U14ABC;

Martin’s videos were then coupled with videos from ECB masterclasses and Sky Sports masterclasses from some of the best players in the world Fixtures The 1st XI play approximately 21 fixtures, including matches against Harrow and Eton Facilities 2 grass pitches, 2 astroturf pitches, 15 astroturf net wickets plus in an indoor sports centre with 4 lanes Best prospect Fast bowler Oliver Sheen (graduated 2020) is a member of the Surrey academy and represented the 2nd XI in the 2nd XI Championship in 2018. He is also involved in Durham University’s Centre of Cricketing Excellence. Luke Griffiths (Surrey) is an allrounder who is capable of bowling very quickly and decimating an opposition’s bowling attack with the bat Cricketers of note Peter May (Surrey and England), James Hamblin (Hampshire), Gregor MacMillan (Leicestershire), James Bovill (Hampshire) Brief history Charterhouse is known for its hard and true pitch. The school has produced many famous players, most notably former England captain

(football journalist and Peter May. The pitch is writer) next to the school and Finest moment HMC T20 the chapel, with woods finalists in 2018 on two other sides. The Recent progress The school hosted a John Player school’s facilities have League match between Director been upgraded to county Surrey and Warwickshire of cricket standard, including the in 1972. Cricket has been Martin Bicknell nets and 1st XI square. played at Charterhouse Charterhouse also offer a since 1839 prominent prep school programme, Cultural cricketers Jeremy Hunt tournaments and masterclasses (MP, South West Surrey), Lord Future plans Developing girls’ Baden Powell (soldier and founder of cricket at the school from the 2021/22 the Scouts), Robert Graves (poet), academic year Peter O’Sullevan (horse racing Tours Cape Town in December 2019 commentator), Brian Glanville

girls – U15 and U14 Girls’ cricket Cricket is a sports option for girls in summer term. They run an U15 and U14 side who have eight fixtures over the term How has cricket bounced back The lack of competition earlier in the academic year caused the number of pupils choosing to play cricket to increase, which has enabled the school to broaden its fixture programme Post-pandemic changes Cheltenham are looking to continue giving pupils the option to play cricket in their games sessions in Autumn term as happened in 2020. More 1:1 outdoor coaching in September added huge value to the cricket programme Fixtures Over 100 fixtures, including against Radley, Bradfield, Marlborough, St Edward’s Oxford and Winchester. MCC visit

annually and the college play a twoday fixture against Haileybury Facilities 5 cricket squares plus the square dedicated for the Cheltenham Cricket Festival. Double sports hall with 8 indoor nets, 4 artificial nets and 4 grass nets. Use of Cheltenham Prep School sports hall with 4 nets Club/county affiliation Gloucestershire CCC, Charlton Kings CC Best prospect Will Gilderson (Gloucestershire EPP): a talented opening bowler and middle-order batter. He was an integral part of the South-West U15 side who were unbeaten at the Bunbury Festival (2019) Cricketers of note Josh Dell (Worcestershire), Oliver Soames (Hampshire and Dorset), Mike Cawdron, Dom Hewson (both Gloucestershire) Brief history Played on by some of the greats, WG Grace took 12 for 73 in the 1872 Gloucestershire versus Surrey game and then in 1877 took 17 for 89 against Notts, having scored the first-ever triple-hundred, 318 not out, the previous season. Wally Hammond set a world record on the

ground, taking 10 catches in an innings as a fielder, and also scored a ton in each innings against Surrey in 1928 Cultural cricketers Simon Danelli (Ulster and Scotland rugby), Nick Abendanon (Bath, Clermont, and England rugby) What sets the school apart? Gloucestershire CCC say: “We have been playing in the stunning grounds of Cheltenham College for more than 140 years. The ground’s idyllic setting has provided a perfect backdrop for the festival throughout its history, a great attraction for cricket fans, new supporters and cricketing stars” Finest moment Winning the ARCH trophy in the UAE in 2019. The 1st XI were unbeaten against school opposition in 2012, winning 12 successive matches Recent progress The introduction of girls’ cricket as a full sporting option in summer term. The number of Year 13 pupils continuing to play cricket after their assessments Future plans To plan a new outdoor net facility and build on the number of girls playing at Cheltenham Tours Due to tour again in 2022 thecricketer.com | 29

TOP 100 SENIOR SCHOOLS

CLAYESMORE SCHOOL

Head of cricket Dan Conway

CLAYESMORE SCHOOL Blandford Road, Iwerne Minster, Dorset DT11 8LL Established 1896 Number of pupils 400 Head of cricket Dan Conway (Oxford MCCU, Herefordshire & Yorkshire 2nd XI) Teams Boys: 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, 4th XI, U15ABC, U14ABC. Girls: U18 Girls’ cricket U18 team enters National T20 and Dorset competitions, and trains from October to July. Girls can play for boys’ teams. How has cricket bounced back The winter programme resumed in September 2020 with skills sessions and strength and conditioning. Online skills and fitness sessions were provided during January’s lockdown. The school ran half-term/Easter courses to give students access to cricket during the holidays Post-pandemic changes

Introduced an extra cricket slot in the activity programme to counteract lost sessions Fixtures Around 90, including a match against MCC to open the annual cricket week in summer term Facilities 4 pitches, 11 grass nets, 3 artificial nets and 4 indoor lanes. Plans are in place for 4 more artificial outdoor nets Club/county affiliations Dorset CCC, Hampshire CCC, Bournemouth CC, Shroton CC Best prospect Will Tripcony (righthanded top-order bat) and Josh Parsons (top-order bat, swing bowler) both appeared in Dorset’s National Counties squad. Year 9 pupils Finn Gordon (left-handed top-order bat) and Thomas Whiting (right-handed allrounder) are associated with Dorset Cricketers of note JWA Stephenson

(Essex and Worcestershire), George Reynolds-Brown (Essex), Lewis McManus (England U19 and Hampshire) Brief history Cricket has been played at Clayesmore since the school’s foundation in 1896. The alumni society has, for the past 60+ years, run an annual cricket week, enabling ex-students to reunite and take on former adversaries Cultural cricketers Anthony Allen (Gloucester, Leicester Tigers and England rugby), Shannon Falcone (Americas Cup winner), Tom Hicks (author, Oxford MCCU), Tony Hart (artist) What sets the school apart? Cricket at Clayesmore is very inclusive and open to pupils of all ages. The links with Bournemouth and Shroton enable students to link up with local clubs. The cricket

www.clayesmore.com

programme runs from October to July, featuring morning and evening sessions that focus on skills, strength and conditioning, psychology and nutrition. The school regularly reaches the latter stages of county competitions, recently winning county titles from U14 to seniors, while the five-day cricket week at the end of the year is a wonderful way to end the term Finest moment Beating MCC in a close game in front of a full staffroom and packed bank full of parents. The girls team winning the county cup Recent progress Maintaining the cricket programme through lockdown and offering holiday sessions to give the students opportunities to continue their development Future plans New pavilion planned. Building on links with Bournemouth and Shroton and developing the students’ coaching skills so the school can give back to the community Tours Winter fitness camp in Club La Santa (December 2021)

Admissions: 01747 813 111 • General Enquiries: admissions@clayesmore.com Senior Admissions: Rhona Rutherford rhona@clayesmore.com 30 | thecricketer.com

7 CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF CRICKETING EXCELLENCE

We are delighted to be awarded Top 100 cricketing schools for 2022. Congratulations to our talented cricketers and coaching staff.

01747 813 111 • Email: admissions@clayesmore.com

TOP 100 SENIOR SCHOOLS

CLIFTON COLLEGE 32 College Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 3JH Established 1862 Number of pupils 750 Director of cricket John Bobby Professional Jim Williams (Glamorgan and Wales) Teams Boys: 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, U15ABC, U14ABC; girls: U18 and U15 Girls’ cricket In 2021, the U15 team qualified for the National U15 Finals How has cricket bounced back Many pupils wanted to play cricket after being starved of competitive sport for most of the year Post-pandemic changes The college played a full programme of cricket in September 2020. Having proved popular, Clifton are looking to make autumn cricket a fixture of the sports schedule Fixtures Fixtures are held every Saturday and national competitions are entered at all levels. Notable fixtures include King’s College Taunton, Millfield, and Malvern College Facilities 10-lane outdoor cricket school. 4-lane indoor net facility, 6 outdoor grounds, 1st XI ground – The Close Club/county affiliation Gloucestershire CCC, Somerset CCC, Glamorgan CCC. There are currently 7 pupils in the Gloucestershire academy Best prospect Gloucestershire academy: Will Naish (allrounder), Olly Meadows (lefthanded opening batter), Ryan Kilmister (leftarm orthodox spinner). Glamorgan academy: Ben Kellaway (allrounder) Cricketers of note James Kirtley (England and Sussex), Jim Williams, Prem Sisodiya (both Glamorgan), Matt Windows, Dom Goodman 32 | thecricketer.com

(both Gloucestershire) Brief history Clifton College has produced numerous first-class cricketers and enjoys strong links with Gloucestershire, Somerset and Glamorgan. Cricket is a main summer sport for boys with the college boasting a well-established and extensive list of 50-over, T20 and declaration matches Cultural cricketers John Cleese played for the 1st XI What sets the school apart? The cricket facilities are exceptional. Clifton 1st XI pitch, The Close, is located within the heart of the college and is one of the finest cricket grounds in the country. There are four ex-first-class cricketers on the coaching staff (Paul Romaines, Reggie Williams, James Averis and Jim Williams). The college recently introduced a High Performance Programme for sixth form cricketers who benefit from weekly one-toone winter coaching sessions and strength and conditioning sessions. “There is a proud tradition of cricket at Clifton and at the moment cricket sits on the crest of a wave in terms of player quality and depth of talent,” said John Bobby Finest moment A brilliant twowicket win over King’s College Taunton in the last 16 of the 2021 National U17 competition Recent progress Being able to continue with cricket during challenging and difficult times and give the pupils a degree of normality in their lives Future plans Providing September cricket as it was a really positive experience in 2020. One cricket ground will be maintained throughout the summer to allow this to happen Tours Clifton College hope to tour Sri Lanka in February 2022. Previous destinations have included United Arab Emirates, Barbados, St Lucia and St Vincent

CLIFTON COLLEGE // CRANLEIGH SCHOOL

CRANLEIGH SCHOOL Horseshoe Lane, Cranleigh, Surrey GU6 8QQ Established 1865 Number of pupils 680 Master in charge Alex Forsdike Director of cricket Stuart Welch Teams 14 teams - boys: 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, 4th XI, 5th XI, U15ABC, U14ABC; girls: U18, U15, U14 Girls’ cricket All year 9 and 10 girls play cricket while the 1st XI play the MCC each year How has cricket bounced back Uptake in summer 2021 has been the biggest ever and the cricket club is thriving. Hannah Jones (captain of Surrey) has joined the coaching team to help both elite boys and girls and the recreational players Post-pandemic changes The school have introduced online coaching programmes, split agegroup training and new shorter format games Fixtures 1st XI play up to 15 fixtures, A and B teams play around nine matches. Notable fixtures include MCC, Wellington College, Tonbridge, Whitgift and Charterhouse Facilities Dedicated 2-lane indoor school to increase the capacity for coaching at all times of year and in all-weather plus further 3 indoor net bays in the sports hall for winter training. 5 cricket squares, 13 artificial outdoor nets and 4-bay net area (new April 2019) Club/county affiliation Surrey CCC,

Cranleigh CC, Glebelands School Best prospect Tom Lawes and Yousef Majid (both Surrey academy). Yousef made his Surrey 2nd XI debut in May 2021, posting figures of 3 for 45 against Sussex in the 2nd XI Championship (including the wickets of Jofra Archer and Oli Carter) Cricketers of note Stuart Meaker (Surrey and Sussex), Ollie Pope (England and Surrey), Michael Burgess (Leicestershire, Sussex, and Warwickshire) Brief history Harry Calder was Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1916 – the only person to win the award having never played first-class cricket. He played for the 1st XI for 5 years and captained for 3 years Cultural cricketers Anthony Ainley (Dr Who’s The Master), EW Swanton (BBC, Telegraph and long-time editorial director of The Cricketer) Finest moment In 2014, Cranleigh won the Cricketer Cup for the first time in the school’s history and became the first Surrey school to win the National U15 Cup (formerly known as the Lord’s Taverners Trophy) Recent progress The increase in girls playing and taking up cricket. It’s now a major summer sport for the girls and Hannah Jones is a member of the coaching team Future plans A new six-bay net area is planned for the coming year Tours Every two years, Cranleigh take a team of year 10, 11 and 12 pupils on tour. Recent destinations include Sri Lanka (2019), South Africa (2017) and India (2015)

DENSTONE COLLEGE // DOLLAR ACADEMY

DENSTONE COLLEGE

least one 2-day fixture per year Facilities Grass nets, indoor nets, a net on the main square, five cricket squares and a new 6-lane all-weather facility, each with a bowling machine Club/county affiliations Close links with Staffordshire CCC and Derbyshire CCC, both of whom play matches at the school. Several pupils are involved in Staffordshire or Derbyshire’s performance pathways Cricketers of note Denstone has produced 29 first-class cricketers, including Aneesh Kapil (Worcestershire and Surrey), Harvey

Hosein, Rob Hemmings and Greg Cork (all Derbyshire), and one international player – Jeremy Snape (Northamptonshire, Gloucestershire, Leicestershire and England) Brief history Cricket is integral to the life of the school since its foundation in 1873. The Denstone 1st XI pitch is at the heart of the school and right beside the chapel which has helped maintain the popularity and success of the game at the school Cultural cricketers Alastair Hignell (Gloucestershire CCC & Bristol and England Rugby), Arthur Berry

(England footballer and Olympic gold medallist) What sets the school apart? All of Staffordshire and Derbyshire boys and girls age-groups have played at the school up to U15. Denstone hosts the ECB Super 4s Midlands trials, Midlands U15 matches and county 2nd XI cricket. In an era in which schools cricket continues to struggle to find a place due to exams and the changing habits of children, the sport is flourishing at Denstone Finest moment In 2012, the U15 XI beat Tonbridge to be crowned national champions after previously reaching the final the year before Future plans The school began to welcome pupils from the age of four from September 2021, opening up new avenues for coaching and player development. Denstone is also looking to offer cricket masterclasses on Saturdays and hopes to host a Derbyshire 1st XI fixture within the next five years Tours Previous destinations include Sri Lanka in 2017 and the UAE in 2019. The school hopes to return to Sri Lanka post-Covid

girls’ teams at U12 and U15 as well as offering girls’ cricket during the PE curriculum How has cricket bounced back Internal matches were staged in 2021 but unfortunately, due to the school’s location, Dollar were unable to play inter-school fixtures. Two matches were also held against Dollar CC and one versus Rectors XI. A record number of pupils participated in cricket last year with around 200 pupils attending matches Post-pandemic changes Coaching videos outlining batting, fielding and bowling practices for pupils to complete in their own garden were produced and used as part of the ongoing P.E. curriculum Fixtures 13 1st XI fixtures plus the National T20 Cup. Notable fixtures

include MCC, Merchiston Castle School, Glenalmond College, and Fettes Facilities Dollar is set in a stunning 70-acre campus featuring 3 grass pitches, 1 astroturf pitch, several outdoor nets (both grass and artificial) and a large indoor facility with 5 nets Club/county affiliations Stirling CC, Kinross CC, Perth Doocot CC, Falkland CC and Clackmannanshire CC. Scotland Women and U19 frequently train at the school Best prospect Jamie Cairns: a toporder batter and left-arm spinner. He was part of the Scotland U19 squad for the recent U19 World Cup and plays Scottish Premier League cricket for Grange CC Cricketers of note Bryn Lockie (Scotland and Carlton), Ross Mitchinson (Scotland), Kari Carswell (ex-senior ladies captain) Brief history Cricket is one of the main sports at Dollar Academy, with the school offering regular competitive play to all pupils. Dollar has outstanding facilities and firstclass coaching, including frequent visits from international cricketers.

Cricket is predominantly played in the summer term although there are preseason net practices for the senior boys in the autumn and spring and indoor practice in the spring Cultural cricketers John Barclay (Scotland rugby) played two seasons in the 1st XI What sets the school apart? Cricket at Dollar is played in one of the most picturesque settings in Scotland. It is a major summer sport with regular matches and designated practice nights for all teams throughout the summer term. The school’s facilities are regularly used by Cricket Scotland Finest moment In 2018, the U18 and U15 teams became Scottish Schools T20 champions in their respective age groups. The school shared the U18 T20 title in 2019 Recent progress Having so many new players enjoying cricket in such a difficult year Future plans Strengthening links with local clubs and Cricket Scotland to create a hub for cricket development in Central Scotland Tours Dollar hope to tour overseas in 2023 once travel restrictions ease

PAUL CARROLL

College Road, Uttoxeter ST14 5HN Established 1873 Number of pupils 620 Director of cricket Simon Guy Teams 11 boys teams and two girls teams Girls’ cricket Cricket is run all year round, both indoor and outdoor, with matches for the two girls only teams. Girls can play with the boys during Saturday block fixtures How has cricket bounced back There has been a huge interest in cricket post-lockdown and the college played matches for all age groups in September for the first time Post-pandemic changes Coaching in year groups and subsequently, bubbles. Building on 2020’s success, matches were offered during the Michaelmas term of the 2021-22 academic year Fixtures Around 110 fixtures over the course of a 10-week term. Notable matches include Shrewsbury, Malvern and Manchester Grammar as well as matches against county age-group teams. The 1st XI play at

DOLLAR ACADEMY Mylne Avenue, Dollar, Scotland FK14 7DU Established 1818 Number of pupils 1,275 Head of cricket Eddie Pollock (Scotland) Professional Peter Ross (Leeds/ Bradford MCCU) Teams 12 teams, including a mixture of hardball and softball teams for both boys and girls from U11 to U18 Girls’ cricket The school has two

thecricketer.com | 33

DULWICH COLLEGE Dulwich Common, London SE21 7LD Established 1619 Number of pupils 1,600 Master in charge Richard Coughtrie (Gloucestershire) Professional Adam Riley (Kent), James Clark Teams 45 teams ranging from U8 to U18 How has cricket bounced back The boys were desperate to return to sport after a long period without external fixtures resulting in a surge in

DUNOTTAR SCHOOL High Trees Road, Reigate, Surrey RH2 7EL Established 1926 Number of pupils 422 Director of cricket Jack Myers Teams 9 boys – 1st XI, U15, U14AB, U13AB, U12ABC; 9 girls – 1st XI, U15, U14, U13AB, U12ABC Girls’ cricket Dunottar School offers a full girls programme with the academy training from October to April on weekday mornings. Nine girls’ teams compete in external fixtures. The A and B teams play hard ball and the C teams play soft ball cricket How has cricket bounced back There has been a dramatic rise in the number of students attending cricket club on a weekly basis, with approximately 80% of year groups attending each evening. Post-pandemic changes The afterschool programme was altered to adhere to year-group bubbles. Other sports facilities, such as netball courts, have been used for tennis ball drill work and mini matches to manage numbers. Throughout lockdown Jack 34 | thecricketer.com

pupils choosing cricket as their games option. Internal fixtures were played in year-group bubbles Post-pandemic changes Having re-evaluated the cricket programme during lockdown, Dulwich intends to continue hosting webinars with professional cricketers. Adam Riley also hosted popular sessions looking at the history of cricket in different countries, something the school will continue to run to offer a more rounded cricketing education Fixtures 500 fixtures throughout the college, including around 20 1st XI matches. Notable fixtures include MCC, Free Foresters CC, Incogniti CC

DULWICH COLLEGE // DUNOTTAR SCHOOL

and Tonbridge School Facilities 8 indoor nets in the sports hall, 14 outdoor all-weather nets, 5 allweather match wickets, and 8 grass squares of varying sizes Club/county affiliations Surrey CCC, Kent CCC, London Schools’ CC and Dulwich CC Best prospect Roan Kennedy (U12) is a fast bowler, a dynamic fielder and an attacking batsman. He took a hat-trick in the quarter-finals of the London Schools’ Cup and represents Surrey and Spencer CC Cricketers of note 79 Old Alleynians have gone on to play first-class cricket, nine have been capped for their country and four have been named as Wisden Cricketers of the Year. Roger Knight (Surrey) was a former MCC president and Old Alleynian. Several Barbadians have thrived at Dulwich on sports scholarships, including Anthony Alleyne, Ruel Brathwaite (Durham and Hampshire) and Chris Jordan (England, Sussex and Surrey) Brief history Dulwich College has been playing cricket since 1973, with fixtures against Christ’s Hospital,

Myers held a weekly Cricket Scholars session which gave pupils the opportunity to study field placements, focus on goal-setting for the upcoming season Director and receive performance of cricket analysis Jack Myers Fixtures Over 120 across boys and girls cricket. Notable fixtures for the boys include Caterham, St Johns, Ewell Castle, and Epsom College. clubs, which has been of huge benefit For the girls: Ibstock Place, Emanuel to both the students and grassroots School, St Johns, Hurstpierpoint cricket in the area College, Feltonfleet School What sets the school apart? Facilities 4-lane indoor net facility Cricket is fully inclusive with 50plus external venues for matches Club/county affiliations Merstham, 60% of pupils playing in fixtures on Saturdays. It is a buzz sport Salfords, Leigh, Reigate Priory and at Dunottar, and the pupils look Dorking CCs forward to it throughout the year. Best prospect WicketkeeperOpportunities are provided for all batter Thomas James (Surrey U15), who show and take interest in cricket allrounder Advaith Bali (Surrey U14), whilst the school also seeks to stretch spinner and middle-order batter and challenge its most able cricketers Max Wallis (Surrey) through the running of a girls and Brief history Interest in cricket boys’ academy throughout the winter has grown immensely at Dunottar, and pre-season with over 120 fixtures held in 2021 Finest moment Runners-up in the compared with 18 in 2016. The school U15 Indoor League in 2016, quarterhas created strong links with local

Epsom College and St Paul’s School. In the college’s history, England, Sri Lanka, South Africa, the Netherlands and Surrey have all used the 1st XI square for training. In addition to the 45 teams, the college has an active common room team, known as The Dusters. The phrase ‘cow corner’ is rumoured to have originated at the school because cows grazed at deep midwicket Cultural cricketers PG Wodehouse played for the XI in 1899 and 1900 What sets the school apart? The college is steeped in cricket history and the 1st XI square is one of the most scenic grounds in London, if not the country Recent progress The way the school has bounced back from the pandemic and the volume of boys who have retained their passion for cricket, largely thanks to Adam Riley’s summer training programme Future plans The school is partnered with the ACE cricket programme and provided a community cricket day on July 16, 2021 Tours Senior cricket tour to Sri Lanka in 2024

final of 2021 County Cup (U14 and U15) Recent progress The school setup a 1st XI in both boys and girls’ cricket, with the boys team receiving Baggy Blues and cap numbers. Dunottar hosted Ian Bell and The Cricketer magazine for their annual Club Cricket Guide (bat testing) -an unforgettable day! Future plans Develop the school’s partnership with Reigate Priory CC and Surrey CCC. In 2021, Year 11 and Sixth Form students will be offered cricketing coaching courses Tours Desert Springs in April 2023 (Upper School), Jersey in 2023 (Lower School)

PAUL CARROLL

TOP 100 SENIOR SCHOOLS

DURHAM CATHEDRAL SCHOOLS FOUNDATION // EASTBOURNE COLLEGE

DURHAM CATHEDRAL SCHOOLS FOUNDATION Quarryheads Lane, Durham DH1 4SZ Established 2021 (previously Durham School, 1414) Number of pupils 500 Master in charge Michael Fishwick Professional Michael Hirsch, Gordon Muchall Teams 7 boys – 1st XI, 2nd XI, U15, U14AB, U13, U12; 4 girls – U15, U14, U13, U12 Girls’ cricket The school offers four girls’ teams and the programme is building momentum How has cricket bounced back The school played a small number of fixtures in September 2020 and from April 2021 all juniors sides up to U15 were back in action. Seniors followed in second half of summer term Post-pandemic changes Using Microsoft Teams to offer player feedback and educate on tactics within the game Fixtures Woodhouse Grove, Sedbergh, St Peter’s York, Ampleforth

EASTBOURNE COLLEGE

ANDY SAYWELL

Old Wish Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN21 4JX Established 1867 Number of pupils 630 Director of cricket Rob Ferley (Kent & Nottinghamshire) Professionals James Tredwell (Kent & England, below), Tara Norris (Southern Vipers & Southern Brave), Andy Hodd (Sussex, Surrey & Yorkshire), Ash Wright (Leicestershire), Teams 11 boys – 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, 4th XI, 5th XI, U15ABC, U14ABC; 2 girls – 1st XI, U15 Girls’ cricket Girls benefit from the same provision as boys with training all year round and cricket as a games option in summer term How has cricket bounced back 2021 has brought greater numbers and enthusiasm to cricket, but year group bubbles and cancelled fixtures have made it a

College, RGS Newcastle, Barnard Castle, MCC, Durham Pilgrims, Newcastle School for Boys plus a 3-day festival for seniors, U15 and U13 Facilities Indoor sports hall with 4 lanes. Main pitch on the playground and a smaller pitch on the bottom. Bow, the pre-prep school, has a lovely little pitch of its own Club/county affiliation Seven boys from U13 to U19 representing Durham CCC, one girl at U14; Durham City CC Best prospect Jonny Bushnell (Durham CCC 2nd XI) Cricketers of note Michael Roseberry (Middx, Durham &

England), Andrew Roseberry (Leics & Glamorgan), Phil Weston (Worcs, Glouces & Derbyshire), Robin Weston (Durham, Derbyshire & Middlesex), Gordon Muchall (Durham), Paul Muchall (Gloucs), Jonny Bushnell (Durham), Fraser Watts (Scotland), Olivia Rae (Scotland Women) Brief history The school has played cricket since 1847. Regular matches started in 1866 with an annual game against St Peter’s, York. Other annual matches followed: Sedbergh in 1908, Ampleforth in 1915, Giggleswick in 1933, Barnard Castle in 1937, and St Bees in

challenging year. Lack of competitive fixtures has been a blow Post-pandemic changes Eastbourne College have looked at how to deliver social, emotional and cognitive elements through sport and teaching. Sessions focus on creating environments that allow pupils to explore their strengths and become more self-aware. Pupils remain busy with the P3 App (a training tool) and a Hundred-style competition offered to boys and girls on Monday evenings Fixtures Over 100 fixtures each year, with around 30 for the 1st XI. All other teams will play roughly 15 matches, more with a good cup run Facilities 5 grounds – including the iconic College Field in front of the main school Memorial Building. 8 artificial nets at the Memorial Ground. A 5-lane indoor cricket centre equipped with 10 Bola machines, 3 bowling machines, Merlyn, fielding machine and PitchVision ball-tracking technology Club/county affiliations Sussex CCC, MCC Foundation Hub Cricketers of note Ed Giddins (Sussex, Surrey, Warwickshire &

England), Matt Hobden (Sussex & England Lions), Harry Finch, Jamie Atkins, Dan Ibrahim, Oli Carter (all Sussex), Tawanda Muyeye (Kent), Brad Evans (Mashonaland Eagles) Brief history With the iconic College Field set at the heart of the school, cricket has always played a central role in life at Eastbourne. Building on this strong tradition, the school aims to deliver a unique blend of embracing technology, offering high quality coaching to any pupil and creating an environment where young people can develop a lifelong passion for cricket. In 2020, the Bunbury Festival was awarded to Eastbourne College Cultural cricketers Eddie Izzard (comedian), Michael Fish (meteorologist), Ed Speelers (actor) What sets the school apart? Any pupil can benefit from the world-class cricket programme on offer at the school Finest moment Any moment the school shows Eastbourne GRIT (gratitude, respect, intelligence, teamwork) Recent progress In a Covid-19 world with multiple challenges,

1938. The school has produced many top quality players at all age levels and from local to county clubs Cultural cricketers Mike Weston (British Lion 1962–66) What sets the school apart? Durham is one of the oldest schools in England, with a cricket history dating back to the 19th century Finest moment Every time a young cricketer walks off the pitch after performing well with a smile on their face Recent progress The school has always produced good young cricketers to play at all levels, including Durham CCC, and now it’s starting to happen on the girls’ side Future plans In 2022 the school hopes to open a new pavilion for the main pitch, called the Playground., while the Palmers Close pitch is due to be developed into an additional senior-sized cricket venue. The introduction of a senior girls’ side is also on the agenda Tours Barbados at Easter 2020 was cancelled due to Covid-19. The school is hopeful of taking a group to Western Australia in October 2022

Eastbourne has maintained the same quality experience and coaching hours, which represents a significant achievement Future plans Developing the school’s new coaching model to cater for all cricketers from 4-22 Tours Sri Lanka 2019 (2021 cancelled). The college has an overseas tour every two years, hosts an annual pre-season festival, and enjoys a UK-based post-season tour

thecricketer.com | 35

TOP 100 SENIOR SCHOOLS ELIZABETH COLLEGE, GUERNSEY

in the weekend inhouse competition (even with football fixtures available) Fixtures 18 1st XI fixtures, including matches against Victoria College Jersey and The Grange, St Peter Professional Melbourne Grammar Port, Guernsey, Channel Ben Ferbrache Facilities 2 grounds with Islands GY1 2PY grass wickets, 2 practice grass wickets, 2 artificial nets, 3 indoor Established 1563 lanes in the sports hall Number of pupils 578 Master in charge Thomas Eisenhuth Club/county affiliation Guernsey Cricket Broad (Head of P.E.) Best prospect Charlie Birch (batter) Professional Ben Ferbrache scored back-to-back centuries in the (Guernsey) Teams OE/1st XI, 1st XI (play in men’s men’s Premier Division; Ben Johnson (a left-arm seam bowler) weekend second division), Year 9AB, Cricketers of note Matt Renouf, Year 8AB, Year 7ABC; weekend Big Tom Nightingale, Will Peatfield, CJ Bash tournament Peatfield, Zak Damarell, Nathan le Girls’ cricket From September 2021 Tissier, Ben Ferbrache (all Guernsey) How has cricket bounced back A Brief history The college aims full season of fixtures were played, to present opportunities for the including the new 1st XI/OE team – a broadening of horizons and the hybrid team offering leading players development of future leaders in all exposure to men’s Premier League walks of life. The cricket programme cricket has historically been the embodiment Post-pandemic changes The of this aim. With a simple philosophy school focused on year 7 and 8 delicately balancing enjoyment and engagement, a move which paid performance, Elizabeth College dividends with 70 pupils taking part

ELLESMERE COLLEGE Ellesmere, Shropshire SY12 9AB Established 1879 Number of pupils 550 Director of cricket Gareth Owen Professional Rod Jones Teams 10 boys – 1st XI, 2nd XI, U17, U15, U14, U13, U12, U11, U10, U9; 6 girls – U15, U14, U13, U12, U11, U9 Girls’ cricket The school has a Cricket for Girls initiative aiming to deliver a consistent coaching programme for girls at the school and 36 | thecricketer.com

build interest, participation and skills in cricket. High-quality coach Eve Jones (Central Sparks & Birmingham Phoenix). The school enters the Lady Taverners U13 and U15 competitions, Schools Magazine National U15 and senior competitions. Reached the final of the Lady Taverners in 2013 as regional champions. The girls winter programme starts in September with indoor matches, small group coaching and open invitation sessions during lunchtime Post-pandemic changes Cricket at the school has been delivered through year-group bubbles, which has encouraged boys and girls to develop their cricket alongside each other and has created a pleasant working environment Fixtures More than 100 throughout summer term, including a fixture against MCC Facilities 3 grass squares, 1 artificial square, 12 grass nets, 6 outdoor artificial nets, 2 indoor halls (one 4-lane, one 2-lane), 7 junior and senior bowling machine. 2 gymnasiums (cardiovascular and free weights). 2 senior pitches Club/county affiliations

ELIZABETH COLLEGE, GUERNSEY // ELLESMERE COLLEGE

aims to develop international cricketers and importantly outstanding young people Cultural cricketers GH Bailey (Australian cricketer), CC Corfe (teacher and first-class cricket for Canterbury, New Zealand), PG Wodehouse (author) What sets the school apart? Cricket is in the college like an ongoing narrative. Elizabeth College has a strong history of producing outstanding young cricketers Finest moment The 2020 season which included winning the Guernsey Cricket Bowl Men’s Competition, beating the MCC and Melbourne Grammar Recent progress Cricket continues to grow at Elizabeth College, with the development of the Big Bash and Blast College competitions. The college has strengthened its links with the Guernsey Cricket Board and continues to feed players into the GCB structure. The inaugural season

of the 1st XI/OE hybrid has been a success, providing the school’s ICC U19s players with an opportunity to play at the highest standard of cricket on the island. The team finished second in the league Future plans Indoor nets will be replaced with new nets as the college is now the primary indoor training facility on the island. A complete redevelopment of the net area at College Field, transforming it into a 3-lane facility. The college is also reverting back to a full grass square to enable the boys to play cricket on grass from year 5 onwards Tours Sri Lanka in 2023 (Covid-19 delayed the 2022 tour)

girls, representing Wales, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Cheshire, North East Wales Staffordshire, NE Wales Best prospect Georgia and Eryri Munro (Wales U19). Ben Finest moment Midlands Wright (Cheshire Cricket champions and semiEPP), Oliver Moore (Staffordshire EPP). Recent Director of cricket finalists of the National U14 ESCA/ECB 2015 National pupils Connor Davies, Josh Gareth Owen Competition. U15 Lady Andrady, Harry Newton Taverner’s National Indoor Finals and Sam Ellis have played U19 2013. HMC T20 last 16 in 2016 county academy level Recent progress To develop Cricketers of note Dewi Penrhyninclusivity, the school devised a Jones (Glamorgan), Vansh Bajaj ‘Power Play’ awards scheme which (Cambridge MCCU), Ben Gibbon offers batting, bowling and fielding (Lancashire 2nd XI), Harry Stow challenges for boys and girls. With (Northamptonshire 2nd XI) different difficulty levels, the scheme Brief history Ellesmere College encourages all pupils to take part. was opened in 1884 and dedicated The evolving and adapting fixture to St Oswald. Today, the Woodard programme with different formats Foundation educates more than to accommodate different abilities, 30,000 pupils across academy, including timed matches, Kwik independent and state schools Cricket, pairs etc Cultural cricketers Duke of Future plans Continuing the Cricket Westminster, Hugh Grosvenor; for Girls programme, including Sir Bill Beaumont (England rugby collaborating further with Shropshire captain and IRB president) and North-East Wales Cricket Boards What sets the school apart? Tours Overseas tours are not being Ellesmere College is touted as the considered at present but have been national home of indoor cricket. replaced with one-day masterclass the school annually has between tours and sessions 20 and 30 players, both boys and

EMANUEL SCHOOL // EPSOM COLLEGE

Director of cricket Chris Booth

EMANUEL SCHOOL

and is involved in Surrey’s U15 and U17 performance programme Battersea Rise, Cricketers of note Walter London SW11 1HS Stuart Surridge (Surrey, below), Ian Roger Payne Established 1594 Number of pupils 1,001 Director of cricket (Surrey & Gloucestershire), Izzy Cannon (England Director of cricket Chris Booth Girls U15, U17, U19), Nancy Chris Booth Hughes (Middlesex Women) Professional Mark Stear Brief history The school’s first Teams 35– boys 1st XI, 2nd recorded captain Mr J Wheater XI, U15AB, U14AB, U13ABCD, (Master) was appointed in 1891. The U12ABCD, U11ABC; girls U18, main school site is a beautiful setting U17, U15AB, U14ABC, U13ABCD, with walled grounds just minutes U12ABCD, U11ABC from Clapham Junction. Emanuel has Girls’ cricket Offered as a core sport hosted a number of high-level games, for girls in summer term including a touring side from the How has cricket bounced back Darren Lehmann Academy Staff and students returned in Cultural cricketers Tom Smith September 2020 with inter-house (Scotland & British Lions rugby), and intra-school squad fixtures. Dr Iqbal Malik (heart surgeon), Students (boys and girls) have been Stuart Hinton (snooker) competing across all age groups since What sets the school apart? The April. Due to the increased interest, school has a long and successful Emanuel School played over 200 association with both the Surrey fixtures by the end of summer 2021 and London Cup competitions Post-pandemic changes The as well as maintaining excellent school have held short format relationships with local schools matches to make up for the lost year such as Tiffin, Latymer and Alleyn’s. of fixtures. Remote opportunities The introduction of cricket as continued to be offered to students a core sport for girls has been a wishing to develop all aspects of their resounding success with the U13 to understanding and interest in cricket U15 sides competing for county and Fixtures 18 1st XI fixtures in 2021. regional honours Other boys’ teams play 10-14 Finest moment Multiple Surrey and matches, depending on cup success. London Cup titles over the years. In Girls’ teams play 8-10 fixtures/ 2020, 5 sides reached the semi-final tournaments per season or beyond in cup competitions Facilities The main school Recent progress Emanuel School site has a senior and a junior has offered a near full cricket square. Blagdons has one programme to its 35 age-group senior square and space for sides (boys and girls). There 2 softball cricket pitches. has also been a full block 4 outdoor astroturf nets, fixture of fully mixed sides a portable net for middle and regular U17/U18 girls practices, 4 indoor nets sides. Students continue to Club/county affiliations experience success with 5 semiSurrey CCC, London finals and 3 finals days Schools, Spencer CC, Future plans Renovating the Shepherds Bush CC ground at Blagdons Best prospect Meg Radford (U15) is a bowling allrounder Tours A junior tour in summer 2022

EPSOM COLLEGE College Road, Epsom, Surrey KT17 4JQ Established 1855 Number of pupils 950 Director of cricket Damian Shirazi (Hampshire) Professional Paul Bew Teams 25 teams – 17 boys, 8 girls Girls’ cricket A and B teams at all levels coached by Paul Bew (Berkshire CCC Women’s 1st coach) How has cricket bounced back 10 matches were played in September 2020. Cricket has been used to reintroduce the pupils to team sports. Increased participation and county representation Post-pandemic changes Emphasis on pupils playing matches with 30% more games across the school. New formats (T20, Hundred, pairs etc.) have been trialled alongside traditional matches while time spent on mid-innings (tea etc.) has been reduced to increase playing time Fixtures Notable fixtures against Cranleigh, Hurstpierpoint, Dulwich, St Pauls, MCC, Free Foresters. Host the SPREW festival between Epsom, Repton, Warwick and St Peter’s York Facilities 6-lane indoor cricket centre, one 5-lane and one 8-lane outdoor net system (new in 2021), 6 cricket squares Club/county affiliations Students involved with Surrey, Middlesex, Sussex CCCs, Jersey, Zimbabwe, Ireland and London Schools. In-touch cricket academy on site plus students representing Ashtead, Esher, Reigate, Guildford and East Moseley CCs Best prospect Brendan Hildebrand (Surrey academy, Ireland U19, Zimbabwe U19) Cricketers of note Nat Sciver

(Surrey, Northern Diamonds & England), Alice Davidson-Richards (Kent, South East Stars & England) Brief history Cricket has played an integral role at the college since its foundation in 1855. Having originally played on Epsom Downs, cricket has always been the major summer sport. In recent season, the cricket club has grown significantly from 7 teams in 2010 to 25 teams in 2021. With numerous alumni going onto play first-class cricket there has always been a strong and prestigious fixture card. In recent times the girls of Epsom have joined in this fine tradition with Nat Sciver and Alice Davidson-Richards going on to international honours Cultural cricketers Jonathan Maitland (English playwright and presenter), Tony Fernandes (QPR FC and Air Asia chairman), Nick Candy (property developer) What sets the school apart? Outstanding facilities and pitches set among the backdrop of the Epsom Downs. The school livestreams most home matches and currently host both county junior cricket and the Surrey Foundation primary tournament (2021) Finest moment Having two alumni (Nat Sciver and Alice DavidsonRichards) play in a one-day international together in 2018 Recent progress At representative level, the college has gone from six county age-group players to 36 and that number continues to rise. The addition of 6 new sides and the appointment of a new assistant director of cricket and head of girls’ cricket are also significant strides. A new net system was installed in July 2021 Tours The school has tours organised to Dubai (boys) and Desert Springs (girls) thecricketer.com | 37

TOP 100 SENIOR SCHOOLS

ETON COLLEGE // FELSTED SCHOOL

ETON COLLEGE Windsor, Berkshire SL4 6DW Established 1440 Number of pupils 1,330 Master in charge Tim Roberts (Lancashire & Northants) Master in charge 1st XI Richard Montgomerie (Northants & Sussex) Teams 25 – U14, U15, U16 & seniors How has cricket bounced back Cricket is as strong in terms of participation, if not stronger, as before the pandemic Post-pandemic changes When the college went back to live teaching, the cricket programme went back to normal (with the government’s Covid-19 guidelines). An internal programme was held in September for the first time, including a tapeball competition Fixtures 265+ external fixtures and 100+ internal house matches Facilities 12 turf grounds, 8 astroturf grounds, 12 astroturf nets, 4 cages for grass practice. 3-lane indoor cricket school. 2 new sports centres are due to be built, catering for winter cricket

FELSTED SCHOOL Felsted, Dunmow, Essex CM6 3LL Established 1564 Number of pupils 550 Director of cricket Jason Gallian (Lancashire, Nottinghamshire, Essex & England) Professional Nick Lockhart; Carla Rudd (Sussex, Southern Vipers & Southern Brave) Teams 9 boys – 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, U15AB, U14AB; 3 girls – 1st XI, U15AB Girls’ cricket Carla Rudd is the director of girls’ cricket How has cricket bounced back Felsted School played MCC in week 1 of summer term (2021) as a Covid-19 trial fixture followed by block fixtures from week 3 Post-pandemic changes The school will continue to play cricket in September to engage pupils. Plans proceeding for the piloting of a league in the east which will begin again in 2022 (postponed 2021) Fixtures 19 for boys, 13 for girls plus cup fixtures. MCC men and women, often featuring several former pupils; Gents of Essex; National T20; 38 | thecricketer.com

Club/county affiliations Berkshire CCC, Slough CC, Datchet CC Best prospect The school has more than 300 cricketers who show promise and a love of the sport. They say to pick one out would be unfair and they prefer to look at the programme as a whole, not an individual piece Cricketers of note More than 750 first-class players, most recently Alex Loudon (Kent, Warwickshire & England) and James Bruce (Hampshire). Ed Farley plays for Jersey. Various recent university firstclass players (Oxford, Cambridge, Durham, Leeds). A number of Old

Etonians have played county cricket and for England, including Matthew Fleming, Lord Harris, George Mann and Gubby Allen Brief history The first written record of a game of cricket at Eton College was in 1706. In 1751, Old Etonians played against the Rest of England in a three-match series. Competitive inter-school sport was said to start with cricket matches between Eton, Winchester (first match in 1796), Harrow (1805) and Westminster. Since the turn of the millennium, Eton has won the Lord’s Taverners National U15 Cup on four occasions

international festival; Independent Schools League (East) Facilities 4 grass squares, 10 lane outdoor NTP net systems, 2 NTP pitches, 5-lane indoor facility Club/county affiliations Essex CCC & Lord’s Taverners, who use the school’s facilities each summer Best prospect Harry Gallian (Essex CCC) has represented U15 South team v West Indies 2019, the South East at the 2019 Bunbury Festival, Saffron Walden 1st XI and the Felsted 1st XI since year 9. Jess Olorenshaw (Essex Women) is a member of the Sunrisers academy and Felsted’s girls’ 1st XI Cricketers of note JHWT Douglas (Essex & England), Derek Pringle (Essex & England), John Stephenson (Essex, Hampshire & England), Nick Knight (Essex, Warwickshire & England), Tim Phillips (Essex), Elliot Wilson (Worcestershire), Jordan Cox (Kent & England Lions), William

Buttleman (Essex), Poppy Timson, Grace Poole (both Essex Women), Emma Jones (Essex Women & South East Stars) Brief history First cricket field was established in 1805. Felsted School’s main ground ‘The Front’ is the only school ground overlooked by a beer garden called the Chequers Cultural cricketers JHWT Douglas was also a gold medallist in Boxing at London 1908

Cultural cricketers Bernard Bosanquet (philosopher), Henry Blofeld (broadcaster), Ivo Bligh What sets the school apart? The college has an inclusive programme for all boys who chose cricket. Eton has a rich cricketing history and high participation levels in both external schools fixtures and internal matches Finest moment Every time the college has 20 fixtures home and away on a Saturday and the boys play good cricket and play the game in the correct spirit Recent progress Cricket at Eton College has returned from lockdown strongly, with participation levels, performance and enjoyment all thriving. This continued even during the pressure of CAGs (exams) Future plans The college wishes to build local partnerships with clubs in the surrounding area. Two new sports facilities to accommodate increased participation over winter are under construction Tours Dubai (2014/15), Sri Lanka (2016/18) and South Africa (2019). The senior side participates in an overseas tour every two years

What sets the school apart? The school has a long history of producing first-class and international cricketers Finest moment 2004 and 2005 National T20 champions, 2017 Girls U15 National Indoor champions, 2017 Girls U15 National Outdoor champions, 2019 Girls 1st XI National champions (beating Millfield and Shrewsbury in the finals) Recent progress The continued development of girls’ cricket throughout the prep and senior school. The ability to live stream matches for parents who cannot be on site to watch the games Future plans Developing a competition for all agegroups among schools in East Anglia, both for boys and girls. The new league development will be designed to engage pupils of all abilities from across the region in a variety of formats Tours Australia in 2024

FETTES COLLEGE

FETTES COLLEGE Carrington Road, Edinburgh EH4 1QX Established 1870 Number of pupils 585 Head of cricket Bruce Russell Teams Boys – 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, U15AB, U14AB; girls – 1st XI, U15, U14AB Girls’ cricket Fettes has numerous girls playing at representative level, including a Scotland U19 player. The 1st XI play hard ball while the other teams play softball. 7 U14/U15 girls have played in the 1st XI while the feeder prep school has teams at U12 and U13 (inter-school fixtures) How has cricket bounced back Cricket was offered in September 2020, including a fixture against MCC. Players were short on experience having missed a full season of school cricket (relatively few are club players), but the school retained both keenness and good numbers Post-pandemic changes The U15B and U14B teams played softball cricket to avoid kit sharing

Fixtures Fewer than normal in 2021 but around 65 games were held across the teams (mostly fixtures against Edinburgh schools) Facilities 7 outdoor lanes (4 of which are new), 4 indoor nets in the sports hall, 4 squares, one net in each boys’ boarding house Club/county affiliations Stewarts Melville CC, Grange CC (who use the school’s pitches in the summer). Cricket Scotland trained at Fettes’ indoor facilities for four winters before the pandemic Best prospect Harry Armstrong (Scotland U15): a leg-spinner and

opening batter in the 1st XI Cricketers of note Richard Bowman (Lancashire), Ronald Hoare (Northants & Lancashire) Brief history Fettes cricket has historically lived in the shadow of rugby union, but has nonetheless produced some fine teams over the years. Malcolm Jardine, an Oxford Blue and father of Douglas, and KG MacLeod, described by Wisden as Scotland’s greatest all-round athlete, were the school’s finest cricketers. A golden period came in the 1950s while in recent times the school has won the National Scottish Schools

Surrey Cricket Development & Performance Centre

T20 tournament 4 times in six years (most recently 2019). This period of success was sparked by Neil Miller and Scott MacLennan (both future Oxford Blues) and bolstered by the Edwards brothers Henry, William (both Scotland U19) and Robert Cultural cricketers Tony Blair (former prime minister), Robert White (band manager) – a notable left-arm spinner What sets the school apart? Beautiful 1st XI ground and historic pavilion. Strong 1st XI record in recent years Finest moment Winning a fourth National Scottish Schools T20 Cup in six years in 2019 Recent progress The rolling out of the girls’ cricket programme Future plans Re-establishing the school’s MCC Hub project and re-instating the annual charity match. A new partnership has recently been initiated with Lord’s Taverners, with a charity match hosted in September 2021 Tours Sri Lanka (2018). Fettes College hope to return there as soon as possible

020 8870 4171 enquiries@emanuel.org.uk www.emanuel.org.uk @emanuel.school

Founded 1594 Co-educational 10-18 years

@emanuel_school

Excellence in the arts and sport Co-educational day school in Reigate for ages 11 to 18. Open Mornings run throughout the year. Regular cricket tours. Sports Scholarships available at 11+ and 16+. Contact the Admissions Office for further information. Email admissions@dunottarschool.com or call on 01737 761945. High Trees Road, Reigate, RH2 7EL

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TOP 100 SENIOR SCHOOLS

FRAMLINGHAM COLLEGE

Head of cricket Chris Grange

FRAMLINGHAM COLLEGE College Road, Framlingham, Suffolk IP13 9EY Established 1864 Number of pupils 690 Head of cricket Chris Grange Professionals Andy Northcote & Jack Beaumont Teams 39 (23 boys’ teams & 16 girls’). Boys: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Albert XI, Junior 1st, U15AB, U14ABC, 5x U13, 3x U11, 4x U9; girls: 1st, 2nd, Junior ABC, 4x U13, 3x U11, 4x U9 Girls’ cricket A girls-specific winter programme runs from September and running through to Spring term, including small group coaching and 1:1 coaching, while mixed-gender training is available all year round. The college enter all cups at national and county level as well as an internal indoor cricket league in winter and internal fixtures against the boys.

During 2021, the 1st XI defeated Cambridge University 1st XI and played MCC Women for the first time How has cricket bounced back The college continued its winter programme throughout the pandemic, including (where possible) small group and 1:1 coaching. Internal fixtures were staged in September and October 2020 and a full fixture card was completed in summer term, including an end-of-term festival for both 1st XIs and boys’ U15 Post-pandemic changes Mixing boys and girls training due to year-group bubbles and mixed gender internal matches. A range of formats are now played, including 100-ball. The winter and spring training sessions have been shortened, a move which allows the college to see players more regularly. External coaching in the evening (Andy Northcote Cricket Academy) Fixtures 280 from U9-U13, 130 from U14-1st XI. From 2022 all teams will play in the East Independent Schools Cricket League. Notable fixtures include Cambridge University, Oxford University, MCC Men, MCC Women, Prince Alfred College (Australia), St Charles College (South Africa) and Suffolk age-groups

Facilities 7 indoor nets (2 sports halls), 8 artificial nets, 12 grass nets, 10 pitches (plus various mini grounds) Club/county affiliations Formal educational partnership with Northamptonshire CCC; links with Suffolk CCC, Andy Northcote Cricket Academy, MCC Foundation Hub, Essex, Somerset & Worcestershire CCCs Best prospect Jayden Borges (year 11, Norfolk) is an attacking toporder batter and off-spin bowler; Hollie (year 11) and Poppy (year 9) Dring-Richardson (Essex) are both allrounders; Sophie Singer (Suffolk) and Loulou Ford (Norfolk) are both in year 10 and hoping to break into the Sunrisers set-up Cricketers of note David Larter (Northants & England), Ashley Cowan (Essex), Rob Newton (Northants), Herbert Wilson (Sussex), Norman Borrett (Essex), Freddie Heldreich (Northamptonshire) Brief history Cricket was Rob Newton

the first sport to be played at Framlingham College in 1865 as a team of Masters & Boys took on a Town & District XI. Regular school fixtures and a long line of first-class cricketers have followed while the college has also hosted numerous prestigious matches, including Pakistan U25s, Gloucestershire CCC and Suffolk CCC. The Quilibets’ Cricket Club (staff, students and Old Boys) was established in 1929 and still holds a week-long festival at the end of summer term Cultural cricketers Charlie Simpson, Laura Wright, Simon Law, Rt Hon Sir James Paice, Keito Okamota, David Bull, Henry Jackman What sets the school apart? The college has a strong history of, and is passionate about, cricket. All pupils are encouraged to participate and develop a love of the game while extra opportunities are available to serious players. Formal partnership with Northamptonshire Finest moment Robert Newton becoming the first schoolboy to register a double-hundred against MCC in 2007 Recent progress Increased number of students wanting to train and play cricket across all three terms and representing external clubs. The continued funding of the MCC Foundation Hub. Continued growth of the college’s fixture list and a first match against MCC Women in 2021 Future plans Creating a miniseason in Autumn term and develop internal ‘Masters League’ franchise tournament for B, C and D teams. Using video analysis in coaching. A purpose-built indoor cricket centre Tours Pre-season festival in Eastbourne. UAE in 2019. Overseas girls’ cricket tour planned, provisionally South Africa

www.framlinghamcollege.co.uk • admissions@framlinghamcollege.co.uk • 01728 723789 40 | thecricketer.com

A highperformance culture for boys and girls with serious ambitions.

TOP 100 SENIOR SCHOOLS GRESHAM’S SCHOOL Cromer Road, Holt NR25 6EA Established 1555 Number of pupils 535 Master in charge Dominic Atkinson Professional Chris Brown (Norfolk) Teams Boys – 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, U17, U16, U15ABC, U14ABC; girls – U15, U14, U13ABCD, U11ABCD, U9ABCD Girls’ cricket Programme run from U9 to U15, 1st XI in the pipeline. Cricket is the major sport for girls in the summer term. Winter coaching is offered by Chris Brown and Norfolk Cricket Board How has cricket bounced back Using Microsoft Teams to keep players up to date with drills, skills and masterclasses. A full fixture card was completed in 2021 and cricket proved more popular than ever Post-pandemic changes More time focusing on U16 and U17 levels and more year-group cricket. More pupils are playing club cricket than ever before Fixtures 25 for 1st XI and 8-10

Elle mere Co-ed 7-18 Day and Boarding

weekend block fixtures for other teams. Notable fixtures include Royal Hospital School, Norwich School, Framlingham, Ipswich and MCC. 2-day game against Woodhouse Grove. Hosting a 4-team festival in 2022 Facilities 8 squares (4 prep, 4 senior), 12 grass nets and 6 artificial nets at senior Club/county affiliations Norfolk CCC, Nottinghamshire CCC Best prospect Ben Wilcox (U17) – an elegant middle-order batter, represented Norfolk 1st XI & Nottinghamshire 2nd XI in 2021. Ben Panter (U16) – fast opening bowler in Nottinghamshire Academy, attended 2019 Bunbury Festival (U14). Charlie Hood – wicketkeeper/batter in Northants Academy Cricketers of note Andrew Corran (Notts), Nick Taylor (Yorkshire, Surrey & Somerset), Sakhumuzi Ndlela (Zimbabwe U19) Brief history Cricket is a major sport in summer and for a school of under 800 pupils (senior and prep) Gresham’s put out nearly 40 teams. The school has an idyllic setting with the 1919 War Memorial Chapel as its

GRESHAM’S SCHOOL

backdrop. Two pavilions are located on the 1st XI square with a new pavilion built in 2014 Cultural cricketers Ben Youngs, Tom Youngs (both England rugby), Sir James Dyson (inventor), John Bradburne What sets the school apart? Brown is a Level 4 ECB coach and ECB spin consultant who provides the highest quality leadership and coaching. Strong links with Norfolk and Nottinghamshire CCCs Finest moment U17 reached the quarter-final of the 2021 National U17 Cup plus finals day appearances for U16, U15 boys and U15 girls in various

county and regional competitions. In 2019 in Sri Lanka, Gresham’s scored 203 for 0 in reply to MCC Friendship of Goodness Academy’s score of 200 Recent progress The number of students playing the game. Multiple teams at U15, U16, U17 level reaching regional and national competitions in a difficult year Future plans New nets are planned. Improving links with local primary schools to offer Gresham’s pupils coaching opportunities as well as umpiring and scoring courses for students Tours Sri Lanka in 2019 but none planned for the next 12 months

HABERDASHERS’ BOYS’ SCHOOL

HABERDASHERS’ BOYS’ SCHOOL Butterfly Ln, Elstree, Hertfordshire WD6 3AFF Established 1690 Number of pupils 1,137 in the senior school (11–18), 291 in the pre-prep and prep (4–10) Master in charge Dan Kerry Professional James Hewitt (Middlesex and Kent) Teams 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, 4th XI, 5th XI U15ABCD, U14ABCD, U13ABCDE, U12ABCDEF. Prep school: U11 ABCDE, U10 ABCDE, U9ABCDE, U8 ABCDE Girls’ cricket Coaching opportunities offered to next door sibling school Habs Girls How has cricket bounced back Cricket has been hugely successful since pupils returned, with pupils keener than ever to train and play Post-pandemic changes Decision to implement an internal franchise style cricket upon return in September before return of inter-school fixtures. Two-day games introduced to increase volume of T20s. Academy added for years 12 and 13 during timetabled enrichment lessons Fixtures More than 250. Berkhamsted, Haileybury, Magdalen College School, MCC, Merchant

Taylors’, St Albans Exeter School, Devon CCC Fred Bird XI are the most notable games Facilities Three grass squares with covers, two astro wickets, five grass nets and one open net, four fully enclosed Astro nets, two indoor lanes and instant-replay and video analysis system Club/county affiliation Middlesex CCC, Hertfordshire, Radlett CC, Old Haberdashers CC, Exeter CC, Sidmouth CC Best prospect Year 13 student Chinmay Mullapudi is a left-arm fast bowler and middle-order batter and played twice for Middlesex 2nd XI in 2021 Cricketers of note Richard Yeabsley (Middlesex CCC), Ashley Sivarajah (MCC young cricketers), Tom Colverd (Cambridge MCCU) Brief history The name Yeabsley

will always be associated with Habs Cricket. Doug Yeabsley, the former Minor Counties bowler has been involved with cricket at the school since the 60s. He introduced the annual Devon tour, and he organised all of the Far East tours. Both sons Michael and Richard played for Habs with distinction Cultural cricketers Manoj Badale (Rajasthan Royal co-owner), Dean Wilson (Daily Mirror cricket correspondent) What sets the school apart? Students are strongly urged to commit fully to a combination of cricket and academia with the ethos being that they cannot be mutually exclusive Finest moment Beating St Albans School via the final over of a two-day game. T20 vs Merchant Taylors on Nursery Ground at Lord’s. Ten-wicket

Master in charge Dan Kerry victory over Devon U17s Recent progress Able to field U12 A, B, C, D, E and F teams for the first time Future plans Installation of new grass nets, development of fixture list and increase number of age group county fixtures that are hosted Tours Rescheduling of 1st XI and development XI India tour and continuation of Devon tour

www.habsboys.org.uk • admissions@habsboys.org.uk thecricketer.com | 43

Together, boundless

Bursaries and scholarships available

44 | thecricketer.com

020 8266 1700 www.habsboys.org.uk

HAILEYBURY

HAILEYBURY London Road, Hertford SG13 7NU Established 1862 Number of pupils 890 Director of cricket Rupert Kitzinger (Dorset) Teams 17 boys – 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, 4th XI, U15ABC, U14ABC, U13A-G; 12 girls – 1st XI, 2nd XI, U15AB, U14AB, 13ABC, U12ABC Girls’ cricket 12 teams representing huge growth from none four years ago. Rupert Kitzinger used to coach the England Women’s Development Programme. Strong links with Sunrisers and Hertfordshire CCC How has cricket bounced back A bumper fixture list put in place to make up for lost fixtures in 2020. Record number of girls playing Post-pandemic changes Added September/October fixtures which will be continued in future. Hosted a pre-season festival in April Fixtures Around 250 including an annual 2-day fixture against Cheltenham. Both boys and girls XI play MCC on Speech Day Facilities Brand new 7-lane

Brief history The annual permanent outdoor facility, match with Cheltenham 5 new roll-on cages, 3 was held at Lord’s until indoor nets, 6 squares, PV1 1968. Haileybury Cricket is – Hawkeye, Merlyn bowling a book written by David machine Rimmer that maps cricket Club/county affiliations Director from 1863 with team lists Hertfordshire CCC, St and photos. The historic Margaretsbury, Hoddesdon of cricket Rupert Kitzinger pavilion is a listed building & Broxbourne CCs. designed by Reginald Developing links with Kent, Bloomfield. Pros include Graham Middlesex & Sunrisers Barlow, Peter Ellis, Jeremy Lloyd, Best prospect Harry Seagrave – a Geoff Howarth and Nic Pothas. Sir 16-year-old left-arm spinner who has Don Bradman visited the Haileybury played for Middlesex 2nd XI and bequeathed his Baggy Green, Cricketers of note Sam Billings – which lay in the Pavilion Long Room Kent’s T20 Blast-winning captain and for many years before being loaned to an England white-ball player, Andrew the Australian Cricket Board museum Neal (Leeds MCCU). 91 first-class Cultural cricketers Clement Attlee cricketers produced in total

(British prime minister), Jamie George (Saracens & England rugby), Nick Isiekwe (rugby) What sets the school apart? Ambitious plans are becoming a reality for cricket at Haileybury with the school regularly reaching the later rounds of regional and national competitions Finest moment Chasing down 308 in 2016 to beat Stamford thanks to Freddie Walker (127 not out) and Ollie Heazel (104 not out). Chasing down 283 in the 4th innings of the 2-day fixture against Cheltenham with time and wickets running out. Reaching the Cricketer Cup final in 1983 v Repton Pilgrims Recent progress The huge development of girls’ cricket at the school and the growing number of county age-group players. The improvement in Haileybury’s practice facilities and all six squares has been considerable Future plans Plans are underway on a bespoke Indoor Cricket Centre. Further developing links with local clubs and first-class counties Tours Annual U14 tour to Jersey. South Africa tour on the cards for 1st XI

“You can achieve that extra yard” Ours is a community that will lift up your heart. Established in 1862, Haileybury is a top co-educational boarding and day school for 11–18 year olds on a historic 500 acre campus in Hertfordshire, just 20 miles north of London. Cricket is our passion. Our facilities include 5 county standard pitches, 10 grass nets, dedicated space for girls' cricket and 11 artificial nets

UK enquiries: uk.admissions@haileybury.com International enquiries: int.admissions@haileybury.com 01992 706 353 Haileybury.com

We are proud to work in partnership with Hampshire Cricket as a Regional Performance Centre host venue Co-educational | 11-18 years | Boarding and Day www.lordwandsworth.org

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Lifting Hearts

TOP 100 SENIOR SCHOOLS

HAMPTON SCHOOL

HAMPTON SCHOOL Hanworth Road, Hampton, Middlesex TW12 3HD Established 1556 Number of pupils 1,300 Head of cricket Ami Banerjee Professional Chris Harrison (ECB Level 3) Teams 17 – 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, 4th XI, U15ABC, U14ABC, U13ABC, U12ABCD How has cricket bounced back Cricket matches in September, training from October and internal matches. Hampton Cricket Academy runs throughout all three terms, focusing on individual techniques of cricketers and holding after-school group sessions. From April, senior and junior teams played competitive inter school fixtures and cup matches Post-pandemic changes All players have fitness training programmes, online technical drills to complete at home and 1:1 coaching via video. Squad sessions for all teams comprising of a weekly skill development session and live session of tactical awareness Fixtures 190 matches per year. 1st XI play 24 matches, including declaration game, 50-overs, twoday games and National T20 Cup.

Notable fixtures are Eton, Harrow, Whitgift, St Pauls, KCS, Dulwich, Merchant Taylor, Reeds, RGS Guildford, Tiffin and MCC Facilities 6 indoor nets, 7 outdoor astroturf nets, 7 grass wickets, 1 astroturf wicket. 3 outdoor grass wickets for training with cages. The indoor facility also has space for indoor matches Club/county affiliations Surrey CCC, Middlesex CCC, Hampshire CCC plus clubs in the local area Best prospect “The school has a number of cricketers from U12 to U18 who are very talented

and show a high level of ability and a passion to improve. There are, therefore, many young prospects in the school and hopefully, we will see some of them playing for the country one day,” said Ami Banerjee Cricketers of note Zafar Ansari (Surrey & England), Toby RolandJones (Middlesex & England), Blake Cullen (Middlesex & England U19) Brief history Cricket started at Hampton in 1874 and continues to flourish. The school is known for its extensive coaching programme and has produced numerous professional and international cricketers over the years. Hampton has been running allrounder scholarships, showing the school’s ambition to improve the overall standard of sports What sets the school apart? An extensive and excellent winter coaching programme with highclass technical advice and coaching designed to ensure players develop at their own pace. Indoor league cricket and an extensive summer fixture list. Technical coaching Toby Roland-Jones

Head of cricket Ami Banerjee provided by ex-first-class cricketers Finest moment Reaching the final and quarter-final of the National T20 in 2005 and 2010, respectively. More recently, the 1st XI reached the quarter-final of the National T20 in 2021 and U14 reached the semi-final of the National Cup and final of the Middlesex Cup. U12A won the Middlesex Cup in 2021 Recent progress Increased participation in matches and the number of pupils working on their technique in the nets at lunch and after school Future plans Building a 6-lane indoor cricket centre Tours Sri Lanka (seniors and U16) in December 2022. The juniors tour Dubai every pre-season

www.hamptonschool.org.uk • Admissions: tel 020 8979 9273 email admissions@hamptonschool.org.uk 46 | thecricketer.com

ACADEMIC & CRICKETING

• Excellent facilities: seven cricket squares in a 27 acre campus • Outstanding coaching: ECB level 3 coaches led by former first-class cricketer • Cricket Academy: year round one-to-one and small group coaching for all boys

• Free places, scholarships and bursaries available • Entry at 11, 13 and 16

• 23-route coach service

• Biennial overseas tours (Sri Lanka, India) • Easily accessible from central London, Middlesex and Surrey

First-class Cricketers

BLAKE CULLEN (OH) England U19, Middlesex CCC TOBY ROLAND-JONES (OH) England, Middlesex CCC ZAFAR ANSARI (OH) England, Surrey CCC AKBAR ANSARI (OH) Cambridge MCCU Captain 2008/2009 County cricket representatives across all year groups

VISITOR EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

(by appointment, see website for details)

Hampton School, Hanworth Road, Hampton TW12 3HD T 020 8979 9273 E admissions@hamptonschool.org.uk

www.hamptonschool.org.uk

TOP 100 SENIOR SCHOOLS HARROW SCHOOL 5 High Street, Harrow on the Hill, Middlesex HA1 3HP Established 1872 Number of pupils 830 Master in charge Johny Marsden Director of cricket Mark Ramprakash Teams 21 – 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, 4th XI, 5th XI, 6th XI, U16ABC, U15ABCDEF, U14ABCDEF How has cricket bounced back Offered a winter training programme (Covid-19 guidelines permitting) that ran six days a week during the off-season. Visiting speakers, including Alec Stewart and Ian Ward, gave online talks when the school was fully closed. More than 250 external fixtures were completed during summer term Post-pandemic changes Mark Ramprakash will continue to work 1:1 with the boys to discuss their cricket development plans.

HUDDERSFIELD NEW COLLEGE New Hey Road, Huddersfield HD3 4GL Established 1958 Number of pupils 2,450 Master in charge Peter Lombard, head of cricket/talent athlete coordinator; Dave Weston (ECB Level 3) Teams 1st XI, 2nd XI Girls’ cricket Not yet, but the school is trying to change that – student Lucy Lindley played for Yorkshire in 2021 How has cricket bounced back The school played as many games as they could, beginning with house matches and then taking on other schools. The school qualified for the AoC T20 National Finals, winning the northern regional competition Post-pandemic changes Breaking down training sessions into more of a one-to-one 48 | thecricketer.com

HARROW SCHOOL // HUDDERSFIELD NEW COLLEGE

2 new cricket fields were added to accommodate the greater number of U16 and U18 boys wanting to play cricket Fixtures Around 250 matches across all age-groups. 1st XI typically play over 20 fixtures Facilities 2-lane purpose-built indoor school, 8 artificial outdoor nets, 4 grass outdoor nets. 9 grounds used exclusively for cricket and served by excellent pavilions. PitchVision & QuickScore scoreboards Club/county affiliations The school partners with the local community in sharing facilities and has a blend of independent and state school fixtures on the fixture card. Harrow’s training facilities and pitches are used by local men’s and women’s clubs throughout the summer holidays. Strong partnerships with Surrey CCC and Middlesex CCC. MCC Foundation Hub Best prospect “While we are blessed with a wide range

of boys who play representative cricket, we try to focus on helping all boys develop and enjoy their cricket and wouldn’t want to single out any particular boy,” said Johny Marsden Cricketers of note Gary Ballance (Derbyshire, Yorkshire & England), Sam Northeast (Kent & Hampshire), Robbie White (Middlesex), Nick Compton (Middlesex, Somerset & England), Glen Querl, Anshuman Rath (both Hong Kong), Robin Marlar (Sussex), ARB Neame (Kent), Tony Pigott (Sussex & Surrey), Matthew Fosh (Essex), RM Tindall (Northants) Brief history From 1850 to 1939 the Eton match at Lord’s was part of the ‘London Season’. The first recorded match in 1805 gained publicity from the presence in the Harrow team of Lord Byron. Harrow has extended its fixture list and now has 21 teams playing every week Cultural cricketers Lord Byron, Sir Terence Rattigan (playwright), William Haggas (racehorse trainer) What sets the school apart? Harrow boys get to play in the oldest school fixture at Lord’s. All nine grounds are only used for cricket,

format gave players greater access to valuable coaching. They maintained those smaller bubbles even after the government guidance changed so that students could get more out of each session Fixtures 25 games across two teams, including a fixture against the MCC Facilities The multimillion-pound Sports Barn at Huddersfield New College features two professionalsurface net lanes, while the sports hall includes four nets. They play their home matches at Stainland CC Club/county affiliation The school has used Stainland for its home matches since the club folded. The school holds junior cricket events throughout the summer that are run by students Best prospects Ben Cliff and Matthew Weston are on EPP contracts at Yorkshire; Cliff is the school’s firstteam captain. Lindley is a right-arm seamer and right-hand bat – she featured for Yorkshire this season and is on the Diamonds academy

Cricketers of note Ben Birkhead (Yorkshire), Hollie Armitage (Northern Diamonds captain) What sets the school apart? Huddersfield New College students have cricket included in their education timetable. They train three times a week, along with their summer fixtures. Plus, all cricketers get their Level 1 coaching qualification by the time they graduate, which gives them a head-start if they choose to move into coaching Finest moment They were AoC T20 Cup winners in 2012, as well as U17 National Cup finalists in 2011. Three years ago, Ben Balmforth represented MCC Schools at Lord’s while a student at Huddersfield New College Recent progress As well as simply being happy to be back playing after the difficulties thrown up by the

leaving them in excellent condition. Mark Ramprakash offers 1:1 guidance Finest moment Any side going undefeated through the season Recent progress Increased fixture cards for 5th/6th XI and U14/U15 E&F teams. Boys with a love of the game can now play 6-8 matches a season Future plans Expand Harrow’s work in the local community. New purpose-built 6-lane indoor cricket school and 10 outdoor grass nets Tours Cape Town in December 2019, Sri Lanka in December 2022

coronavirus pandemic, there is plenty of pride in seeing Weston and Cliff earn EPP contracts with Yorkshire, and Lindley making it into Northern Diamonds’ academy squad Future plans As well as students undertaking their Level 1 coaching qualifications, the college is looking to set up a groundsman course so that players can give back to their local clubs. They also plan to run mini primary-school tournaments in the area Tours Huddersfield are off to Desert Springs for six days in April 2022 to train and play against other schools in a tournament

HURSTPIERPOINT COLLEGE // KIMBOLTON SCHOOL

HURSTPIERPOINT COLLEGE

Club, who use the school’s facilities for practice Best prospect Middle-order batter and off-spinner Bertie Foreman has performed well for the school and plays regularly for Sussex’s academy team. Cricketers of note George Garton (Sussex & England Lions), Tom Haines (Sussex), Justin Bates (Sussex), Martin Speight (Durham & Sussex), Jack Carson (Sussex) Brief history Although Hurstpierpoint was founded in 1849, it is clear that cricket was played not only when the school was at Shoreham but also at the Mansion House, though there are no written records until the appearance of the

Hurst Johnian in 1858. That season, therefore, is the first for which scores survive and for which we have any names Finest moment Hurstpierpoint won the National Schools T20 competition in 2015 and has also won the Woodard Schools Festival in recent years Recent progress Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the school was able to put on a full outdoor cricket programme throughout the whole of the 2020/21 season, including several sessions that took place under lights. Meanwhile, alumni Garton, Carson and Haines have become major parts of Sussex’s first team, with all three individually enjoying fine campaigns in 2021, even as the county struggled for results Future plans The new ground under development will provide more space as demand for cricket fixtures continues to increase, with schools returning to normal since the Covid outbreak Tours Hurstpierpoint toured Cape Town in 2018

Huntingdonshire, as well as Kimbolton CC Best prospect Oliver Greenhow has been involved with Northamptonshire’s EPP programme. He captained Kimbolton’s 1st XI in summer 2021 Cricketers of note Tom Huggins (Northants), Jack Hobbs (England) Brief history In the early part of the 20th century, regular matches were played against Cambridge University colleges. Hobbs was appointed as the school’s cricket professional in the 1930s. He scored his final century in

the Staff v Pupils cricket match in the late 1940s. More recently, Charlotte Edwards spent one summer as the school’s professional Cultural cricketers Tom Parker (Arsenal & England), Harold Abrahams (the school’s athletics coach who inspired Chariots of Fire) What sets the school apart? With a backdrop of Kimbolton Castle and beautiful countryside, the 1st XI square boasts one of the most attractive cricketing venues in the country Finest moment A last ball, one-wicket victory against the MCC in 2011 still features regularly as a talking point among Old Kimboltonians Recent progress The introduction of a development training programme, led by former England bowler Tudor, has been a popular addition to the school’s cricket offering. There have been recent visits from all-time greats in the shape of Sir Garfield Sobers, Michael Holding and Sir Alastair Cook Future plans Fundraising efforts are ongoing, with the intention of improving the school’s cricket facilities

PAUL CARROLL

College Lane, Hurstpierpoint, Sussex BN6 9JS Established 1849 Number of pupils 850 in the Senior School Master in charge James Anyon, head of cricket Professionals Mark Nash – cricket professional, Harry Finch – cricket professional Teams Boys: 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, U15ABC, U14ABC. Girls: 1st XI, 2nd XI, U15AB, U14AB Girls’ cricket Chiara Green and Matthew Reynolds head up the girls’ section, and they play against the MCC among a busy fixture calendar How has cricket bounced back Only the first week of the 2021 season was lost to the pandemic, with a full programme back in progress Post-pandemic changes The school added live-streaming to its offering during the pandemic to allow parents to watch their children’s games – an initiative that has continued since

restrictions were lifted Fixtures On average, the first team plays close to 20 fixtures per year, with 150 annual matches for boys’ and girls’ cricket, including flagship games against the MCC Facilities Hurstpierpoint currently has four grass-wicket grounds, with a fifth currently in development, as well as four artificial pitches, fifteen outdoor artificial nets, four cages that can be rolled onto the field for grass practice and six indoor lanes in the sports hall Club/county affiliation Hurstpierpoint sponsor Blackstone, where Sussex play much of their second-team cricket. They also have a strong link with Antsy Ladies Cricket

KIMBOLTON SCHOOL High Street, Kimbolton, Huntingdonshire PE28 0EA Established 1600 Number of pupils co-educational – about 720 Master in charge Matt Gilbert Professional Alex Tudor Teams Boys: 1st XI, 2nd XI, U15AB, U14AB, U13AB, U12AB. Girls’ cricket Girls’ cricket is offered as a secondary option to tennis, which is the major summer sport at Kimbolton. There are U13 and U15 sides that play a small number of matches, with the U15 team involved in a County Schools League. Training is available throughout the winter How has cricket bounced back Drills and skills for independent cricket practice were included in a virtual package Post-pandemic changes The school investigated the option of ‘socially distanced’ cricket fixtures for last September if they were unable to resume their normal programme. Winter training sessions were reinstated ahead of a busy summer

Fixtures Approximately 130 fixtures across all age-groups, including standout games against the MCC. The 1st XI also takes part in an annual festival with Monmouth School, Victoria College Jersey and New Hall School, hosted on a rotational basis Facilities Four indoor nets, eight outdoor artificial nets, two covered grass squares with pavilions, three artificial strips, three bowling machines including a Merlyn machine Club/county affiliation The school enjoys strong relationships with Northamptonshire and

thecricketer.com | 49

TOP 100 SENIOR SCHOOLS

KING EDWARD VI SCHOOL, SOUTHAMPTON Wilton Road, Southampton SO15 5UQ

Established 1554 Number of pupils 940 Head of cricket Alex Penn Teams Boys: 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, U15ABC, U14ABC, U13ABC, U12ABC. Girls: 1st XI, U15AB, U14AB, U13ABCD, U12ABCD Girls’ cricket Girls’ cricket was introduced two seasons ago, with a first team added this year, playing against a mixture of schools and

KING’S COLLEGE, TAUNTON South Road, Taunton, Somerset TA1 3LA

Established 1880 Number of pupils 460 Head of cricket Rob Woodman Professional Alex Barrow Teams Boys: 1st Xl, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, 4th XI U15ABC U14 AB. Girls: 1st XI, U15A Girls’ cricket As well as the first team, at under-15 level girls’ cricket is offered both indoors and outdoors How has cricket bounced back The school added September cricket, including internal matches between year-group bubbles and outside 50 | thecricketer.com

KING EDWARD VI SCHOOL, SOUTHAMPTON // KING’S COLLEGE, TAUNTON

clubs. Several county-level girls also take part in the boys’ programme How has cricket bounced back The school ran four weeks of cricket in September, with a full programme of winter nets for all year-groups. From April onwards, there were fixtures every weekend, with more than 320 students playing each Saturday Post-pandemic changes There has been an increase in the amount of online resource material produced by coaches for students. Training sessions have operated in smaller groups Fixtures Approximately 120 fixtures per summer, as well as 10 pre-season

training Post-pandemic changes An intensive winter and spring cricket programme at the school’s cricket centre was followed by a busy summer, which included fresh formats, traditional 50-over games, two-day matches, cup competitions and

festivals Fixtures More than 100 fixtures in 2019, including games against the MCC – men and women – the Army, Royal Marines, Cardiff and Cardiff Met Universities, Somerset and Gloucestershire academies Facilities King’s College has an indoor sport performance centre with three indoor lanes, as well

indoor fixtures. Among the most notable is the U13 Regional Softball Preparatory Schools’ Tournament, alongside the annual MCC match. One weekend block fixture against Churchers College sees 25 games played on a single Saturday Facilities The school’s main site features a grass square, four outdoor all-weather nets and four indoor nets. At Wellington Sports Ground, seven games can be played simultaneously on grass wickets Club/county affiliation The school is the official education partner for Hampshire County Cricket Club. The school has hosted girls’ county age-group fixtures, while their indoor nets are used by the MCC Academy’s Southampton hub, as well as a number of local clubs for pre-season training. The Lord’s Taverners also run the Southampton strand of the Wicketz initiative from the school Best prospect Ben Mayes is a member of Hampshire’s U13 team, where he is a top-order batter and fast bowler. He made his 1st XI debut over the summer Cricketers of note Joe Weatherley

(Hampshire), Simon Francis, John Francis (both Hampshire and Somerset) Cultural cricketers Sir Edward Penley Abraham (biochemist), Stephen Hammond MP What sets the school apart? The school is proud of its relationship with Hampshire, hosting age-group county cricket and an U19 match against Jersey in 2019 Finest moment Earlier this year, the school’s U12, U13 and U14 boys all reached County Cup finals, with the U13 and U14 sides winning their titles Recent progress Having county champions across two age-groups this year is a sign of the school’s progress, qualifying for next year’s U15 National Cup Future plans By 2023, the school wants all coaches qualified on the ECB Level 2 course, while there are aspirations to develop girls’ cricket to a point where the same provisions are offered as for the boys Tours There are plans for a local junior tour next year and an international senior tour in 2024

as a separate sports hall for indoor cricket. There are also grass nets on the squares, six outside artificial nets and six cricket pitches Club/county affiliation The school has partnerships with the MCC Cricket Foundation, Somerset CCC, Taunton St Andrews, the ESCA Cricket Festival, and bat manufacturer Millichamp and Hall. The West Cricket Festival, organised by Malcolm Broad and held at the school, was cancelled in 2020 due to Covid but usually hosts almost 200 games across six weeks Best prospect In last year’s guide, King’s College tipped Will Smeed as an upper-sixth prospect to watch. Twelve months on, they weren’t wrong Cricketers of note Jos Buttler (England, Lancs & Somst, left), Tom Banton (England & Somst), Eddie Byrom (Somst & Glamorgan), Nathan Gilchrist (Somst & Kent) Brief history Cricket at King’s College has always been at the

forefront of the school’s traditions. The school was one of the first MCC Foundation Hubs, an initiative which allows local young cricketers to access its coaching and facilities What sets the school apart? England Lions have trained on the school’s main pitch while New Zealand have practised at the sports performance cricket centre Recent progress The rise in popularity at the school of girls’ cricket – with nearby Western Storm having dominated in the Kia Super League and featured several Somerset-based players in the new regional system – was potentially going to mean an increase to three teams for the summer of 2020, until the pandemic struck Future plans The school has plans to add more grass wickets, while they are also looking to rotate and move one of the squares to provide a bigger pitch for the U15 team Tours The school’s most recent tour was to Dubai and Sri Lanka, with a senior squad and junior squad. They are planning their next major overseas trip for 2022

LANCING COLLEGE

LANCING COLLEGE Lancing, West Sussex BN15 0RW Established 1848 Number of pupils 600 Director of cricket Raj Maru Teams 1st XI, 2nd XI, 15AB, 14AB. Girls: U16 to U18, U14, U15 Girls’ cricket Girls’ cricket is offered all year round, with coaching and a playing programme, as well as an introduction to hardball cricket this winter How has cricket bounced back The school only played a very limited number of matches in 2021 due to the impact of the pandemic, but that disappointment has provided Lancing’s coaches with additional time to develop the technical skills of their boys and girls. Cricket has also seen an increase in its number of participants Post-pandemic changes Year groups at Lancing have worked in bubbles, which has allowed more opportunities for training, in-house coaching and matches in smaller groups Fixtures In a normal year, the first team in each year group (1st XI,

U15A, U14A) play between 14 and 16 matches each, while the second team (2nd XI, U15B, U14B) have between six and 10 scheduled fixtures. The girls’ teams – at senior and junior level – play between eight and 10 games each Facilities The school has six artificial nets and four grass squares outside, while also using their Astroturf hockey pitch to play in-house six-aside games. The indoor sports hall also has two nets, with plans to add three more Club/county affiliation Lancing have strong links with Sussex County Cricket Club and the county cricket board, as well as with local clubs in the area. Director of cricket Maru, who represented Middlesex and Hampshire at first-class level in a long career, also has links at Hampshire, where he spent some time coaching following the end of his playing career. He has played a significant part in the career of Mason Crane, the England leg-spinner who attended the school Best prospects Under-16 players Jacob Coup and Oscar Sheffield, as well as under-15 George HanningtonHodge, are all recipients of the Peter Robinson Scholarship and represent

Sussex at county age-group level Cricketers of note Jonathan Robinson (Surrey), Mason Crane (Hampshire, London Spirit & England), William Fazakerley (Leicestershire); Alice Capsey (Surrey, South East Stars & Oval Invincibles) Brief history Cricket at Lancing dates back to 1857, where the earliest team was captained by G Woodard, the son of Lancing’s founder Nathaniel Woodard. Cricket has since become one of the most popular and successful sports at the college, with Crane becoming their first-ever international cricketer in 2017 Cultural cricketers Sir Tim Rice What sets the school apart? Other than the work of Maru, the widely respected director of cricket, Lancing’s reputation as a developer of professional cricketers – with Alice Capsey, the hugely exciting teenage allrounder, is a significant feather in their cap. Lancing offer two cricket scholarships each year for the most outstanding cricketing applicant in Year 9 and Year 12

Director of cricket Raj Maru

Finest moment Lancing Rovers – a team of Lancing old boys – won the Cricketer Trophy, a prestigious competition played for by alumni from independent schools across the country, in 2019. In the final, Ryan Maskell hit a triple-century, a world record in a 50-over match. Maskell and Matt Clarke put on more than 400 for the second wicket at Gerrards Cross CC, with Maskell’s 309 coming off just 159 balls, including 33 fours and 21 sixes. Clarke also hit a century as 24 balls were lost during the innings Recent progress The introduction to girls’ cricket at the school has been a huge success, with Capsey a perfect role model Future plans There are plans to Introduce girls to hardball cricket, while two further net lanes are in the works for an update to the sports hall Tours A pre-season tour to Guernsey in Easter 2022 is under consideration, as well as a plan to tour South Africa either in 2023 or 2024

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LORD WANDSWORTH COLLEGE // MAGDALEN COLLEGE SCHOOL

LORD WANDSWORTH COLLEGE Long Sutton, Hook, Hampshire RG29 1TB Established 1912 Number of pupils 650 Master in charge Edward Ikin Teams Boys: 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, U15ABC, U14ABC, U13AB, U12AB. Girls: 1st XI, U15A, U14A, U13AB, U12AB Girls’ cricket It has been played at the school for more than a decade, with seven established teams How has cricket bounced back With a bang – the school has fielded more teams than ever before since the game returned following the hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic, including a full-on fixture list and a more intensive programme in the pre-season and post-season. The boys’ 1st XI are set to compete in the inaugural 100-ball competition hosted by The Cricketer Post-pandemic changes As well as adding more teams in order to cope with demand, an app was designed for coaches to communicate and

MAGDALEN COLLEGE SCHOOL Oxford OX4 1DZ

Established 1480 Number of pupils 950 Master in charge Chris Boyle Professional Alan Duncan Teams Boys: 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, 4th XI, U16A, U15ABC, 14ABC, 13ABC, 12ABC Girls’ cricket Girls’ cricket is offered as part of a multisport option in the sixth form, but the school is boys-only until then How has cricket bounced back Despite the weather in May, there were tremendous numbers when cricket returned after the pandemic hiatus Post-pandemic changes For the first time, cricket was played in September, mostly with internal matches, which added to competition for places in squads. In younger agegroups, the format from The Hundred was introduced for the first time Fixtures In a normal year, the school places roughly 150 matches, including the local derby against

provide feedback when face-to-face contact has not been possible. Online courses and masterclasses have been available throughout the pandemic, with specialist pages for mental health and nutrition, as well as seminars for cricketers led by professionals from different industries. A weekly cricket newsletter has also been introduced, featuring results, photos and a roundup from the previous week Fixtures Between boys and girls, the school plays more than 180 fixtures, with over 300 pupils taking part Facilities The school has eight pitches: five grass squares and three artificial wickets. One newly laid square and artificial pitch is dedicated to girls’ cricket. There are also 10 grass nets, 10 artificial nets and a sports hall,

cricket into its co-curricular which contains four indoor programme which, as a nets result, has seen a huge Club/county affiliation growth in recent years As well as a longstanding Cultural cricketers relationship with Odiham Jonny Wilkinson and Greywell Cricket Club, Master in charge Finest moment The Hampshire also use their Edward Ikin school’s first teams – for pitches for age-group both boys and girls – matches. The school runs face the MCC, and have done so outreach programmes with local prep simultaneously on adjacent pitches schools, led by Ikin Recent progress Coming out of the Best prospect Gemma Lane, Finty pandemic with more teams than ever Trussler (both Southern Vipers & before is a remarkable effort Hampshire Women), Sam Ruffell Future plans There is a new sports (Hampshire U17 & Rajasthan Royals hub in the works, as well as a desire UK Academy) to continue working with local prep Cricketers of note Michael Bates schools (Hampshire) Tours The school is keen to tour Brief history The school was one of Murcia in 2022 the first in the UK to introduce girls’

St Edward’s, Oxford Facilities The school has a five-net indoor facility, including five bowling machines and a Merlin. There are also five grass nets, four outdoor artificial nets, three separate grounds and six squares Club/county affiliation They share

successful partnerships with county sides Oxfordshire and Sussex, acting as the hub in Oxfordshire for both the EPP programme and the county pathway. There are several pupils across the school involved with both programmes. The school also enjoys links with local clubs, hosting an U10 tournament each year Best prospect Aside from James Coles, who signed a professional contract this year with Sussex and became the county’s youngest-ever first-class player in 2020 but remains a student, Kaln Niyarepola is a promising right-handed batter and off-spinner at U15 level Cricketers of note Tom Scriven (Hampshire), Ollie Price (Gloucestershire) and Tom Price (Gloucestershire), James Coles (Sussex) Brief history Founded in 1480, Magdalen College School was initially set up as a school of the university. In 1894 the school acquired the playing fields now known as School Field, a

unique island setting, accessed by two listed white bridges. The cricket ground is considered one of the most picturesque in England, with the backdrop of punts on the Cherwell, the Botanic Gardens, Magdalen tower and the dreaming spires beyond. The School Field ground is the only island cricket ground in schools cricket Cultural cricketers Sam Mendes (film director), Jim Rosenthal (sports presenter) Finest moment Three students made their first-class debuts in the same month (August 2020) for three different counties – Scriven for Hampshire, Tom Price for Gloucestershire and Coles for Sussex Recent progress Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the winter cricket programme has grown Future plans There are plans for new nets, while a partnership with Oxford Spires Academy will allow their pupils regular access to high-quality coaching and facilities. Magdalen’s relationship with Oxfordshire is also set to grow over the next three to five years Tours The school is keen to tour Sri Lanka when possible thecricketer.com | 53

TOP 100 SENIOR SCHOOLS MALVERN COLLEGE College Road, Malvern, Worcestershire WR14 3DF Established 1865 Number of pupils 650 Master in charge Mark Hardinges Professional Noel Brett Teams Boys: 1st XI , 2nd XI, 3rd XI, U15ABC, U14ABC. Girls: 1st XI, U15, U14 Girls’ cricket Girls’ cricket is played at the school, with three teams turning out in fixtures How has cricket bounced back Malvern added cricket to their September schedule to make up for lost time when school returned from the summer holidays after the sport’s Covid hiatus in the previous summer term Post-pandemic changes Much of the school’s offering has remained the same, though they have added 100-ball cricket following the success of the inaugural edition of The Hundred Fixtures Malvern pupils enjoy close to 20 matchdays per season, including fixtures against the MCC, Shrewsbury, Harrow, Wellington, Repton, Bradfield and Millfield Facilities As well as six artificial nets and 16 grass nets – some of which have been newly installed – Malvern also benefit from three separate grounds and an indoor cricket facility Club/county affiliation The school work closely with Worcestershire, with many of their cricket scholars involved with either the county’s famed academy or emerging players programme. These involve nets, nutrition, fitness and lectures. Malvern and the county – who are

well known for blooding local young talent in their first team – make sure their students are getting the right balance between their cricket and academic work Best prospects The school have high hopes for Josh Dickenson, Rehaan Edavalath and Josh Baker, all of whom have represented Worcestershire at second-team level, while left-arm spinner Baker impressed for the first team in 2021 Cricketers of note Jack Haynes (Worcestershire), Tom KohlerCadmore (Worcestershire & Yorkshire), David Nash (Middlesex), Ben Twohig (Worcestershire), Alex Milton (Worcestershire), Mark Hardinges (Gloucestershire), Roger Tolchard (England & Leicestershire) Brief history The Senior Turf at Malvern is a spectacular ground. Matches were played within 18 months of the school’s foundation in 1865. Players included the seven Foster brothers, who dominated Malvern cricket from 1889. All played for Worcestershire, but RE ‘Tip’ Foster was the most outstanding, and is still remembered for his innings of 287 for England at Sydney on the 1903/04 tour to Australia, his Test debut Cultural cricketers Lord MacLaurin of Knebworth (ECB chief executive, MCC president) Finest moment The first team won the National T20 in 2019 and, seven years earlier, went through an entire season unbeaten against school opposition Recent progress The continued progress of girls’ cricket is a significant source of pride at Malvern Tours Malvern are hoping to travel to Dubai with their 1st XI and U15 sides in 2022

MALVERN COLLEGE // MARLBOROUGH COLLEGE

MARLBOROUGH COLLEGE Bath Road, Marlborough, Wiltshire SN8 1PA Established 1843 Number of pupils 1,007 Master in charge Mike Bush Professional Mark Alleyne Teams Boys: 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, 4th XI, 5th XI, U16ABC, U15ABCD, U14 ABCDE. Girls: three XIs, U17 cup team Girls’ cricket Girls’ cricket has been running for six seasons, with just under 50 participants. A vibrant fixture schedule includes Shrewsbury, Rugby, Bradfield and St Edward’s. Former England captain Charlotte Edwards coaches on a part-time basis How has cricket bounced back The school found that pupils engaged with club cricket during the 2020 summer holidays, which prepared them for a four-week offering in September, with rugby unable to be played due to Covid. Likewise, more than 230 boys and girls signed up for cricket in 2021 Fixtures In 2021, 183 fixtures were scheduled across all teams. The boys’ 1st XI played 18 matches. Until 1972, the Marlborough/Rugby match was a regular fixture at Lord’s and since then the two schools have played a twoday game against each other annually, alternating the venue home and away Facilities There is a sports hall, which includes five indoor nets, nine Grounds, 14 artificial nets, two cages and three bowling machines Club/county affiliation Marlborough have links with local clubs Marlborough, Burbage, Avebury and Potterne, and host matches for Wiltshire at age-group level and for Gloucestershire/Wiltshire’s EPP

Best prospect Sussex U18 seamer Sam Martin-Jenkins is the nephew of late TMS broadcaster Christopher; he has opened the bowling for Horsham in the Sussex Premier League. The school also has boys and girls involved in the Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Sussex, Oxfordshire, and Wiltshire youth setups Cricketers of note AG Steel, RH Spooner (both England) Brief history Dr Cotton, who arrived from Rugby School as Master in 1852, gave great encouragement to cricket and by 1855, when the first match between the two schools took place at Lord’s, the main cricket square had been completed Cultural cricketers Siegfried Sassoon (poet), Jack Whitehall (comedian), Christopher MartinJenkins (broadcaster, journalist) What sets the school apart? Marlborough hosted a three-day Women’s Ashes warm-up game between Australia and England Academy in 2019. Wiltshire also play in the NCCA Minor Counties competition there Finest moment In August 2017, the 1st XI beat Rugby by 25 runs at Lord’s to celebrate the 450th (Rugby) and 175th (Marlborough) anniversaries of both schools Recent progress The school’s Junior Colts 1st XI won the U15 Clark Williams Trophy Festival at Shrewsbury in July 2021 for the first time since 2012 Future plans A new eight-lane fully covered training hub facility is being built Tours Following a successful joint tour for boys and girls to South Africa in 2020, there are plans for a senior overseas tour and an U15 pre-season tour to Desert Springs once the pandemic is over

MERCHANT TAYLORS’ SCHOOL, NORTHWOOD // MILLFIELD SCHOOL

MERCHANT TAYLORS’ SCHOOL, NORTHWOOD Sandy Lodge, Northwood, Hertfordshire HA6 2HT

Established 1561 Number of pupils 950 Director of cricket Ian MacGowan Teams Boys: 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, 4th XI, U17, U16, U15ABC, U14ABCD, U13ABC, U12ABC How has cricket bounced back The school played in year-group bubbles from the start of term, with over 300 pupils training and 17 teams playing each week. To make up for missed

MILLFIELD SCHOOL Butleigh Street, Somerset BA16 0YD Established 1935 Number of pupils 1,280 Director of cricket Mark Garaway Professionals Kieran Peters – lead girls coach; Jack Moore – junior performance coach; Ethan Harris – lead bowling coach; Dave Roberts – private coach Teams 17 age-group teams (13 boys/4 girls) Girls’ cricket The girls’ section have enjoyed National Cup success. Among their fixtures are games against the MCC, Somerset U15/U17 and Wales U17. There are overseas tours every other year How has cricket bounced back Millfield played fixtures on Sundays in September against county age-groups/ academies and schools. They also set up an internal

opportunities last year, they have entered sides into the U12, U13, U14, U15, U17, U18 and U19 cup competitions Post-pandemic changes The school has re-introduced an U16 Colts side, with matches against RGS Guildford, Cranleigh, Hurstpierpoint and Tonbridge Fixtures Merchant Taylors’ play block fixtures every Saturday on a competitive circuit in northwest London, also entering Middlesex Cup competitions at U12, U13,

100-ball league. The numbers of senior boys playing are at an all-time high Post-pandemic changes They now use Microsoft Teams for team reviews and player catchups Fixtures 138 fixtures per year, with notable games against the academies and/or age-group sides of Surrey, Somerset, Wales, Worcestershire, Cornwall, Gloucestershire, Glamorgan and Hampshire, as well as an annual MCC match Facilities An indoor school with five lanes, Pitchvision Technology, a fielding area with 4G grass, and throwing and bowling walls with speed radars. Outside: 12 grass nets and a four-lane artificial net bay. Three of their six grounds have Pitchvision Match Analysis Systems, which livestream matches Club/county affiliation Widespread associations, as well as relationships Simon Jones

U14 and U15 age-groups. They have played against St Pauls in every year from 1946, only interrupted by the pandemic, and before that as far back as the 1840s, when they faced one another at The Oval Facilities The school has 12 grass squares, allowing them to host Sri Lanka, England and Australia for World Cup preparations in 2019. In pre-season, Middlesex train in the school’s purpose-built marquee Club/county affiliation The school’s grounds are the home of Middlesex’s youth cricket, while Old Merchant Taylors’ CC are also based at the site. Thirty-five pupils represent Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Middlesex and Surrey Best prospect Middlesex academy prospect Aaryan Sawant is a talented batting allrounder at U15 level Cricketers of note Ravi Patel (Middlesex) Brief history In 1933 the school moved to its present location at Sandy Lodge, where its 300-acre site

provides ample room for cricket to thrive, with professional coaches at every level, indoor practice facilities and regular pre-season tours from Under 14 upwards, including major overseas trips for seniors every three years. In 2015 and 2018, the 1st XI played Haberdashers’ and Radley on the Nursery Ground at Lord’s, and enjoyed victories on both occasions What sets the school apart? In recent years – even away from the World Cup – they have hosted several international sides Finest moment The U17 side were national cup winners in 2017, beating Shrewsbury in the final, while the 1st XI were national T20 finalists in 2018 and 2019 Recent progress A major reason for the strength of Merchant Taylors’ response in September 2020 was the virtual provision offered during the lockdown period by the staff Future plans Plans are in the offing for a brand new state-of-the-art five-lane indoor cricket centre. Tours There were plans in 2021 for a senior tour to Barbados and an U15 trip to Dubai

with local clubs. On most Saturdays more than 15 pupils play in the Western, Southern and South Wales Premier Leagues Best prospect The school has five players in county/regional academies, as well as more than 50 in county age-groups. Adam Rosslee is a fantastic U17 batter/keeper Cricketers of note Ian Ward, Ben Hollioake (both Surrey & England), Kieron Powell (West Indies), Simon Jones (Glamorgan & England), Craig Kieswetter (Somerset & England) Brief history In 2016, Millfield became the first school to hold three national titles at once, repeating the feat in 2018. Eleven pupils have earned selection for the England Young Lions (U19) over the past nine years. Two current female cricketers have broken into Somerset’s side, with one now a part of the Western Storm setup. The school hosted England Women vs Australia A in a three-day fixture leading into the 2019 Ashes. In 2018, Millfield hosted the 32nd ECB

David English Bunbury Festival Cultural cricketers Pete Wilson (2012 Olympic shooting gold medallist), JPR Williams (Wales Rugby & British Lions) What sets the school apart? Among their staff are four ECB Level 3 coaches, led by Garaway who delivers the ECB Specialist Coaching Course as well as acting as a member of the Level 4 Assessment Panel Recent progress Online programme through lockdown was a success Future plans The Spin Academy (with former England spin-bowling coach Peter Such) and the Joe Root Academy will be running their programmes out of Millfield Tours A planned tour to Barbados in 2020 was cancelled by the pandemic thecricketer.com | 55

68087

TOP 100 SENIOR SCHOOLS

MONMOUTH SCHOOL FOR BOYS // MYERSCOUGH COLLEGE

MONMOUTH SCHOOL FOR BOYS

department have worked closely with the senior girls’ school, including regular use of facilities and cricket staff ’s Almshouse Street, expertise. Small winter Monmouth, Wales coaching groups took place NP25 3XP Head of cricket during the Michaelmas term Callum BassettFixtures More than 130 Established 1614 Jones fixtures, including two-day Number of pupils 650 games against Solihull Director of sport and Felsted, as well as a 100-ball Andrew Jones competition at Sophia Gardens. Head of cricket Alongside Kimbolton, New Hall and Callum Bassett-Jones Victoria College Jersey, they take Professional Steve James part in the Castle Festival. In 2021, Teams Boys: 1st XI, 2nd XI, U15AB, they faced Glamorgan Academy and U14AB, U13ABC, 12ABC. Girls: 1st XI, the MCC, while there is a rivalry with U15, U14, U13, U12 neighbours Malvern College Girls’ cricket Cricket has been played Facilities Five grass squares, one at Monmouth School for Girls for four artificial wicket, five grass nets, six years. Sophia Smale, part of Western artificial nets. They are considering Storm’s regional academy and Wales investing in hybrid pitches for the Women, became the first-ever girl to training area represent Monmouth School for Boys’ Club/county affiliation The 1st XI How has cricket bounced back school has a strong relationship with Eleven boys have been picked to play Glamorgan: David Harrison, Dean for the Welsh age-groups, with one on Cosker and Mark Wallace have all led Gloucestershire’s EPP specialist sessions. Their academy head Post-pandemic changes The PE coach often visits the school. Also have

close links with several local clubs Best prospect First team captain Harry Friend has represented Glamorgan at academy and secondteam level Cricketers of note Steve James (England, Glamorgan); Jeremy Lawlor (Glamorgan) Brief history The first mention of cricket was in The Monmothian magazine in 1882. The pitches, just across the River Wye from the main school buildings, are wonderfully picturesque, overlooked by the Kymin Hill above and with stunning views stretching down the Wye Valley. Former Essex batter Sonny Avery became the school’s first cricket professional in 1960 Cultural cricketers Eddie Butler, Hallam Amos, Richard Parks, Keith Jarrett (all rugby) What sets the school apart? Glamorgan played 2nd XI cricket at the school in 2019 against Essex and Worcestershire. When their

partnership with the county was announced in 2018, Glamorgan chief executive Hugh Morris described it as the “premier cricket school in Wales” Finest moment The U17s won the Barclays Bank Schools Cricket Cup in 1983, beating Wymondham College in the final Recent progress This summer, nine girls were selected for Wales junior squads between U12 and U15. Director of sport Andy Jones coaches Wales U13 and master in charge Callum Bassett-Jones coaches Wales U14 Future plans To continue supplying coaches and players to Monmouth CC’s junior programme, while also working closely with Cricket Wales Tours 2021 trip to the Caribbean was cancelled

MYERSCOUGH COLLEGE

CC, where they play home games and train outdoors Club/county affiliation As well as relationships with Lancashire and Ashton on Mersey, they have links to Cheshire and Cumbria Best prospect Ben Walkden and Luke Young represented Lancashire’s second team this summer in various formats Cricketers of note Ashley Shaw (Kent), George Harding (Durham), Owais Shah (Lancashire), Jack Morley (Lancashire, England Young Lions) Brief history Myerscough College itself celebrated its 125th year in 2019. The centre based at Lancashire CCC was established over 10 years

ago. It attracts a variety of students, some with aspirations of professional cricket and most others wanting to play at a good standard and achieve their qualifications What sets the school apart? Myerscough is one of only a small number of educational establishments to offer such a standard of cricket at no cost to the student and be government-funded. Their academic results are also some of the best in the Manchester area. Students are also able to train and study at an international Test venue Finest moment They have also progressed in national competitions in recent years, including a quarterfinal appearance in the National Cup Recent progress The college has implemented a holistic programme of support for students, which focuses on their social, physical and mental wellbeing Future plans There are plans to extend their cricket programme, further supporting students at 2nd XI, 3rd XI and Myerscough XI standards Tours The annual tour to Potchefstroom will resume once possible

40 and 45 fixtures per year against schools, colleges, universities, county and representative teams and St Michael’s touring sides. A cricket Road, Preston, week at the start of every Lancashire PR3 0RY Head of season features strong programme university opposition, while Established 1894 Daniel Atkinson notable fixtures are 50-over Number of pupils 50 games against Lancashire Head of programme and Cheshire age-group sides, as well Daniel Atkinson as a game against Cumberland Professional Brett Pelser Facilities The college is based in the Teams Up to four teams on indoor cricket centre at Emirates Wednesdays, U17 side plays in cup Old Trafford, so they use the same competitions and friendlies Girls’ cricket Girls are integrated into practice facilities as the professional sides at Lancashire. Myerscough also the main playing programme, offering work closely with Ashton on Mersey the same opportunities as to male students, with a good track record of supporting female cricketers to go on and represent their counties How has cricket bounced back The college has seen a renewed enthusiasm all of the way through its programme and a real sense of freedom and happiness from students Post-pandemic changes The college reviewed its programme in conjunction with students and has since added two-day fixtures and white-ball cricket to its provision Fixtures The college plays between 56 | thecricketer.com

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TOP 100 SENIOR SCHOOLS

NEWCASTLE-UNDERLYME SCHOOL Mount Pleasant, Newcastle-underLyme, Staffordshire ST5 1DB Established 1874 Number of pupils 829 Director of cricket Ben Gibbons (outgoing), Matt Dixon (incoming) Professional Jason Brown (Northants & Nottinghamshire) Teams Boys: 1st XI, 2nd XI, U17, U16, U15A, U14A, U13AB, U12AB. Girls: U15A, U14A, U13AB, U12AB Girls’ cricket The school holds weekly winter sessions from January, while the principle summer sport was changed to cricket in 2019 from Year 3 to Year 9. Saturday female-only fixtures have been added for U12, U13, U14 and U15 age-groups in a variety of formats. More experienced girls also train as part of the boys’ winter programme How has cricket bounced back Performance profiles were produced

for each player in the academy using a self-reflection tool, videoing all of players in their main discipline, which was then shared via Google Classroom. As they couldn’t travel to the Cricket Cave, the school heavily invested in facilities on-site (£15,000 in the indoor sports hall), including two bowling machines and four indoor nets Post-pandemic changes A webinar series was launched, with guests including Peter Such, Paul Horton, Kevin Sharp and Alan Richardson Fixtures In 2021, more than 100 boys’ fixtures were scheduled. Among them was an annual game against the MCC, an end-of-season festival hosted by The King’s School, Chester and the Bablake T20. Girls played close to 30 between from U12 through to U15, while the school also hosts the U13 and U15 Newcastle District Festivals for the local schools to promote participation in the local area Facilities Indoor sports hall, three squares, two artificial strips, five

NEWCASTLE-UNDER-LYME SCHOOL

Director of cricket Matt Dixon outdoor artificial nets, one set of covers Club/county affiliation The school has links with Staffordshire; the school hosted their Return to Cricket sessions in April. They have also hosted county age-group games and could hold Staffordshire’s age-group squad and EPP training over the winter. They also have a partnership with Porthill Park CC Best prospect Arjun Annamalai, U13 Staffordshire County and Worcestershire Sub Academy allrounder Cricketers of note John Ward (Derbyshire), Grace Potts (Central Sparks) Brief history Newcastle High School was formed in 1874 and the first recorded fixtures within The Fire-Fly (the school magazine) were against Silverdale CC and Whitmore CC in 1880. The school recorded a number of undefeated seasons in the 1950s and 1960s thanks to David Hancock, Stan Evans and Michael Ikin, who all represented Staffordshire and Jason Brown

also John Ward. Peter Cash (master I/C 1985-2009) introduced the annual MCC fixture in 1988, entered the school into Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack and achieved notable success in the late 1980s and 1990s due to fantastic 1st XI performances from Denton Brock, Matthew Colclough and Robert Howell Cultural cricketers Dan Robson (rugby) What sets the school apart? The school regularly reach the latter stages of county competitions at all age-groups. The pavilion situated on Stubbs Field was presented to the school in 1955 by the Old Newcastlian Club in memory of Old Castilians who fell in the Second World War Finest moment The 1st XI reached the regional final of the HMC National U19 T20 Competition in 2017, only to be defeated by Shrewsbury School Recent progress As well as the continued growth of the girls’ programme, the school has established partnerships with mental health charity Opening Up Cricket and kit supplier Spyder Bats Future plans Plans to strengthen partnerships with Staffordshire and Porthill Park thanks to state-ofthe-art indoor facilities. They have also applied to become an MCC Foundation Hub and hope to put 15-20 pupils through an umpiring course Tours U13 Isle of Man tour has been cancelled twice in a row but will hopefully go ahead in 2022. A volunteerorientated trip to a Cricket Without Boundaries location could be arranged

nuls.org.uk • Admissions: The Registrar, Mrs Chris Quigley, 01782 664620 58 | thecricketer.com

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TOP 100 SENIOR SCHOOLS

OAKHAM SCHOOL // QUEEN MARY’S GRAMMAR SCHOOL, WALSALL

OAKHAM SCHOOL Chapel Close, Oakham, Rutland LE15 6DT Established 1584 Number of pupils 1,040 Director of cricket Neil Johnson (Zimbabwe) Professional Wes Durston (Somerset & Derbyshire), Patrick Latham (Cambridge University & Somerset), Thomas Dryden (Scotland U19) Teams Boys: 7 U18, U15ABCD, U14ABCD, U13ABC, U11. Girls: 1st XI, 2nd XI, U15A, U13ABC Girls’ cricket This is the first year that cricket has been offered as a major sport from the lower school upwards and Oakham’s first year in the National T20 Cup. The girls raised more than £2,000 for Chance to Shine by taking on a 24-hour net How has cricket bounced back Boarders and day pupils have regularly used the nets during breaks, lunch and in the evening since returning, while more than 125 upper school boys have signed up for cricket

QUEEN MARY’S GRAMMAR SCHOOL, WALSALL Sutton Road, Walsall WS1 2PG Established 1554 Number of pupils 1,240 Master in charge Alex Hammond (England Physical Disability) Teams Boys: 1st XI, 2nd XI, U17 XI (Cup), U15AB, U14AB, U13AB, U12ABC Girls’ cricket 2019 saw the introduction of a sixth-form house competition for girls, which was repeated in 2021. There are plans to develop their offering How has cricket bounced back A partnership has been secured with Hawk Cricket, who offer a 20 per cent discount to help all pupils access high-quality equipment. Fundraising in 2021 allowed the school to purchase a second bowling machine Post-pandemic changes The school has had the benefit of an additional coach this year to assist with lunchtime and afterschool clubs Fixtures 120-130 per year 60 | thecricketer.com

this year Post-pandemic changes The season began for Oakham in a localised bubble, playing home and away fixtures against Stamford, Oundle and Uppingham – they found that reducing long travel times during exam season created a high uptake Fixtures The school’s 1st XI play 22 fixtures, including matches against the MCC, Forty Club and Leicester Gents. There is also the end-ofseason BOWS Festival, involving Brighton, Oakham, Wellington and Sedbergh. They are hoping to add two and three-day cricket to their 1st XI schedule, while the majority of other teams play around 10 games each Facilities The school has two

grounds: Doncaster Close, the main ground, which has four squares, 13 grass nets, seven artificial nets and a coaching net with a bowling machine. The BAF Smith Pavilion was built in 2014, while Wilson Fields has two squares Club/county affiliation Oakham have a strong affiliation with Leicestershire, with several pupils in their academy and age-group sides. Many students turn out for Oakham CC Best prospect Freddie Fairey is part of Norfolk’s system, while Joe Johnson is in Leicestershire’s academy Cricketers of note Stuart Broad (Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire &

Facilities Fundraising throughout 2019 allowed the installation of a purpose-built outdoor three-lane facility. Additionally, the school has an indoor sports hall with three nets, and two outdoor squares – the junior square includes an artificial strip Club/county affiliation The school has associations with Staffordshire Cricket Board, Walsall CC – whose third team use the ground as their home venue – and Bloxwich CC, who will also use the ground Best prospect Ronan Bagry opens the bowling for the 1st XI and is a middle-order batter; he represents Staffordshire at U18 level. Opening batsman Yuvi Singh-Klair (Staffordshire U12) Cricketers of note David Brown (Warwickshire & England) Brief history The first recorded match was in 1874 between Queen Mary’s and Walsall CC in Old Chuckery. Their most illustrious cricketer, David Brown, was at the forefront of the school’s success in the Walsall Knockout Competition in the 1950s and 1960s Cultural cricketers Malvind Benning (Mansfield Town FC)

What sets the school apart? Students can take part in one-to-ones and small group sessions before the start of the school day. The school also runs a large primary school outreach programme where Year 5 students come to Queen Mary’s and have the chance to enjoy and experience cricket, some for the first time Finest moment They were U15 Schools Regional T20 winners for Staffordshire in 2015 and 2019 Recent progress In 2021, the U17 XI beat both Wrekin and Denstone to get to the West Midlands Final, before losing to Bromsgrove; this also meant that they reached the last 16 in the National Cup. Off the pitch, the school organised a 24-hour net fundraiser to help improve the

England), Tom Fell (Worcestershire), Josh Cobb (Northamptonshire), Lyndon James (Notts) Cultural cricketers Lewis Moody, Tom Croft, Alex Goode, Hamish Watson (all rugby), Miles Jupp (actor) What sets the school apart? They have hosted first-class matches in recent times at Doncaster Close, while Wilson Fields – the second ground – has hosted county secondteam games in the past Finest moment When Broad passed 500 Test wickets over the summer of 2020, he recognised former school coaches David Steele and Frank Hayes as major parts of his development Recent progress The introduction as a major sport option to girls has led to a huge boom in the Lower School especially Future plans Oakham hope to strengthen their bond with Leicestershire and create a festival similar to those at Scarborough and Cheltenham Tours There are plans for a subcontinental tour in 2022/23

school’s indoor facilities, which saw over 60 pupils and staff take part Future plans The school is looking to refurbish its indoor net facilities by adding an extra lane. The money is being raised through a cricket awards dinner, as well as the 24-hour net Tours Plans in 2022 for a tour of the Isle of Man and an U13 trip to Desert Springs

QUEEN’S COLLEGE, TAUNTON // RADLEY COLLEGE

QUEEN’S COLLEGE, TAUNTON

The school has seen so many children starting out as a result of a lack of sport in the last year-and-a-half, with students more enthusiastic about their cricket since returning to school after so long without it Post-pandemic changes They have introduced pairs formats to B and C teams to enable pupils to enjoy a better experience of the game Fixtures 141 matches have been played this season at the college, including the most prestigious against the MCC Facilities The school has four indoor

nets with power for four bowling machines and five newly installed outdoor lanes with lighting. They have eight cricket pitches Club/county affiliation The school has close links with the Somerset Cricket Board, as well as associations with Taunton Deane CC and Taunton St Andrews CC Best prospect JT Langridge is Somerset’s U15 captain; he is a left-handed opening batter and left-arm opening bowler. Millie Lusk represents Somerset Women at U18 level. She is a bowling allrounder

Cricketers of note Matt Gitsham (Gloucestershire), Ben Ackland (Ireland U19, Northants Academy), Jake Lintott (Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire) Cultural cricketers Nick Harvey (politics) What sets the school apart? The school’s eight pitches are all on the main site, while the investment in a state-of-the-art outdoor net facility has added to their offering Finest moment Director of cricket and former student Jake Lintott is a remarkable story for the game, having earned a contract with Warwickshire for last year’s T20 Blast and thrived since then. His performances in The Hundred earned him a deal in the Caribbean Premier League Recent progress The development of girls’ cricket across the college has seen girls playing from Year 3 through to Year 13. The school now has more teams than ever, with the girls’ 1st XI making it to the 100-ball cup quarter-final this year, where they lost against Bradfield Tours There are plans for an U18 tour of Sri Lanka in February 2022

captain to lead the team Fixtures The 1st XI play around 20 matches in a normal year, including participation in the Cowdrey Cup (against Eton, Harrow, Tonbridge, Charterhouse and Wellington) and the John Harvey Cup (Marlborough, Cheltenham, St Edward’s, Winchester and Bradfield), as well as a T20 knockout competition and annual fixtures against the MCC and other wandering teams Facilities Radley have box nets on four squares, allowing eight teams to train on grass when conditions allow. They have eight grass squares for training and fixtures, and one artificial wicket. The sports hall has five nets with full run ups, while pupils also have use of a state-ofthe-art S&C centre Club/county affiliation Andy Wagner runs an Academy for children from local clubs in January and

February alongside Jeremy Lloyds Cricketers of note Ted Dexter (Sussex, England), Nick Gubbins (Middlesex, Hampshire), Jamie Dalrymple (Middlesex, England) Ben Hutton (Middlesex), Sir Andrew Strauss (Middlesex, England), Robin Martin-Jenkins (Sussex) Brief history Radley’s cricket tradition is a strong one. The sport was launched as an alternative for rowing in the early 1850s and the first recorded fixture was against Bradfield in 1853. Since then there have been a number of ‘golden eras’, with the sides of the 1866-67, 192932, the 1990s and then 2006-08 deserving special mention Cultural cricketers Peter Cook (satirist) What sets the school apart? Andy Wagner is synonymous with Radley cricket and worked alongside Bert Robinson (who managed 51

consecutive seasons as cricket professional) for 30 years. They produced a string of unbeaten sides in the 1990s. Gubbins, Wilf Marriot and Alex Hearne were all selected to play for the same England U15 side in 2009 Finest moment In 2017, Radley took six wickets in six balls against Marlborough. That cohort won the John Harvey Cup and finished jointtop of the Cowdrey Cup table Recent progress More than 240 boys represented the school in the summer of 2021 Future plans Radley have recently completed a block of 19 nets, while the school runs a programme encouraging sixth-formers to develop their leadership skills through sport and help with coaching Tours The school hopes to attend The Cricketer Schools Hundred tournament at Desert Springs in 2022

Trull Road, Taunton, Somerset TA1 4QS Established 1843 Number of pupils 525 Master in charge Jake Lintott (Warwickshire, Southern Brave) Professional Katie George (Western Storm, England) Teams Boys: 1st XI, 2nd XI, U15AB, U14AB, U13AB, U12A, U11AB, U10AB, U9A, U8A. Girls: 1st XI, U15AB, U13AB, U12A, U11A, U10A, U9, U8 Girls’ cricket Cricket is the main summer sport for girls at Queen’s College, with England seamer Katie George an excellent example for them to follow How has cricket bounced back

RADLEY COLLEGE Kennington Road, Radley, Oxfordshire OX14 2HR Established 1847 Number of pupils 750 Master in charge Simon Dalrymple Professional Andy Wagner Teams Boys: 20 teams How has cricket bounced back The school ran a series of Zoom calls during the first lockdown to maintain interest, while running a virtual house cricket competition. The result has been a record uptake Post-pandemic changes Radley offered September cricket, with new pupils enjoying sessions as part of a sports circus. There was an internal franchise competition and some sides played fixtures, including a game against the MCC, for which they were able to bring back the 2020

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TOP 100 SENIOR SCHOOLS

REED’S SCHOOL // REIGATE GRAMMAR SCHOOL

REIGATE GRAMMAR SCHOOL REED’S SCHOOL Sandy Lane, Cobham, Surrey KT11 2ES Established 1813 Number of pupils 780 Master in charge Malcolm Dunn Professional Keith Medlycott (Surrey) Teams Boys: 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, 4th XI, U16, U15ABC, U14ABCD, U13ABCD, U12ABCD. Girls: 1st XI, 2nd XI Girls’ cricket The school only has girls in the sixth form, but the two teams have full fixture lists, with some girls having played cricket before arriving at Reed’s and others beginning on arrival How has cricket bounced back Cricket has been more popular than ever since returning from its hiatus, with two teams selected at each senior age-group (U16, U17, U18) on top of the usual sides lower down the school Post-pandemic changes Teams played and trained solely in yeargroups, while Reed’s also introduced intra-school competitions for lower ability groups to give them a taste of the match experience Fixtures The school plays 220 fixtures per year, including MCC Facilities The school has two senior and two junior squares on site, as well as a satellite ground with two more senior squares. A state-of-the-art indoor facility has five net-lanes, with PitchVision analysis in each. It also features Merlyn and TrueMan Bola bowling machines, plus four Bola professional bowling machines. Outdoors, there are six recently refurbished artificial nets, eight grass nets and two Flicx wickets Club/county affiliation The 62 | thecricketer.com

Rajasthan Royals Academy is linked to and based at the school – the only IPL academy in the UK. Reed’s also has links to Esher CC and Stoke D’Abernon CC Best prospect Maxwell Dunn – a 6ft 9in fast bowler – is being looked at by Sussex and opens the bowling in men’s league cricket Cricketers of note Phil Salt (Sussex, Lancashire & England), Dan Douthwaite (Glamorgan), Oskar Kolk (Mashonaland Eagles) Brief history Cricket has been played at Cobham since the school arrived from Totnes just after the war. Former headmaster Rodney Exton was a county cricketer at Hampshire when still a schoolboy, while newly retired Headmaster David Jarrett was a Blue at Oxford and Cambridge Cultural cricketers Tim Henman (tennis), Michael Ball (entertainment), Tom Hardy (actor) What sets the school apart? Surrey Women play their home matches at Reed’s Finest moment Reed’s were quarter-finalists in the HMC National T20 in 2015 and winners of the 50/40 League in 2014, 2015 and 2017 Recent progress The school purchased NV Play live streaming hardware and software, so that parents could watch from home or work during the pandemic. It has also enhanced analysis capabilities Future plans There are plans to refurbish grass nets and renovate the outfields, while extending the main square. The Jarrett Cricket Centre is developing greater engagement with local clubs Tours In 2019, the school toured Barbados with 30 boys of mixed abilities and Dubai with a girls’ squad. In 2023 they will return to Barbados

facilities in the sports halls of the main school and the prep school. Ahead of the 2021 season, the grass squares were renovated, with £35,000 worth of Reigate Road, Reigate, Head of cricket investment put into cricket Surrey RH2 0QS James Leck at Hartswood through the summer Established 1675 Club/county affiliation The school Number of pupils 1,075 has links to Reigate Priory CC, Head of cricket James Leck who use the ground’s facilities for Director of sport Sam Woodward training and matches. There are also Teams Boys: 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, developing relationships with several U17, U15ABC, U14ABC, U13ABCD, other clubs. Surrey have hosted U12ABCD. Girls (Hardball): U17, U15, Surrey Schools’ Cricket Association U14, U13, U12. Girls (Softball) U15, matches and county age-group U14, U13BCD, U12BCD matches at Hartswood Girls’ cricket In 2021 there were hardball fixtures every Saturday, while Best prospect Emily Burke is a county age-group player at U17 level; an U16 team will be added next year. she was vice-captain in 2021 of the The number of softball matches also U15A girls’ team and has also played grew, with more to come in 2022. The U15A team reached the National Cup for U15A boys’ team Cricketers of note Will Beer quarter-final and the Surrey County (Sussex) Cup final. Six students – all play in Cultural cricketers Bill Frindall boys’ teams at school – represent (TMS statistician), David Walliams Surrey age-group/academy teams (comedian) How has cricket bounced back What sets the school apart? The Cricket was played in September school’s win percentage ratio versus – something that will continue as schools of similar stature has increased part of the autumn term offering. over the last three years. Progress in Reigate have expanded their winter the County Cups has also helped to programme, while also providing raise the school’s cricketing profile more opportunities through Finest moment The school remain various street cricket formats in the undefeated against the MCC for playground and entry into a local eight years, including victories in 2014 school indoor league and 2017 Post-pandemic changes Indoor Recent progress Participation levels tournaments were held across have increased dramatically, from 165 the school, and they have held players in 2017 to 315 in 2021 online seminars with former and Future plans The first phase of current pros an artificial net facility has been Fixtures Over 200 fixtures were developed, with the next phase scheduled for the summer of 2021, happening in the new year. Plans with the most notable coming against are also in place for a pavilion on the the MCC. The school also enters second field, while an £8million sports the HMC T20, U17 Boys National centre with state-of-the-art net Cup, National U15 Cup (Girls), facilities has been approved Surrey County Cups and RGS 6s Tours In October 2022, two senior Tournaments Facilities Hartswood Sports Grounds boys’ sides will tour Dubai, while a senior girls’ squad will travel to St feature three grass squares, a fourth Albans. There is an annual tour to with an astroturf wicket and six Jersey for U12 and U13 boys and girls outdoor nets. There are indoor net

REPTON SCHOOL // ROYAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL, GUILDFORD

REPTON SCHOOL

external matches. Indoor cricket in the off-season has become popular Fixtures Repton play more than 100 fixtures, with the 1st XI involved in 22 matches in 2021. Most notable games come against the MCC and a range of county age-group squads from Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, in addition to a strong school circuit Facilities Repton has four squares, with grass nets provided on the 1st XI and 2nd XI squares, with 10 artificial nets and seven indoor nets across two sports halls Club/county affiliation The school works closely with Derbyshire and has strong relationships with neighbouring county cricket

clubs. Many pupils are involved in performance pathways Cricketers of note CB Fry (England), Ross Whiteley (Hampshire), Nitish Kumar (Canada), Chris Adams (Derbyshire, Sussex, England) Brief history Repton has produced 12 international players and 154 first-class cricketers. ‘The Square’, where the 1st XI play, is surrounded by ruins of the original Priory and in the shadows of St Wystan’s spire Cultural cricketers Roald Dahl (author) What sets the school apart? Teams play a wide range of formats, from T20 to two-day cricket. Repton’s most promising cricketers have access

to the Repton High Performance Programme, a mentoring programme that focuses on six pillars: technical, tactical, physical, mental, lifestyle and mentoring. Teams also have access to a strength and conditioning gym with individualised sessions, physiotherapy and rehabilitation. Derbyshire 2nd XI regularly play fixtures at Repton and used the school as their training base during the 2020 summer Finest moment Repton were the Schools T20 Winners in 2008. They also secured a record-breaking 15 wins in one season in 2013, and were U15 National Schools One Day Cup semi-finalists in 2015 Recent progress Having gone from no girls’ cricket being played in 2019, Repton now have a full fixture list for the U18s, as well as entries in national cup competitions for our U15s and U18s Future plans Plans are in place for the redevelopment of Repton’s outdoor practice facilities, and the construction of an MCC Hub Tours The school will tour Sri Lanka in December 2022

Fixtures Across the school in 2018, 132 fixtures were played. In terms of the most notable, the annual block fixture against Cranleigh School is always fiercely contested Facilities There are two grass wickets dedicated to net practice, 12 outdoor artificial lanes, five indoor nets and six grounds across various sites, three of which are on the school’s own facility Club/county affiliation The school has formal links with Surrey and Guildford CC, who train at the school’s facilities. During the last cricket season, the school was an MCC Foundation Hub. This is a charitable initiative, through which local talented state-school cricketers are coached Best prospect Tom Humphreys is an allrounder in RGS Guildford’s fifth form (Year 11). He is part of Surrey’s Elite Performance Group and

Emerging Players Programme, often playing and captaining Surrey beyond his age-group. A number of other pupils are on county books at Surrey, Hampshire, Middlesex and Berkshire Cricketers of note Bob Willis (Surrey, Warwickshire, England) Brief history The school opened in 1509 and received its royal charter in 1552, by which time boys were playing cricket. It was later documented that this was the earliest definite reference to the sport anywhere. England legend Willis was educated at the school. Many cricketers with first-class experience have coached at the school, including England international Monte Lynch Cultural cricketers Terry Jones (actor), Simon Bird (actor), Martin Tyler (commentator) What sets the school apart? Black also coaches the Serbia national team

Finest moment There have been various wins over the years in the famous RGS Cricket Festival. During the last full season, the U15 side were crowned champions in the Natwest U15 Surrey County Cup on an extremely strong circuit Recent progress The school’s development of the MCCF Hub is a source of pride, while a year-round training academy has been developed for over 40 boys in the school Future plans The installation of a new state-of-the-art scoreboard with video analysis capability is one plan, as well as an increased use of classroom-based tactical and analysis sessions. The school’s nets are also being developed. Tours The school toured Sri Lanka in 2015, 2017 and 2019, though their future tours programme is currently uncertain due to the pandemic

Willington Road, Repton, Derbyshire DE65 6FH Established 1557 Number of pupils 600 Director of cricket Chris Read (Nottinghamshire, England) Professional Andy Afford (Notts, England A) Teams Boys: 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, U15ABC, U14ABC. Girls: U18, U15 Girls’ cricket Girls’ teams enter both indoor and outdoor national competitions in addition to a full fixture list. Players of all abilities are accommodated, with the most talented entering the performance programme and available for selection in boys’ XIs How has cricket bounced back Repton have had more seniors than ever involved after the disappointment of missing the 2020 season Post-pandemic changes Unable to mix year groups, the school organised a range of house-based competitions to fill the void of not being able to play

ROYAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL, GUILDFORD High Street, Guildford, Surrey GU1 3BB

Established 1509 Number of pupils 958 Head of cricket Richard Black Professional Michael Barnes (Warwickshire, Hampshire) Teams Boys: 15 teams between U12 and U18 How has cricket bounced back Cricket was played between September and October, with matches against various schools on Saturday, followed by a full summer programme Post-pandemic changes Matches played in year group bubbles – other than 1st XI. As a result, more players have represented the school in games

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TOP 100 SENIOR SCHOOLS ROYAL HOSPITAL SCHOOL Holbrook, Ipswich, Suffolk IP9 2RX Established 1712 Number of pupils 733 Head of cricket Paul Cohen Professional Graham Napier (Essex) Teams Boys: 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, U17A, U15AB, U14AB, U13ABC, U12ABC. Girls – 1st XI, 2nd XI, U15AB, U14AB, U13ABC, U12ABC Girls’ cricket Cricket is the primary summer term sport for girls. Previously, they had masterclass sessions with former England batter Lydia Greenway. Kathryn Bryce, current Scotland captain, coached the girls in 2019 How has cricket bounced back Cricket continued through the first part of the Michaelmas term. During pandemic times, the school formed a cricket bubble with other local schools to arrange Covid-safe weekly matches. This year’s season included more than 150 competitive matches with other schools as well as internal games Post-pandemic changes During lockdown, specific training tips were provided to pupils via videos from

current/former pros, including a virtual Q&A with Dom Sibley. The fixture list changed this year to limit Covid risk Fixtures In a normal year, the school would play approximately 180 games, including matches against the MCC Facilities There are five grass wickets and three astroturf strips, with four indoor nets, two bowling machines and five outdoor astroturf nets Club/county affiliation The school has links to Suffolk and Essex, as well as sponsoring local club Mistley CC. They are in talks with Coggeshall CC about creating a partnership. A new outreach programme is due to begin next spring, with staff members running masterclass sessions for local primary, prep schools and cricket clubs Best prospect Charlie Allison is part of Essex’s EPP squad and was selected to go to the cancelled Bunbury Festival in 2020. Barney Morton, U15 middle order batter and opening bowler. Essex U18 batter and leg-spinner Francesca Hughes is another one to watch Cricketers of note Reece Topley (Essex, Hampshire, Sussex, Surrey, England) Brief history RHS cricket grew in

ROYAL HOSPITAL SCHOOL // RUGBY SCHOOL

reputation under the guidance of Don Topley, former Essex seamer and Zimbabwe coach. He handed over the reins to Cohen in 2016 and in September that year the Graham Napier Cricket Academy was established, run by the former Essex player himself What sets the school apart? The Minor Counties Cricket Festival, which is held at RHS, celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2019 Finest moment U13s reached the semi-final of the National Cup in 2019

after winning the Suffolk Cup in 2018. Ned Overbury, one rising star, made 487 runs at 97.40, including four fifties and a century Recent progress The continued growth of girls’ cricket at the school has meant fielding more B-team fixtures than ever over the past year Future plans The school is planning to install new nets for outdoor practice Tours A tour to the USA and Barbados was cancelled due to the pandemic, but a similar tour will be planned once possible

RUGBY SCHOOL Lawrence Sheriff Street, Rugby, Warwickshire CV22 5EH Established 1567 Number of pupils 840 Master in charge Alex Thomson Director of cricket Michael Powell (Warwickshire) Head coach Nick Tester Teams Boys: 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, 4th XI, 5th XI, U15ABC, U14ABC. Girls – 1st XI, 2nd XI, U15, U14 Girls’ cricket Girls play fixtures on Saturdays, midweek and enter the national T20 and 100-ball competitions How has cricket bounced back While remote learning, cricketers took on skills challenges as part of Games sessions, with prizes on offer Post-pandemic changes Video analysis and feedback is sent directly to players via the Coach Logic and PitchVision platforms. Fixtures The 1st XI play 64 | thecricketer.com

around 15 games, with matches every Saturday (plus some in midweek) for all other teams. The most notable fixture is the two-day match against Marlborough, which has been running since 1855. A girls’ fixture has been established between the two schools. Rugby also plays Clifton in a two-day fixture Facilities Rugby have eight indoor nets across two sports centres, as well as bowling machines, grass nets, eight new outdoor artificial nets and eight cricket pitches Club/county affiliation The school has links with Warwickshire and Northamptonshire and has hosted List A, 2nd XI and junior county fixtures in recent years Best prospect Jacob Bethell, a stylish lefthander and metronomic left-arm spinner, made his Warwickshire debut this year

Cricketers of note Pelham Warner (Middlesex, England and founding editor of The Cricketer magazine) Brief history Rugby scorecards date back to 1831. The Marlborough fixture has been played at various grounds including The Oval, but Lord’s became its home for nearly 100 years until 1972. This two-day game continues today and is hosted in alternate years by the two schools. A one-day game to celebrate Rugby’s 450th anniversary was played on the main square at Lord’s in 2017

Cultural cricketers Giles Clarke (ECB chairman), William Yardley (dramatist), Rupert Brooke (poet) What sets the school apart? Rugby was one of seven schools named in the Public Schools Act (1868). Pierre de Coubertin, who founded the modern Olympic Games, wrote in his memoirs that “it was to Arnold [Rugby’s Victorian headmaster] that we turned, more or less consciously, for inspiration”. Cricket subsequently featured in the 1900 Olympics, with Great Britain beating France to gold Finest moment The report from the 1979 Marlborough match reads: “Rugby were left with 177 to make in 80 minutes; the captain, David Cutter, reached this target with a mighty six off the penultimate ball.” Recent progress Izzy Collis, Rugby’s girls’ cricket coach, has increased interest among girls. The boys are regional U17 National Cup champions Future plans Rugby hosted three festivals and club finals days this summer Tours The 1st XI will tour Barbados once the pandemic allows. U15 and U14 sides travel to Dubai every two years for the ARCH Cup and Plate

CMY

TOP 100 SENIOR SCHOOLS

SCARBOROUGH COLLEGE Filey Road, Scarborough, North Yorkshire YO11 3BA Established 1896 Number of pupils 419 Director of sport Brett Cunningham Professionals Piet Rinke (Zimbabwe), Ryan Sidebottom, Graham Onions, Craig White, Stephen Parry (all England) Teams Boys: 1st XI, U15, U14, U13, U12, U11, U9. Girls: U15, U14, U13, U12 Girls’ cricket Girls have the same access to the school’s coaching team as the boys, as well as a competitive fixture list. The school hosts two festivals in association with the Society of Heads at Scarborough CC. As part of the school’s introduction to cricket for boarding pupils, they take a group of girls from different countries to experience the game at Wykeham CC How has cricket bounced back During the pandemic, Scarborough arranged Zoom chats with Max Waller, Kieran Powell, Keaton Jennings and James Bracey, while coaching players in

SCARBOROUGH COLLEGE

staff are heavily involved one-to-one and groupin local club cricket as bubble sessions. Cricket players, coaches, captains continued into September, and umpires. Almost 80 which was the case again in per cent of pupils that 2021. They also invited local represent the school in primary schools for coaching fixtures also play for a club Post-pandemic changes During lockdown, pupils had Professional Best prospect Cian access to accredited online Piet Rinke Dickinson, Lancashire courses, including umpiring, Academy and Scarborough scoring and coaching, while also CC. Breidyn Schaper, Gauteng Lions launching the Scarborough College U19 and Scarborough CC Cricket podcast Cricketers of note David Byas Fixtures Scarborough would (Yorkshire), Richard Doughty (Surrey, normally play 80 fixtures each year, Gloucestershire) with an MCC match among those. Brief history Scarborough won the In 2021, they also participated Bright Bowl competition once in the in Yorkshire Cup age-group 1950s and the John Bartliff Shield competitions, HMC Schools three times in a row. Inter-house nationals and many more festivals matches began in the 1960s and Facilities The school has three continue to this day squares on-site: the pavilion was What sets the school apart? recently lost in a fire, but there Headmaster Guy Emmett and 1st are plans for a state-of-the-art XI coach Patrick Roberts have both replacement. Batting cages available for use on training wickets, as well as two additional grass pitches and four astroturf wickets. Indoor training facilities include four nets Club/county affiliation The school hosts the Scarborough MCC Foundation Hub, while enjoying partnerships with Yorkshire and Lancashire, including training sessions at Headingley and the hosting of county age-group fixtures, as well as an annual girls’ festival. Members of

www.scarboroughcollege.co.uk

played Minor Counties Cricket for Cheshire. Just 10 minutes from the main school site is Scarborough CC’s North Marine Road. Pupils benefit from having the opportunity of regularly playing school fixtures on a first-class county ground. This summer, they hosted 1st XI school fixtures against local rivals Pocklington, Bradford Grammar and St Peter’s at the venue, as well as the MCC, Forty Club and Yorkshire Gentlemen’s Club Finest moment The 1st XI won a 6-a-side festival at Bradford Grammar School last summer, beating bigger schools. On the same day, the U12 girls took part in a festival of their own, with every player coached by the likes of Ryan Sidebottom Recent progress The evolution of girls’ cricket is a source of pride, as is having a team of former international players coaching beginners from all over the world Future plans A £500,000 project is in the works to replace the pavilion that burned down last year, while an £80,000 enhancement investment into their outdoor net facility is in the pipeline. Scarborough are also working with their staff to push them towards gaining ECB Level 3 badges Tours The 1st XI will travel to Desert Springs in April 2022 for The Cricketer Schools 100-ball Challenge, while there are plans for a joint boys and girls tour to the south of England in May 2022 and a further 1st XI tour scheduled for Barbados in 2023

Centre of Excellence: www.scarboroughcollege.co.uk/cricket-centre-of-excellence/ For admissions: Registrar Mrs Amy Bays (registrar@scarboroughcollege.co.uk) or call 01723 360620 66 | thecricketer.com

SEAFORD COLLEGE

SEAFORD COLLEGE Lavington Park, Petworth, Sussex GU28 0NB Established 1884 Number of pupils 870 Head of cricket Chris Adams (Derbyshire, Sussex, England) – ECB Level 4 coach Teams 38 competitive teams between Year 5 and Year 13 for boys and girls, including hardball and softball cricket. Based on expected continued growth of girls’ cricket, Seaford expect to exceed 50 competitive teams within three years Girls’ cricket This summer saw cricket introduced as the core summer sport in every year group. Six county pathway girls all get specialist winter coaching on the school’s performance programme. Twelve are involved on Sussex and Hampshire pathways How has cricket bounced back More than double the number of students played cricket this year than before the pandemic Post-pandemic changes A twice monthly online seminar has been introduced for sport scholars with different speakers – including exEngland captain Charlotte Edwards and Southern Vipers skipper Georgia Adams – and topics, as well as a peermentoring scheme which sees senior

Head of cricket Chris Adams

students supporting prep school sport scholars Fixtures Saturday block fixtures through the summer, as well as entry into national and county cup competitions, with annual flagship games against MCC, Sussex Martlets and Lord’s Taverners. The 1st XI, 2nd XI and U14A sides all compete in the Langdale Cup, which comprises nine schools in Sussex Facilities Six grounds, an eightlane outdoor cricket net facility, two portable cage nets and six indoor nets. Seaford have just purchased a marquee to sit over three artificial wickets and be used for the winter performance programme. They

have also invested in an analysis suite Club/county affiliation Close association with Sussex, whose U15 training hub is hosted at Seaford. They also have links with Chichester CC, West Chiltington CC, Middleton CC and Petworth CC for whom several students play Best prospect Luc Benkenstein, son of Dale, made his Essex List A debut in 2021. Mollie Adams keeps wicket and opens the batting for Sussex U15s Cricketers of note Jeremy Groome, Adrian Jones

(both Sussex) Brief history Seaford moved to Lavington Park in 1946 and cricket has been played in the 450 acres of listed parkland ever since Cultural cricketers Tom Odell (singer), Toby Stephens (actor) What sets the school apart? The beautiful surroundings at Lavington Park, with Mansion House – where the HQ Commando Group were stationed during World War Two – in the background Finest moment The 1st XI beat MCC two years ago, with a student that had first played cricket in Seaford bowling against the Head of Year 10, an MCC playing member Recent progress The introduction and rollout of the full girls’ cricket programme, a doubling of participation levels within the cricket programme and a comprehensive upgrading of all the cricket facilities Future plans To build a standalone indoor cricket facility Tours Seaford have a biannual touring programme, though last season’s trip to Spain had to be cancelled

www.seaford.org • Admissions: jmackay@seaford.org • 01798 867456 thecricketer.com | 67

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SEDBERGH SCHOOL // SEVENOAKS SCHOOL

SEDBERGH SCHOOL Station Road, Sedbergh, Cumbria LA10 5HG Established 1585 Number of pupils 540 Director of cricket Martin Speight Teams Boys: 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, U17, U15AB, U14AB. Girls: 1st XI, U15, U14 girls Girls’ cricket The 1st XI play in national schools 100-ball competition. Two players are in the academies of Thunder and Northern Diamonds How has cricket bounced back Sedbergh simply tried to play as much

cricket as possible, including internal house competitions and national cup entries. The 2nd and 3rd XIs play in the local Westmoreland leagues Post-pandemic changes They used the school’s new indoor hall to play games and house competitions during the winter Fixtures The 1st, 2nd and 3rd XIs play 20 games each, while the U17 side take part in the National Schools Cup. The U14A and U15A teams play between 12 and 15, with U14Bs and U15Bs playing five or six. Girls’ teams have between six and

Harry Brook

Jordan Clark (Lancashire, Surrey), Harry Brook, George Hill, Matty Revis (all Yorkshire) Brief history Cricket has been a longstanding part of the summer term at Sedbergh School. Indeed Norman Mitchell-Innes was an amateur for Somerset who played one Test for England in 1935. The past 20 years has seen the cricket club gain a higher profile nationally with the development of several first-class cricketers Cultural cricketers Will Greenwood (rugby) Finest moment There have been three National Cup victories – two for the U15 sides in T20 (2007, 2019) and one for the 1st XI in 2017. Ignoring 2020, the 1st XI have reached National Finals Day for the past seven seasons, while the U15s have reached the National T20 Final five times in past ten years Future plans The school is keen to develop their partnership with Cumbria Cricket and further links with Lancashire and Durham Tours Sedbergh are looking at touring Sri Lanka or South Africa in February 2023

Best prospect Year 12 batter Vikas Kokkiligadda plays for Kent at U18 level, in club cricket for Sevenoaks Vine and for London & East when he attended the Bunbury Festival Cricketers of note Chris Tavare (Kent, Somerset, England), Paul Downton (Kent, Middlesex & England), Will House (Sussex), Tash Farrant (Kent & England) Brief history Old Sennockians include England players Tavare, who holds the school records for highest

score and most runs scored in a year, and Downton, who later became managing director of the England men’s team. Farrant is part of the current England Women’s side. The school is reaping the rewards of their one-to-one programme, seeing their performances improve across the board over the last decade What sets the school apart? Sevenoaks run an inclusive programme that allows pupils of any age, gender or ability to improve their cricket all year round Finest moment In 2019, the U13 girls reached the national finals of the Lady Taverners Indoor Competition Recent progress The growth of the girls’ programme has seen more and more pupils choosing cricket as their summer sport, with the number of teams increasing each year Future plans The school is looking to expand its cricket facilities on the main school site to improve the girls’ programme. Sevenoaks are also keen to run tournaments again with local primary schools in the area Tours A 2020 tour of India was cancelled, with the next trip due to be for a tournament in Dubai for 2022/23

eight matches per season. Fixtures include taking on the academies of Lancashire, Yorkshire, Durham and Cumbria, as well as National Cup ventures and facing Shrewsbury, Bromsgrove & Brighton, Oakham and Wellington in the BOWS Festival Facilities Four grounds, grass nets on practice wickets on two squares, six outdoor all-weather nets, four indoor lanes and a double-sized hall for indoor games Club/county affiliation At Sedbergh, Cumbria play a National Counties fixture, Lancashire play a first-class and/or List A fixture Best prospect Thomas Aspinwall – Sedbergh captain for 2022 – is an allrounder on Lancashire’s Academy and plays for Lancashire’s second team. He featured at the Bunbury festival in 2019 and for England Under19s against West Indies Cricketers of note

SEVENOAKS SCHOOL High Street, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1HU Established 1432 Number of pupils 1,080 Master in charge Dave Smith Teams Boys: 1st XI, 2nd XI, U15AB, U14ABC, U13AB, U12AB. Girls: 1st XI, U15AB, U14AB, U13ABC, U12ABC Girls’ cricket Cricket is the main summer sport offered to girls between Years 7 and 13 How has cricket bounced back Pupils were very excited to get back to competitive fixtures after a year without them. Sevenoaks managed to squeeze in pre-season training before Easter, ahead of a busy season Post-pandemic changes With lots more online resources available since lockdown began, the school sent round useful material to individuals and teams at the school Fixtures Sevenoaks’ most notable block of fixtures comes against Kings College School, Wimbledon. The most notable single fixture is the all-day game against the MCC, which is always played as the last in the school’s season

Facilities The school has three squares at its main cricket site, with four softball pitches on the Dukes Meadow playing fields and two more on a hockey astro. They also have a five-lane outdoor net facility and eight nets in an indoor facility Club/county affiliation The school has close associations with local clubs Sevenoaks Vine, Holmesdale and Tunbridge Wells, as well as with Invicta Cricket Coaching and Northern Warriors Area

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TOP 100 SENIOR SCHOOLS SHENFIELD HIGH SCHOOL Alexander Lane, Shenfield, Brentwood, Essex CM15 8RY Established 1962 Number of pupils 1,440 Director of sport Garry Sapsford Lead cricket academy coach Catherine Dalton (Essex, Ireland) Teams Boys: U12, U13, U14, U15, U17, U18. Girls: U13, U15, U18 Girls’ cricket Teams play regular fixtures, while several girls represent Hutton CC, who have been integral to the promotion of the sport in the local area How has cricket bounced back The school entered every competition possible for boys and girls, including Mid Essex, Essex and National Cup competitions, while also organising friendlies with Bancroft’s, Brentwood and St Joseph’s College Post-pandemic changes All cricket sessions had to take place in the same year-group bubbles Fixtures Their most noticeable fixture is against MCC, while they also have a block of fixtures against Brentwood Facilities Shenfield have a large sports

SHENFIELD HIGH SCHOOL

hall with two indoor nets, as well as an astroturf wicket and two fields. A 3G astro pitch is used for soft-ball sessions Club/county affiliation As well as a formal partnership with Hutton CC, who regularly share their facilities with Shenfield, the school has a less formal relationship with Shenfield CC. There is also a link with Essex, who have supported the school by promoting their cricket academy programme through a webinar Best prospect Fast bowler Sam Bear played first-team cricket for Shenfield CC’s 1st XI as a 13-year-old last summer and is part of Essex’s

elite player academy programme. Bill Prideaux took five wickets against MCC and has been selected by Essex at U18 and U19 Cricketers of note Matt Salisbury (Durham), Mady Villiers (Essex, Sunrisers & England) Brief history Shenfield’s cricket programme has long been recognised for its outstanding offering. They became the first non-selective state school to attend the Sir Garry Sobers tournament in Barbados. The programme began in 2013 with the support of Level 3 coach Catherine Dalton, becoming one of the country’s

leading cricketing state schools over the last eight years Cultural cricketers Philip Hammond (chancellor), Ross Kemp (actor), Richard Madeley (presenter) What sets the school apart? As a non-selective state school, Shenfield gets no additional funding for cricket it provides. Staff understand that cricket teaches so many life skills with huge benefits to those who play Finest moment The school reached the U17 National Schools Cup semifinal in 2017. They won the U13 and 15 girls’ National ‘Chance to Shine’ Cup titles at Loughborough University Recent progress The school is most proud of ex-pupil Mady Villiers, who only began playing cricket at Shenfield and is now an integral part of England Women’s side Future plans The school is raising funds for another astroturf wicket and two more indoor nets. Tours A 2021 tour of South Africa was cancelled, so they are now looking at travelling to Desert Springs in July 2022. An annual pre-season tour of Eastbourne didn’t take place this year but Shenfield are planning to return next Easter

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SHREWSBURY SCHOOL

season, including fixtures against Millfield, Eton, Malvern, Sedbergh, Worcestershire Academy, The Schools, Shrewsbury, MCC and Free Foresters Shropshire SY3 7BA Facilities A state-of-theMaster in charge art indoor cricket centre has Established 1552 Andy Barnard been in use since 2005/06, Number of pupils 809 with four lanes, each with Master in charge bowling machines. The school has Andy Barnard eight squares, 14 grass nets and four Professional Adam Shantry all-weather nets, with two astroturfs Head of girls’ cricket to practice fielding in the off-season Gwenan Davies Club/county affiliation Close EWA head bowling coach links to Shrewsbury CC, while many Lloyd Tennant Coaching Consultant Paul Pridgeon pupils represent Shropshire in age-group cricket, as well as others Teams Boys: 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, at Worcestershire, Warwickshire, 16AB, 15ABC, 14ABC. Girls: 1st XI, 2nd Lancashire and Northamptonshire. XI, 15AB, 14AB Glamorgan Academy use the indoor Girls’ cricket In February 2019, an centre for their North Wales group, U17 girls’ squad toured with U15 and led by the school’s professional, U17 boys to Cape Town. In 2021, they Adam Shantry. Shropshire’s EPP and qualified for all three National Finals the Black Country Cricket group also Days. Central Sparks’ Gwenan Davies use the facility is head of girls’ cricket, with Sparks Best prospect Jack Home, Theo captain Eve Jones, Derbyshire’s Wylie, Will Jenkins and Jermal Lauren Rowles and Lightning seamer Proctor attended the 2021 Bunbury Lucy Higham as assistants How has cricket bounced back The Trials. Harvey Walker and Harry Cooke are academy players at school ran a full summer fixture list Lancashire and Worcestershire. Rhys Fixtures More than 300 in a full

Lewis (Middlesex) Cricketers of note Issy Wong (Birmingham Phoenix & Central Sparks), James Taylor (England, Notts & Leics), Joe Leach, Ed Barnard (both Worcestershire), David Lloyd (Glamorgan) Cultural cricketers Charles Darwin (naturalist), Sir Phillip Sydney (poet), Martin Rees (astronomer), Michael Palin (broadcaster) What sets the school apart? The sole-use cricket centre is a huge plus-point, while Shrewsbury’s ‘village green’ pitch locations are picturesque. The conversion of school cricketers into cricket professionals over the past 14 years is almost unrivalled, while the depth of their girls’ squads has become evident in recent years Finest moment The boys’ 1st XI won two HMC T20 competitions and became the only team to win three Silk Trophies back to back. They have also made

four National U17 Finals in the past eight years. The girls’ 1st XI lost just once on their first tour of Cape Town Recent progress The number of players linked with first-class counties in 2021 was in double figures. JJ Fielding is currently involved with the England U19 set-up Future plans Shrewsbury have plans to work more closely with Central Sparks, a sporting centre for highperformance, professional female cricketers, who are using the school as one of their key partners

Four top quality cricket squares in picturesque surroundings An indoor state-of-the-art training facility Previous HMC National T20 & Silk Trophy Winners Regional and National Finalists in HMC, ESCA and ECB competitions U15 Girls Shropshire County Cup Winners 11 professional cricketers in 11 years, including James Taylor, Joe Leach, Ed Barnard and Issy Wong Bi-annual overseas tour to South Africa, or Australia

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Sports Scholarships available at 13+ and 16+ Shrewsbury School

admissions@shrewsbury.org.uk | 01743 280 552 | shrewsbury.org.uk

TOP 100 SENIOR SCHOOLS

SIMON LANGTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR BOYS // SOUTH DARTMOOR COMMUNITY COLLEGE

SIMON LANGTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR BOYS Langton Lane, Nackington Road, Canterbury, Kent CT4 7AS Established 1881 Number of pupils 1,110 Master in charge James Whitnell Teams Boys: 1st XI, 2nd XI, U17, U16, U15AB, U14AB, U13AB, U12AB, East Kent Cricket Academy XI (in partnership with The Canterbury Academy) Girls’ cricket Girls feature in senior sides, as well as in small group training; in 2022, they are hoping to expand and introduce a girls’ team – the school only has female students in the sixth form How has cricket bounced back The school returned to a full fixture list, while training programmes have resumed. During lockdown, juniors were given skills challenges to do at home, while a website was built that allowed them to upload their attempts and also watch video sessions from

SOUTH DARTMOOR COMMUNITY COLLEGE Balland Lane, Ashburton, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ13 7EW Established 1965 Number of pupils 943 Master in charge Rob Pryke Teams Boys and girls at U13 and U15 level, as well as a first team Girls’ cricket Cricket is offered to all year groups, and the school enters competitions for both U13 and U15 age groups How has cricket bounced back The school has successfully recruited several enthusiastic pupils in Years 7 and 8, who have either just joined the college or missed much of last year due to Covid. The college is currently offering two lunchtime clubs per week Post-pandemic changes Several students have become Young Storm Champion volunteers, offering to help coach new and existing players at the college. This initiative was set up by the Western Storm regional hub to engage enthusiastic girls aged between 14 and 17, who would like to 72 | thecricketer.com

top coaches. Seniors attended Zoom sessions with specialist coaches such as Dave Fulton Fixtures The school expanded its B team programme to satisfy the demand from an increased number of players Facilities Four bay indoor nets, two artificial outdoor nets, two grass practice wickets, two cricket pitches with an artificial pitch Club/county affiliation A partnership with the Canterbury Academy helps to provide for the

East Kent Cricket Academy, which takes the best senior cricketers from both schools and gives them access to quality coaching at the indoor centre at Kent and Polo Farm. The school also has links with Kent Best prospect 1st XI captain and vicecaptain Nathan Fox and Harrison Legg – both allrounders – have featured for Kent’s academy side this season Cricketers of note Mark Dobson (Kent, Glamorgan), Simon Cusden (Kent, Derbyshire) Cultural cricketers Sir Freddie Laker

take the first steps towards coaching, umpiring and officiating Fixtures The school plays regular fixtures against local private and state schools, as well as an MCC match each year at Bovey Tracey CC. They also attend Chance to Shine competitions and have entered the Broderick Cup at Queen’s College, Taunton Facilities Four outdoor nets and four indoor nets, as well as the use of both Ashburton CC and Bovey Tracey CC Club/county affiliation As well as the two local clubs listed above, Dartmoor also have links to Ipplepen CC Best prospect Left-arm seamer Ben Kay opens the bowling for Devon at under-15 level, while Abbie Lockett, Hannah Jones and Molly Pickard have all represented Devon in women’s cricket Cricketers of note Ash Causey (Devon), Ellie Ingham-Hill (England youth) Brief history Cricket is one of the strongest sports at

South Dartmoor Community College, built on a culture of practice and dedication throughout winter and spring terms which readies pupils for a summer of competition and success. The college has won three national titles and has several students

(air travel) What sets the school apart? The amount of cricket played for a state school, which relies on a committed group of staff to give up their time and also instil a love of the sport to the students. Additionally, the strength of the school’s Saturday morning programme and on-field performances: this year, they reached three county cup finals Finest moment They are unbeaten against the MCC in the last five years Recent progress As well as returning to a full fixture list, more students represented the school than ever before. The 1st XI reached the county cup final and T20 final, despite a significantly reduced squad due to year group bubbles in line with covid restrictions Future plans There are plans for new artificial practice facilities, for which the school are currently seeking funding. Next year they will play their first fully fledged girls’ fixtures Tours Between 2001 and 2019, they ran a biennial tour of the Caribbean. Next year, they will travel to Sri Lanka for the first time

representing the county Cultural cricketers Ollie Watkins (England footballer), Josh Widdecombe (comedian) What sets the school apart? Cricket at South Dartmoor has become a thriving sport welcome to every student, with staff supported by a community cricket coach in partnership with the Devon Cricket Board. This gives players help with all aspects of the game, as well as performance analysis. Students at the school play high-level matches against top opposition, including county development sides and public schools Finest moment South Dartmoor have won the national Chance to Shine indoor and outdoor competitions on three occasions, for both boys and girls Recent progress The school is proud of having re-engaged young people in the sport after the pandemic, with between 30 and 40 young players regularly at each of session Future plans The school plans to continue promoting young female volunteers with the Western Storm volunteering initiative

ST EDWARD’S SCHOOL, OXFORD // ST LAWRENCE COLLEGE

ST LAWRENCE COLLEGE College Road, Ramsgate, Kent CT11 7AE

ST EDWARD’S SCHOOL, OXFORD Woodstock Road, Oxford OX2 7NN Established 1863 Number of pupils 780 Master in charge Robert Craze Professional Dave Simpkins Teams Boys: 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, 4th XI, U16ABCD, U15ABCD, U14ABCD. Girls: 1st XI, Junior XI Girls’ cricket The two girls’ teams compete against other schools and enter competitions How has cricket bounced back Over 100 fixtures were played across the summer term, with every pupil that opted for cricket playing a game Post-pandemic changes The school encouraged more gameplay to improve decision-making, while also keeping pupils safe through social distancing and maintaining house/ year group bubbles Fixtures The school has a competitive fixture list, including an annual match against MCC. They also participate in the John Harvey Cup – a 50-over tournament also featuring Winchester, Radley, Marlborough, Cheltenham and Bradfield, which they have won six times in the last

eight seasons Facilities Six grounds, four indoor nets in the Douglas Bader Sports Centre, six outdoor astro nets, six outdoor grass nets, an 18-strip cover on the 1st XI square, blotters and a Merlyn bowling machine Club/county affiliation The school has partnerships with Oxfordshire,

Buckinghamshire, Hampshire and Southern Vipers that involves the sharing of facilities and resources across the year Best prospect Wicketkeeper/batter Alex Horton became the youngest person to play in a National Counties fixture when he played for Wales against Dorset in May 2018 and subsequently the youngest person to play for Glamorgan’s second team Cricketers of note Miles Hammond, Ben Charlesworth (both Gloucestershire) Brief history Cricket at St. Edward’s originated at New Inn Hall Street, Oxford and thence to various parts of Oxford, including public parks, Port Meadow, the Meads, Keble College and finally Upper 1, the 1st XI ground on the school’s playing fields Cultural cricketers Kenneth Grahame (author) What sets the school apart? St Edward’s 1st XI ground lies less than a mile from the centre of Oxford and hosted its first Minor County Championship fixture for over 25 years in July 2018. The Martyrs Pavilion was designed by awardwinning architect John Pawson. Times journalist and Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack editor John Woodcock played for the 1st XI during the War Finest moment The school won the John Harvey Cup for four consecutive years (2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016) Recent progress The school now offers opportunities for more pupils than ever to use its indoor facilities. The girls had their first access to winter training last year which, alongside the summer provision and link with the Southern Vipers, led to excellent results last season. Future plans To cater for more pupils throughout the winter to allow improvement of performance in the summer Tours The next overseas tour is due to take place in February 2023

Established 1879 Number of pupils 400 Head of cricket Seth Simmons Professional Geraint Jones (Kent, Glos, England, Papua New Guinea) Teams Boys: 1st XI, U15AB, U14AB, U13AB, U12AB. Girls: 1st XI, U15A, U14A, U13AB, U12AB Girls’ cricket The school has hosted girls’ Kent age-group matches; Northern Superchargers’ Kalea Moore is a recent leaver How has cricket bounced back Cricket was played in September, including a win over MCC, before the school’s top players started a fitness programme, including military fitness, cross-country and personal survival. Nets took place through winter, while video drills were produced for lockdowns and Zak Crawley spoke to pupils over Zoom Post-pandemic changes Video calls with former/current pros have been introduced through winter, while video challenges and quizzes will continue during holiday periods. Analysis can be done now remotely, and the school is looking to host a prep-school tournament in May 2022 to provide quality cricket for aspiring cricketers in southeast Kent Fixtures More than 100 fixtures, with a circuit featuring Tonbridge School, Whitgift, King’s Canterbury, Sevenoaks, Sutton Valence, Eltham College and Band of Brothers Facilities Four pitches on-site, one at Broadstairs CC, four outdoor artificial nets, two indoor nets. They also use grass nets across the four pitches

Club/county affiliation Strong links with Kent – St Lawrence College is a Kent Hub school, providing extra coaching for Kent age-group players through the winter. Also have associations with local clubs Cricketers of note Alexander Hosie (Hampshire), Kalea Moore (South East Stars) Brief history Land was acquired in 1897, which later became known as Newlands Field and still remains their main sports ground. The school’s most successful year was in 1927 when R Perfect, who later became the eighth headmaster of St Lawrence College, captained. Cricket has continued to grow over the last century; today they have eight county cricketers (boys and girls) and run an extensive winter training programme Cultural cricketers John Ironmonger (novelist) What sets the school apart? They host an annual cricket week which includes three declaration matches, one 50-over match and one T20 Finest moment In 1927, Perfect scored the only double-century in the school’s history against Hythe CC Recent progress Two girls in the junior school and three in the senior school play for the county; the growth of girls’ cricket has seen the school enter all national competitions (Lady Taverners and National T20), as well as running a girls’ cricket week in line with the boys’ equivalent Future plans The school has invested millions into Newlands Field, including a new cricket pitch. A new sports pavilion will be built shortly, while there are plans for new outdoor nets Tours There is an U13 tour planned to Desert Springs next year, and a 1st XI trip in 2023 to Eastbourne College

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TOP 100 SENIOR SCHOOLS ST PAUL’S SCHOOL Lonsdale Road, London SW13 9JT Established 1509 Number of pupils 988 Master in charge Nigel Briers (Leicestershire) Teams 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, 4th XI, U15ABC, U14ABC How has cricket bounced back The school adopted a summer term program during September and October 2020 in the form of training and matches. Outdoor nets ran on a Saturday morning across early April followed by a pre-season program for all age groups Post-pandemic changes Cricketers received individual online strength, conditioning and skills programs. Instead of winter indoor nets boys were taken outside on the artificial nets during March and early April 2021 and a full programme resumed in September and October 2020. Players at U18, U17 and

U16 level trained in bubbles Fixtures St Paul’s fulfil 84 matches per season. Merchant Taylors’, dating back 160 years, Eton, Cranleigh, Hampton, Reed’s and Dulwich and the MCC are the stand-outs Facilities Five indoor cricket nets, seven outdoor nets, five grounds and four bowling machines Club/county affiliation Barnes CC use the indoor nets and the ground is occasionally hired out. The school are affiliated to the Schools Cricket Association of Middlesex Best prospect Part of the Surrey Elite Playing group and U18s, much is expected of batter Krish Patel (left). Stand-out performances include 117 against Eton and centuries for Surrey U18s against Hampshire and Whitgift School Cricketers of note Percy Fender (Sussex, Surrey & England), Aubrey Faulkner and Reggie Schwarz (South Africa) Brief history The first Duke of Marlborough, John Churchill, was at St Paul’s School in the 1660s and

ST PAUL’S SCHOOL // ST PETER’S, YORK 13-18

there is much evidence cricket had already reached London from Kent. St Paul’s, therefore, believe they are among the first schools to take up the game. The school played at the Oval for 25 years up to 1884 Cultural cricketers John Churchill (First Duke of Marlborough); Patrick Neate (writer); Rory Kinnear (actor), Charlie Fink (Noah and the Whale) What sets the school apart? Being among the first schools to play cricket and being able to uphold its reputation as a strong education facility and place to play sport, without dedicated scholars and bursaries

Finest moment Anosh Malik scored four consecutive hundreds for the first XI at the end of the 2019 season, including against the MCC Recent progress The development of Surrey academy star Krish Patel is a heartening tale, as has been Year 13 taking on 1st XI duties Future plans A new cricket pavilion with two floors including a dining area, changing rooms, umpires’ room and conference/teaching room. Resumption of relationship with Chance to Shine Tours 1st XI tour South Africa every three years and U15s regularly tour Sri Lanka

Yardley (England and Yorkshire), Stephen Coverdale (Yorkshire and Northamptonshire), Frank Mitchell (England and Yorkshire) and David Kirby (Cambridge University and Leicestershire) Brief history The third-oldest school in the UK and fourth-oldest in the world, St Peter’s School is an independent co-educational day and boarding school (aged 3 -18) in the centre of the historic City of York. The first recorded game of cricket played at St Peter’s was in 1853 when

the School XI played Pocklington. Cricket lies at the heart of the sporting calendar in the summer term. The 1st XI play their games under the watchful eye of York Minster with all junior grounds idyllically situated on the banks of the River Ouse Cultural cricketers Harry Gration (journalist), John Barry (composer) What sets the school apart? Yorkshire Diamonds previously used St Peter’s as their training base in 2018 and 2019. Kia Summer Smash (Northern Festival) hosted in 2019 Finest moment North of England HMC T20 finalists 2013, 2017, 2018, 2019 Recent progress The school were thrilled with the level of participation and engagement across the school in the online programme through the winter, and the development work in the build up to the season Future plans A new sport/cricket pavilion is in the offing. There are also hopes to renovate the main squad and invest in some hybrid pitches Tours Tours are planned to Sri Lanka, Argentina and Dubai. Training camps are heading to Spain and various UK destinations

ST PETER’S, YORK 13-18 Clifton, York YO30 6AB Established 627 AD Number of pupils 550 Master in charge Gareth Sharp (head of boys’ games) Teams 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, Development XI (U17/U16), U15AB, U14AB Girls’ cricket Programme to be restarted in 2021 with professional starting from September How has cricket bounced back Fixtures were played for third, fourth and lower-sixth before half-term in year-group bubbles. Internal competitive training games with bubbles mixed after half-term Post-pandemic changes More focus on developing fundamentals of movement, biomechanical set up, developing mind-set, group dynamics, game awareness through concept games and teamwork Fixtures One hundred and twenty across the summer. MCC, Yorkshire Gents, Durham School, Sedbergh and Ampleforth and a clash Pocklington dating back 120 years are the pick of 74 | thecricketer.com

the bunch Facilities Two sports halls, eight bowling machines, eight lane outdoor artificial net area, 10 grass nets, three cricket turf grounds all with covers and one artificial ground Club/county affiliation Yorkshire CCC and York CC Best prospect Top-order batter and leg-spinner Wills Bennison is already part of the Yorkshire county agegroup contingent Cricketers of note Jonny Bairstow (England and Yorkshire), Norman

STAMFORD SCHOOL // STOWE SCHOOL

STAMFORD SCHOOL Southfields House, St Paul’s Street, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 2BQ Established 1532 Number of pupils 680 Master in charge Dean Headley (England, Middlesex and Kent) Professional Jack Mousley Teams 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, 4th XI, 15ABC, 14ABC, 13ABCD, 12 ABC Girls’ cricket Girls from Stamford High School play in the seniors’ teams occasionally How has cricket bounced back The appetite for cricket remains the same since the pandemic. They are slowly rectifying the problems endured by years seven and eight, who missed a pre-season and a full campaign Post-pandemic changes The school have simply continued their good work from prior to the pandemic Fixtures School participates in 180 matches in a normal year, with 200 planned for next year. Oakham, Oundle, Bedford and Trent College are the big games Facilities Indoor nets with four

STOWE SCHOOL THIS PHOTOGRAPH HAS BEEN REPRODUCED BY KIND PERMISSION OF GILLMAN & SOAME PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAN BE RE-ORDERED BY VISITING WWW.GSIMAGEBANK.CO.UK/STOWE AND USING TOKEN LOGIN USNT7B2021

Ouse Valley Way, Stowe, Buckinghamshire MK18 5EH Established 1923 Number of pupils 850 Director of cricket James Knott (Surrey, Bedfordshire) Professionals Graeme White (Northamptonshire), Phil Arnold (Devon) Coaches James Mellor, Andy O’Connor Teams Boys: 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, 4th XI, 5th XI, U15A, U15B, U15C, U14A, U14B, U14C, U14D. Girls: 3rd XI, 4th XI, 5th XI, 6th XI forms Girls’ cricket Alongside four teams, one keeper/batter is part of the Northamptonshire emerging player programme and made her debut for

Midlands Champions in ESCA one-day cup. U17s becoming 2019 Regional champions. U14s and U15s have reached last eight of the national and Midlands T20 competitions, respectively Recent progress The work of sports staff being rewarded with the growth of cricket following the long layoff Future plans Adding more fields to have two more cricket pitches at their disposal Tours Sixty-seven pupils between the High School and Stamford School will tour Sri Lanka in 2022. Years nine and 10 tour every two years together

lanes plus an array of Bola bowling machines – junior, professional and Merlyn. Ten outdoor nets with full run-ups, main square with 15 strips. Second square of eight strips and two new artificial wickets Club/county affiliation Links with Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, Bedfordshire and Huntingdonshire Best prospect Josh Hull is a 5ft 7in left-arm seamer, aged 16, who is part of the Northamptonshire academy. Left-arm spinner Rohan Kundaje is part of the Northants emerging player programme Cricketers of note MJK Smith (Leicestershire, Warwickshire & England), Shan Masood (Pakistan), Zak Chappell (Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire), Joey Evison (Nottinghamshire) Brief history Cricket was played in Stamford at least as early as 1771. But organised games only came into fashion in schools after the 19th century was well advanced. Under Fredderick Gretton (1833– 71) the school went to a field off Barnack Road for cricket. By 1885, the school

was playing cricket on its own ground, but the playing area was too small. This was soon expanded into the ground which is played on today Cultural cricketers Simon Hodgkinson (England rugby), Colin Dexter (Inspector Morse creator), Nick Anstee (former London Lord Mayor) What sets the school apart? The pavilion is beautifully thatched and hospitality is greatly received. Michael Holding and Jonathan Trott have appeared for special events focusing on engaging youngsters with the game Finest moment U15s being the

the women’s 1st XI this summer How has cricket bounced back Cricket has enjoyed a record-breaking sign-up since pupils returned due to the feverish desire for competitive sport Post-pandemic changes September fixtures will now be played every year Fixtures More than 20 matches per year. Bedford, Merchant Taylors’ Northwood, Rugby, Oakham, Bradfield College, Oundle and Uppingham. Silk Trophy with Eton and Shrewsbury Facilities Four lanes of indoor nets, three Bola bowling machines, one Merlyn bowling machine, one Bola fielding machine, 11 lanes of turf nets, 10 astro nets, seven turf squares Club/county affiliation Northants CCC, Buckinghamshire CCC, Buckingham Town, Great Brickhill, Stony Stratford and Dinton

fagging or arcane names Best prospect Batter and common in other schools. off-spinner James Cronie A partnership with the has represented England National Trust has helped U19s and Northants 2nd maintain the grounds while XI. Aadi Sharma was in 2003 the school became the leading run-scorer for South & West at the Director of cricket co-education What sets the school Bunbury Festival James Knott apart? The 1st and 2nd Cricketers of note Ben XI squares are situated in front and Duckett (Northants & England), behind of what was once the palace of Graeme White (Northants, Notts the Dukes of Buckingham. Northants & England Lions), Mark Nelson play an annual 2nd XI game there (Northants & England U19), Ben and the first team have also played a Howgego (Northants & ESCA U17), Sean Morris (Hampshire), Rob White Pro40 game. Bunbury Festival in 2017 went to Stowe (Northants) Finest moment Victory over South Brief history Stowe opened with its African side Menlo Park in the first 99 pupils, mainly aged 13, on 11 final of their T20 festival in 2015. May 1923. Founding headmaster JF Also defeated a James Taylor-led Roxburgh wanted a modern public school concentrating on the individual, Shrewsbury in a National T20 quarter-final without the unpleasantness of Recent progress Fielding two girls XIs for the first time, winning the Silk Trophy and adding September fixtures for the first XI and U15s Future plans A five-lane indoor cricket centre. Upgrading astroturf net facilities Tours Pre-season trip to Spain. Hopes for Cape Town or Australia trip thecricketer.com | 75

TOP 100 SENIOR SCHOOLS TAUNTON SCHOOL Staplegrove Road, Taunton, Somerset TA2 6AD Established 1847 Number of pupils 1,100 Director of cricket Peter Sanderson Professional Marcus Trescothick (England and Somerset) Teams Boys: 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, 4th XI, 5th XI, U15ABC, U14ABC. Girls: 1st XI, U16, U15 Girls’ cricket The programme is split into two distinct groups, high performance which has helped produce Western Storm academy player Joey-Leigh Roberts, and fun cricket for the masses. Girls can also choose to join the boys programme How has cricket bounced back Programme has become stronger due to both a cricket and genetic sports courses being offered online. The strength of the scheme attracted new pupils after parents were impressed Post-pandemic changes Fixtures have been run in September due to the summer of 2020 being missed. There has been an increase in the number of midweek fixtures Fixtures Millfield, King’s College Taunton, Sherborne, MCC and Staff v 1st XI match Facilities Twelve grass net pitches and 15 artificial nets including seven indoor lanes. The main hall is used for hardball indoor games. Six main squares in addition to extra pitches used for soft-ball matches. Three bowling machines including a Merlyn Club/county affiliation Taunton School Directors of Sports, Taunton Deane CC, Somerset Cricket Board, Somerset CCC

76 | thecricketer.com

Best prospect Oscar Coleman, Logan Dupont, Kian Roberts and Ben Mason are all involved in the Somerset EPP Cricketers of note Tom Abell (Somerset), Adam Dibble (Somerset), Jodie Dibble (England, Somerset and Western Storm), Aftab Habib (England, Essex, Leicestershire and Middlesex), John Jameson (England and Warwickshire), John Cameron (West Indies) Brief history Established in 1847 before merging with Weirfield School to become mixed gender. Prep school created in 1990 and an international school was added. Cricket is a major part of school life with Tom Abell, its best product. Peter Sanderson runs cricket from year three to senior level, with the numbers of players playing in county and school teams having increased dramatically Cultural cricketers Geoffrey Cox (Conservative MP), Alan Gibson (cricket writer) and Jeremy Wright (attorney general) What sets the school apart? The enthusiasm staff bring to the programme. A wet Saturday is met with such disappointment. All players use the same facilities regardless of level. Links to Somerset helps develop aspirations of playing at a higher level Finest moment Tom Abell scoring 1,156 runs in a single season. The U14s being the latest team to win county and regional cups this year Recent progress Improvement of the fixture programme and increase in county pathway players to 70 Future plans Upgrading outdoor facilities Tours Rescheduled trips to India and Sri Lanka

TAUNTON SCHOOL // THE BISHOP’S STORTFORD HIGH SCHOOL

THE BISHOP’S STORTFORD HIGH SCHOOL London Road, Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire CM23 3LU Established 1950 Number of pupils 1200 Master in charge Matthew Hale Teams 1st XI, 2nd XI, U15AB, U14ABC, U13AB, U12ABC Girls’ cricket All-boys comprehensive. Plans to host and run U12 girls cricket festival with Elizabeth College How has cricket bounced back Started programme in August with internal and external matches across the age groups against local clubs and West Essex Cricket Board. Autumn cricket included playing the marquee fixture against the MCC. Ran sessions before and after school for all age groups after October half-term and in the winter. Senior fixtures were played in year group bubbles Post-pandemic changes Earlier school finish time due to Covid timetable has increased the number and length of sessions and improved availability of staff. Training plan has been adapted to deliver more specialist scenario-based sessions for specific game elements Fixtures Normally run 75 fixtures. Stand outs include MCC, Brentwood, Bishop’s Stortford College, Bancroft’s, Felsted, Haileybury and Elizabeth College and Guernsey Facilities Four-lane indoor net facility at the main school sports hall. School uses off-site facility Jobber’s Wood which features a pavilion, a main grass square and two additional artificial pitches. Also use Herts and Essex Cricket Centre (HECC) indoor

cricket facility Club/county affiliation Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, WECB, Bishop’s Stortford Cricket Club Best prospect Alex Peirson, of Saffron Walden CC and Cambridgeshire, is a left-handed toporder batter and off-spinner Brief history Sport became a focus under the headship of the late Ian Shaw in the early 80’s. A sports hall with four net lanes opened in 1985, and a pavilion opened by Denis Compton in 1995 helped the development of the game. In 2001, the school opened a purpose-built off-site sports facility, Jobber’s Wood, which has contributed to increased participation Cultural cricketers Greg James (BBC Radio 1 DJ) What sets the school apart? The school aims to promote high levels of participation and a lifelong love of the game. TBSHS cricket draws on staff from right across the school, regardless of academic discipline and includes non-teaching staff Finest moment Victory over MCC in June 2016 Recent progress Growing participation to record-breaking levels among boys, who are now receiving sub-county and county recognition Future plans Strengthen partnership with Luke Humphrey, director of cricket at the Herts and Essex Cricket Centre. The school is due to move to a new site in 2022. Plan to offer more C and D team fixtures across age groups Tours Barbados, Antigua, Barbados and Sri Lanka being considered for 2023

THE CANTERBURY ACADEMY

THE CANTERBURY ACADEMY Knight Avenue, Canterbury, Kent CT2 8QA Established 2010 Number of pupils 1800 Director of sport Phil Relf Professional David Fulton (Kent) Teams Joint East Kent Cricket Academy u19 XI in association with Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys , 1st XI, U15, U14, U13 development side Girls’ cricket Part of the sixth form specialist academy How has cricket bounced back Three sides made the county cup quarter-finals. Increase in participation with several involved at county level Post-pandemic changes Fewer fixtures but regular training that conforms to Covid-19 guidance Fixtures Approximately 25. Most notable match is the two-day game against Tonbridge School XI Facilities Access to train

and play home games at Polo Farm Sports Club and Chestfield CC Club/county affiliation St Lawrence & Highland Court, Canterbury CC, Whitstable CC, Chestfield CC and Faversham CC Best prospect Year 11 student Will Cook is a left arm seamer who has just

broken into the Kent U16 side. He is also playing 1st team cricket in the Kent League for Whitstable CC Cricketers of note Ryan Davies (Kent, Somerset, Durham) Brief history The school began to field teams from 2014 and has now featured regularly in the latter stages of the county cup. The pool of players is relatively small so students get the opportunity to challenge themselves against older players. They pride themselves on not only providing additional support for star players but also making sure all our students have positive cricket experiences when playing and training What sets the school apart? Canterbury are

one of the few state comprehensive schools in the South East providing an intensive cricket programme that includes daily training encompassing technical, tactical, mental and physical development. The Sixth Form programme is available to committed players for no extra and enables them to access high quality facilities and coaching. The overall ethos of the school commits to supporting students across the entire curriculum and sport receives substantial support from the senior leadership and directors Finest moment Winning the U13 County Cup in 2019 Recent progress The number of students receiving recognition from Kent is age group squads continues to rise, with five currently in age group teams across boys and girls Future plans Plans to promote cricket in local primary schools by sending small teams in a coaching capacity to help spread the game Tours The school has entered The Cricketer Schools 1st XI Hundred in Desert Springs scheduled for April 2022

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TOP 100 SENIOR SCHOOLS

THE JOHN LYON SCHOOL Middle Road, Harrow on the Hill, Harrow HA2 0HN Established 1876 Number of pupils 600 Master in charge (incoming) Chris Peploe Head of cricket (outgoing) Adam Ling Professional Shane Cloete (Zimbabwe) Teams 1st XI, 2nd XI, U15ABC, U14ABC, U13AB, U12AB Girls’ cricket Girls have recently joined Year 7 and the hope if that a soft-ball team will run in the summer How has cricket bounced back Fifty boys now take part in senior cricket each week. Increase in number of training opportunities particularly in pre-season, development of senior training programme to allow regular access to cricket professional and taster sessions run with new prep school. Balance between playing matches and working on skills has also been looked at

Post-pandemic changes Introduction of girls’ cricket is the biggest change, with those interested in playing hardball cricket being offered the chance to play in the boys team Fixtures Up to 115. MCC, Frogs CC and an association day vs Old Lyonians are the highlights Facilities Three grass squares, astro wicket, three indoor nets and more shared with Harrow School Club/county affiliation Harrow CC use the school’s Sudbury playing fields as their home for all borough cricket. Host Middlesex School’s County Plate Finals at U12, U13 and U14 level and Middlesex over-50s matches since 2018. Also developing relationships with clubs and county

THE JOHN LYON SCHOOL

coaches to help manage workloads to avoid schools being played off against clubs Best prospect Last year’s entrant Kahil Jariwala remains a talent for the 1st XI and was the highest run-scorer this season. He has been mentoring another wicketkeeper/batter Rhian Chohan, who led the way for the U12s. His glovework is described as exceptional and he even stands up to the stumps against quick bowlers. Rhian already represents the 1st XI and Harrow Borough and was considered for regional selection Cricketers of note Kabir Toor (Middlesex and Kent), Ali Fraser (Middlesex) Brief history Cricket is one of the three major sports of the school and

Head of cricket Adam Ling (outgoing) Professional Shane Cloete Master in charge Chris Peploe (incoming) widely enjoyed by both pupils and parents. Individual talent is spread between age groups, but the school promotes inclusivity where all pupils are allowed to participate. Angus Fraser coached at the school for two years and assisted the U14s in winning the Lord’s Taverners which has never been repeated. The school began touring the UK in 1990 before their first major biennial tour to South Africa which has now spanned over 20 years What sets the school apart? The school prides itself on not being driven by and measuring success purely on results on the field. The ambition is that an all-round cricketing education is just as important, and this will continue to be the ethos for future years Finest moment Retaining the U19 Middlesex Cup in both 2019 and 2021, the most achieved by any school in the area Recent progress The school are particularly proud of having built a successful cricket programme from the ground upwards, which continues to see pupils fall in love with the sport Future plans Becoming coeducational after welcoming girls into Year 7 has raised the prospect of developing a programme. Work is underway with the prep school to provide pathways for cricket and opportunities in boys teams will be available. Cricket week will continue to be developed with the introduction of all-day games for the 1st XI. Plans afoot for two-day games and 100-ball fixtures Tours Major cricket tour, junior festivals and pre-season training camps are scheduled to resume next summer

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An independent coeducational senior day school in Harrow, North West London Reigning Middlesex U18 County Schools Champions 2019 - 2021 Admissions, Coeducation and Sports Scholarships information: www.johnlyon.org

Welcoming girls to the School and the cricket pitch from September 2021

TOP 100 SENIOR SCHOOLS THE JUDD SCHOOL Brook Street, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 2PN Established 1888 Number of pupils 1,300 Master in charge Ralph Richardson Professional Miles Richardson (Northamptonshire) Teams 1st XI, 2nd XI, U15AB, U14AB, U13ABC, U12ABCD Girls’ cricket Interested students can join the senior boys’ teams How has cricket bounced back Held winter nets and training sessions upon resumption. Start of summer term saw return of fixtures with an increase in students wanting to be involved in competitive matches Post-pandemic changes Alterations to the programme focused around Covid protocols and ensured they can cater to the fresh demand from pupils Fixtures 100. MCC, Eltham College, King’s Canterbury, Sevenoaks School, Sutton Valence School, Caterham Facilities Grass cricket square (with one artificial strip), eight artificial nets,

THE KING’S SCHOOL, WORCESTER 5 College Green, Worcester WR1 2LL

Established 1541 Number of pupils 1,465 Director of cricket Simon Greenall Professionals Antony Gillgrass (Derbyshire 2nd XI), Ben Twohig, Charlie Morris (both Worcestershire) Teams Boys: 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, U15A B, U14AB, U13ABC, U12ABC. Girls: Two teams per age group from year seven to 10 and one hard ball team Girls’ cricket This year saw hardball fixtures organised and fixtures against 80 | thecricketer.com

THE JUDD SCHOOL // THE KING’S SCHOOL, WORCESTER

four lane indoor sports hall. Two offsite grass cricket squares (with one artificial strip), one additional artificial strip and five artificial nets Club/county affiliation Bidborough Cricket Club Best prospect Ekansh Singh is already part of the Kent set-up and plays league cricket for Orpington. He is consistently one of the school’s leading run-scorers Cricketers of note David Fulton, Julian Thompson (both Kent) Brief history Cricket has been played at the school since it was established in 1888 and is the main summer sport. The school aim to provide opportunities for all ability levels to represent the school in fixtures and on overseas tours. The objective is to develop a love for playing the game, at whatever standard. Great pride is taken in the pupils who continue to play for their local club side and those who go on to a higher level Cultural cricketers Lord Terence Lewin (chief of defence staff ), Cecil Powell (Nobel laureate) What sets the school apart? The state grammar school runs a full

Saturday fixture programme and regularly competes in the latter stages of county comps at all age groups. Winter academy for up to 90 pupils Finest moment Reaching the semifinal of the U13 national ESCA David English Cup in 2010 Recent progress Enthusiasm among students for cricket has grown enormously since the pandemic hit Future plans Development of

relationship with Bidborough CC to help improve quality of facilities and opportunities to play outside of school. The aim is for a larger number of pupils to continue playing once they have left the school. Hope is to build on relationship with Invicta Cricket Coaching, who run sessions during the winter and summer Tours Three teams from u14 and U15 heading to Dubai in February 2022

other schools and club sides every week. Girls’ cricket takes player during afternoon games sessions and there are weekly after school and lunchtime sessions. Continued personal development and inset sessions have been run for female staff coaching and umpiring on our programme How has cricket bounced back School played 23 matches in September, with not a single fixture missed due to Covid Post-pandemic changes The school have arranged online meetings via Microsoft Teams, providing players with regular drills Fixtures 148 matches across the age groups. MCC, RGS Worcester, Malvern College and WCCC are the

notable games Facilities Two sports halls with four lanes in each, eight astroturf nets at the school fields and four practice wickets on the 1st XI and 2nd XI squares. Four pitches with two grass wickets and two astroturf Club/county affiliation Worcestershire CCC and Ombersley CC Best prospect Wicketkeeper and top-order batter Cameron Jones, allrounders Monty Jelfs and Henry Hawes and another keeper-batter Seth Essenhigh. Bryony Gilgrass is the leading girls player Cricketers of note Josh Tongue (Worcestershire) and Nick Hammond (Worcestershire, Warwickshire), Sophie Le Marchand (England) and Amelia Kite (Warwickshire, Nottinghamshire) Brief history Cricket has a long tradition of success at King’s Worcester. Many boys have represented Worcestershire, been involved in the Bunbury Festival

and the Super Fours. King’s has encouraged female cricket for a number of years and girls actively play alongside boys. The King’s Senior Cricket Academy was launched in 2019 Cultural cricketers Chris Tarrant (TV presenter, below) What sets the school apart? Playing fields back onto New Road. OV Amelia Kite played in the test event for The Hundred at Lord’s, taking the first wicket Finest moment Josh Richardson’s 124 not out against Eastbourne College, Nick Hammond’s three consecutive centuries against the MCC and Josh Tongue opening the bowling for the 1st XI while in Year 7 Recent progress Introduction of a full girls’ programme, U12s and U13s making county cup finals and 1st XI reaching Chesterton Cup Finals Day Future plans Building a new outdoor net facility, introducing a junior academy and adding winter girls training Tours Sri Lanka tour delayed until 2024 and 1st XI will travel to Herts

THE LEYS // THE MANCHESTER GRAMMAR SCHOOL

THE LEYS

bowling machines, video analysis equipment, two grass cages, six outdoor Fen Causeway, Cambridge artificial lanes, four grass CB2 7AD squares Best prospect Opening Established 1875 Master in charge batter and seam bowler Number of pupils 575 Richard Kaufman Noah Thain is already Master in charge representing Essex U15s Richard Kaufman and The Leys 1st XI. Issy Routledge, of (Northamptonshire Cricket Board) Sunrisers and Thriplow, is an opening Teams Boys: 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, U15AB, U14ABC, U13ABC. Girls: 1st XI, batter and offspinner Cricketers of note Justin Benson U15AB, U13A&B (Leicestershire and Ireland), Andrew Girls’ cricket The school currently Bramley (Northamptonshire 2nd XI) has five teams. Girls reached the Brief history The Leys was National U15 School Sport Magazine established in February 1875 and T20 Competition final in 2018, losing cricket was introduced in its second to Millfield term. The school’s most distinguished How has cricket bounced back cricketer before World War One was Cricket returned in September with Bernard Holloway, who played for a match against the MCC which Leys Sussex and was a member of the MCC won. Local fixtures kicked off the touring party in the club’s first tour summer term before an enhanced to the West Indies, but died in 1915 in fixture programme returned Calais. Nowadays the school has a Fixtures 15. MCC, Felsted, Ipswich, link with Northants where their better Framlingham and end-of-season players enter onto their academy cricket festival to conclude the What sets the school apart? season v St Paul’s, Fettes and The Leys is situated in the heart of Monkton Combe Cambridge next to the River Cam. It Facilities Two lane indoor school, two

continues to punch above its weight, with success in both boys and girls teams. The U15 girls reached the final of the School Sports T20 Competition in 2018, losing to Millfield in the final. The U15s boys also reached the last 16 of the English Schools Cricket Association competition. They annually host a Cambridgeshire Minor County Senior fixture Finest moment The U15 girls reaching the School Sports T20 Competition in

2018. 1st XI boys winning the Regional T20 in 2017 and 2019 Recent progress Rapid development of girls’ programme and formation of 1st XI. Boys enjoying regional T20 success Future plans Live stream home fixtures from 1st XI square, formation of Essex Schools League which would allow pathway into county set-up Tours 1st XI tour Sri Lanka every four years

THE MANCHESTER GRAMMAR SCHOOL

grass practice pitches, four outdoor artificial practice nets, two astro match pitches. Coverings available for all outdoor pictures Best prospect Wicketkeeper/batter George Bell is part of the Lancashire academy, scored a century for England Young Lions in 2020 and is on the U19 radar. Off-spinner and batter Arav Shetty is enrolled with the Lancashire development squad. Sid Murali of Year 8 hit a century and claimed a hat-trick in the same game this season Cricketers of note Mike Atherton (Lancashire and England), John Crawley (Lancashire, Hampshire, England), Mark Chilton (Lancashire) Brief history Since the school moved out from the city centre to a new site in Fallowfield, surrounded by pitches, during the 1930s, academic staff and specialist coaches have been a regular feature of cricket. The school is immensely proud of its cricketing heritage and the pedigree of players it has produced Cultural cricketers Herbert

Toft (England rugby union), Robert Crawshaw (Olympic water polo), Douglas Lowe (athletics) What sets the school apart? MGS has an excellent record of producing cricketers who go on to play county and international cricket, and there is a great history and tradition. The school does not offer scholarships for sport and refrains from recruiting or chasing youngsters. Diversity of sport and opportunities for all is the focus of the sporting programme. The Elite Performers Programme (EPP) enables the most talented sportsmen to achieve their potential, working closely with staff to develop bespoke training programmes Finest moment Winning the U15 National Cricket Championship in 2015 Recent progress Holding fully taught weekly PE lessons on Microsoft Teams during the lockdowns, and later socially-distanced in-person specialist coaching when the boys returned, we were able to keep them physically fit and look after their mental well-being Future plans Development of internal and external fixture list

Old Hall Lane, Manchester M13 0XT

Established 1515 Number of pupils 1,600 Director of sport Mike Watkinson (Lancashire, England) Teams 1st XI, 2nd XI, U17, U16, U15AB, U14AB, U13ABC, U12AB, U11ABCD, U10ABCD, U9ABCD, U8ABCD, plus development teams How has cricket bounced back School immediately offered competitive cricket against others from the local area. Matches were also arranged in year group bubbles Post-pandemic changes Ventilation improved in changing rooms and indoor spaces.

Those areas could only be used by different bubbles followed enhanced cleaning and a 72-hour period. ‘Super Saturdays’ introduced to replace loss of competitive sport Fixtures 1st XI play 25 fixtures in a normal year. Notable games against Shrewsbury, Sedbergh and annual MCC fixture Facilities Sports hall has four nets, three grass spaces, six

thecricketer.com | 81

TOP 100 SENIOR SCHOOLS THE PERSE SCHOOL Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 8QF Established 1615 Number of pupils 1,250 Master in charge Sean Park Director of sport Glenn Kirkham Professional Jason Coleman (Parramatta CC) Teams Boys: 1st XI, 2nd XI, U15AB, U14ABC, U13ABC, U12ABC. Girls: 1st XI, U15AB and indoor, U14ABC, U13ABC and indoor, U12ABC Girls’ cricket Pre-season training begins in January and fixtures and tournaments are played throughout the summer term, with the 1st XI entering the National T20. Number of girls play for local clubs and are part of county squads. School enjoyed recent success in the Lady Taverners Indoor Cricket Tournament How has cricket bounced back Swell in participation numbers. Winter nets began once school resumed. Summer term started with fortnight of training before embarking

THE PORTSMOUTH GRAMMAR SCHOOL High Street, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO1 2LN Established 1732 Number of pupils 1,000 Master in charge Scott Curwood Professional Jon Ayling (Hampshire) Teams Boys: 1st XI, 2nd XI, U15ABC, U14AB, U13AB, U12AB. Girls: U15A, U14AB, U13ABC, U12ABC Girls’ cricket Programme includes five teams across the age groups How has cricket bounced back Attendance at training sessions has been high. Saturday inter-school matches were replaced by year group matches to prepare pupils for resumption of fixtures Post-pandemic changes Focus on longer format as much as possible. B teams are teed up with more midweek local 20-over matches outside of normal Saturday block Fixtures Over 200 fixtures across boys and girls. Big games come against King Edward VI Southampton, Canford, Churcher’s College and 82 | thecricketer.com

THE PERSE SCHOOL // THE PORTSMOUTH GRAMMAR SCHOOL

on interschool fixtures. Teams travel further afield for national cups and festivals Post-pandemic changes Increased offering of soft ball, shorter matches and different formats to improve opportunities Fixtures Around 150 fixtures in 2019, with 1st XI fulfilling 15. Notable clashes include the MCC, The Leys, Felsted and Bedford School Facilities Six artificial nets, a roll-on cage, six indoor nets and three grounds (all equipped with sightscreens and covers) with a total of seven pitches Club/county affiliation Cambridge CC, Saffron Walden CC, Foxton CC, Cambridge Youth Cricket, Essex CC Best prospect Nikhil Gorantla is part of the Essex academy and Bella Howarth is representing Essex CCC at age group level Cricketers of note Michael and Chris Pepper (both Essex CCC) Brief history Earliest recorded cricket match at The Perse was in 1856. In 1884, a cricket club was

established with regular matches against local village sides played on Parkers Piece. Sir Jack Hobbs was among the opponents. A MCC match followed in the ’60s. In 2006, the 1st XI won 14 consecutive matches, placing them among the top 10 ranked schools in Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack. Since 2013, Perse has showcased girls’ cricket throughout all year groups Cultural cricketers Ronald GW Norrish (Nobel Prize winner), Mark Saggers (journalist) What sets the school apart? Cricket has been played at The Perse for over 160 years. Two dozen teams are fielded across the upper school, providing an equal opportunity for both boys and girls while maintaining outstanding academic results Finest moment 1st XI chasing 220 in 30 overs against Bedford, as part of 14-game winning streak in 2006 Recent progress The number of boys

RGS Guildford Facilities Indoor sports facilities with five lanes, Hilsea Playing fields include eight artificial and six grass nets and two squares. Hockey pitch used for girls’ fixtures and local council ground hosts Saturday inter-school games Club/county affiliation Hampshire CCC Best prospect Simone Hellyer and Lucy Powlesland, both in Year 7, have impressed staff with their skill and

knowledge. Meanwhile, allrounder Ben Reilly made his 1st XI debut after promotion from the U15s Cricketers of note Wally Hammond (Gloucestershire, England) Brief history The Hilsea playing fields offer a unique setting, bordered to the north by the historic Hilsea Lines which were built to protect the northern approaches of Portsea Island, and to the west by the upper reaches of Portsmouth Harbour. The

and girls representing clubs and county sides outside school has multiplied Future plans Development of a new sports centre and addition of cricket during the autumn term Tours Annual 1st XI tour with Durham School and trip to Sri Lanka in 2023

school previously played at the East Hants Cricket Ground in Southsea but moved to Hilsea in 1885 Cultural cricketers James Clavell (writer), Arthur Conan Doyle (writer) What sets the school apart? PGS believe pupils evolve equally as well from being out in the middle as in the classroom, helping to develop their life skills and learning how to be part of a team Finest moment Winning the U15 Lord’s Taverners Trophy in 2011 and the National U17 Schools Sports Magazine competition in 2013 and 2015. More recently, the introduction of a girls cricket programme has been well-received Recent progress A renewed willingness of pupils to work on their technical skills, learning the fundamentals of the game and putting them into practice in match situations Future plans Build on strong relationships with local schools and offer opportunities to enjoy competitions using the school’s facilities. Facilities wise, new artificial nets are in the pipeline Tours Hope to re-book India tour for U15 age group

THE SKINNERS’ SCHOOL // TIFFIN SCHOOL

THE SKINNERS’ SCHOOL St John’s Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 9PG Established 1887 Number of pupils 1,119 Head of cricket Will Burrows Teams 1st XI, 2nd XI, Development XI, U15AB, U14ABC, U13ABC, U12ABCDE How has cricket bounced back Amount of pupils playing cricket

TIFFIN SCHOOL Queen Elizabeth Road, Kingstonupon-Thames, Surrey KT2 6RL Established 1880 Number of pupils 1,400 Master in charge Martin Williams Professional Kapilan Balasubramaniam Teams 13 boys’ teams across the age groups Girls’ cricket Remains in its infancy and has been affected by the pandemic How has cricket bounced back With huge enthusiasm among students, like before the pandemic Post-pandemic changes In order to counter adjustments to the staggered school timetable, the school have introduced net practice from 7am every weekday morning. Turn out is

has increased since the pandemic. Around 50 boys per year group want to participate. More inter-school matches and competitions are offered. The break saw the 1st XI main square renovated and members of staff enlisted to coach junior teams Post-pandemic changes Cricket was provided during the autumn and will remain, alongside hard ball pairs cricket. A scheme was also formed to allow pupils to donate kit for newcomers to purchase at a cut price

very high despite the freezing and wet conditions, with 50-plus boys occupying the nets Fixtures 150 fixtures in all including 11 blocks of Saturday matches often involving all 13 teams Facilities Eight artificial outdoor nets and four indoor nets on site. Grist’s Ground at Hampton Court includes three regular squares and two more available by appointment. Batting cage for square practice and two artificial strips Club/county affiliation Surrey CCC. Pupils playing cricket at Sunbury, Wimbledon, Malden Wanderers, East Molesey, Wycombe House and Teddington Best prospect Kajus Syed of the U13 side who is competent in all three disciplines. He scored 137 in a recent T20 win over Alec Stewart

Fixtures Over 100. The 1st XI play MCC, Tonbridge School, Band of Brothers, King’s School Canterbury, and the Forty Club as their notable fixtures Facilities Five indoor nets, two Bola bowling machines and three HD cameras. Playing fields have two artificial wickets, a roll-out cage, four-wicket flat sheet cover, two sightscreens and an electronic scoreboard. Main pavilion contains numerous changing rooms Club/county affiliation Tunbridge Wellls CC, Linden Park CC, Southborough CC, the Forty Club, Bells Yew Green CC, Mayfield CC Best prospect Sussex CCC U15 fast bowler Dan Pascall and Rowan Macdonald-Gay, the wicketkeeper/ batter at Kent CCC Cricketers of note Bob Woolmer (Kent and England), Phil Edmonds (Middlesex and England) Brief history Although only 125 years old, Skinners’ is connected to the distinguished London Livery Company of the same name, which goes back to the fourteenth century. Since the construction of the original

buildings in 1887, further building has taken place in order to accommodate the current school roll, including a £2.7m sports hall opened in 2012 Cultural cricketers Peter Carter (diplomat) What sets the school apart? What Skinners’ lack in facilities they make up for with passion. If boys want to play, there will be opportunities for them at whatever level. Morning sessions in the winter start at 7am and many in the evenings don’t finish until 8pm Finest moment U14 captain Frank Glass scoring his maiden century in the County Plate competition Recent progress The number of pupils engaging in cricket is healthy and there is a genuine buzz about it. Purchasing the roll-out cage has transformed training sessions Future plans New outdoor net facilities from March 2022, reintroduction of the Skinners’ 20 competition, starting a pink-ball T10 tournament and fielding a 3rd XI Tours U15 development tour to Sri Lanka rescheduled for April 2022, with years seven and eight returning in 2023

Hampton School Cricketers of note Chris Aworth (Surrey), David Ottley (Middlesex), Alec Stewart (England and Surrey), Mark Feltham (Surrey and Middlesex), Gregor Kennis (Surrey and Somerset), Arun Harinath (Surrey, Leicestershire, Hampshire) Brief history The Brigadier Harper, headmaster during the post-war years, was responsible for the purchase of the excellent sports ground at Hampton Court. With two pavilions opening in 1964, this was the period during which cricket at the school flourished, climaxing with

the award of an MCC match in the early 1970s Cultural cricketers Jean Christophe Gray (David Cameron spokesperson) What sets the school apart? Tiffin is a highly successful state grammar school where cricket plays a major role in the development of pupils Finest moment Chris Aworth’s century against Kingston Grammar School in 1972 Recent progress The cricket practice programme set up by coach Kapilan Balasubramaniam who is credited with devoting enormous time, energy and enthusiasm to the boys’ cricket at every level. He also organised and led the tour to Dubai for the U15 and U14 sides immediately prior to the first lockdown Future plans New netting at the school site and extension of cricket facilities at Hampton Court ground. Ambitions to get girls cricket programme up and running in the sixth form Tours Annual visit to the Netherlands and Sri Lanka trip in 2023 thecricketer.com | 83

TOP 100 SENIOR SCHOOLS TONBRIDGE SCHOOL High Street, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1JP Established 1553 Number of pupils 780 Master in charge Rob Stephen Professional Richie Oliver (Worcestershire), Ian Baldock (Kent 2nd XI) Teams 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, 4th XI, 5th XI, 6th XI, 7th XI, U16ABC, U15ABCD, U14ABCDE How has cricket bounced back There has been unprecedented interest in cricket since school fully resumed and the pandemic eased. There are a record number of boys playing senior cricket. The school reporting shows a huge appetite for the game, as well as greater interest in longer format matches Post-pandemic changes There have been no fundamental changes to the programme, with the main change being the upturn in interest from boys wanting to play competitive sport Fixtures Roughly 160 fixtures a year. Two-day match v Bedford, the Cowdrey Cup and the annual cricket festival at the end of the term are the stand-out dates on the calendar Facilities The school has seven grass squares, three astro wickets, 10 grass nets, 10 artificial nets and five indoor Club/county affiliation Kent CCC, Surrey CCC and Essex CCC,

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Tunbridge Wells CC, Sevenoaks Vine CC, Holmesdale CC, Linden Park CC, Tonbridge CC, Southborough CC and Cowdrey CC Cricketers of note Colin Cowdrey (England, MCC, Kent) Graham Cowdrey (Kent), Roger Prideaux (England and Kent), Richard Ellison (England and Kent), Ed Smith (England, Kent and Middlesex) and Zak Crawley (England and Kent) Brief history Cricket was being played at Tonbridge as early as 1851 with its first inter-school match against Brighton College in 1856. Since then, Tonbridge has produced many fine cricketers which is best shown in its strong Old Tonbridgian teams which have had plenty of recent success in The Cricketer Cup, as well as recent internationals Ed Smith and Zak Crawley. The season is shaped by the Cowdrey Cup blocks throughout the season, the Bedford two-day match and a cricket festival with international teams to round off the season in the week after term ends. The position of the 1st XI pitch in the centre of the school, right beside the Chapel, has helped to maintain the popularity and success of the game Cultural cricketers Tim Rice-Oxley (Keane) What sets the school apart? The Old Tonbridgians have won The Cricketer Cup 16 times, the most of any school, and reached the final on six other occasions

TONBRIDGE SCHOOL // TRENT COLLEGE

TRENT COLLEGE Derby Road, Long Eaton, Nottingham NG10 4AD Established 1877 Number of pupils 750 Head of boys’ cricket Scott Boswell (Northants, Leicestershire) Head of girls’ cricket Jenny Gunn (England Women) Professional Paul Johnson (Nottinghamshire) Teams Boys: 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, 4th XI, U15ABC, U14ABC, U13ABCD, U12 ABCD. Girls: 1st XI, U15AB, U13AB, U12AB Girls’ cricket School runs sevens teams across the age groups How has cricket bounced back All cricket lessons were live on Microsoft Teams throughout the lockdown, which included skills, fitness, tactical sessions and analysis. They also had regular webinars with elite cricketers Post-pandemic changes Students have been encouraged to undertake umpire and scoring courses. 1st XI cricketers are starting to qualify as assistant coaches and help with the junior and senior school coaching. Tours now available for all age groups of girls and boys Fixtures Over 200 fixtures with the most notable being Repton Facilities Eleven grass wickets, five squares and four indoor lanes Club/county affiliation Derbyshire CCC and Nottinghamshire CCC Best prospect Mitch Wagstaff has already played for the Derbyshire 1st XI. Qundeel Haider and Fateh Landa

are part of the Nottinghamshire academy Cricketers of note Sarah Glenn (England, Central Sparks, Trent Rockets), Simon Webster (Nottinghamshire 2nd XI), Ben Spendlove (Derbyshire) Brief history Though initially a formidable side, the Trent College XI included five teachers. Cricket came back in a vengeance in the 1970s, which included some Derbyshire John Player League matches being played at the school. Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire 2nd XIs are regular visitors to play one-day matches What sets the school apart? Being in close proximity to two first-class counties, Notts and Derbyshire, gives students a clear pathway into the professional ranks. Plenty have gone on to play 1st and 2nd XI cricket for both teams Finest moment In 2019, the U13s and U17s reached the National Cup quarter-finals while the U15s progressed to both the 40-over and T20 national finals. The U12s and U14s meanwhile won the County Cup. The boys U13 and U15 teams won the indoor County Cup Recent progress Trent has been very proactive in getting kids into cricket online. They put a live programme together that has made sure kids can play/practice and learn new skills in their own house in a small space Future plans New outdoor facilities for cricket, hockey and netball Tours Spain in 2022, Dubai in 2023, the St Peter’s York Festival 2021, St Olave’s Super 8’s York 2021

WARWICK SCHOOL // WELLINGTON COLLEGE

WARWICK SCHOOL Myton Road, Warwick CV34 6PP Established 914 Number of pupils 934 Director of cricket Simon Francis Assistant director of cricket Chris Roberts Teams 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, U15ABC, U14ABC, U13ABCDE, U12ABCD Girls’ cricket Only provided at sister school King’s High School, Warwick How has cricket bounced back Boys have been very keen to get out and play sport. There are around 120 playing in just the U12 and U13 age groups and enough to fill teams at U18, U17 and U16 level Post-pandemic changes More junior softball cricket has been played to speed up play and create a better understanding of the game without the need for padding up and wearing helmets. This has led to arranging more matches with local schools, selecting from the bottom up rather than the usual top-down approach. This is done to create a ‘cricket club’ culture. The winter saw training

WELLINGTON COLLEGE Duke’s Ride, Crowthorne, Berkshire RG45 7PU Established 1859 Number of pupils 1,050 Master in charge Dan Pratt Teams Boys: U16s, U15s, U14s. Girls: Mixed age hardball and soft-ball teams Girls’ cricket Around 20-25 girls play around 8-10 fixtures a year. The plan

staged on alternate weeks with age groups in order to give all the chance Fixtures Up to 140 matches. MCC match. Festival with St Peter’s York, Repton and Epsom at the end of each season are the highlights Facilities Three grass squares, three mobile cages, three lane artificial facility, four lane indoor facility Club/county affiliation Warwickshire CCC and Cricket Board, England Visually Impaired Cricketers of note Neil Smith (England and Warwickshire), Geoff Tedstone (Warwickshire & Gloucestershire), Gordon Lord (Worcestershire), Gary

Montgomery (Lancashire), Charlie Mulraine (Warwickshire), Huw Jones (Warwickshire), Rob Yates (Warwickshire) Cultural cricketers Dan Dalton MEP (1987-92), High Court judge Sir David Foskett (1956-67), Chris Guyver, MCC committee (1969-80) What sets the school apart? Warwick has one of the most picturesque views in the country from its 1st team pavilion. The school regularly punches above its weight, given it does not offer sports scholarships like many of its rivals Finest moment U15s reaching National T20 final without a single

squad member having played representative cricket Recent progress A programme that caters for over 250 cricketers of all abilities across seven different year groups with a small but enthusiastic number of staff and facilities Future plans Plans are afoot to build between seven and nine more practice lanes across the site to accommodate the increased demand across the foundation, including the girls’ schools. A closer relationship is developing with Leamington Cricket Club and the hope it to host more primary/junior schools/clubs festivals in the years to come

is to have an U14, U15 and 1st XI in the coming years. Girls Indoor Interhouse Competition is due to return How has cricket bounced back After a reduced programme, the school has enjoyed a full return to block fixtures. Full internal coaching programme has resumed and the one-to-one coaching schedule is oversubscribed Post-pandemic changes Due to time limitations on the normal

six-a-side format the interhouse tournament is this year being run as a bowl out league Fixtures In excess of 100. MCC, Eton, Harrow, Tonbridge, Radley, the BOWS Festival with Brighton, Oakham and Sedbergh and the multiday fixture with Malvern Facilities Nine grounds, 12 grass nets, 14 artificial nets and purpose-built four-lane indoor Club/county affiliation Middlesex CCC, Surrey CCC, Hampshire CCC, Berkshire CCC, Cricket for Character Education Best prospect The 1st XI captain Harry Petrie, a tall seam bowler who is part of the Hampshire Academy Cricketers of note Tim Hodgson (Essex), Ed Young (Gloucestershire), Alice Macleod (Berkshire & Western Storm), Tom Curran (Surrey and England), Ben Curran (Northampton), Sam Curran (Surrey and England) Brief history It took longer than other sports to develop at Wellington due to a lack of appropriate pitches, caused by the ground, which was not rectified until 1905-06. However, cricket at Wellington was firmly on the public

schools’ map from 1880 onwards, largely due to Prince Christian Victor, after whom the college bowling prize is now awarded. In 2019, cricket took another step forwards with the opening of a new purpose built indoor four-lane facility Cultural cricketers Rory Bremner (impressionist), Christopher Lee (actor), Will Young (pop star) What sets the school apart? The school has a good record of pupils moving into the professional and international ranks, with five having graduated in as many years Finest moment Won The Cowdrey Cup in 2014 and reached the National T20 Finals Day 2015. Old Wellingtonians won The Cricketer Cup in 2017 and 1995 Recent progress A girls team taking on MCC Women for the first time in 2021 and the expansion of a one-toone coaching programme Future plans Expand the girls indoor winter league for the boys to play too. Hope to open new indoor facility to the ECB and continue work with Cricket for Character Education Tours Returning to South Africa in either 2022 or 2023 thecricketer.com | 85

TOP 100 SENIOR SCHOOLS WELLINGTON SCHOOL South Street, Wellington, Somerset TA21 8NT Established 1837 Number of pupils 816 Head of cricket Paul Lawrence Director of sport Steffan Jones (Somerset, Derbyshire, Northamptonshire) Professional Caroline Foster (England) Teams Boys: 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, U17A, U16A, U15AB, U14AB, U13AB, U12AB, U11AB, U10AB, U9AB, U8AB. Girls: 1st XI, U15AB, U14AB, U13ABC, U12ABC, U11AB, U10AB, U9AB, U8AB Girls’ cricket Wellington run 19 teams across the age groups How has cricket bounced back The school has developed a robust cricket programme model that allows all pupils opportunities to develop and grow. Because of the flexibility within the programme, there has been an increase in the number of pupils playing cricket, which has meant the addition of six new teams Post-pandemic changes Talks over

WHITGIFT SCHOOL Haling Park Road, South Croydon CR2 6YT Established 1596 Number of pupils 1,550 Head of cricket David Ward (Surrey) Professional Neil Kendrick (Surrey & Glamorgan), Simon Jackson (Jamaica) Teams 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, U16A, U15ABCD, U14ABCDE, U13ABCDEF,

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September fixtures with local schools are ongoing. Cricket-specific drills are available online that all pupils have access to as well as a strength and conditioning programme Fixtures The school has 257 fixtures across the senior (191 fixtures) and preparatory (66 fixtures) departments. South Wales, Millfield School, King’s College, Taunton, Somerset CCC U18 and U15 boys and U18, U15 and U13 girls Facilities Four grass pitches, 11 grass wickets and four indoor lanes Club/county affiliation Somerset Cricket Board, Cornwall Cricket Board, Devon Cricket Board, Taunton St Andrews CC, Wellington CC and Tiverton Heathcote CC Cricketers of note Liam Naylor (Scotland U19s), Jordan Knight (West Indies U19s, Devon CC), Alisa Scantlebury (Barbados) Brief history The cricket programme has grown from strength to strength in the past nine years. They have an increased number of pupils playing cricket and the number of teams has swelled again as a result. The cricket programme has gained a reputation

U12ABCDEFG, U11ABC How has cricket bounced back The school have had more boys than ever playing with an excellent number making themselves available every week Post-pandemic changes The school have played several internal fixtures when there are gaps in the fixture card Fixtures 350 matches. Block against Harrow, 1st XI v MCC and 1st XI v Surrey CCC U18 two-day game

WELLINGTON SCHOOL // WHITGIFT SCHOOL

globally so much so that they are seeing an increase in the number of pupils from overseas now attending What sets the school apart? England Women played a warm-up fixture v Wellington School Select XI as part of their preparation for their successful 2017 World Cup campaign. Several Rajasthan Royals and India international bowlers that come over to the UK as part of the

PaceLab programme use the facilities, including the high-performance gym Recent progress Players are increasingly selected to represent Wellington School based on their ability and not gender Future plans Overhaul of fixture card to ensure it suits the development of pupils. Talks are continuing over an autumn fixture block involving local schools

Facilities Twelve grass nets including three county standard grass nets, four astro nets, indoor centre with six lanes, bowling machines which include Bola’s Merlyn, five squares on site and access to a further two more at the Old Boys sports ground five minutes away Club/county affiliation Surrey CCC, Middlesex CCC, Old Whitgiftian’s CC, Surrey Schools, ACE cricket academy Cricketers of note Raman Subba Row (England, Surrey, Northamptonshire), Jason Roy (England & Surrey), Rory Burns (England & Surrey), Dominic Sibley (England, Surrey and Warwickshire), Laurie Evans (Surrey, Warwickshire, Sussex), Michael Burgess (Leicestershire, Sussex, & Warwickshire),) Nyeem Young (Barbados Tridents) Brief history Cricket was first played at Whitgift in 1898. Raman Subba Row was the first Whitgiftian to play for England and went on to have a distinguished career as a cricket administrator at Surrey and the TCCB. It was not until the early 2000s that the school started to compete at

cricket on a national scale. Whitgift has won the England Schools U13 National Trophy more times than any other school and is a regular at the U15 T20 finals day. Between 2000 and 2011 Whitgift hosted 10 years of Surrey CCC 1st XI matches. In the past 20 years 12 students have gone on to sign professional contracts Cultural cricketers Pip Burley (The Darling Buds of May, A Touch of Frost writer), General Sir Peter Wall (Chief of the General Staff, head of the British Armed Forces), Elliot Daly (England, British & Irish Lions rugby union), Danny Cipriani (England rugby union) What sets the school apart? Twenty-two professional matches took place on Northfield from 20002011. In the recent past, three Old Whitgiftians have opened the batting for England Recent progress Increasing the number of scheduled matches by over 100 and total amount of boys participating by more than 75 Future plans Developing relationship with ACE academy and becoming an area hub for the MCC Tours Barbados 2022 and Spain 2023

WILLIAM PERKIN C OF E HIGH SCHOOL // WILSON’S SCHOOL

WILLIAM PERKIN C OF E HIGH SCHOOL Oldfield Lane North, Greenford UB6 8PR Established 2013 Number of pupils 1,340 Head of cricket Sajid Mahmood (Lancashire & England) Teams Six teams run across boys and girls How has cricket bounced back As with many schools since restrictions lifted and pupils returned, William Perkin has enjoyed a decent upturn in pupils wishing to get involved in all aspects of cricket which has been hugely encouraging Post-pandemic changes Physical Education lessons have now become more bespoke, with more specific cricket coaching working on key skills and honing techniques across the disciplines Fixtures The school fulfils between 15 and 20 fixtures per year on average. This excludes the sixth form, who are playing minor county teams from the 2021 summer Facilities The school’s square is littered with eight grass wickets. Elsewhere, there is access for a fourlane artificial nets while two indoor nets are available in the sports hall Club/county affiliation Partnership with Middlesex CCC for their girls’ cricket, and for the newly-created Elite Sixth Form Cricket Academy. Brentham CC is the local team

affiliated with the school Cricketers of note Tom Helm (Middlesex & Glamorgan) Brief history Only formed in 2013, William Perkin C of E High School has grown hugely with regard to its cricket programme by upgrading facilities each year for students to use. Alongside a healthy number of indoor and outside wickets and nets, former England bowler Sajid Mahmood adds substance to the development of pupils, giving them access to high-quality coaching and a depth of knowledge What sets the school apart? William Perkin are affiliated with Middlesex CCC, who use their facilities every week for girls cricket and also help with promoting cricket in the area. Sajid Mahmood has started an Elite Cricket Academy alongside the Sixth Form programme to help young cricketers improve their game as well as being part of a great academic year Recent progress The greatest progress has been made simply by the number of pupils interested in getting involved in cricket, which has exploded since sport was allowed to fully resume Future plans The indoor sports hall is set for a full refurbishment to keep up with demand, going from a two-lane facility to a four-lane space. There is hope that the fruits from the relationship with Middlesex, centrally with the Sixth Form Cricket Academy, will continue to be evident

WILSON’S SCHOOL Mollison Drive, Wallington, Surrey SM6 9JW Established 1615 Number of pupils 1,290 Head of cricket John Fry (Surrey 2nd XI) Director of sport Andy Parkinson Teams 1st XI, 2nd XI, U17A, U15AB, U14AB, U13ABCD, U12ABCD How has cricket bounced back The school bounced back in September with a catch-up programme for the first half term. The winter programme was met with great participation and enthusiasm and practices were arranged over the Easter Holidays to ensure players were ready for the season. The number of fixtures was increased Post-pandemic changes A September programme ran until the October half term in 2020 and included 1st XI matches, group training and house cricket competitions. Since early spring, lunchtime and after school practices for all age groups, more 40 over matches and 1st XI two-day matches, and intra matches for junior C & D teams have been introduced Fixtures 164. Notable games against MCC and the Forty Club Facilities Two indoor nets in the sports hall, five outdoor artificial nets, one grass square and a non turf pitch. Two indoor nets are hired at The Change Foundation and from Waddon Leisure Centre during the winter. The school uses two cricket squares at

Wallington Sports Club for additional Saturday matches. Sutton CC used for 1st XI v MCC and the Forty Club Club/county affiliation Sutton CC, Surrey CCC Best prospect U14s Ansh Bansal, a heavy-hitting batter and leg-spinner, and Shravan Ganesh, the left-arm seamer and middle-order batter are involved in the Surrey CCC Development Programme. Ahrujan Ragunathan scored his maiden century for a senior Sutton team this year and was selected to play in the Hobbs Trophy at The Oval Cricketers of note Neil Kendrick (Surrey, Glamorgan) Brief history Cricket has a longstanding tradition at Wilson’s. The Foundation Building walls showcase team photos from previous years when the school was located in Camberwell. They maintain a strong link with Old Wilsonians CC, where many senior cricketers recall their glory days. Many former pupils play to high standards in Surrey leagues Cultural cricketers John Galliano (fashion designer), Pascal Anson (artist and designer), Sir Michael Caine (actor) Finest moment Ollie Robertson’s century in victory over MCC in 2015 and the first-ever win over Whitgift in 2021 National Cup Recent progress The school delivered an online programme during lockdown, including technical sessions and videos alongside tactical and psychological discussions about the game Future plans Roll out of strength and conditioning programmes that are cricket specific and addition of junior cricket tour thecricketer.com | 87

TOP 100 SENIOR SCHOOLS WINCHESTER COLLEGE College Street, Winchester, Hampshire SO23 9NA Established 1382 Number of pupils 700 Master in charge James Burridge Professional Paul Gover Teams 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, 4th XI, U16AB, U15ABC, U14ABCD Girls’ cricket Hope to field girls’ teams from 2024 upon girls starting at the school from 2022 How has cricket bounced back Cricket resumed with an internal franchise 100-ball competition in September before seniors and scholars trained before Christmas. Fulfilled all major summer fixture blocks, with matches rearranged when needed. Boys have been eager to play as much as possible. Flexibility of everyone, from grounds to other MiCs has meant cricket has been played as much as possible Post-pandemic changes Main alteration has centred on the autumn programme, which will now have regular fixtures going forward

WOODHOUSE GROVE SCHOOL Apperley Bridge, Calverley, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD10 0NR Established 1812 Number of pupils 750 Master in charge Paul Borrington (Derbyshire) Teams Boys: 1st XI, 2nd XI, U15, U14AB, U13AB, U12AB. Girls: U15, U14, U13, U12 Girls’ cricket Girls’ cricket teams were fielded for the first time in November 2019 in the West Yorkshire Schools Indoor Cricket

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WINCHESTER COLLEGE // WOODHOUSE GROVE SCHOOL

Fixtures Around 120 matches a summer. Match v Eton, John Harvey Cup, National T20, The Cricket Paper U17 and county cups are the centrepiece events Facilities Three grass squares, three separate artificial wickets and the temporary sports centre has four nets for winter training. Second ground, Meads, also available Club/county affiliation Hampshire CCC and Southern Vipers Best prospect Wilf la Fontaine Jackson is an opening batter and

wicketkeeper who represents Hampshire academy. Seb Morgan of Year 9 is a Middlesex prospect and is already attracting attention having opened the bowling for the 1st XI Cricketers of note Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi (India), Jonathan Figy (UAE), Douglas Jardine (Surrey & England) Brief history Winchester celebrated 150 years of cricket last summer. Their history has included first-class cricket, and it is hoped that may well return. Ten boys have gone on to

play Test cricket, including former England captain Douglas Jardine Cultural cricketers Rishi Sunak (Chancellor of the Exchequer) What sets the school apart? Rather than languishing in the past, Winchester are eager to look to the future. There is plenty of hope the burgeoning relationship with HCCC and the Southern Vipers will eventually lead to hosting professional cricket. Such links may provide an ideal stepping stone for teenage boys and girls to excel Recent progress Development of new franchise-based competitions to provide a solid competitive environment and reaching the last 16 of the National T20 tournament Future plans Plans for Hampshire to use the school as an outground, adding a scoreboard and box to the 1st XI ground, laying another hybrid pitch, finishing off the new sports centre, implementation of sports scholarships into the sixth form and arrival of day pupils and girl borders to expand the player pool Tours Hope to return to UAE for U15 Arch Trophy

tournament. Sides train throughout the winter months leading up to a full programme in the summer. House competition was introduced in 2021 How has cricket bounced back An extensive summer cricket programme was run for boys and girls, including after-school and Saturday morning sessions prior to the resumption of fixtures. Participation levels have risen, leading to the adding of B teams and girls’ fixtures Post-pandemic changes Training sessions and fixtures have taken place in year group bubbles, more internal played and Saturday morning sessions introduced Fixtures 1st XI play 18 matches including against MCC, Gresham’s over two days and Manchester Grammar School Facilities Four grass squares, one artificial match pitch, six

outdoor artificial nets and four indoor cricket nets Club/county affiliation MCC, Yorkshire CCC, Rawdon CC Best prospect Josh Stephenson has represented Yorkshire County Age Group Cricket sides and won Airedale & Wharfedale Division 1 with Otley CC in 2020 Cricketers of note Ajmal Shahzad (England, Yorkshire, Notts & Sussex), Craig Rika (Northamptonshire), Uzair Mahomed (Durham), Kathryn Leng (England Women) Brief history Cricket has been the main summer sport for over 150 years. The last 30 have seen some improvement in both the playing standards and the quality of the fixture list. The school has maintained a strong tradition locally and has developed a more

regional and national standing. They now regularly produce representative cricketers Cultural cricketers General Sir Nicholas Houghton, Lord Michael Walker of Aldringham (both former Chief of the Defence Staff of the British Armed Forces) What sets the school apart? The 1st XI pitch slopes away from the main school building and from this vantage point, it is possible to see five cricket matches taking place Finest moment Winning National Schools T20 competition in 2014. Ajmal Shahzad’s England Test debut in 2010. Leng scoring 144 for England Women v New Zealand in 1996 Recent progress Introduction of girls cricket programme, B teams at younger age groups, The Grove Cricket Podcast and hosting of Yorkshire age group fixtures Future plans New outdoor net facility, expansion of B teams, promotion of new and different formats of cricket and development of outreach programme by working with other local schools Tours 1st and 2nd XI tours scheduled for 2022

Ajmal Shahzad

WORKSOP COLLEGE // WORTH SCHOOL

WORKSOP COLLEGE Cuthbert’s Avenue, Worksop, Nottinghamshire S80 3AP Established 1895 Number of pupils 400 Masters in charge Neil Longhurst (Yorkshire 2nd XI), Ian Parkin (Derbyshire) Teams Boys: 1st XI, 2nd XI, U15, U14, U14/15B, U13, U12. Girls: U15, U14, U13, U12 Girls’ cricket First softball fixtures were staged in 2021. Nottinghamshire CCC who have started running a development centre at the college for local girls How has cricket bounced back It is busier than ever at Worksop. Fixtures and training have run as normal, but the addition of a girls’ programme has brought a new dimension and freshness Post-pandemic changes No huge changes, but the relaxing of limits on mixing year groups and indoor training has opened a range of possibilities Fixtures 1st XI plays approximately 20

WORTH SCHOOL Paddockhurst Road, Turners Hill, West Sussex RH10 4SD Established 1933 Number of pupils 600 Head of cricket Raj Chaudhuri (Tripura) Teams Boys: 1st XI (U18s), 2nd XI (U18s), U15AB, U14AB, U13AB. Girls: U17, U13 Girls’ cricket U17 and U13 teams play soft-ball cricket but best players are encouraged to join the boys’ teams and have done since 2014 How has cricket bounced back The school played six 1st XI games in September 2020 and a full fixture list has returned. Cricket has been prioritised and games have finished quicker due reduced break times. Online Q&A organised with Sir Alastair Cook Post-pandemic changes The programme remains intact but with no hospitality offered money has been spent on developing skills. Tenover B team tennis ball matches have been played on 16-yard strips Fixtures 1st XI has 23 fixtures. Playing

fixtures a year. The Shrewsbury Festival and matches against MCC, Repton, Trent, King’s Taunton, Hurstpierpoint and Denstone stand-out as the most notable fixtures Facilities Four squares, 12 grass nets, four lanes of nets in sports hall with county style flooring Club/county affiliation Nottinghamshire run sessions during the winter using the indoor facility and the 2nd XI and age group teams play matches at the school Best prospect Oscar Butcher is a

Year 7 bowling allrounder with an ability to swing the ball Cricketers of note Joe Root (England & Yorkshire), Samit Patel (England & Nottinghamshire), Billy Root (Glamorgan and Nottinghamshire), Liam PattersonWhite (Nottinghamshire), Brett Hutton (Nottinghamshire & Northamptonshire), Richard Kettleborough (Yorkshire & Middlesex), Phil Sharpe (England & Yorkshire), Ken Farnes (England & Essex)

allrounder is in the Surrey against the MCC, Sussex system Martlets and touring sides Cricketers of note are the highlights. Two-day James Heywood game v Brighton College (Cambridge MCCU), Nikki played this year Chaudhuri (Surrey CCC & Facilities Five lanes of Master in charge Worcestershire CCC) indoor nets, two bowling Brief history Cricket at machines for hard balls, two Raj Chaudhuri Worth has developed bowling machines for soft considerably over the years with the balls, 10 grass wickets, three artificial current 1st XI having seven county wickets and three grounds to play players. There are 13 across the school matches who represent different county age Best prospect Anish Padalkar is an group sides. Pupils train throughout opening batter and off-spinner who the winter and the programme has played age group county cricket focuses on developing skills and since the age of 10. Mali Bardoi Lewis tactical awareness is a top-order batter and legspinner What sets the school apart? currently in the Sussex U18s. Jacob Worth coach the art and science of Mcloughlin is a pace-bowling

Brief history Worksop College is a small school in relative terms, but its cricketing prowess stands up against its larger rivals. The school never backs down, an ethos that creates a real sense of unity and team spirit which is an integral part of the philosophy Cultural cricketers Craig Woodhouse (journalist), David Coote (football referee) Finest moment Going through the whole of 2008 unbeaten which included reaching the last eight of the National T20 Cup Recent progress The school has enjoyed seeing the girls attack cricket with vigour, while trying to apply coaching feedback. Across the board there has been improvement in performances Future plans New roll-on cages to assist with practice sessions on the squares, plus painting of the sports hall to match the new LED lighting. Freshening up of the indoor and outdoor netting facilities Tours Hope that a Worksop College tour to Cape Town and Paarl can go ahead in February 2022

the game. They teach the art and let science enhance it. Simple methods are used, and they do not want to follow gimmicks; there is a genuine belief in the fundamentals Finest moment Winning the TISB Cup in India, the Sussex U15 cup and the U14 Holdsworth Cup for private schools Recent progress The work ethic of the senior players has fasttracked their progress, a process Raj Chaudhuri has been central to Future plans Six artificial wickets and development of a programme of playing state schools at B team level during games afternoons Tours Arch Trophy in the UAE and tours to Cape Town and Bangalore

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TOP 100 SENIOR SCHOOLS WREKIN COLLEGE

Girls: U15, U14, U13/12 Girls’ cricket The programme has been Sutherland Road, running for three years Wellington, Telford, with both teams already Shropshire TF1 3BH enjoying great success. Director The framework and Established 1880 of cricket coaching is specialised and Number of pupils 509 James Shaw separate from the boys’ Director of cricket How has cricket bounced back James Shaw (Shropshire) (head of Fixtures every Wednesday and boys’ games) Saturday including county cup and Teams Boys: 1st XI (including two national matches during the week. girls), U15AB, U14A, U13AB, U12AB Pupils play cricket three times a week and have two matchdays Post-pandemic changes The school ran online cricket courses for pupils who would film themselves completing the challenges. A prep school cricket tournament has returned when a dozen different schools are hosted for U11 and U13 competitions Fixtures 103 matches with Shrewsbury School,

WYCLIFFE COLLEGE Bristol Road, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire GL10 2AF Established 1882 Number of pupils 650 Master in charge Martyn Kimber Director of sport Ben Taylor Professional Ben Gannon (Gloucestershire, Middlesex) Teams Between Years 9 and 13 there are three girls’ teams and six boys sides 90 | thecricketer.com

Girls’ cricket Cricket is run up to year 10 with the longterm aim being to have the same number of boys and girls teams How has cricket bounced back The main breakthrough since school resumed has been in the girl’s programme. Cricket has become the main girls sport for Year 9 and 10 and the plan is for that to become school wide, across the age groups

WREKIN COLLEGE // WYCLIFFE COLLEGE

Cheadle Hulme School, Denstone College and the MCC the blueriband games Facilities A specialist indoor fourlane sports hall, seven outdoor nets, a three-lane grass training square covered with mobile cages and fourfive playing squares Club/county affiliation Shropshire CCC, Wellington CC and Shifnal CC Best prospect Luke Thornton is a fast-bowling allrounder who has played through the Shropshire youth system, now represents the academy and is bound for the 1st XI Cricketers of note Dillon Pennington (Worcestershire and Shropshire), Charlie Home (Northamptonshire & Loughborough MCCU), Richie Oliver (Worcestershire) Brief history From hosting international friendly fixtures in the 1920s between Australia and England and housing Shropshire Cricket Board for much of the 1990s until now, cricket at Wrekin College has been a constant producer of Minor County players. The ground that has now become the ‘Home of Shropshire Cricket’

What sets the school apart? The programme attracts exchange students from the southern hemisphere. Between 1998-2001 these included future South African internationals JP Duminy and Rory Kleinveldt. Wrekin College continue to attract keen young students wanting to experience English wickets from both Rondebosch Boys and now a new link with Stonefountain Colleges & Newlands Cricket High School Finest moment England v Australia friendly in 1921 and more recently the school reaching the last eight of the national HMC T20 competition in 2014 Recent progress The school have started to develop real depth across all teams thanks to an ever-expanding fixture list Future plans Development of the outdoor net facility, the preparation of the mobile senior grass square and the relaying of the sports hall cricket centre are planned over the next three years Tours The boys are due in Barbados while the u15 and senior girls will travel to Ireland in 2023

Post-pandemic changes The school managed matches to ensure that all pupils had access to a team. Speaking to other schools and ensuring that all pupils have an enjoyable experience has been the top priority, to ensure the right balance between competition and participation is achieved Fixtures 140 fixtures played as tournament or individual matches. Most notable fixtures will be against the MCC and in the HMC T20 competition Facilities Four indoor nets, five outdoor nets (two astro and three grass), a movable batting cage, nine wickets on the 1st XI square and five on the 2nd XI, one square marked on the Astro, one practice wicket Club/county affiliation Gloucestershire CCC and Western Storm Best prospect Right-arm fast bowler Oliver Wood represents Gloucestershire U18s Cricketers of note William

Gilbert Anthony Parkhouse (England & Glamorgan), Alex Gidman (Gloucestershire & Worcestershire) Will Gidman (Durham, Gloucestershire & Nottinghamshire) Brief history Cricket has been played at Wycliffe since it was founded in 1882. The college boasts two cricket pitches in the heart of its campus with the idyllic backdrop of the college boarding houses and the hills of the Cotswolds What sets the school apart? Wycliffe is driving girls’ cricket forward and has laid a new square for girls replacing the old astro surface. Gloucestershire U13 girls use the school to train. Hosting Gloucestershire U15 boys fixtures and Western Storm while Gloucestershire men’s 1st XI use the sports hall means there is a constant flow of talent passing through the school Recent progress Having coaches from Gloucestershire working with girls to develop their game has helped push it forward Future plans Plan for girls’ cricket to feed through until the whole college from Year 3–13 (U8-U18) so boys and girls have a full fixture list Tours Currently planning to tour India for the World Cup in 2023

YORKSHIRE CRICKET COLLEGE

YORKSHIRE CRICKET COLLEGE Yorkshire County Cricket Club, Headingley Carnegie Cricket Ground, St Michael’s Road, Headingley, Leeds LS6 3BU Established 2017 Number of pupils 51 Head of college Nick Robinson Professionals David Wainwright (exYorkshire, Derbyshire & Hampshire), Matt Green (ECB Level 3 coach) Teams 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI Girls’ cricket No stand-alone girls team. Currently, there are four girls at the college all of whom aspire to turn pro and are part of the Northern Diamonds Academy How has cricket bounced back Via online sessions delivered through Microsoft Teams, coaches engaged with students remotely. Online fitness sessions, physical challenges and cricket theory sessions enabled students to tick over. Once reintegrated with each other students have a new appreciation for what cricket offers them

Post-pandemic changes A long period of technical analysis and breakdowns to improve the players pre-Christmas was abandoned. They skipped straight to scenario and game prep to ensure they were all in a good place for performance. The pandemic helped coaches and the students become adaptable, resilient and develop communication skills Fixtures Twenty fixtures per year including against the MCC, Northern Diamonds and Yorkshire Futures teams Facilities Eight Lane indoor cricket centre and use of New Rover CC, Kirkstall Ed CC and Adel CC grounds

Club/county affiliation Yorkshire CCC, with college delivery taking place at Headingley Best prospect George Fisher is a right-handed batter and leg-spinner who represents Doncaster Town CC Cricketers of note Sam Wisnieski (Leicestershire), Max Law (Leicestershire), James Mukherjee (Yorkshire 2nd XI) Brief history Established in 2017, the Yorkshire Cricket College aims to use the power of cricket to educate students. Over five years, students have bowled at cricketers preparing for Tests and World Cup matches. Students have moved onto university,

apprenticeships, full time education and professional cricket careers What sets the school apart? Classrooms overlook the Headingley outfield. Sessions include masterclasses from YCCC players and coaches. Training next to Yorkshire and England players is an everyday occurrence during pre-season. Work experience is with the YCCC sports science department, grounds team, matchday delivery team and the marketing department Finest moment Defeating Northern Diamonds by 10 wickets in June 2020 Recent progress Introduction of live streaming of college matches, places in Diamonds academy for four of the girls at the college, masterclasses with Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Steve Harmison and opportunities for students to become qualified cricket coaches Future plans Introduce a Spain preseason tour, more access to Yorkshire CCC professionals, improved engagement with local schools and cricket clubs and creation of a league style competition between schools Tours Barbados in 2022

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TOP 20 ALL-GIRLS SCHOOLS

MOVING TO PHASE TWO Former England international Lydia Greenway assesses the landscape of cricket in all-girls schools

f you rewind back to before the pandemic we would have been speaking about how great it is that so many schools are showing a real willingness to introduce girls’ cricket. What we are seeing now is that these schools are asking: “What’s the next step?” Things are developing from an introductory level to a point where competitive, and hard ball, cricket in all-girls schools is on the rise. Covid-19 has not blunted the appetite of all-girls schools wanting to develop the game and for that we have to give great thanks to the schools and those who lead the programmes. There are, of course, schools who have been delivering girls cricket for a long time, even before the Department for Education removed rounders from the list of activities that pupils could be marked on in their GCSE sports exam in 2015, but the majority of all-girls schools, particularly those in this list are looking to move onto the next stage in their delivery of the game. It has been fantastic to work alongside The Cricketer to produce this top 20 list, and it is heartening to read all of the brilliant work that teachers and coaches are doing. People like this ensure the opportunities are limitless for girls within our sport. These opportunities have been furthered by The Hundred, which from my point of view was brilliant. When I was growing up I never had easily-accessible female cricketing role models. I had to really seek them out. My dad would find some obscure promotion of the England Women playing near where we lived

and would take me but apart from that it just wasn’t in the public consciousness. Now, young girls can see someone like Alice Capsey, who is only 17, performing on the big stage on national TV. It’s inspiring. Their dreams and aspirations can then become a reality because Capsey has shown they can be achieved. The Hundred has changed attitudes towards women’s cricket too. During my TV work, I would arrive at the grounds and see families with both sons and daughters. Young males growing up now will see girls playing cricket as the norm and that hasn’t always been the case. Their attitude towards the women’s game will be so much more positive as they grow up. My hope for the coming year is that girls in schools are really clear on what their next steps are. I hope they will catch the bug at school and, if they choose, they go on to play at clubs with good structures in place.

ABOVE Lydia Greenway BELOW Alice Capsey

Once the flame is lit they can go anywhere. If they want to play recreationally they can, or if they want to push on and go for a county trial, they can do that too. We’ve also seen Sue Redfern a lot this summer who has been a trailblazer in the umpiring world. While she was a fantastic player, she has also shown that a career in the game is not just limited to playing. With more professional female cricketers than ever before I hope that we will see standards go through the roof at the top levels of the game, but just as importantly, they will be accessible role models, helping girls across the country, on whatever cricketing path they choose, fall in love with the game. Greenway is making the game more accessible for girls through the Girls Cricket Club, a place for female cricketers, built by girls, for girls, to share knowledge, resources, inspiration and opportunities. For more information visit www.girlscricketclub.com thecricketer.com | 93

TOP 20 ALL-GIRLS SCHOOLS

CHANNING JUNIOR SCHOOL // CHELTENHAM LADIES’ COLLEGE

CHANNING JUNIOR SCHOOL The Bank, Highgate, London N6 5HF Established 1885 Number of pupils 415 Teacher in charge Caroline Bolton Teams Sadly none in 2021 due to restrictions Brief history Bolton started a cricket club at the school in 2016 and there were only five girls involved. Cricket is now offered throughout the curriculum to all age groups and the club has 24 pupils. Since introducing cricket, three girls have represented Middlesex age groups and many have joined local clubs. The school are now building links with Highgate CC – they will be offering a club in school to promote and improve those girls of a higher standard How has cricket bounced back Cricket lessons were provided throughout lockdown. The girls were set individual tasks and challenges that they could take part in at home with minimal equipment. They were

also given tasks which allowed them to develop their understanding of the rules. Cricket has now been the main sport played across Key Stage 2 in lessons and even those girls in Key Stage 1 have developed basic batting and fielding skills. Due to the restrictions the school could not commit to fixtures Post-pandemic changes The school have built links with Highgate CC in 2021 and have introduced coaching for the more able girls from September

Fixtures 10. Channing do not have big fixtures yet as they are building the overall structure. They attend the Haringey school games competition each year and have been runners up twice, narrowly missing first place both times Facilities 2 indoor nets at the senior school. The grounds were being developed at the junior school heading into the autumn term Club/county affiliation Highgate CC, who have links to Middlesex CCC Finest moment Playing in a

tournament and having one of the girls hit 10 sixes in a row Recent progress The girls are far more interested in cricket now. Watching the Year 2 children understanding batting and fielding in a mini drill showed a promising future for the game Future plans Building on the new relationship with Highgate CC and hopefully Middlesex County. Development of the playing field, which will hopefully include astro wickets and a couple of grass nets

being out on the pitches scoring runs, taking wickets and holding catches in the field Post-pandemic changes The College are hosting more festivaltype fixtures against other schools. In order to build girls’ confidence and ensure maximum inclusion, participation and fun! Fixtures 30-40 fixtures, weatherdependent. U15 20/20 Hardball School Sport Magazine knockout competition Facilities The College predominantly use the astroturf wickets for lessons/

club/fixtures. 3 indoor nets. Plans in place for astro wicket on field to be able to host hardball games in future Hardball/softball 50/50 at the moment in terms of fixtures. Curriculum time is softball but extra curricular did not shift to hardball for the second half of term Club/county affiliation Strong link with Charlton Kings CC. Gloucestershire Cricket Board partnership Best prospect A number of exceptional county and club cricketers: Jasmine Sharp, Aimee Aikenhead, Chloe Sharp, Issy Huggett and Jiya Sheopuri What sets the school apart? Striking the balance in girls’ cricket between performance and participation Finest moment Increasing year on year the numbers of girls participating and enjoying cricket Recent progress Changing the focus of “competitive” fixtures to participation and girls’ development rather than a result Future plans Continue to increase participation and raise the profile of girls’ cricket

CHELTENHAM LADIES’ COLLEGE Bayshill Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 3EP

Established 1853 Number of pupils 824 Teachers in charge Fiona Najim, Neil Busby Teams U18, U15, U14, U13AB, U12AB Brief history Cricket was started in 1879 when the College bought the playing field. Formally introduced into the curriculum in 1907. House cricket was played for the first time in 1908 and fixtures commenced against other schools. Cricket was stopped in 1971 but then picked up again in the ’80s. Then in the last eight years things have been building back to a full fixture programme and curriculum. The College’s cricket has been going from strength to strength in the last few years How has cricket bounced back On return to College this academic year cricket was started in the curriculum, extra-curricular and nets sessions. Cheltenham’s cricketers did the College proud and very much enjoyed 94 | thecricketer.com

DENMARK ROAD HIGH SCHOOL // DIDCOT GIRLS’ SCHOOL

DENMARK ROAD HIGH SCHOOL

week Fixtures In normal years, Denmark Road would enter the following competitions: Lady Taverners indoor softball competition at U13 and U15; Chance to Shine outdoor softball competition at U13 and U15; School Sport Magazine outdoor hardball competition at U15 and U18. They also play annual friendlies at U12, U13 and U15 against local rivals King’s School, Gloucester. This year, the most notable fixture was the U18 hardball quarter-final in the outdoor hardball competition at Millfield

School, where they were lucky enough to play on the main 1st XI pitch, losing a nail-bitingly close game with eight balls to spare Facilities No suitable cricket facilities. Denmark Road use a variety of spaces to do cricket practice – a small sports hall, the tennis courts, and an uneven grass field Hardball/softball Focus primarily on softball and participation. However, they also enter competitions that allow club and county hardball players opportunities against schools such as Clifton, Monmouth Girls’ School

and Cheltenham Ladies’ College for the first time, they hope it will lead to annual hardball fixtures in future Club/county affiliation Gloucestershire Best prospect Katie Jones is captain of Gloucestershire U15s, as well as being first-choice wicketkeeper for the U18 and women’s sides. She scored her first hundred for the county this summer in making 112 off 79 balls against Somerset What sets the school apart? The example set and the friendly environment created by older girls to make the younger ones feel at ease Finest moment Coming third in the country and being the only state school to make the national finals at Lord’s in the Lady Taverners indoor competition in May 2019 Recent progress The enthusiasm the girls have shown has been undimmed. The way teams have held their own in competitions against strong independent schools Future plans To gradually increase the number of fixtures for a regular programme. The dream is for some more cricket-friendly facilities

has meant more girls trying out cricket for the first time, which is a huge positive Post-pandemic changes An increased focus on outdoor practice, motivated by Covid concerns, has led to the creation of a basic grass wicket at the school, for the first time Fixtures 12 friendlies plus Lady Taverners and county board tournaments Facilities Grass wicket; a good sports hall; use of Didcot CC and Moreton CC club facilities

Hardball/softball Limited hardball cricket at present, but this is a targeted area for growth Club/county affiliation Didcot CC is walking distance and kindly offer its facilities regularly. Moreton CC is the nearest club with a strong women and girls’ representation and the school feeds players into this club Best prospect Aimee Diab is a strong all-round prospect in Year 9 What sets the school apart? A state school (secondary school with academy status) embracing cricket

as a major sport and the school are looking forward to further developing the offering over the next year or two. The girls are tactically aware, which can go a long way Finest moment U13 team winning Oxfordshire indoor title in 2020 Recent progress Increased enthusiasm for the sport from the PE staff and this has filtered down to the girls, which has driven participation Future plans To achieve the longstated goal of a non-turf wicket installation

Denmark Road, Gloucester GL1 3JN Established 1883 Number of pupils 916 Teacher in charge James Schofield Teams U18, U15 hardball, U15, U14, U13, U12 softball Brief history Cricket is still a relatively new club at Denmark Road, with regular club and entry into competitions really taking off in 2018 to give a talented group the chance to represent the school. In the next 18 months they won county and regional finals both indoors and out, and made the Lady Taverners national finals at Lord’s. That sparked the growth of cricket at the school and they now have girls of all abilities attending club regularly across all years Post-pandemic changes Numbers were absolutely fantastic after clubs restarted after Easter, with over 70 girls attending regularly across all Years 7–10. Due to the pandemic, they currently have to run cricket in year group bubbles, so four clubs a

DIDCOT GIRLS’ SCHOOL Manor Crescent, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 7AJ Established 1970 Number of pupils 1,400 Teachers in charge Emma Reynolds, Tim Haworth Teams 4 Brief history The school has been regularly involved in county board initiatives since 2012. These include Lady Taverners indoor and Chance to Compete outdoor competitions. They have been fortunate enough to have several county age-group cricketers over this period and these players have inspired others to try their hand at cricket; the result has been multiple Oxfordshire titles and more importantly a steady flow of new players to the sport. 2021 has seen a strong growth in the number of fixtures with other Oxfordshire schools How has cricket bounced back Although year-group bubbles have been a challenge, the need to create teams from a single year group, rather than the traditional two-year band,

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TOP 20 ALL-GIRLS SCHOOLS

DOWNE HOUSE // GODOLPHIN AND LATYMER SCHOOL

DOWNE HOUSE

lessons in a week after missing all of the 2020 season. They made sure to invest in more equipment so more girls are able to focus on individual skills during lesson and practice times. There have also been more matches added to the fixture calendar to try to make up for games missed last year Fixtures 14 fixtures a year and these include all age groups, including the U15 Schools Cup Hardball Tournament. 2021 was their first year entering this competition and it proved very successful Facilities Due to the playing fields at Downe the school have had to be quite inventive with creating a cricket wicket. They have invested in a Flicx wicket and have a dedicated

part of the playing field it is used on. Although the boundary is not regulation size, the teachers are proud of this pitch they have. In the absence of nets, they have marked out several practice creases outside the boundary so more participants can play and practice with relevant lines Hardball/softball Primarily softball, with younger year groups but moving to hardball with U15 upwards. Bott plans on developing hardball cricket, introducing a beginners hardball programme that can be incorporated in lessons from as young as U12 Club/county affiliation West Ilsley CC is a brilliantly run local club and their knowledge and expertise are utilised by several different year

groups each week for evening nets. This link is invaluable as the school do not currently have any nets Best prospect Hetty Hack and Amelia O’Connor both play club and county cricket. They train and get coaching outside of school and have had the honour, despite being in Year 9, of playing in the 1st XI What sets the school apart? The grit and determination to learn a new sport with energy and enthusiasm Finest moment Ella Snow taking a hat-trick (bowled, bowled, caught and bowled) in the 2021 U15 Schools Cup Recent progress The increase in the number of hardball fixtures. The financial investment to increase numbers playing across the school Future plans Bott would love to build some indoor nets in our sports hall which might in future allow a year-round cricket programme. They would also like some nets outside next to the cricket pitch. This would mean both Downe girls and other teams playing the school can warm up effectively and efficiently in nets rather than on the side of the pitch or the outfield

term curriculum replacing one unit of rounders How has cricket bounced back Cricket reintroduced for Year 7s in September 2020. Forced to separate the year groups, this actually proved popular. During lockdown they conducted remote learning, allowing in-depth video analysis of batting and bowling techniques, plus strength and conditioning Post-pandemic changes Cricket throughout the academic year from September for Year 7 through to Year 10. While some extra-curricular clubs have been curtailed or forced to stop, cricket has thrived. An inter-house cricket competition replaced rounders Fixtures 26 matches for teams to make up for lost time Facilities 4 indoor nets, 3 pitches, a Junior BOLA bowling machine, plus an astroturf. Use nearby clubs for hardball fixtures Hardball/softball More softball, but the school are extending opportunities for girls to play more hardball. They are encouraging girls to

train with the London Schools Cricket Association at Lord’s. From next summer there will be a weekly academy hardball training night Club/county affiliation Strong links with Richmond CC and Spencer CC. Mark and Buddy Mason have run the LSCA Girls section for the past five years, with a number of girls going on to county cricket Best prospect Shimako Kato, sixth former, plays for Japan, and several others play for Middlesex, Surrey and London Schools age-groups What sets the school apart? A 4-0 series win against the U15 Dutch

Lionesses while on tour in 2019. They also narrowly lost to Millfield in the semi-finals of the School Sport Magazine T20 in 2019 in only their second year of entering Finest moment Winning the Lady Taverners U13 National Finals at Lord’s Recent progress In Year 7 nearly 50 per cent of the year group participated. Annual INSETS from Level 3 coaches for PE staff Future plans Regular hardball training sessions at local facilities, including Lord’s Tours Plans to go to Sri Lanka

Cold Ash, Thatcham, Berkshire RG18 9JJ Established 1907 Number of pupils 580 Teacher in charge Tash Bott Teams 1st XI, U15, U14, U13AB, U12AB Brief history Downe have introduced cricket in the last four years to all age groups. The girls are enjoying the new challenge of both soft and hardball lessons, practices and matches. They have a range of abilities from no experience to some very experienced club and county players How has cricket bounced back Downe are really enjoying being able to play fixtures again. Some girls did not pick up a bat or ball in over a year and a half. The school have invested a lot of time and resources into building the cricket programme from the ground up, so being able to see the girls benefit from this is massive and a compliment to all teachers Post-pandemic changes Downe have increased the number of cricket

GODOLPHIN AND LATYMER SCHOOL

Iffley Road, Hammersmith, London W6 0PG Established 1861 Number of pupils 800 Teacher in charge Ellen Elfick Professional Mark Mason (ECB Level 3), along with three other Level 3 coaches Teams U17, U15, U14AB, U13ABC, U12ABC Brief history An extra-curricular cricket club launched in 2005 and has grown to over 115 girls attending each week, with three coaches, plus an elite academy for gifted students. Three years ago they introduced cricket onto the lower school curricular programme and this year introduced into the Year 10 curriculum, and as an option for Year 11 on their carousel, meaning up to 650 girls will experience cricket each academic year. Due to demand, in 2017 they introduced cricket into summer 96 | thecricketer.com

GODOLPHIN SCHOOL

PHOTOS: ASH MILLS

Milford Hill, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP1 2RA Established 1726 Number of pupils 450 Teacher in charge Susie Harvey Teams U15, U14, U13, U12, U11, U10, U9, U8 Brief history Cricket had always been a minor sport at Godolphin School until 2020 when it became the major team sport for the summer term. They now offer cricket throughout the school, playing competitively from U8s upwards How has cricket bounced back The socially-distanced nature of cricket means it is ideal to play during the pandemic. While competitive fixtures against other schools have been limited due to restrictions, Godolphin girls enthusiastically attend training in preparation

for matches when they return Fixtures 4-6 matches per age group. Most notable fixtures against Canford School and Dauntsey’s School Facilities Pitches prepared on grass sports pitches, limited boundary size but this makes for big hitting, highscoring matches Hardball/softball Mainly softball, but plans to develop more cricket facilities to support the growth of hardball Club/county affiliation Links with South Wilts CC, Wiltshire CCC and Lady Taverners tournaments What sets the school apart? Teamwork, humility and commitment Recent progress Played their first ever U15 fixtures this summer

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TOP 20 ALL-GIRLS SCHOOLS

GUILDFORD HIGH SCHOOL London Road, Guildford GU1 1SJ Established 1888 Number of pupils 1,000 Teacher in charge Ben Collins, Keely Harper, Georgie Dustin Teams U15 (softball and hardball), U14ABC and club (softball and hardball), U13ABC and club (softball and hardball), U12ABC and club (softball and hardball), U11ABCDE (softball), U10ABCDE (softball), U9ABCDE (softball), U8ABCDE (softball) Brief history Cricket has been an extra-curricular club for seven years and from 2019 a main curriculum sport. It has grown from one extracurricular team to 26 teams with more attending regular extra-curricular practices How has cricket bounced back For the first half of the Michaelmas term, cricket was played in Years 4, 5, 6, 9 and 10 curriculum lessons. Extra-curricular cricket ran in the Michaelmas term for Years 5 and 6, and ran throughout the year for Years 8, 9 and 10. The school ran Easter cricket courses for Years 3-10, with over 100 girls attending. During the summer half-term, another cricket course was hosted for girls and run by Lydia Greenway’s Cricket for Girls. In the summer holidays cricket courses for Years 2-6 are planned. In the first half of the Trinity term, they ran

Teachers in charge From left: Keely Harper (director of sport), Ben Collins (cricket specialist), Georgie Dustin (head of junior school PE) extra-curricular practices and internal year group super league matches every week, open to all girls wishing to play. This had an incredible uptake with more than half the year group in each year playing cricket matches every week. Surrey league matches were also played. In the second half of the Trinity term, friendly matches for Years 7-10, A-C took place alongside Surrey League matches for U13 hardball and softball, and U15 hardball and softball. In the junior school,

GUILDFORD HIGH SCHOOL

whole year group fixtures took place weekly. Inter-house cricket took place for Years 3-9 Post-pandemic changes Cricket is run in the curriculum for the first half of the Winter term in Years 4, 5, 6, 9 and 10. Individual year group extra-curricular practices took place for Year 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10 all-year round. The practices were focused around technique and game awareness in the winter terms. Super leagues were introduced, allowing more girls weekly cricket matches, as normal inter-school fixtures only allow for teams A-C. Rather than 30 girls out for a fixture, they had over 60. Weekly CPD sessions ran with all cricket staff, led by Collins Fixtures Midweek weekly fixtures for all year groups only in the second half of the Trinity term, due to Covid. The Surrey League U13 and U15 softball and hardball teams played from the start of the Trinity term. The U11 team played in a Surrey qualifying competition on a weekend. The most notable block fixture is against Surbiton High Facilities 4 cricket nets in the sports hall. The groundsman rolls out 3 cricket squares onto the school pitch, as well as using a 2G Flicx Pitch. They use Stoke Park (which the school backs onto) for lessons and hire the two cricket pitches for fixtures. They invested in a bowling machine, which has really progressed girls’ batting technique and confidence facing hard balls Hardball/softball All softball in the junior school, all softball in curriculum lessons and predominantly in friendly fixtures (with some hardball A team

matches). Compete in U13 softball and hardball, and U15 softball and hardball Surrey Leagues. Extracurricular practices are softball with one hardball session for Year 10 Club/county affiliation Cricket for Girls holiday course. Surrey Cricket coaches taught regularly in lessons and extra-curricular practices, as well as umpiring fixtures. They have also coached on holiday courses. Clubs Blackheath, Esher, Guildford, Horsley & Send and Merrow Best prospect Year 8 Ellen Clarke plays for Esher CC and Surrey U13s What sets the school apart? The girls approach games with intelligence and a real team cohesion, and are supportive of each other on and off the pitch Finest moment The U15 hardball team protected a total of 65 through accurate and consistent bowling, taking catches and causing run outs, to progress through to the U15 Surrey Hardball semi-final Recent progress In junior school Years 3-6 all girls play weekly extra-curricular cricket fixtures. U11 progressed through to the U11 Surrey Finals Day. In the senior school they are incredibly proud that over half the year group in Years 7-9 choose to play super league cricket every week after school. Qualified for the Surrey Cricket semi-finals in U13 softball, U15 softball and U15 hardball. Qualified for the Surrey Cricket semi-finals in U15 hardball, joint winners of the Surrey U15 softball league, and due to play the final of the Surrey U13 softball final at the start of summer term 2022 Future plans Year 6 hardball extracurricular club in the summer term. Year 7-10 hardball practices for Surrey League players. Continue to develop partnerships with local clubs, running taster sessions to encourage girls to play outside of school. Organise an opportunity for the junior school girls to watch a senior school fixture to inspire them, and a school trip to watch a women’s T20 match. Purchase outdoor cricket nets Tours Junior school tour to Jersey in October 2021, including some beach cricket. The first senior school cricket tour of 2022 will be a long weekend to the south-west of England, playing schools and clubs, as well as watching a T20. In 2023 an overseas tour planned

www.guildfordhigh.co.uk • guildford-admissions@guildfordhigh.co.uk • 01483 543853 98 | thecricketer.com

Crick

JUNIOR | SENIOR | SIXTH FORM

TOP 20 ALL-GIRLS SCHOOLS FOR CRICKET IN THE COUNTRY The Cricketer Schools Guide 2022

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TOP 20 ALL-GIRLS SCHOOLS

HEADINGTON SCHOOL // LOUGHBOROUGH HIGH SCHOOL

LOUGHBOROUGH HIGH SCHOOL Burton Walks, Loughborough LE11 2DU

HEADINGTON SCHOOL Headington Road, Oxford OX3 7TD Established 1915 Number of pupils 1,080 Teachers in charge Sarah Huggins, Rosalyn Porter, Laura Smith Teams 14 teams: U15 AB, U14AB, U13AB, U12AB, U11 ABC, U10 ABC Brief history Over the last three years cricket has become one of the major summer sports. In the Prep School, small bats and large balls begin their cricketing journey before matches and tournaments begin at U10. The senior school have several clubs and fixtures that run each week and are beginning to introduce hardball matches How has cricket bounced back Over lockdown, the use of technology was fantastic, especially when giving remote training sessions. Video demonstrations in batting, bowling and fielding were extremely useful and able to be used in the future both in and out of school. Headington resumed playing cricket in PE games lessons, and reintroduced clubs and fixtures. They have also run three cricket masterclass days for Years 7, 8 and 9, when the Oxfordshire Cricket Board came to run a workshop of various skills of bowling, batting, wicket keeping and tactics, followed by a house cricket tournament. All the girls (from Nursery to Key Stage 2) have been involved in weekly lessons in the Prep School. Internal fixtures arranged throughout the summer term alongside some fixtures against local schools Post-pandemic changes Cricket masterclass days to enrich the programme and reinvigorate passion 100 | thecricketer.com

for cricket across the course Fixtures In the senior school, around 25-35 fixtures a year. These include Lady Taverners tournaments. The most notable fixture this year would be introducing hardball matches against St Helen & St Katharine. In the Prep School, weekly fixtures Facilities A wide range of outdoor space and an astroturf for team practices and training. For matches, the school use two pitches on the school field for softball cricket. They have recently secured the Exeter College, Oxford pitch to hire for hardball fixtures Hardball/softball Softball cricket is becoming well established across age ranges. Hardball was new to the fixture programme in 2021 Club/county affiliation Many pupils play for Oxfordshire county squads. They always encourage girls to join local clubs and we also nominate individuals to attend county trials What sets the school apart? Many pupils play club and county cricket, however the school also ensure that cricket is fully inclusive and an enjoyable experience for all children from nursery to U16 Finest moment The U13s won the Lady Taverners tournament in Oxfordshire in 2020 Recent progress The senior school’s masterclass days with the OCB were a great success. All Prep School sporting staff attended an umpiring and scoring INSET to further their knowledge base Future plans Headington will be looking to increase the range of nets and ground facilities. Increased CPD for staff through ECB courses and INSETs and develop the fixture programme to have more hardball fixtures and more matches overall

Established 1850 Number of pupils 650 Teacher in charge Nicola Attwood Teams U15, U14, U13, U12. The school would like to add a senior team as the cricket provision grows Brief history There was a limited cricket history at the school. However, now with a PE department that includes three ex-players, a shift has been made from rounders to cricket both in terms of the curriculum and extra-curricular offering and with the link with Fairfield Prep School and Loughborough Grammar School stronger than ever, Loughborough High are hopeful they can start to create something exciting How has cricket bounced back Through PE remote delivery in terms of skills and challenges Post-pandemic changes Loughborough High offered cricket through the PE and Games curriculum and were looking to run some inter form/house competitions on Saturday mornings prior to October half-term. They were looking into setting up net sessions over at Loughborough Grammar School. As things stood, they were unable to play any external fixtures

Fixtures A couple a week and some block weekends. They have been trying to grow their girls cricket provision over the past two years. The most notable is probably against Trent College Facilities Nets at the grammar school that they have access to and then cricket pitches available at the school’s Quorn facility Club/county affiliation Lots of girls playing county cricket for Leicestershire What sets the school apart? An all-girls’ school looking to work closely with other Loughborough Schools Foundation Finest moment First full block fixture last summer v Trent. Some fantastic cricket played and some exceptional talent on show Recent progress The increasing number of girls attending extracurricular clubs and fixtures. Building numerous cricket links with other independent schools Future plans The chance to use the Grammar School’s new cricket facility, continually developing the strength of link between the High School and its main feeder school, Fairfield. Hopefully the chance again to work with Lydia Greenway’s company Cricket for Girls both in terms of staff CPD and student opportunities. They would also love to launch their very first girls cricket tour

MAYFIELD SCHOOL

MAYFIELD SCHOOL The Old Palace, Mayfield, East Sussex TN20 6PH Established 1872 Number of pupils 401 Head of cricket Emily Starr (assistant director of sport, England Indoor U19s, Northamptonshire CCC) Teams 11 – U12ABC, U13ABC, U14AB, U15AB, 1XI Brief history Mayfield is an all-girls’ school and cricket was introduced as a major sport only four years ago. Since then it has gone from strength to strength. A comprehensive programme has been built, supported by a significant investment in facilities. Hardball is now played across three age groups and six girls are in the Sussex CCC squad for their age group How has cricket bounced back A full programme of fixtures has been held, with more hardball than ever Post-pandemic changes Girls were kept in year group and squad bubbles. Bowling workshops were held for the

Head of cricket Emily Starr first time Fixtures 76 this year, including a first ever match against MCC – 2 T20s against the school in June Facilities 1 artificial wicket, 1 portable cage, a bowling machine. Use of Mayfield CC grass wicket and outdoor nets. 3 fixed outdoor nets to be built over the winter Hardball/softball U14A, U15A and 1st XI play hardball. Plan to get U13A playing hardball next year

Club/county affiliation Mayfield and Bells Yew Green CCs Best prospect Elizabeth von Halasz (Sussex County Pathway U15s, an opening bowler, top-order batsman, captain of U15 and 1st XI) What sets the school apart? A comprehensive programme has been set up from scratch in four years, encouraging all girls at the school to participate. Starr was picked by Lydia Greenway to be on the advisory board

of Cricket For Girls Finest moment Playing against MCC; staff learning to coach, score and umpire; the development of the school field; girls being chosen to represent Sussex Future plans Three new outdoor nets (due for installation this winter), a new sports hall, cricket tournaments and workshops for local prep and primary schools Tours Sri Lanka 2023

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OLD PALACE OF JOHN WHITGIFT SCHOOL // PUTNEY HIGH SCHOOL

OLD PALACE OF JOHN WHITGIFT SCHOOL Old Palace Road, Croydon CR0 1AX Established 1889 Number of pupils 500 Head of cricket Alison Smith (director of sport) Brief history The school was founded in 1889. The ‘Old Palace’ itself was for 500 years the summer residence of the Archbishops of Canterbury. The building was rescued by the Duke of Newcastle in 1887 and given to the ‘Sisters of the Church’ who used it for educational purposes. In 1945 the school became a direct grant grammar school and in 1975 became a fully independent day school for girls. Girls’ cricket was introduced the summer before the pandemic to embrace the ‘This Girl Can’ approach to sport How has cricket bounced back Lockdown PE lessons were delivered live and aspects of cricket challenges were used including Cricket for Girls and the Chance to Shine live links. On returning to school and having to

PUTNEY HIGH SCHOOL 35 Putney Hill, London SW15 6BH Established 1893 Number of pupils 1,075 including junior school and sixth form Head of cricket Emma Fraser (director of sport) Professional Alastair Fraser (Middlesex, Essex & Young England) Teams 12 softball: U12ABCD, U13ABCD, U14AB, U15AB; 6 hardball U12AB, U13AB, U14A, U15A Brief history Cricket at Putney started four years ago and has proven to be a well-loved sport, with more hardball being introduced gradually. Lydia Greenway’s Cricket for Girls initiative is working with the school, while Fraser coaches students twice a week at Wimbledon CC How has cricket bounced back With the start of hardball cricket delayed by the pandemic, students were excited and keen to get going as soon as the school reopened. The headmistress, the ex-Olympic rowing cox Mrs Suzie Longstaff, is supportive of the game Fixtures Competitions this year

stay on site – cricket was reintroduced on the hard courts at the school. Cricket clubs became year-group

included the T20 School Sports Magazine Cup, the Starburst Cup (which the school’s U12s won), the Surrey League, the Lady Taverners at Lord’s and more; a fixture every week over the summer term Facilities Barn Elms, Doverhouse Road and Wimbledon CC. Nets for hardball are being installed in the sports hall Hardball/softball Indoors at the Lady Taverners at Lord’s and throughout the winter; hardball, as previously mentioned, has been introduced this year and has been played throughout the spring and summer. Students start by playing softball in Year 7/U12s with hardball starting at U13. The school has 20 U12s and any promising U12s will train hardball with U13s. An U17 team about to be launched Club/ county affiliation Wimbledon CC

bubble-focused and were open to all. Fixtures against other schools were suspended but the school did enter the borough cricket competition (softball) for Year 9 and came third. Some skills-based sessions were held with the Surrey Community Cricket Post-pandemic changes Working to establish selective teams in the future but also continue to promote the ‘opportunities for all’ approach through openaccess extracurricular clubs and within the curriculum Facilities On the hardcourt playing area and at Addiscombe CC

Hardball/softball Hardball cricket is in its early stages. The school is looking to build up resources of protective equipment and playing equipment, as well as space, to develop this side of the game. Softball cricket is played in lessons and in extra-curricular clubs Club/county affiliation Surrey Cricket Foundation, Community Coach Links, Starburst Cricket, Chance to Shine, Cricket for Girls, Addiscombe CC What sets the school apart? As a diverse, city centre-based school surrounded by historic buildings cricket has had its challenges but the school has been creative in the way it has delivered lessons Recent progress Students and staff have embraced cricket. Links with players from Surrey, South East Stars and The Hundred format help staff stay up to date with the game and pass this on to the students Future plans Continuing to build on the initial first steps of introducing cricket to the students. Trips to elitelevel matches. Fixtures against other schools from next year

Best prospect Year 10 student and Surrey U15 cricketer Eleanor S is a perfect example of how much cricket at Putney has developed in such a short time What sets the school apart? The natural athleticism of the pupils and their motivation to succeed Finest moment Beating Surbiton High School twice,

at the T20 School Sport Magazine Cup and at the Surrey Cup Recent progress Starting just four years ago with softball cricket and already progressing to winning hardball matches. Working with Greenway and Cricket for Girls. Being named in the UK Top 5 schools for sport by School Sport magazine this year Future plans Encouraging girls to play for clubs such as Wimbledon, Fulham, Spencer, Richmond and Sheen Park; installation of indoor nets thecricketer.com | 103

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TOP 20 ALL-GIRLS SCHOOLS

QUEENSWOOD SCHOOL // ROEDEAN SCHOOL

ROEDEAN SCHOOL Roedean Way, Brighton BN2 5RQ

QUEENSWOOD SCHOOL Shepherds Way, Brookmans Park, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 6NS Established 1894 Number of pupils 420 Head of cricket Stephen Williams Teams U13 AB, U14 AB, U15 AB, U18 Brief history Cricket at Queenswood was originally played in the 1930s but soon came to an end as it was deemed too unladylike. It has only been in the last six years that it has made a resurgence. It has grown into an all-year-round sport with girls competing in the indoor Lady Taverners competitions in the winter and hardball fixtures in the summer. More than 50 students from five year groups are competing for places How has cricket bounced back As a socially distanced sport, cricket was one of the first team sports to return. This has seen numbers soar Post-pandemic changes With more students wanting to play, greater use has been made of the hockey pitch, playing fields and sports hall Fixtures In a normal year teams can expect to be playing once a week during the summer term – combined with the indoor competitions, 15 104 | thecricketer.com

matches a year. Most notable against Haileybury School Facilities No historical cricket facilities so the school has had to be creative. Softball matches are played on the main playing fields Hardball/softball Softball cricket is still the most popular form of the sport at Queenswood. However, plans are afoot to install an astro-turf wicket to improve playing provision for hardball Club/county affiliation Old Owens CC, Hertfordshire CB Best prospect Liv O’Neill (Year 11, a talented medium-fast bowler and middle-order bat) What sets the school apart? The pupils at Queenswood balance the competitive drive to win with the fun and enjoyment of playing the game Finest moment Runners-up at the Hertfordshire Indoor Lady Taverners U15 Competition in 2019 Recent progress There is an evergrowing presence of cricket around the school Future plans Developing links with local clubs and Hertfordshire cricket; looking to develop a girls’ cricket partnership with a local club; installing an astroturf wicket

Established 1885 Number of pupils 640 Head of cricket Mike Smethurst (Lancashire) Teams 10. 1st XI, 2nd XI, U15AB, U14AB, U13AB, U12AB Brief history Cricket was once the significant summer sport at Roedean, with pitches running along the whole length of the school fields. Records exist from 1889 and The Lords and MPs held an annual cricket fixture at the school. Now is an exciting time, as a renewed emphasis will see cricket flourish, become the main summer sport and return to the proud position it once occupied How has cricket bounced back Online practical and theory sessions took place during lockdown and a full programme of fixtures, training and house matches has been in place since pupils returned to school. Girls needed to train in year group bubbles, with theory and video analysis sessions, before the programme returned to normal Fixtures 57 in 2021 (up from just 4 in 2017 and 11 in 2018) Facilities 3 indoor nets, 2 outdoor astro wickets with cages, 2 outdoor grass nets. One grass square. Hockey astro also used for training Hardball/softball All A teams play hardball, depending on the opposition. B teams have played softball – so far Club/county affiliation Sussex CCC, St James Montefiore CC. Involved in discussions regarding an ‘Urban Cricket Plan’ for Brighton, to offer the school’s facilities to additional groups from outside

the school Best prospect Eliza Steeles, year 10. Hard-hitting top-order batter plays for Sussex CCC and is developing her off-spin Cultural cricketers Celia Robinson coached at Roedean between 1949 and 1981 and toured Australia with England Women in 1963; Angela Eagle MP, plus dozens of other members of the Houses of Lords and Commons What sets the school apart? Strong contender for the best view of any cricket ground in the country, overlooking the English Channel Finest moment The once annual Lords v Commons fixture used to take place at Roedean Recent progress Huge increase in the number of girls now playing – 346 of 640 pupils, and this will grow. More and more members of staff learning coaching skills Future plans Continuing links with external clubs, and a further planned increase in fixtures and the number of girls playing. Additional outdoor training facilities also planned Tours Planning to introduce them

ST CATHERINE’S, BRAMLEY // STAMFORD HIGH SCHOOL

ST CATHERINE’S, BRAMLEY

moment Best prospects Abbie Thompson (wicketkeeper and opening bat), Chloe Thompson (no relation, batting allrounder), Fran Wiles (left-arm bowler) What sets the school apart? The girls’ interest and enthusiasm Finest moment The first U17 hardball fixture, a win over Reigate Grammar Recent progress Attending Lydia Greenway courses. Also three staff have joined the local team Future plans Working even more closely with Blackheath CC; potentially employing a coach

Station Rd, Bramley, Guildford GU5 0DF Established 1885 Number of pupils 650 Teachers in charge Emily Gray (head of cricket), Vic Alexander (assistant head of cricket) Teams U12 softball friendly ABCDEF, U13A hardball, U13B softball – Surrey League, U13 softball friendly ABCDEF, U14 softball friendly ABCDEF, U15A hardball and U13B softball – Surrey League, U15 softball friendly ABCDEF, U17A Hardball League Brief history Cricket in the 1890s through to the 1930s was played more than lacrosse. This was in the school magazine in 1895: “The 1st XI went to Guildford on Saturday, October 5, to play a match with the Guildford High School XI. Unfortunately, the afternoon proved too wet for cricket, but they much enjoyed the tea so hospitably provided for them by Miss Morton”

STAMFORD HIGH SCHOOL St Martin’s Street, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 2LL Established 1877 Number of pupils 600 Teachers in charge Dean Headley (director of cricket), Jack Mousley (professional) Teams 10 – 1st XI, U15A, U14AB, U13ABC, U12ABC Brief history Cricket has only been fully adopted since 2019 and before that run as a small club. In 2019 the school stopped playing rounders and made cricket a full option in games lessons along with tennis. Immediately 35–50 per cent of Year 7 to 9 took the option. Covid held up the formation of a 1st XI Post-pandemic changesTraining after-school sessions for all age groups as opposed to joint year-group training. An early-morning academy for the serious cricketers Fixtures Up to 120 a year Facilities 2 artificial wickets, 4 cutout strips on a main field, 3 concertina nets on an artificial surface plus the utilisation of two Flicx wickets on a

How has cricket bounced back Positively. A lot more girls now belong to local clubs and there seems to be a buzz around cricket more than ever before. About 60–70 girls attend lunchtime and after-school practices and it’s been wonderful having fixtures again Post-pandemic changes Setting up links with the local club and using their facilities for league matches

Fixtures U13A hardball making the second round of the SOCS tournament; U17 hardball team making history for the school beating Reigate Grammar Facilities An astro mat is laid out for matches. The groundsman is preparing a cricket square for next year. The club use Bramley CC and CC’s 2nd XI ground in Grafham Hardball/softball A mix at the

third of a hockey astros Hardball/softball Hardball is played in all age groups for one team plus plenty of softball Club/county affiliation Several local clubs and Lincolnshire,

Leicestershire, Huntingdonshire, Nottinghamshire and Northants CCC; the school is a member of Cricket for Girls Best prospects Sophie Mihill, Kaushicca Vaseeharan and

Isobel Hudson What sets the school apart? The whole programme is inclusive for both experienced cricketers and those trying the game for the first time Finest moment National quarterfinals in the 2019 Under-18 Cup Recent progress Teachers becoming involved in the programme Future plans A new four-lane netting system to aid practice, with more grass areas for 2023 Tours 14 players are going to Sri Lanka in 2022 thecricketer.com | 105

TOP 20 ALL-GIRLS SCHOOLS

THE LADY ELEANOR HOLLES SCHOOL Hanworth Road, Hampton, Middlesex TW12 3HF Established 1710 Number of pupils 900 Teachers in charge Dani Mugridge (director of sport) and Chris Summers Teams U12ABC, U13AB, U14AB, U15 Brief history Cricket was in its infancy and was due to push on in 2020 but Covid had other plans. A first full summer of cricket was staged in 2021 How has cricket bounced back Cricket bounced back brilliantly. There were fixtures in the second half of the summer term with all the teams experiencing one or two games. Attendance was excellent Fixtures Two for each side but in

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2022 looking to play five or six games in the summer term where possible for each age group Facilities 6 outdoor pitches Hardball/softball It is all softball at the moment, but the plan is to play hardball next year Club/county affiliation Bushy Park CC in Hampton; their coaches have run sessions with the Year 9 group. What sets the school apart? The enthusiasm and fun that the students have Finest moment Playing the school’s first fixtures last summer Recent progress Teachers within the department have attended cricket workshops and umpiring courses Future plans Collaborating with the neighbouring boys’ school to use equipment/nets and knowledge/ experience of coaching staff. Work with more local clubs

THE LADY ELEANOR HOLLES SCHOOL // THE MARY ERSKINE SCHOOL

THE MARY ERSKINE SCHOOL Ravelston Dykes Road, Edinburgh EH4 3NT Established 1694 Number of pupils 780 Teachers in charge Nichola Aitchison, Caroline Heron, Tom McBratney, Pippa Johnston, David Gibson (Stewart’s Melville Royals CC) Teams U10, U11, U12, U13, U15, U18 Brief history Cricket started in the school as a lunchtime club run by a member of staff. It is now a lunchtime and after-school activity that runs all year with six staff involved. In conjunction with Cricket Scotland and initiated by Pippa Johnston a programme was developed. The number of fixtures grew with help from Cricket Scotland’s increased provision for girls How has cricket bounced back More popular than ever, with girls missing it through the pandemic. Sessions delivered by Cricket Scotland and volunteer coaches from SMC Royals CC, Katie McGill (Scotland) and senior pupils at the school. Scotland Women head coach Mark Coles delivered two sessions to our U11 and U12 teams Post-pandemic changes More coaches to allow for smaller groups to train. All sessions delivered outside. No spectators at training or fixtures Fixtures 27 across all age groups. Most notable against Fettes College. MES won a thriller by 3 runs Facilities The grounds of Cricket Scotland National Academy. Indoor space includes 8 nets. The outdoor

space has 2 astroturf surfaces and a grass area Hardball/softball Softball is offered to all age groups. Hardball training is offered to all senior school girls, U13– U18. One softball training session is offered every week for each year group. One hardball session is offered to all senior age groups Club/county affiliation Stewart’s Melville CC, David Gibson, Linda Spence, Lawrence Riley Best prospect Katherine Fraser (16), a Scotland international, and plays for Stewart’s Melville CC. She also coaches at school What sets the school apart? Fraser and Catherine Holland leading the teams and helping teach the tactical and technical side of the game Finest moment Holland scoring 28 in the school’s first hardball fixture Recent progress Cricket Scotland delivering a fun and informative session to staff, allowing them to deliver an unfamiliar sport with more confidence Future plans Further investments in the school’s outdoor facilities. More hardball fixtures

WIMBLEDON HIGH SCHOOL

WIMBLEDON HIGH SCHOOL Mansel Road, London SW19 4AB Established 1880 Number of pupils 900 Teachers in charge Tyler Deas, Robbie Gunn Teams 11 – U17, U15AB, U14AB, U13 BC, U12ABC Brief history Cricket has only become a major sport over the last few years with the introduction of hardball matches and the inclusion in both the games and PE curriculum but it is going from strength to strength How has cricket bounced back Cricket was one of the only sports to have been able to be played throughout the pandemic, so there was more enthusiasm from the girls than ever before. Even frying pans and rolled-up socks were used at home Post-pandemic changes Technical videos allowed practice prior to coaching sessions Fixtures In a usual Year 4 for every

age group, as well as cup competitions for U13, U15 and U17 which would combine the best players across twoyear groups Facilities A full-size astro turf for all after-school practices and softball matches; 3 three mobile nets for hardball practice. Dundonald recreation ground (10-minute walk away) is used for hardball matches Hardball/softball All age-group A teams play hardball. All B teams play softball but are looking to move on to hardball fixtures Club/county affiliation Wimbledon CC and Spencer CC Best prospect Alicia Adams (U12), Eve Hitchcock (U13) and Isabella Atwell (U16) What sets the school apart? Wimbledon prides itself on encouraging resilience, independence and kindness Finest moment An opening partnership of 76 between two year 7s (Adams and Eva Bannerman) in a friendly against Surbiton High Recent progress A real shift of engagement within cricket in both the staff and the pupils. There is a real

buzz and excitement about cricket within the school

Future plans Increasing the fixture list

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GUIDE TO TOURING 2022

ENGLAND U19 IN INDIA ‘93 CHRIS ADAMS’ TOUR STORIES OVERSEAS DESTINATIONS 2022/23

GUIDE TO TOURING 2022

TOUR DE FORCE Cricket tours provide a rich education on and off the field, writes Jim Hindson ABOVE A day/night fixture between MCC and Oman at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground, Muscat BELOW

MCC arriving at the Julius Nyerere International Airport, Dar es Salaam

he lessons learned from my first cricket tour have stayed with me to this day. It was January 1993 and I was one of 15 young cricketers, including future England skipper Michael Vaughan, embarking on the adventure of a lifetime, representing England Under-19s on a tour of India. Learning to adapt to alien pitches while pitting our wits against rich, raw talent under a baking

subcontinent sun made for an environment where you had to swiftly learn on the job – or spend long days in the field. I was particularly green behind the gills as I had never been on a plane before, never mind travelled abroad. The exotic sights, sounds and smells encountered when landing in Delhi at 4am were intoxicating and enormously disconcerting to say the least. And given mobile phones and email were a pipe dream at the time

(fax was the most cost-efficient way of contacting home!) I remember thinking this had the potential to be a very lonely experience. These musings hadn’t taken into account that my fellow tourists were feeling the same and this shared experience quickly brought us closer together. Don’t get me wrong, it was an incredibly tough tour, but the camaraderie of the squad was incredible. We had each other’s backs and even back then, knew that

It is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the game and inevitably players come back more experienced and savvy. That confidence is also reflected off the field we’d look back on our time in India with pride and huge enjoyment. Being on tour is one of the greatest feelings you can have as a cricketer. The knowledge that your time away is entirely focused on practising and playing the sport you love creates a golden mindset that heightens your 110 | thecricketer.com

LEFT

Jim Hindson (back row, third from left) poses with his fellow tourists in 1993 BELOW LEFT Former Durham and Hampshire fast bowler Ruel Brathwaite on MCC duty, coaching in Tanzania BOTTOM A young Michael Vaughan in 1996

senses, driving you to improve your game and soak up knowledge from fellow players and coaches. It is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the game and inevitably players come back more experienced and savvy. That confidence is also reflected off the field. The responsibility of living in a team environment quickly becomes apparent. There is no get out of jail card to be played, blaming ‘mum and dad’ for your tardiness. The buck stops with you and I

find that players tend to revel in this new found independence. Good timekeeping, support for team-mates and respect for the new environment are key to being good tourists. We lost more than we won on that tour of the subcontinent back in 1993 but the bonds we formed as a team remain today. I will often see a post on Facebook from a squad member, triggering myriad comments from team-mates recalling those heady days. That

trip fuelled my appetite to travel, as did a comment from former England off-spinning legend Eddie Hemmings who once thrust a cricket ball in my hand and told me: “This is your passport to the world…” Eddie was right and I’m proud to say I’ve been lucky enough to play all over the planet. From club cricket in New Zealand, to T20 matches in Florida and MCC tours to Oman and Tanzania. Each trip packed with unique experiences that have broadened both my cricket and life experience immeasurably, a firstclass education in cultural diversity. The aggressive tactical approach to matches in New Zealand blew me away, the passion for the game in America was a huge eye-opener and the quality of cricket in Tanzania despite pitiful investment left me spellbound. My first tour saw me go to India a boy and come back a man – hopefully a better person both on and off the field. It is something I look back on with great pride and is why I am so passionate about encouraging school and club teams to go on tour. The opportunity to travel to foreign climes is one of the unique qualities that make cricket such a wonderful sport, so pack your bags, sit back and enjoy the journey. Jim Hindson was a professional cricketer with Nottinghamshire from 1993 to 1998. He now works as commercial director for The Cricketer thecricketer.com | 111

GUIDE TO TOURING 2022

Returning to action Touring creates memories that last a lifetime and Smile Group Travel will ensure your trip is never forgotten

or those fortunate enough to go on a cricket tour, they are unforgettable experiences. But while they can be the trip of a lifetime for the players, and staff, there is so much that happens behind the scenes that creates the perfect cricket tour. Smile Group Travel take schools on tour all over the cricketing world, from the Caribbean to India, Sri Lanka to Australia. “I founded Smile Group Travel in 2009 while I was living in Barbados where I worked as a coach, ground

112 | thecricketer.com

handler and tour manager,” Graeme Walker, founder of Smile Group Travel, tells The Cricketer. “One key issue for a successful tour is the partner on the ground. They are the person at the coalface and can really enrich a tour experience. Having been a ground handler for countless tours, I know what I’m looking for in our ground partners. Consequently, I genuinely think we’ve been able to identify the best partner in each of our key destinations. The devil is in the detail. “Ultimately every sports tour is different. We do a lot of work with

the top cricket schools like King’s Taunton, Felsted, Bede’s and Whitgift and they will always want to be challenged. Whatever the standard and objectives of the touring team, it’s our job to make sure those youngsters and coaches get the tour they need.” As well as ensuring touring sides get well-matched opposition, Smile remove all organisational stress from the tour leader, meaning they can purely focus on the cricket and the players. “You want coaches to focus on team performance and not worry about the quality of opposition or even if the opposition will turn up. This focus extends to off the field. Teachers and coaches will naturally keep an eye on player well-being as well as developing tactics and managing injuries. “A really good ground handler will take all the weight off coaches for any other issues. Health and safety is foremost in these responsibilities and there are many other issues to manage such as accommodation, food and travel which sometimes change during the tour. “I have even taken players to doctor’s surgeries or to get scans on injuries. One time I had to get a dentist on a Saturday morning when Hampshire’s wicketkeeper had knocked out his tooth during practice!”

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

This level of organisation doesn’t just happen. It is the result of years perfecting the relationship between ground handlers and those back in the UK. Between them no detail is missed. Of course, overseas travel is still uncertain in the current climate but Smile work incredibly closely with their partners to ensure that tours go ahead as planned and they are as memorable experiences as they should be. Walker says: “If I was a in charge of a tour with a bottomless budget, and no travel restrictions, I’d go to Perth in Western Australia. I love it there. I think the approach to cricket is great and there is so much to do in the city and the surrounding areas. “We took Whitgift there a couple of years ago, it was a pretty high watermark tour. We organised eight fixtures for them and

THIS SPREAD Barbados is a heaven-sent destination for cricket tours

it was sensational. “It ticked all the boxes, the matches were very competitive and there were some notable individual performances. “Sri Lanka is a sensational destination too, it’s so unique and the conditions challenge players in ways they haven’t faced before. South Africa is a bit more familiar in terms of conditions but the challenge is whether you can deal with it! The standard of sport there is still incredibly high, matched by their desire to win although our ground handler always makes sure that the opposition is of a comparable standard. “UAE is an option that is increasingly popular especially between October and Easter, largely because the quality of experience for the cost is exceptional. “There are some good options in Europe as well, especially in Spain, but if you want a tour that will suit everyone then it would probably be Barbados. It’s a

heaven-sent destination. We’ve hosted many county teams over the years and they would all rush back. I’ve taken county sides to other destinations all over the world and all they ask is when they’re going to Barbados next!” But to add more options for their clients Smile are focussing on introducing domestic tours, competitions and festivals. “From pre-season at Easter and through the school holidays we aim to have a sequence of festivals and tournaments across the age groups for both boys and girls. “These will be exciting and innovative events with the competitions enhanced by masterclasses as well as range-hitting and catching competitions. Our ambition is to provide the widest range of high class opportunities to schools and clubs to have the wonderful experience of touring and so, offering UK destinations will help us to achieve that.”

To find out more about your next tour visit www.smilegrouptravel.com or call 01708 948817 or email info@smilegrouptravel.com thecricketer.com | 113

GUIDE TO TOURING 2022

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

Desert Springs Resort: the short-haul year-round cricket destination The perfect pre-season destination awaits

here is no denying that one of touring’s biggest attractions is the opportunity to experience an environment a world away from your own. Unfortunately, this can often require a 12-hour plane journey which brings with it a host of logistical complications with time differences, visas and other small details that can take significant planning. Desert Springs Resort in Spain, however, can provide clubs and schools with a full cricket touring experience and is only a two-and-a-half-hour flight away. There is a reason why it is frequented by the ECB, numerous ICC national teams and several professional counties from the UK. Desert Springs Cricket Ground comprises an 18-wicket square, constructed to ECB standards and specifications, complemented by a marquee pavilion, sightscreens, scoreboard and associated facilities. This is further complemented by the Desert Springs Cricket Academy with a grass training ground with 24 grass practice wickets with nets and requisite training equipment. Recognition of the superb facilities on offer were further confirmed in 2021 when Desert Springs was awarded venue accreditation from the International Cricket Council to host official one-day international and T20I matches. In April 2022 The Cricketer will also be

hosting its inaugural TCS100 competition at the resort where the UK’s top cricketing schools will be pitted against one another in the 100-ball format. Keep an eye on The Cricketer’s print and digital channels for full coverage. “Desert Springs Resort is Europe’s only international award-winning luxury family resort and cricket facility,” Nick Gaywood, the resort’s cricket sales and services manager, tells The Cricketer. The resort also includes world- class gym facilities, that have also been designed with the help of the ECB, to round off the perfect cricket training facility. But perhaps another draw of Desert Springs Resort is what else is on offer. Clubs and schools may come for quite intense pre- season training, so the activity options and level of comfort away from the pitch are crucial. The day spa, swimming pools, gym, tennis courts, padel courts, table tennis, beach volleyball and football areas are just a few of the activities on offer. Of course, you mustn’t forget the Championship Indiana Golf Course, Europe’s only desert golf course complete with a driving range and elite short game practice area that attracts top golfers from all over the world. The resort is self-contained, and everything is within walking distance from the guest’s accommodation and the resort’s executive chef is on hand to

cater for the special dietary requirements of individual players dining in both El Torrente restaurant and the infamous Crocodile Club restaurant. The key to Desert Springs is the simplicity. The aforementioned short flight is a huge bonus but so too is the facility of direct bookings. The Desert Springs team will put together an itinerary to your specifications ensuring you get exactly what you want out of the tour, whether that be preseason intense practice or a social tour. With access from three airports, Alicante (two hours), Murcia (one hour and 15 minutes) and Almeria (50 minutes), guests have a huge range of options from British airports – guests can benefit from Desert Springs own Travel Partner to arrange flights or book their own, and once in Spain Desert Springs has excellent transfer capabilities so the team will be on a bus out of the airport in minutes. It is no coincidence why Desert Springs are the trusted resort of the UK’s top professional sides but as Gaywood explains: “It’s there for everybody, it’s not just an elite facility. The whole resort is safe and secure, so school groups can ensure peace of mind for parents. “It’s a very straightforward short-haul option where our outstanding grass surfaces on both match and practice facilities are open 12 months of the year. It’s certainly a lot better than spending all the UK winter playing indoors!”

For more information, and to book your Desert Springs tour, visit www.desertspringsresort.es or call 0800 177 7051 114 | thecricketer.com

Chris Adams reflects with Ed Krarup on his touring experience including university jaunts and facing a teenage Brian Lara

ouring is a special time whatever level of the game you are. And few have experienced more on tour than former Sussex and England player Chris Adams, now head of cricket at Seaford College, having travelled the cricketing globe as both a player and coach. He reflects on his touring experiences with great fondness. “I first went on a cricket tour when I was 15. It was the ESCA regional tournament where they would pick an England team from the four regions. It was down in Cornwall and lasted a week,” Adams tells The Cricketer. “I was ultimately picked – back then I was an off-spinner who batted at No.7, but at the time I hadn’t ever been away from home for that length of time without my parents. “The following year I was picked for the Derbyshire Under-19 team that went to a festival in Oxford with other county age-group sides. They were week-long residential tours where we would stay in the halls of residence. They were a lot of fun, running riot around Oxford at night trying not to get in trouble before playing at these fancy grounds during the day.” But it was Adams’ first overseas tour

The magic of touring that sticks fondest in the memory. “I went with my school, Repton, to Barbados. It was a classic Barbados tour. We got to the final of this schools tournament and on the way we had beaten a school side that included Brian Lara. We lost the final to a school called Combermere who had Roland Holder in their team.” Holder would go on to play for West Indies in 11 Tests and 37 ODIs and Lara needs no introduction, but this showed the magic of touring, that you never know who you may come up against and how your paths may cross again. Following Adams’ hugely successful playing career that saw him travel the world with county and England sides, he turned to coaching – at which point the finer details and logistics required to run a tour were properly realised. “Touring is very different as a coach because what players don’t see is the amount of preparation and work that goes into a successful tour. “It’s always important to have an eye on why you are touring, so you can navigate the trip and try and achieve something,” Adams explains. This is an important point, particularly with school tours which can serve many purposes. Some schools want to go away and challenge themselves in a cricketing sense. Some want to learn new conditions. Others want to have a rich cultural experience. Many want a mixture of all this but the perfect tour doesn’t just come together accidentally. That is why the companies listed in this guide are so in-demand, as their expertise takes a huge amount of work off schools and ensures they have a fulfilling experience.

“What was always important to me was having a good pair of hands on the ground who was able to quickly manage things. When I was working with the Netherlands we had a great guy, there was nothing he couldn’t arrange within the hour.” Like many others, Seaford’s touring plans were felled by the pandemic, having been due to take 44 students to Desert Springs in Spain at Easter 2020. “It was going to be four days of training then a final day of internal matches. It would have been fabulous and was a relatively low cost. We will get the green light to go again and we will take the opportunity when we can. Now we have the girls programme off and running I’m thinking of taking both a boys and girls squad to Barbados. “You want to give the students an experience they will remember for the rest of their life. So when they are in their 60s and 70s they will still talk about what they got up to on that trip, how they played and indeed who they played.” You certainly get the sense Adams is referring to himself here, as he so fondly remembers his own schoolboy trip to the Caribbean. “Nobody on our team knew who Brian Lara was at the time but the locals certainly did. We saw then he was a good player but of course he went on to become a legend. “I still talk to people in the game about our trip on the Jolly Roger on that tour. It was four English schools on there, it was carnage! Jumping off the board and just having a great time all at the age of 17. “I formed lasting memories on that school tour and all these years later we still giggle about it.”

ABOVE Chris Adams is now head of cricket at Seaford College BELOW Chris Adams on tour early in his career; a young Brian Lara in 1993

thecricketer.com | 115

GUIDE TO TOURING 2022

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

High performance centre catering for all The ICC Academy in Dubai boasts state-of-the-art training facilities which include South Asian, English and Australian practice pitches. This world-leading venue provides an outstanding experience for cricketers of all ages to develop their game

ome may argue that there has never been a better time to be a young cricketer. With enhanced pathways and wider coaching and scouting networks, young players with natural talent have the ability to maximise their potential and make a push towards the professional game. The top tier of the game is no longer exclusive, as school and club players enjoy access to the fabulous ICC Academy. Located next to the ICC headquarters in the heart of Dubai Sports City, recreational cricketers rub shoulders with international teams and franchise stars from around the world at this elite facility. “ICC Academy is a highperformance cricket centre and one of the world’s leading cricket education and development institutes,” Salman Hanif, head of cricket business at the ICC Academy and Dubai International

Stadium, tells The Cricketer. “From the top professionals to amateurs, it caters not only to cricketers and teams but also offers qualifications for coaches and administrators. “It is a one-stop-shop in its true sense for everyone looking to pursue the sport across all skill levels,” Hanif continues. At the time of writing, Hanif was busy looking after the Indian Premier League teams as they prepared for the competition’s resumption. The facility is just a short walk away from the famous Dubai Stadium which played host to the endless IPL drama as it unfolded. The ICCA houses two floodlit ODI accredited grounds alongside a 38-bay outdoor floodlit facility with conditions similar to those found across the cricketing world. Indeed it is the world’s only cricket venue that offers South Asian, Australian and English practice pitches. Indoor nets

and gym facilities complete the ultimate training destination for schools and clubs. Hanif concluded: “We have coaching programmes for almost all age groups, starting from threeyear-olds. I wouldn’t boast about it further; you really need to visit to believe and realise how remarkable this facility is.” Touring sides are given the full experience at the ICCA. In addition to having the facilities ready to use, the academy has PitchVision set up as well as Jugs Sports bowling machines and BatFast technology. These analytical facilities help players take their game to the next level, helping to iron out even the most minute technical flaws that only technology like PitchVision can spot. The ICCA gives young cricketers a taste of the game at the top level, with the variety of pitches effectively rolling two or three tours into one. This unique venue provides a fabulous opportunity for young players to fast-track their cricketing education and take their game to the next level.

For more on the ICC Academy, visit www.icc-cricket.com/about/development/icc-academy 116 | thecricketer.com

ICC Academy is a highperformance cricket centre and one of the world's leading cricket education and development institutes. From the top professionals to amateurs, it caters not only to cricketers and teams but also offers qualifications for coaches and administrators. It is a one-stop shop in its true sense for everyone looking to pursue the sport across all skill levels. With two floodlit ODI-accredited cricket grounds, ICCA is proud to have hosted many international matches and leagues

00 971 4 448 1355 info@iccacademy.com

TOP 50 PREP/JUNIOR SCHOOLS

GETTING THE GAME ON

his summer was billed as a hugely important season for junior cricket. A chance to create a lasting legacy following 2019’s tumultuous World Cup winning summer (and ‘that’ Ashes innings by Ben Stokes). Set against the adversity of the pandemic, 2020 was a season of character, ensuring young cricketers had the opportunity to play the game we all love, before cricket puffed out its chest and stormed into 2021. So, how did we do? First off, someone should have showed the script to the pandemic as it has steadfastly refused to lie down. As such, we have slowly learned to play within its confines but it is extremely encouraging that we received the highest number of entries in this sector 118 | thecricketer.com

since launching four years ago. All responses have included boundless enthusiasm, innovation and a burning desire to get the game on. It is worth noting that prep schools generally enjoy less resource than senior schools to run external fixtures and so had to be creative. Many already had their own playground versions of the game that required not much more then a bat (or something that resembles), a ball and bags of enthusiasm. Plenty of games of ‘COW’ at Aysgarth School, ‘Stump’ at Ludgrove School or one of dozens of variations at Nottingham Academy Primary will have kept the cricket flame burning. Elsewhere, Aldro toured Kent with their 1st XI in June, Bishop Stortford adapted their programme to accommodate year-group bubbles into training sessions and run more

ABOVE Aldro in Surrey BELOW St Andrew’s Prep, Eastbourne

house matches, providing access to competitive cricket before fixtures were allowed. And Moulsford Preparatory School offered cricket for the first half of the autumn term, alongside football. Improving existing facilities is also key, with the likes of Spratton Hall adding eight AstroTurf nets to enable pupils to practise in all weathers. Spratton also played host to multiple teams with up to 11 matches taking place on the same day. As you will read in these pages, a spectacular amount of cricket was played by children in this age group in 2021, despite the ongoing pandemic. It makes you wonder just what these schools will achieve next summer, when we will hopefully be returning to more ‘normal’ times. Watch this space… Jim Hindson

ABINGDON PREPARATORY SCHOOL // ALDRO

ABINGDON PREPARATORY SCHOOL Josca’s House, Kingston Road, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX13 5NX Established 1956 Number of pupils 264 Director of sport Ashley David-Ward Master in charge Steve Hibberd Professional Ryan Higgins (Gloucestershire) Teams 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, 4th XI, 5th XI, 6th XI, 7th XI, U11ABC, U10ABC, U9ABC, U8ABC Girls’ cricket An all-boys’ school Fixtures 77 fixtures. Abingdon School, St. Andrew’s Pangbourne, Taunton Prep, Crosfields, Moulsford Prep and Cothill Facilities Four grass pitches to host matches. Indoor net facilities allowing a comprehensive winter training programme including the use of three bowling machines. Three outdoor artificial nets. A multi-use artificial surface which can be used for training during inclement weather. A cricket pavilion with two changing rooms, toilets and a hospitality area for teas

ALDRO Lombard Street, Godalming, Surrey GU8 6AS Established 1898 Number of pupils 200 Master in charge Guy Drayton (director of sport and enrichment) Teams 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, U15ABCDE, U14ABCDE, U13ABCDE, U11AB, U10ABC, U9ABC, U8ABC boys Girls’ cricket As of this year How has cricket bounced back Fortunate to have a full season of school cricket, despite the weather and

Club/county affiliation Abingdon Vale CC, Oxford Downs CC, Kingston Bagpuize CC, Faringdon CC and Abingdon CC. County links with both Gloucestershire CCC and Oxfordshire CCC Best prospect Joshua David-Ward (Oxfordshire CCC), a wicketkeeper/ batsman with bags of potential Cricketers of note Ben Gannon (Gloucestershire and Middlesex CCC) Brief history Cricket has been played at the school since its inception in 1956. New impetus came to Josca’s in 1998 in the form of a merger with Abingdon School. Developments included a pavilion, extension of the playing fields and complete refurbishment of all existing facilities. In July 2006, building work started on a new sports hall and two new sets of changing facilities. Since this

even toured Kent with 1st XI in June Fixtures The 1st XI have played 10 but were scheduled 12 and some six-a-side tournaments lost to the weather. Cranleigh Prep remains the derby match, though also Lambrook and Ludgrove Facilities Sports hall with three nets and specific lighting and flooring. A three-bay outdoor artificial net facility recently opened by Martin Bicknell. Three bay nets artificial for U11s outdoors. Three main squares, a Flicx and use of the local cricket club on a daily basis at Shackleford CC Club/county affiliation Shackleford CC, Elstead CC, Surrey CCC

time the number of fixtures have gradually increased. In January 2011 a new director of sport was appointed and since this time a cricket professional appointed, a winter training programme implemented, three outdoor artificial nets installed, a multi-use artificial surface laid and the number of teams and fixtures increased exponentially Cultural cricketers Sports presenter Jim Rosenthal What sets the school apart? A clear ‘sport for all’ ethos. All pupils play in regular fixtures throughout the term. This means 13 teams playing regularly on a Wednesday afternoon. The school hosts the Academy of Sport Programme during the Easter, May half-term and summer holidays. There is also all-year round coaching for all using the indoor Jim Rosenthal

facilities. One-to-one coaching from GECKO Cricket Coaching and have previously had pre-season training at Desert Springs Finest moment Freddie Smith scored three consecutive hundreds for the U11s Recent progress The installation of outdoor artificial nets and the implementation of a winter cricket training programme Future plans Dual-aspect pavilion on Cox’s Field site which will be shared with Abingdon School Tours Pre-season training at Desert Spring, Murcia and U11s annually tour Devon and Cornwall where they play Taunton Preparatory School and Yelverton Bohemians CC. Planning on a UAE tour in April 2022

keen cricketers who wish Best prospect Robert to improve and strive for Greenway, 1st XI captain representative cricket, and Colin Cowdrey Sports district and county teams. Scholar to Tonbridge In its first year the ACA Brief history Aldro has proved to be extremely had a rich history of prep Director of sport popular and the school school cricket. Set in the quintessential English village and enrichment found themselves Guy Drayton oversubscribed of Shackleford in the heart Finest moment In 2015 of Surrey, Aldro has been the Aldro 1st XI won the Surrey U13 hosting schoolboy matches on their Cricket Cup for the first time in recent beautiful grounds since 1940. The history. In 2019 the U11s won the U11 unique grounds cleverly developed Surrey Cup for the first time around a lake which hosts plenty of Recent progress In February 2020 wildlife as well as sailing and rowing. Aldro toured Cape Town for their first Boys at Aldro play cricket every day long-haul overseas tour since 2003 of the week maintaining a traditional Future plans The introduction of love of the sport, developing young girls at Aldro and their mainstream cricketers and hosting regular intersport in summer term will be cricket school fixtures on a strong prep school Tours 2020 senior tour to Cape circuit in Surrey Town, 2021 to Kent What sets the school apart? The Aldro Cricket Academy began in 2016. The purpose is to provide specialist cricket coaching during the winter months. This is when technical work is done in preparation for the new season. Joining the academy is completely voluntary. It is designed to meet the needs of really thecricketer.com | 119

TOP 50 PREP/JUNIOR SCHOOLS

AYSGARTH SCHOOL Bedale, North Yorkshire DL8 1TF Established 1877 Number of pupils 162 in prep, 60 in pre-prep Director of sport Alex Lane Professional Andrew Chadwick represented Yorkshire CCC as a junior and Academy player. James Alderson (U13A coach), represented Durham CCC as a junior and Academy player Teams 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, 4th XI, 5th XI, U12AB, U11ABCDE, U10AB, U9AB Girls’ cricket A boys’ only prep school, however core skills coached to girls in pre-prep Years 1-3 How has cricket bounced back The school won the St Peter’s 8-13 tournament in summer 2021 Post-pandemic changes As part of the Remote Aysgarth online offering boys were set the Kevin Pietersen Challenge. Each day they gave all pupils three courses for their games

programme and cricket featured heavily. They were still able to work on batting, bowling and fielding but, staying within the directives, the activities were admittedly very different to normal. Our pupils enjoyed the challenges and sharing with us the scores and levels that they reached. During the phased return of boarding pupils in Year 6 in June, cricket nets were a major part of the sport on offer Fixtures More than 100 fixtures played, including against St Peter’s, York 8–13 Facilities 4 indoor nets, 7 outdoor grass nets, 5 outdoor pitches Club/county affiliation The school regularly hosts age-group North Yorkshire matches and trials. Local clubs Crakehall, Newton-le-Willows and West Tanfield use the indoor nets each week from January to April. The Newton-le-Willows team play a match on the pitch during the summer and the school always host two Old Aysgarthian games, including

Director of sport Alex Lane

AYSGARTH SCHOOL

Harrow Wanderers Best prospect Oscar Firth (U13) is following in the footsteps of his older brother who has represented Yorkshire. He has been selected for the Yorkshire U10 squad after some outstanding performances for North Yorkshire U9 and U10s. Gersham Taibu, U12 wicketkeeper/batsman, is son of Zimbabwe’s Tatenda Taibu Brief history Cricket has been played in some form or another since the school was founded. Headmaster Frank Joy (1919-36) oversaw the building of a small pavilion with profits from the school tuck shop. In 1927 today’s pavilion was built to mark the school’s 50th anniversary Cultural cricketers Matthew Pinsent the Olympic rower, Jonathan Ruffer the philanthropist, and Robert Swan the polar explorer What sets the school apart? Fortunate to be nestled on the edge of the stunning Yorkshire Dales

surrounded by the most breathtaking scenery. The 1st XI square is at the heart of the school and is one of the most picturesque cricket pitches in the north. It is always fondly remembered by not only alumni but also by those who have visited for matches. School teas are famous and the atmosphere is always very jolly. The unique game of ‘COW’ is still the mainstay of school life and has been played for generations. Defensive shots have always been frowned upon and you have to hit lustily at every delivery. Batsmen are dismissed bowled or caught, either on the full or by one hand, one bounce. The aim of the batsman is to hit ‘a garden’ which involves belting the tennis ball over the high wall into the school rose garden Finest moment The great moments are listed on the honours board within the cricket pavilion Recent progress All players are given the opportunity to practise and represent the school. The sports team have put in a lot of time and effort into improving the quality of the fixture list, playing facilities in particular the inside nets Future plans The school are looking to continue to expand the depth of the coaching workforce, work hard on improving the quality of outfield squares and practice areas as well as strengthening the fixture list. All children to have the opportunity to attend the winter programme - just batting from October to December. Specialist coaching to engage all boys using the machine, and close skill practice Tours The 1st XI should have toured The Oratory Prep and Radley School, but sadly those fixtures were cancelled in 2021

www.aysgarthschool.com • admissions@aysgarthschool.co.uk • 01677 451021 120 | thecricketer.com

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TOP 50 PREP/JUNIOR SCHOOLS

BEAUDESERT PARK PREP SCHOOL Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire GL6 9AF Established 1908 Number of pupils 450 Master in charge Stuart Houghton Director of sport Johnny Griffiths Teams 32 teams (U8-U13 boys and girls) Girls’ cricket Is constantly developing and continues to be very popular. The stronger girls are now starting to play with a hard ball and some selected for county age group sides. Rounders is a distant memory How has cricket bounced back A full fixtures programme with a focus on as much participation as possible Post-pandemic changes Additional cricket was offered during the first half of the autumn term. There was also a big push for cricket over the 2021 Easter holidays ahead of the season with over 160 pupils attending a cricket camp. Beaudesert were able to run a normal season on the whole, but did not combine age groups as in previous years in order to keep pupils in year group bubbles Fixtures A packed fixture list with approximately 230 games. Most Wednesdays see every pupil in the school involved in a fixture. The major Saturday block fixtures are against Clifton, Pinewood and Cheltenham Facilities 2 indoor nets, 4 outdoor all-weather cricket nets, 2 grass nets, 4 squares and space for 11 matches at one time Club/county affiliation Frocester, Stroud and Cirencester. Many pupils play club, district and county cricket. The school hosts the annual weeklong Gloucestershire Cricket Board U10 District Festival Best prospect Herbie (now in Year 7) represented Gloucestershire U11s last year and is a fast bowling, big hitting allrounder with a bright future 122 | thecricketer.com

Brief history Cricket has been played for as long as the school has been at the current site (since 1918). The playing fields are a short trip across Minchinhampton Common. The school has traditionally played on a strong south-west circuit Cultural cricketers Nick Abendanon (Bath, Clermont and England) was a key player in the school’s 1st XI in the late 1990s. Olympic marathon runner Dan Robinson recently celebrated his 20th year as a coach What sets the school apart? No matter what team a child is in, they will receive a similar number of fixtures over the season and a fair exposure to high quality coaching. The excellent, fast-draining and incredibly well looked after sports fields on Minchinhampton Common stand out as one of the best sporting facilities around Finest moment Beaudesert 1st XI gained a place in the final and quarter-final of the IAPS Cup in recent seasons Recent progress U9 cricketers who missed out on their first cricket season in 2020 have more than caught up on lost time Future plans To redevelop the current net area to make it an ECB-accredited practice facility. Houghton is involved at Gloucestershire and Worcestershire CCC and is completing his Level 4 coaching qualification. His coaching expertise rubs off on pupils and staff, and links with the county set-up have been boosted

BEAUDESERT PARK PREP SCHOOL // BEDE’S PREP

BEDE’S PREP Duke’s Drive, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN20 7XL Established 1895 Number of pupils 400 Director of cricket Alan Wells (Sussex, Kent and England) supported by Neil Lenham (Sussex), Sarah Taylor (England), Petch Lenham Teams Boys U13ABCDE, U12AB, Girls U13A, B, C, D; Boys U12A, B ; Girls U12A, B; Boys U11A, B, C, D; Girls U11A, B, C; Boys U10A, B; Girls U10A; Boys U9A; Girls U9A; Boys U8A; Girls U8A; Years 3 and 4; Years 1 and 2; Reception Girls’ cricket Girls’ cricket has been offered for many years. Alongside running bespoke girls teams, girls are invited to represent the school in mixed teams. Girls’ cricket training takes place on Monday and Thursday evenings at the prep and senior schools respectively with additional fixtures, practice during games lessons and Saturday training How has cricket bounced back During lockdown, Bede’s Prep offered specialist training online in skills and strength and conditioning to allow them to stay involved and remain active. This, alongside providing extra hours of contact time, has made a huge difference. The school are delighted that the fixture list has not been curtailed Post-pandemic changes New junior academies throughout the prep school and an internal award scheme based on the development of skills. This will ensure that those pupils passionate about cricket will have the opportunity to access specialist training from an early age, building a strong foundation

Fixtures 1st and 2nd XI, A and B teams play 10 fixtures, plus cup fixtures. The most notable fixtures are Hurstpierpoint and Brighton College Facilities The prep school has four bespoke indoor nets, upgraded lighting and an external astroturf. Prep pupils also regularly use the senior facilities, including our 8 artificial nets, 6 indoor nets, 4 grounds, and specialist pavilion Club/county affiliation Sussex CCC and Eastbourne CC Best prospect Rudy Northcott (Year 7) is a batsman on the Sussex junior pathway Cricketers of note Sarah Taylor (England), Callum Jackson (Sussex and Kent), Ollie Rayner (Sussex and Middlesex), Luke Wells (Sussex and Lancashire), Joe Sarro (Sussex), Ali Orr (Sussex), Archie Lenham (Sussex and current Bede’s Senior School pupil) Brief history Three times national champions and have won the county cup multiple times over various age groups Cultural cricketers Eddie Izzard, Peter Cook What sets the school apart? A unique bespoke cricket programme for all, which is run all year round. We provide the best training and competitive opportunities for young cricketers of all levels, from participation to elite, and for boys and girls. The programme is run by ex-professional and international cricketers Finest moment Winning the U13 National Cup three times Recent progress The continued development of girls’ cricket, celebrating many youngsters going into the Sussex pathway, and providing extra hours of contact time with pupils post-pandemic to make up for lost time

BEDFORD PREPARATORY SCHOOL // BILTON GRANGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL

BEDFORD PREPARATORY SCHOOL De Parys Avenue, Bedford, Bedforshire MK40 2TU Established 1552 Number of pupils 450 Master in charge and professional Gary Steer (Derbyshire) Teams U13 ABCDEFG, U12 ABC, U11 ABCDE, U10 ABCD, U9 ABCDE, U8 ABCDE Girls’ cricket An all-boys’ school How has cricket bounced back Online cricket skills put on the school’s website for the boys to use at home Post-pandemic changes An intense winter coaching programme for the boys as well as Year 8 indoor cricket

BILTON GRANGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL

Dunchurch, Rugby, Warwickshire CV22 6QU Established 1873 Number of pupils 320 Master in charge Jonathan Allen Cricket professionals Nick Tester and Michael Powell (Warwickshire) Teams 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th XI (mixed gender), plus two teams for each age group, U8A&B (boys and girls) U9A&B (boys and girls) Colts ABCD (boys currently, working towards boys and girls) Girls’ cricket Is being integrated into each age group, starting at the youngest and oldest age groups. The pupils receive an element of choice with which summer sport to train and play in How has cricket bounced back Cricket lessons taught online

league to prepare them for the 2021 season. In the autumn term 2021/22 there were coaching sessions every lunchtime and internal 16-over matches played at Years 5, 6, 7 and 8 Fixtures Approximately 230 fixtures in the season with the most notable opponents being Caldicott, Stamford, Merchant Taylors’ Northwood, Haileybury, London Schools and various county teams Facilities 8 grass nets, 10 artificial nets, 6 indoor nets Club/county affiliation Bedfordshire Cricket, Bedfordshire Schools Cricket Association, Northamptonshire Best prospect Bedford Prep School has two outstanding young cricketers, who if they continue to develop,

via Microsoft Teams provided for all pupils Post-pandemic changes A full season of cricket was managed at Bilton Grange. Some live streaming of cricket matches has taken place Fixtures Between 10 and 12 fixtures with other schools as well as two section/house matches Facilities 8 grass wickets and 1 astroturf. 4 permanent outdoor nets, 2 indoor, 2 mobile. A large cricket pavilion with catering and changing facilities, 2 smaller pavilions and 2 seated shelters Club/county affiliation Affiliated to Warwickshire but have also had boys playing for Northants and Leicestershire age-groups. They have arranged fixtures against Rugby CC Cricketers of note Richard Montgomerie (Northamptonshire & Sussex). Mick Norman (Northants Actor Rupert Evans

could have very bright futures in the game. Danny Chapman is a top order batsman and also a frontline leg-spinner. For a boy of just 12, his leg-spin is very accurate and he has already demonstrated his talent with the bat, hitting a hundred in his first game for the school on tour in Cape Town. He plays his county cricket for Buckinghamshire but he has also been attending coaching sessions at Northamptonshire. Mustafa Haroon is also a top order batsman and leg spin bowler. He is a very natural batsman with plenty of scoring options and has the ability to spin the ball hard. He plays for Bedfordshire but attends coaching sessions at Northants Cricketers of note Alex Wakely, Emilio Gay, Charlie Thurston (all Northamptonshire), James Kettleborough (Northants, Glamorgan, Derbyshire) Brief history Cricket at the school began in 1886 but thanks to the emergence of Sir Alastair Cook and progress in recent summers Bedford School have cemented themselves as a real presence in schools cricket. They prevailed in the U17 tournament

in 2010 and again in 2014. Cook’s legacy also has a physical form, with the renovated pavilion named after the former England captain and record run-scorer What sets the school apart? Bedford Prep run an under-11 six-a-side festival every year which includes 12 teams, mainly prep schools, however Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire also enter teams. It has proved to be a real success with six matches taking place at one time, a very good standard of cricket and plenty of parents and siblings cheering the boys on from the side. The school usually runs masterclass sessions led by former first-class cricketers, however due to the pandemic, they have not been able to run them this year Finest moment Winning the IAPS national cup competition Recent progress The proudest moment was being able to get competitive cricket back on again at the school Tours Cape Town every two years, and were lucky enough to just get the tour in the year before the lockdown was in place

and Leics) was on the teaching staff, as was Jeff Tolchard (Leics) Brief history David Gower ran a session at Bilton Grange when he opened up the Sports Hall Cultural cricketers Sir Nicholas Winterton MP, actors Alex Hanson and Rupert Evans What sets the school apart? The Cryptics CC founded at Bilton Grange over 100 years ago. Their first-ever game was played against the Bilton Buccaneers, the staff team Finest moment Old Biltonian XI v an Old England XI including Douglas

Jardine, Percy Fender and Maurice Leyland, July 1947 Recent progress Pupils are taught all of the key skills of cricket in the delightful and generous surrounding at Bilton Grange Future plans Plans for a new cricket pavilion. In partnership with Rugby School, the use of state of the art technology and machinery to produce even higher quality squares and wickets. The generous gift of newly constructed covers by an Old Biltonian Tours Barbados coming up thecricketer.com | 123

Discover the Dragon An extraordinary day and boarding Prep School where boys and girls discover and develop their talents inside the classroom and beyond.

OPEN EVENTS We hold regular Headmaster’s Coffee Mornings and Open Morning’s. Please visit our website for the latest dates.

• The Dragon is proud to be in The Cricketer’s Top 50 and both boys and girls play cricket as their main summer sport • Full, weekly and flexi boarding options • Dragon QUEST enrichment programme To make an enquiry please contact the Admissions team on 01865 315 405 or admissions@dragonschool.org

www.rokebyschool.co.uk | 020 8936 7979 | admissions@rokeby.org.uk

Smart, Skilful and Kind

School bus service from Wimbledon, Putney, Southfields and Barnes

EST. 1898

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AN OUTSTANDING DAY & BOARDING SCHOOL FOR BOYS AND GIRLS AGED 7-13 IN THE HEART OF SURREY

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Dragon School, Bardwell Road, Oxford, OX2 6SS

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The best start for a brilliant future.

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BISHOP’S STORTFORD COLLEGE PREP // BRENTWOOD PREP

BISHOP’S STORTFORD COLLEGE PREP 10 Maze Green, Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire CM23 2PJ Established 1868 Number of pupils 505 Master in charge Dave Hughes Teams 36 teams in total comprising Boys: U13ABCD, U12ABCD, U11ABC, U10ABC, U19ABC. Girls U13ABCDEF, U12ABCD, U11ABCD, U10AB, U9ABC, plus other agegroup teams that do not have external fixtures Girls’ cricket All girls from U8 to U15 now do cricket for games as their main sport How has cricket bounced back A huge amount of work into ensuring all pupils had the best provision possible despite the restrictions. With more pupils than ever before taking part in cricket fixtures, when they were allowed, and training sessions run in bubble groups giving

more specialist coaching to a greater number of pupils Post-pandemic changes Bishop’s Stortford adapted their programme to accommodate the year group bubbles in training sessions and run more house matches in year groups. This allowed all pupils some competitive cricket before fixtures were allowed Fixtures 90 fixtures. Bedford, Haileybury and Felsted Facilities 3 main squares (senior school), 6 main squares (in the prep), 18 artificial outdoor nets, 2 mobile net cages, 2 indoor nets plus 10 shared training/match pitches Club/county affiliation Hertfordshire use the main school square for one and two-day representative matches. Bishop’s Stortford CC gives an opportunity for boys and girls to play high quality cricket. Dave Hughes is also head coach of the 1st XI at Bishop’s Stortford CC. Boys and girls play for Hertfordshire and Essex at various age-groups. Luke Humphrey of Herts

& Essex Cricket Centre and Old Stortfordian regularly holds training camps in the holidays and coaching sessions throughout the year. Essex academy head scout John Childs attends summer term fixtures Best prospect Eva Sanderson (Year 8 in 2020/21), plays for and captains Cambridgeshire CCC age-groups Cricketers of note Graham Doggart (Middlesex and MCC committee), CH Titchmarsh (MCC) Cultural cricketers Sir Stephen Lander, director-general of MI5 from 1996-2002 and former chairman of the UK Serious Organised Crime Agency, was a 1st XI cricketer. Andy Peebles, former Radio 1 DJ and Top of the Pops presenter in the 1980s What sets the school apart? The College offers sports scholarships and

talented players an elite cricket programme throughout the off-season. Three practice sessions per week are complemented by tailored strength and conditioning programmes for all individuals involved. Regular overseas 1st XI pre-season tours to Cape Town (last during Easter 2018). The Doggart Pavilion was opened in 1933 - noted for its modern architectural style was presented by the Doggart family. The 1st XI outfield is one of the best in the region, having been used for international hockey matches until the 1970s Finest moment The College was the first UK school to tour Sri Lanka, in 1985/86, and played in the inaugural Sir Garfield Sobers International Cricket Schools Festival in Barbados Recent progress The progress and speed of uptake of girls’ cricket at the College. The fixtures list is constantly growing. This is in part be due to the investment made in new and upgraded cricket facilities and the endorsement for the quality of our main square given by former Lord’s groundsman Mick Hunt Tours Cape Town 2022

main site. 3 hardball pitches spanning over 3 sites with 4 junior softball pitches and access to an astroturf. Partnership with Brentwood CC gives access to 2 outdoor nets and an extra senior pitch Club/county affiliation Brentwood CC. A partnership with Essex CCC Academy where the school access coaches in return for them accessing facilities for county age groups Best prospect Freddie Wagner, aged 10. A tremendous talent. Technically very sound with the bat who at such a young age can pick up a bowler’s length and then determine the correct shot selection. Aggressive seam bowler with good pace Cricketers of note Rishi Patel, Kishen Velani, Robin Das (all Essex)

Brief history Brentwood has been successful at all levels with many teams winning county cups and reaching latter stages of national competitions. Across all age groups always good representation in the county’s development programme Cultural cricketers Frank Lampard and Jack Straw MP What sets the school apart? An excellent and very popular winter academy with Essex pros coming in to coach Finest moment 2018 and 2019 v Essex Development U10 squad victory for the Prep team which saw virtually every pupil make a contribution in a 25-over match Recent progress Provision for every pupil, irrespective of ability, to find a love of the sport,thereby instilling a lifelong passion for the game Future plans To start hosting their own festivals both for feeder schools in Year 5 and an IAPS girls’ festival. To build a new cricket indoor centre on the main school site together with batting lanes/cage of the Prep site. More girls’ opportunities Tours Plans for Holland in 2022

BRENTWOOD PREP Middleton Hall Lane, Brentwood, Essex, CM15 8EE Established 1892 Number of pupils 589 Master in charge Les Wingrove Professional Jaik Mickleburgh (Essex) Teams Boys U11ABCD, U10ABCD, U9ABCD, U8ABCD. 6 or 8 a side at younger age-groups Girls’ cricket Since its introduction four years ago, a steady increase in participation and selection of pupils into Essex girls’ development programme. Indoor cricket girls’-only practice during the winter. Girls are invited to the winter academy where they receive high-quality coaching from coaches including Essex captain Kelly Castle. They enter the IAPS girls’ comp and local festivals How has cricket bounced back Zoom with some additional online exercises. Most younger age groups were underprepared or had lost various skill-sets Post-pandemic changes The

school hired a county development pathway coach, Eddie Ballard (ECB Level 3). Partnership with Chance to Shine adding additional support to Key Stage 1/2 pupils. Year 2/KS1 introducing fun skills and formats Fixtures Across four age groups and two genders the school hoped for approximately 100 fixtures in 2021. Owing to various factors these were reduced enormously. The highest profile fixture is the annual Essex CCC Academy U10 development teams vs the school’s U11As, hosted on Open Morning Facilities Access to indoor sports hall at the senior school with 4 nets as well as a local indoor cricket centre with 3 nets. Outdoor facility with 6 nets as well as 2 roll-on nets is based on the

thecricketer.com | 125

TOP 50 PREP/JUNIOR SCHOOLS

BRIGHTON COLLEGE NURSERY, PRE-PREP AND PREP SCHOOL Brighton, East Sussex BN2 0AL Established 1845 Number of pupils 500-plus Master in charge Edward Hopkins Professional Mark Davis (Sussex) Teams 20 boys and 18 girls teams at U8, U9, U10, U11, U12 and U13 Girls’ cricket Primarily this year for the first time, cricket lessons, either hardball or softball, have been mixed. Brighton do run U8–U13 girls’ teams, while girls also join in the boys’ teams to access more regular hardball experience as appropriate How has cricket bounced back The pupils seem keener than ever to be playing in school, at their clubs and with their friends Post-pandemic changes Pupils still

able to access the ‘cricket at home’ resources through the online learning portal Firefly. These include recorded YouTube tutorials from specialist coaches focusing on the technical, tactical, mental and physical aspects of the game Fixtures 110-120 fixtures a season. Bede’s Prep, St Andrew’s Prep, Westbourne House, Cumnor House (Sussex), Hurstpierpoint College Prep, Ardingly College Prep Facilities Outdoors: 12 astroturf nets, 2 grass squares, 1 astro wicket. The

BRIGHTON COLLEGE NURSERY, PRE-PREP AND PREP SCHOOL

school often hire pitches at local clubs and the council. 4 bowling machines. Indoors: the School of Science and Sport opened in January 2020 has 4 cricket nets and space for fielding practice inside the sports hall and also a new specific 3-lane cricket gallery in the basement Club/county affiliation Sussex Best prospect William Davis (U13), Sophia Kilburn (U13), Seb Kilburn (U11), Ethan Taites (U10) Cricketers of note Sammy Woods (Somerset & England), Matt Prior, Matt Machan, Carl Hopkinson, Joe Gatting, Jordan Rollins, Michael Thornley, Neil Lenham (all Sussex), Malcolm Waller (Zimbabwe), Bazid Khan (Pakistan), Clare Connor, Holly Colvin, Sarah Taylor, Laura Marsh, Freya Davies (England Women) Brief history Cricket is the major summer sport for boys and girls. The college is proud to be have been instrumental in developing competitive cricket for girls and has produced national players in both the women’s and the men’s game. The aim is to inspire a lifelong love of the game Cultural cricketers Clare Connor – a true pioneer in women’s cricket. Connor captained England, has been the longstanding ECB managing director of women’s cricket and is now MCC president. At Brighton College she was the first girl to play in the school 1st XI. Sammy Woods played Test cricket for both England and Australia and rugby for England 13 times, five as captain What sets the school apart?

Head of boys’ games Edward Hopkins

Brighton College is the most successful school for girls’ cricket in the country, with a track record of producing England players Finest moment That pupils continue to play the game after leaving at their appropriate level, from grassroots to the national team Recent progress Girls’ cricket further embedded as a core sport. Consolidation of the progressive programme from Year 1 through to Year 8. The increase in number of pupils that have engaged in the All Stars and Dynamos programmes at their local clubs and also the number of pupils that been selected into the Sussex Pathway. The College specialist staff working with the Prep School to provide their expertise throughout the academic year. Pupils encouraged to transition to hardball cricket Future plans The Home Ground on the main site is about to be relaid to incorporate a square for the College 1st XI and also two adjacent colts sized pitches allowing for further possibilities for hosting festivals and finals days. The re-launch of the winter programme to assist the most gifted, talented and passionate cricketers Tours The Prep plan to introduce a boys and girls cricket tour in the future next year restrictions allowing

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TOP 50 PREP/JUNIOR SCHOOLS

BROMSGROVE PREPARATORY SCHOOL // CALDICOTT PREPARATORY SCHOOL

BROMSGROVE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Worcester Road, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire B61 7DU Established 1553 Number of pupils 553 Masters in charge Dave Fallows (director of cricket), Chris Munn, Jamie Thornely, Alex Lane (outgoing) Teams Boys: U13ABCDEF, U12ABCED, U11ABCD, U10ABCD, U9ABCD, U8ABCD; Girls: U13AB, U12AB, U11ABC, U10ABC Girls’ cricket This summer Bromsgrove launched the first summer of girls’ cricket – playing in competitive matches and regular games afternoons. Winter nets have proved very popular with the girls How has cricket bounced back The boys have been playing twice a week against some of the best schools in the country. The boys’ teams reached all three county cup finals for the U11 to U13 age groups. We are always looking to promote local clubs in the local area so the children can get additional coaching outside of school

Post-pandemic changes Every child≈at the prep school (boys) represented the school in at least one cricket match this summer. The majority of the girls have represented the school at pairs cricket and numbers will continue to increase Fixtures In 2020, more than 200 fixtures for boys and girls’ cricket. The Elms, Downs Malvern, Trent College, Foremarke Hall Repton, Monmouth, RGS Worcester, King’s Worcester, Dean Close, Beaudesert, Dragon School and Cheltenham Prep. The school hosts the ESCA U11 8-a-side Hardball competition for Worcestershire. U12 County Cup

Facilities 4 squares, 8-lane indoor arena, 2 additional sports hall with 4 lanes in, and a 5-lane outdoor cricket facility Club/county affiliation Bromsgrove CC, Warwickshire, Worcestershire Best prospect William Broadhurst and Flynn Dathan (Worcs U13), Seth Benjamin, Alfie Higgins, Henry Greaves, Logan Ingram, Ruby Broadhurst, Madison Falconer and Sammy Riley (Worcs U12) Cricketers of note Tom Banton (Somerset & England), Ben Cox (Worcestershire) Brief history Christopher Cobham, 12th Viscount Cobham, inherited the family seat Hagley Hall in 2006. The Lyttelton family (although not alumni) has been associated with Bromsgrove School for many years. On August 26 1867, the Lyttelton XI, a cricket team composed of 11

members of the Lyttelton family, played a match against Bromsgrove School at Hagley Park and won by 10 wickets Cultural cricketers England rugby players Andy Goode, Ben Foden and Matt Mullan What sets the school apart? Worcestershire 2nd XI have played some fixtures at Bromsgrove School. Warwickshire and Worcestershire CCC played junior matches here Finest moment Banton scoring 238 in a Bunbury Cup match, June 2012. They have won the U12 County Cup five times out of the last six years. National Bunbury Cup runners-up at U13 level in 2015 Recent progress The introduction of pairs cricket as the major game for girls in the summer term. Bromsgrove start winter nets training in September right through until the start of the season. Last season they won the U13 County Cup final against King’s School, Worcester. Despite the strength of the fixture list the prep school won 62 per cent in 2019 Future plans Very excited about introducing hardball for the U13A girls

Brief history Cricket has traditionally always been a part of the life and culture of the school. It is not uncommon to see numerous games of cricket being played at breaktimes throughout the day. The school are blessed to have an extremely good Main Square which for many years has been their pride and joy. They have also introduced many famous ex-players to Caldicott for memorable cricketing dinners with the likes of Curtly Ambrose, Garfield Sobers, Gordon Greenidge, Colin Cowdrey, Denis Compton, Yuvraj Singh and Mike Atherton Cultural cricketers Sir Tom Stoppard played on the main field when son Ed was skipper. Old boy Oli Broom cycled from Lord’s to Brisbane

for the 2010/11 Ashes and wrote the book Cycling to the Ashes. Dennis Silk and Hubert Doggart were also regulars on the boundary What sets the school apart? With excellent coaching and regular games time they are able to provide Caldicott boys with the opportunity to develop and grow as cricketers. It doesn’t matter whether a boy is playing for the 9th XI or the 1st XI Finest moment Touring South Africa in 2017 and beating the likes of Bishops, SACS, Western Province Prep then returning to the UK and winning the National 20/20 Cup Recent progress The way boys and staff managed to stay motivated Future plans Update the Main Pavilion Tours With biannual cricket tours to South Africa, the competition among staff and boys to get on the tour is fierce which means they are able to train all year round. Having missed out on an opportunity to tour this year, they managed to take U13A and U13B teams to Taunton and Bristol for a mini-tour. They were looking to tour the UAE in October if allowed and then hopefully Cape Town in 2023

CALDICOTT PREPARATORY SCHOOL Crown Lane, Farnham Royal, Bucks SL2 3SL

Established 1904 Number of pupils 240 Master in charge Terrence Zengerink Professional Lissy McLeod (Sunrisers and Welsh Fire) Teams 9 U12 and U13, 4 U11, 3 U10, 4 U9, 2 U8 How has cricket bounced back The prospect of external competition again was a great opportunity to get all the boys motivated and instilling camaraderie. The highlight was being able to see friends from other schools Post-pandemic changes Fortunate in being able to follow a similar programme to the past. What did change for the good was the way the school structured their fixtures and stuck to year group bubbles which made last-minute changes far easier Fixtures 205 matches scheduled, which included 13 block fixtures against other schools. Caldicott also have several internal fixtures as well 128 | thecricketer.com

as a competitive house competition. The highlight of the season is no doubt the final of the CPL (Caldicott Premier League). This is made up of all U12 & U13 boys in the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th XIs Facilities 6 outdoor nets, 4 indoor nets, 2 squares, 4 artificial pitches, 2 outfield pitches, astroturf Club/county affiliation Middlesex, Buckinghamshire, Surrey, Hampshire Best prospect Joe Coomber (U11) is a consistent performer with the bat and has an excellent cricketing brain. He is currently also playing for Bucks age-groups. Rory Hughes (U9) Cricketers of note Andrew Strauss (Middlesex & England), Fabian Cowdrey (Kent & Glamorgan), Jack Rogers, Alex Shoff (USA U19)

CARGILFIELD SCHOOL // CHEAM SCHOOL

CARGILFIELD SCHOOL 45 Gamekeeper’s Road, Edinburgh EH4 6HU Established 1873 Number of pupils 300 Masters in charge David Walker (assistant headmaster), Ewan Harrison Teams 9, from U9 up to U13 Girls’ cricket The school offers girls’ teams from U11 upwards and mixed teams at U9 and U10 level. Girls in Years 7 and 8 are able to play in boys’ teams too on merit. A girl captained the U11 boys’ cricket team for the very first time this summer How has cricket bounced back The school played cricket throughout the 2020 Autumn Term, using the newly built 4-lane all-weather facility, with all age groups playing which was brilliant. In the Summer Term, the emphasis has been on enjoyment, skill development and rekindling a love of the game Post-pandemic changes More opportunities for girls to play cricket, both on their own and with the boys. Introduction of girls’ cricket matches against other schools and also stronger links with The Grange CC, the top cricket club in Edinburgh, with lots of children attending coaching sessions there at the weekends and playing fixtures with them, under the watchful and expert eye of John Blain, former Yorkshire and Scotland seamer Fixtures All teams play at least 10 matches in the summer term, with the 1st XI playing 14 or 15, including a triangular 15/15 festival with Sedbergh and Merchiston and also taking part in the Glenalmond 6-a-side cricket tournament Facilities 4-lane all weather, floodlight outdoor facility, bowling machine, 2 grass squares, 2 indoor nets allowing cricket to be played all year round

Club/county affiliation Scotland, The Grange CC Best prospect Rory Grant has just won a sports scholarship to Rugby School. He was named Grange young player of the year last year, scoring a debut hundred at the counties festival at Shrewsbury School and is part of the Grange Academy squad and Easter Knights U15 team Cricketers of note Tom Sole (Northants & Scotland), Chris Sole (Scotland) Brief history Cargilfield has a round cricket history and has played the game since its foundation in 1873, and has been at the forefront of developing young players ever since with a large number going on to play at 1st XI level at the top cricketing schools across the UK as well as at international level for Scotland Cultural cricketers Lord Younger (former defence secretary) What sets the school apart? The boys and girls play cricket 12 months a year, with winter nets starting in September and running through to April. As a standalone prep school, the school have first call on outstanding facilities and first-class coaching Finest moment Playing the game according to the Spirit of Cricket and producing skilled players who have a love of the game. Winning the annual triangular Sedbergh/Merchiston/ Cargilfield festival is always a highlight of the season Recent progress Introduction and embedding girls’ cricket in to our summer sports programme for all our girls whatever their ability, with last year’s head of school, a girl, scoring a fifty for Oundle in her first year there Future plans Continuing to embed the girls’ cricket programme, upskill female staff and provide opportunities for all players to play club cricket. Use the newly built 4-lane all-weather outdoor net facility properly this winter

CHEAM SCHOOL Headley, Newbury, Berkshire RG19 8LD Established 1645 Number of pupils 395 Master in charge Dominic Pike Teams Boys: 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, 4th XI, 5th XI, U11ABC, U10ABC, U9ABC, U8ABC; Girls: 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, 4th XI, U11ABC, U10ABC, U9AB, U8AB Girls’ cricket Offered across the school. At 1st XI and U11A XIs, hardball has been introduced, with all other teams playing softball matches How has cricket bounced back The nets were back in full swing, pupils walking down the corridors honing their off drives or bowling actions, and a real buzz as the pupils run out to the games pitches. It is arguably more popular than ever, with the addition of the girls Post-pandemic changes The programme has become more inclusive. Occasional softball matches added for certain teams Fixtures A full programme of boys and girls’ fixtures, with the intention for all to play as often as possible. Each team play approximately 10 fixtures per term, with more likely at the top end. Cheam’s matches against Pinewood and Farleigh are a great chance to get almost 30 teams out in a full block fixture Facilities 8 hardball wickets, 1 artificial wicket and 11 separate wickets currently used for softball cricket. 9 artificial nets and 3 grass wicket batting cages, 2 bowling machines. The full-size astroturf is also used for some girls’ cricket practice sessions and matches at the younger end of the school Club/county affiliation Berkshire, Hampshire, Middlesex and clubs Cricketers of note Rupert Cox (Hampshire)

Brief history There are few better sights than the view from the sundial, across the manicured Cheam grounds, and seeing children honing their cricketing skills. Enthusiastic and knowledgeable coaches ensure that the boys and girls are given the opportunity to improve their own individual technique, learn about the many tactics of the game as well as building a strong team spirit and sense of fair play and sportsmanship. Pupils have at least three games sessions per week and the extensive facilities are in seemingly constant use Cultural cricketers Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Ivo Bligh (England’s first Ashes-winning captain) What sets the school apart? Pupils enjoy receiving mini-bats for scores of 50-plus, five-wicket hauls or memorable moments in matches. In the boys and girls 1st XI, pupils can receive their 1st XI Cap once they have scored 100-plus runs or taken 10-plus wickets Finest moment Cheam U13s tour Cape Town every two years, and on the most recent tour produced a number of impressive displays. The 15 pupils also managed to raise £10,000, split between the Red Cross Children’s Hospital, Cape Town, Yabonga Children’s Charity and Sport4kids, a charity who look after disadvantaged children in the Western Cape Recent progress The introduction of girls’ cricket has been important. The new, purpose-built 5-lane cricket net facility has had hours of use already Future plans U10s upwards to compete in an external competition/ festival each season. Winter Monday evening nets start in September Tours Cheam have toured Cape Town every two years since 2004, the latest in February 2019. They hope to be able to provide an overnight U11 tour in the UK each year too thecricketer.com | 129

TOP 50 PREP/JUNIOR SCHOOLS

CLAYESMORE PREP SCHOOL

Master in charge Tom Manley

CLAYESMORE PREP SCHOOL Iwerne Minster, Blandford Forum, Dorset DT11 8LL Established 1937 Number of pupils 160 Masters in charge Tom Manley, Simon Porter Professional Dan Conway (Herefordshire) is head of cricket throughout the prep and senior schools Teams Boys: U13AB, U12AB, U11, U10; Girls: U13AB, U12AB, U11, U10; Mixed: U9, U8 Girls’ cricket Under Debbie Spokes (head of girls’ games) girls’ cricket has grown exponentially since its introduction in 2017. It continues to be the major sport for girls in the summer term with weekly block fixtures for all girls. Girls are also able to play boys teams and play mixed fixtures at U8 and U9. In collaboration with two other

schools in the area, Clayesmore have organised an entirely mixed block of cricket fixtures from U10-U13 How has cricket bounced back When pupils returned in September 2020, the main sport of focus was cricket for the first four weeks. This allowed pupils to redevelop their skills and experience cricket after missing out in summer 2020, before the winter development programme. During the second lockdown in spring 2021, Clayesmore put together a cricket performance virtual Google Classroom: weekly skills practices for pupils to do at home, flexibility training, masterclasses, a weekly meet with staff to discuss progress and a personalised training log for pupils. This concluded with a virtual Q&A with England’s Fran Wilson

Post-pandemic changes Clayesmore continue to use Google Classroom as a platform. The introduction of the personalised winter training log gave pupils focus to improve in the off season Fixtures 100 boys, girls and mixed matches each summer (apart from 2020). Port Regis and Sandroyd. The Parents v Pupils match takes place in leaving week for Year 8 Facilities 2 squares on both the prep school and senior school site. 6 grass nets at the prep school, with another 8 at the senior school. Clayesmore also has access to the village cricket pitch if required. There is also an allweather astro. 4 indoor nets Club/county affiliation Dorset CC, Bournemouth CC and Shroton CC Best prospect U13A girls and U12A boys have collected silverware at county level Cricketers of note Lewis McManus (Hampshire), Jamie Price (Dorset) Brief history Cricket was first played at the original site at Chalton Marshall in the 1930s. One of the highlights of summer was the Staff v 1st XI cricket match which included assistant matrons coerced into playing. These matches were watched by the entire school and included a challenge of trying to hit a six over the train embankment. In May 1985 Darren Stones took 10 for 33 against Perrott

clayesmore.com

Hill and in 1998 Ben McHardie-Jones 9 for 2 against All Hallows Cultural cricketers Tony Hart (TV presenter), Brian Epstein (The Beatles manager), Aadel Kardooni (Leicester and England rugby), Rob Hill (England and GB hockey player) What sets the school apart? The Sport for All ethos at Clayesmore is not just a strapline: every boy and girl in the prep school from U8 through to U13 will be involved in as many as six cricket fixtures during the summer term. Each pupils is inspired to take a full part in the match, hoping to inspire lifelong attachment to cricket Finest moment In 2017, the U13A boys claimed county cup success Recent progress A Gamification and DVGA approach to coaching cricket, which allowed pupils to plan and replan strategy, solve and set problems for opponents and identify what information they need to progress. This initiative developed not only ‘good players’ but also ‘good learners’. Clayesmore also developed a partnership with the world-renowned Functional Movement Systems team, helping build physical literacy skills. It allowed all pupils to enjoy cricket, even the pupils who at the start of year highlighted “I do not like cricket”. This approach helped achieve 100 per cent participation across all levels of cricket in the prep school Future plans A revamped Prep School pavilion and brand new state of the art artificial net facility were due to open on the senior school site in summer 2021. The introduction of a new LEX co-curricular programme should give more flexibility and time to further improve the winter cricket programme Tours South West England in 2022

Admissions: 01747 813 111 • admissions@clayesmore.com Prep admissions: Terhi Seuna-McMillan – terhi@clayesmore.com 130 | thecricketer.com

WE DON’T LIKE CRICKET,

WE LOVE IT!

We are delighted to be awarded Top 50 cricketing schools for 2022. Congratulations to our talented cricketers and coaching staff.

01747 813 111 • Email: admissions@clayesmore.com

TOP 50 PREP/JUNIOR SCHOOLS

COTHILL HOUSE // COTTESMORE SCHOOL

COTHILL HOUSE Cothill, Oxfordshire OX13 6JL Established 1870 Number of pupils 192 Master in charge James Foster Cricket professionals Alex Kidd, Robbie Williams (Middlesex) Teams 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, 4th XI, 5th XI, 6th XI, 7th XI, 8th XI, U11ABCD, U10ABCD, U9AB How has cricket bounced back A pre-season camp open for all boys to attend, from the U13s all the way to U9s. This was an opportunity to enjoy a couple of days’ activities, focused around cricket. Cothill brought in some external coaches, as well as using staff members’ expertise to deliver fun and enjoyable sessions for all levels. The school have a number of overseas boys who join with a low base skill-set for cricket. The skills development programme, and adaptations of the game, make the game accessible and enjoyable. The variations on the game certainly make it easier to coach for the lower ability coaches Post-pandemic changes Live streaming of 1st and 2nd XI matches

COTTESMORE SCHOOL Buchan Hill, Pease Pottage, West Sussex RH11 9AU Established 1894 Number of pupils 200 Master in charge Andy Walker Teams 15 Girls’ cricket The major sport for girls. Due to the spike in popularity, the school are breaking ground to create a pitch specifically for girls How has cricket bounced back Through a feeling of cricket mania, encouraged by the school. The nets have been full and buzzing every evening, as Cottesmore is a boarding school. It has been the perfect sport to start with after the full release from lockdowns. Cottesmore made the decision to play cricket during the winter term when the children returned, and have continued to play each day since. Each child in the school plays cricket every afternoon. They have also made the decision to invest £200,000 in a new pitch to increase on-site provision Post-pandemic changes Over the 132 | thecricketer.com

state school U11 side Best prospect Jack Cannon is an allrounder with fantastic commitment and attitude. He plays for Oxfordshire CCC and is a prospect for a Sports Scholarship at Cheltenham College. August Ringdal is an exciting bowling prospect Cricketers of note Charlie van der Gucht (Hampshire) What sets the school apart? The beautiful grounds which stage cricket played in the right spirit. For parents, Pimm’s is offered out at tea-time. Variations on the game (pairs, pyramids, 8-a-side etc) are implemented to ensure everyone can be involved Finest moment In 2000, Eton and Harrow were captained by old Cothill boys at Lord’s, as David Ferreira and Luke Rougemont led the teams Recent progress Four years ago Cothill had no boys playing county age-group cricket; now they have six and are geared up to more in future Future plans A new sports hall will allow the school to take cricket indoors more often in the winter. Improving links with Oxfordshire CCC and local clubs and schools

at Cothill. The school introduced a T20 coloured strip for the 1st XI. They looked really smart, and stood out on the circuit Fixtures Around 150 this year. The most notable was against Summer Fields, where Cothill were able to get every boy out playing in a school match, but more importantly it was also the first match back after two years. Ludgrove and Caldicott are also very important fixtures Facilities 16 outdoor nets, 8 grass nets, 8 concrete nets, which are floodlit in the winter and assisted

with 4 bowling machines. Matches take place on 9 beautiful wickets around 26-acre grounds, with 2 cricket pavilions, each with their own scoreboxes. There is 1 giant electric scoreboard. The weather was atrocious in May, but the groundsmen expertly kept everything going and the school only lost one block to rain Club/county affiliation Oxfordshire, who selected six Cothill boys for their A squad this year. The boys range from U10s to U13s. We also have an annual fixture against Oxfordshire Bulls, a talented local

last 18 months Cottesmore employed some fantastic cricket coaches, including females, who are integral to the dynamic cricket culture. Due to the restrictions, each year group play in separate bubbles. This has enhanced camaraderie and enabled girls to play with the boys; the decision to have mixed teams was born. Three girls on sports scholarships play in the boys 2nd XI Fixtures A ‘Cottesmore Sixes’

silence from the spectators tournament which is and coaches. After a swift fast-paced and hard turnaround Cottesmore fought. The 1st XI play up proceeded to bowl to 12 fixtures. Windlesham, Mowden out for 5! Brambletye and Cranleigh Finest moment Many at the Cottesmore Sixes. All other teams enjoy a least an Master in charge overseas tours over the Andy Walker past 25 years. A defining 8-game fixture card moment was beating the Facilities 7 grass squares. Zayed Academy in Abu Dhabi, under The 1st XI square has 10 strips. 7 floodlights, in a 40-over game. cricket nets. Cottesmore recently Walker asked some umpires (who invested in a new state-of-the-art were hanging about) if they would electronic scoreboard, made by umpire the match for £15. They Durant Cricket, for the 1st XI pitch obliged – it turns out they were the Club/county affiliation Roffey CC international umpires checking out and Horsham CC are feeder clubs for the ground for an England game the Sussex. The school has a number of next day children play on the county circuit Recent progress Strong introduction Best prospect George Bamford and take-up of girls’ cricket. Breaking (U11), a genuine allrounder and colts ground for the creation of a new U13s captain, who plays for both Horsham pitch and square, £200,000 invested CC and Sussex age-groups Brief history Cricket has had a strong Future plans Begun outreach to local pros with an invitation to presence at Buchan Hill since the contribute towards a cricket-packed school relocated around 75 years day of training ago. It is one of the five main summer Tours Previous highlights include sports played by all boys and girls UAE 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014 and a What sets the school apart? Jamaica tour. Planning a tour for Cottesmore were once bowled out spring 2022 for 7, which was met with stunned

CRANMORE SCHOOL

CRANMORE SCHOOL Epsom Road, West Horsley, Surrey KT24 6AT Established 1968 Number of pupils 430 Master in charge Antony Down Teams 26 teams from U8 to U13 level Girls’ cricket Cranmore went coeducational in 2016. The oldest girls are currently in Year 5 and the school run two teams at this level. Girls in Year 3 play mixed matches with the boys against other schools How has cricket bounced back During the lockdown cricketspecific drills were available online to all pupils. Matches resumed in the second week of term and each age group enjoyed a full fixture list Post-pandemic changes More use of online coaching to supplement face to face teaching. Apart from some logistical challenges with teas and transport it ran as before Fixtures 150 matches – most notable against Rokeby School where over a week in May, 150 pupils play in 15 games

Facilities 4 grounds on the school site to host matches. 5 full-length indoor nets normally allow an extensive winter programme including use of 3 bowling machines. New artificial nets planned to replace previous grass nets Club/county affiliation Cranmore hosts Surrey age-group training. Strong ties and facility-sharing with Horsley & Send CC and Guildford CC Cricketers of note Nick Peters (Surrey) Brief history Cricket commenced at Cranmore under the watchful eye of Hartley Bishop. He was responsible for the building of the sports hall in 1984. The outstanding

facility (providing 5 nets) meant Cranmore became well known for hosting ‘Nescafe Courses’ and county age group training. Many coaches received their education at Cranmore as the centre for ECB Level 1 and 2 courses in the county. A large number of pupils have represented district or county age group sides and have benefitted from receiving coaching from pros such as Adam Hollioake and Alex Tudor Cultural cricketers Actor Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter) What sets the school apart? The game ‘Cranmore Cricket’ is still used in coaching sessions throughout the

county today. Designed for use in schools and featuring in educational guides, it allows a game to be played in a shorter format during lesson time with all able to participate Finest moment Winning the Surrey Prep Schools Cup several times at both U11 and U13 Recent progress The promotion of girls’ cricket Future plans Maximise the new Effingham Cricket Development Centre, which opened in September Tours Major tours every two years. Proposed tour to St Lucia and the annual West Country tour were postponed in both 2020 and 2021

AN ACADEMIC BOARDING PREP SCHOOL FOR GIRLS & BOYS ON THE BORDER OF SURREY & SUSSEX Shrewsbury House School is an outstanding IAPS Independent Prep School for boys aged 7–13 located in Surbiton, Surrey. With a superb academic record, committed staff, small class sizes and dedicated pastoral care, every boy has the opportunity to fulfil his potential. Shrewsbury House School has a national reputation for success in Scholarships and Awards to top day and boarding Senior Schools at 13+.

‘PREP SCHOOL OF THE YEAR’ TATLER SCHOOLS AWARDS 2020/21 BUCHAN HILL, PEASE POTTAGE, WEST SUSSEX, RH11 9AU ADMISSIONS@COTTESMORESCHOOL.COM 01293 520648 | WWW.COTTESMORESCHOOL.COM

registrar@shstrust.net

shrewsburyhouse.net

020 8399 3066

TOP 50 PREP/JUNIOR SCHOOLS

CUMNOR HOUSE SCHOOL FOR BOYS 168 Pampisford Road, South Croydon, Surrey CR2 6DA

Established 1931 Number of pupils 260 Master in charge Ryan Brotherton Teams Boys: U13ABC, U11ABCD, U10ABCD, U9ABC, U8ABCD, U7, U6, Development team, Barbados touring team Girls’ cricket At the girls’ school How has cricket bounced back Two-week cricket trial before the Easter break. Practice matches, full set of competitive fixtures, a 6-a-side tournament, Saturday morning practice for Year 1 and 2 boys Post-pandemic changes 100 ball game (10 overs of 10 balls), in which everyone bowls. Internal fixtures on a Saturday morning Fixtures 150 fixtures in total. The most prestigious at each age-group are U8: SHS; U9: The New Beacon;

CUMNOR HOUSE SCHOOL FOR BOYS

U10: Feltonfleet; U11: King’s College School, Wimbledon; U13: The Worth Facilities 2 cricket squares, 4 pitches, 8 Astro nets Club/county affiliation Surrey. Clubs with close links are Sanderstead CC, Purley CC, Croydon CC, Old Whitgiftians CC, Trinity MidWhitgiftians CC, Banstead CC, Sutton CC Best prospect Ishaan Bhat (U11) is an opening batsman and medium fast swing bowler. Has played school U13 cricket at the age of 10 and represents Surrey CCC age-groups Cricketers of note Mark Butcher (Surrey & England), Gary Butcher (Surrey), David Sales (Northants), Alistair Brown (Surrey & England), Scott Newman (Surrey & Middlesex) are among those to have come through the school Brief history The fundamentals of cricket are introduced in Years 1 and 2, then boys start competitive fixtures in Year 3. From Year 3, the boys are introduced to hardball practices and fixtures. In most year groups the school fields four teams and the A teams take part in several tournaments as well as annual cricket tours. The majority of the school’s ABC team players play for club, county district or full county agegroup teams. Many pupils go on to Whitgift School, Croydon Cultural cricketers Elliot Daly (Wasps, Saracens & England rugby) was head boy in 2003 and represented Surrey CCC at school boy level. Former England captain Chris Robshaw (Harlequins & San Diego Legion) also came through the school What sets the school apart? As

Master in charge Ryan Brotherton the school has its dedicated sports ground it has the ability to host dozens of fixtures. It also benefits from very strong ties with Surrey CCC. There is a strong cricket culture on the playground. In total there are nine cricket coaches, five of whom are 1st XI players at club level. They also have Parents v Teachers practice and matches Finest moment Cumnor House have claimed plenty of silverware over the years. 2016, 2017, 2018 U13 Surrey Cup Winners, 2017, 2018 IAPS National Finalists, 2014, 2015, 2016 U11 Surrey Cup winners. 2018 U11 National Finalists Recent progress Getting every pupil safely back to competitive cricket. U11 2021 Cumnor House School six-a-side tournament winners U11s in 2021 won ESCA Surrey Cricket Cup 8 A-Side, ESCA South of England Cricket Cup 8 A-Side, Surrey Prep Schools Cricket Cup, ECSA National Cricket Cup Future plans Encourage all boys to participate at local club level Tours There were five overseas tours in seven years before the pandemic. A Barbados tour is planned for 2022, safety permitting

0208 660 3445 • admissions@cumnorhouse.com • www.cumnorhouse.com 134 | thecricketer.com

8923

Leading the way. The Cumnor Way.

Nursery to Prep School 2 – 13 Years

Contact Admissions: 020 8660 3445 admissions@cumnorhouse.com 89239 The Cricketer.indd 1

06/10/2021 15:21

TOP 50 PREP/JUNIOR SCHOOLS CUMNOR HOUSE, SUSSEX London Road, Danehill, Haywards Heath RH17 7HT Established 1931 Number of pupils 270 Masters in charge Ben Chapman, Caroline Park Teams 26 boys’ and girls’ teams from U8–U13 Girls’ cricket CHS started playing girls’ cricket in 2015 and since 2016 it has been the main summer sport for all pupils. They were the driving force in the south-east to encourage other

DOWNSEND SCHOOL 1 Leatherhead Road, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 8TJ Established 1897 Number of pupils 716 Director of sport Grant Lawrence Master in charge Craig Moore Professionals Adrian Dunning and Paul Harrison (Northamptonshire), plus a number of county coaches Teams 26 boys’ teams - U14AB, U13ABCD, U12ABCD, U11ABCD, U10ABCD, U9ABCD, U8ABCD 24 girls’ teams – U14AB, U13AB , U12ABC, U11ABCD, U10ABCD, U9ABCD, U8ABCD Girls’ cricket Downsend is proud to have been one of the first schools in Surrey to have removed rounders from their curriculum to introduce girls’ cricket back in 2017/18. Downsend have led the way on hardball fixtures with all teams in U11 and above getting the chance. They have also started the move towards mixed gender teams How has cricket bounced back Daily online lessons for all year 136 | thecricketer.com

CUMNOR HOUSE, SUSSEX // DOWNSEND SCHOOL

schools to move to girls’ cricket. The girls regularly compete in the Lady Taverners Indoor tournament and were champions of the Sussex U13 County Cup in 2018 and 2019 How has cricket bounced back Throughout the pandemic training drills and challenges were regularly posted on Microsoft Teams, and school social media Post-pandemic changes A full programme for the whole of September 2020 for all year groups from Year 3 to Year 8. This included fixtures against other local schools and internal fixtures. The school also

ran pre-season specific cricket related skills sports camps for one week during the 2021 Easter holiday and May half-term holiday. Additional fixtures for 2021 in the evenings in addition to Wednesdays and Saturdays Fixtures Over 190 fixtures throughout the summer term. New Beacon, Brighton College, Ardingly, Hurstpierpoint. Also hosted a touring school from South Africa every year Facilities 2 indoor nets, 4 artificial outdoor nets. 2 cages to enable practice on main squares. 12 cricket fixtures possible at any one time Club/county affiliation Sussex. Fletching CC, Lindfield CC, Haywards Heath CC, Ditchling CC, Barcombe CC, Newick CC, Cuckfield CC. Danehill Primary and Plumpton Primary use the facilities and CHS provide coaching for their pupils Best prospect Harvey Nolan – No.3 bat and medium pacer. Plays for Sussex U12s and Ditchling CC Cricketers of note Freya Kemp (England Academy and Sussex), and a member of the Southern Vipers and Southern Brave Hundred squads Brief history Cricket has been played at the school since its inception. The

school has outstanding facilities with the groundsman working assiduously Cultural cricketers Piers Morgan (journalist), Dominic Lawson (journalist), Simon Williams (actor), Rebecca Hall (actress) What sets the school apart? All pupils play in regular fixtures. This has meant up to 26 teams on a Wednesday. The school pride themselves on formats to suit the ability and standard of the cricketers. The school is located in the stunning Ashdown Forest. The 1st XI square is at the heart of the school and one of the most picturesque in Sussex Finest moment In 2019 Wilf Pickard and Paddy Cooper were involved in a record opening stand of 190 in a Sussex Cup fixture. They also reached the U12 and U13 Sussex Cup finals in 2019. The Girls 1st VIII have won all their matches in 2019 and 2021 Recent progress Girls are regular members of boys’ teams Future plans Plans for a new sports hall to incorporate cricket nets with 4 lanes for all year-round use, to replace current 2 lanes Tours The school hopes to resume tours of Cape Town every two years

groups, focusing on targeted front and back-foot shots, bowling technique and fielding skills. A DIY home cricket competition which was seen by other schools and as a result created a six-school competition. Since the return, daily net sessions for targeted year groups, cricket practices, daily fixtures for U8-U14 and cup entry for U11 and U13 Post-pandemic changes Games lessons with different focus on batting, bowling and fielding Fixtures In summer 2021, 237 Facilities 2 main squares, 4 indoor nets and 4 outdoor nets which include

bowling machines. 3 individual grass strips. Additional grounds such as astroturfs and hardcourt Club/county affiliation Downsend is proud of its community partnerships. A development centre for Surrey CCC, who use the facility all weekend and throughout the week to run adult coaching courses, disability cricket, several junior coaching courses, as well as a junior age group winter county squad. Downsend is home to Mini Crickets, a cricket coaching company specialising in developing junior age groups. Staff have been instrumental in developing cricket outside of the school, assisting local clubs Best prospect 17 players representing Surrey between U11 and U14, including two very talented players, Ralphie Albert and Nathaniel Atkins Cricketers of note Dominic Sibley was quickly recognised as a significant talent, playing

for the U13As when he was U10. He continues to inspire pupils and has a close affiliation to the school and his club Ashtead CC. Ben Geddes recently signed pro terms with Surrey Brief history Cricket is and always has been at the forefront of Downsend School. Continuing a cricket season throughout the world wars must have been tough What sets the school apart? Downsend is very proud to set standards and not follow. They are the first school on the circuit to be wearing one-day colours for cricket. They are very proud of the ability to couple inclusivity with excellence Finest moment Winning County Cups in 2019; and from playing at the Kensington Oval in Barbados to winning local derbies Recent progress The girls’ cricketing programme has been a huge success Future plans The Hundred is being talked about on a daily basis by staff and pupils. A new partnership with Leatherhead CC Tours Year 7s and 8s enjoy an amazing Barbados tour every two years

DRAGON SCHOOL, OXFORD // EAGLE HOUSE SCHOOL

DRAGON SCHOOL, OXFORD

schools Best prospect The Year 7s have plenty of promise. Alfie Wilson is a left-arm Bardwell Road, Oxford quick and elegant batsman, OX2 6SS while Louis Nicholson Head of cricket scored a century in the Established 1877 Harry Paget county cup final with some Number of pupils 600 beautiful strokeplay. Also Prep (day and boarding), in that side was Mim Aldred, a strong 200 pre-Prep contributor in all facets Head of cricket Harry Paget Cricketers of note George Munsey Teams 23 boys’ teams and 21 girls’ (Northamptonshire & Scotland), teams Maia Bouchier (England Women), Girls’ cricket It has taken off, with Alex Hearne (Cambridge MCCU & some girls playing for boys’ sides at Essex 2nd XI) both A and B level. Cricket is part of Brief history The sport has the regular games curriculum as a flourished at Bardwell Road over major sport alongside tennis, from many years, and the proximity to U13. They have invested in Newbery Oxford University has seen many equipment to play hardball matches former pupils make the short trip How has cricket bounced back There were logistical difficulties, but a to the colleges and on to first-class joy to see so many pupils participating experiences. Tony Pullinger was a long-serving master in charge at the Post-pandemic changes This year school from 1972-96 and remained because of bubbles the Dragon didn’t combine age groups, but that seemed involved with holiday coaching Cultural cricketers Tim Henman combined tennis with a stint behind the stumps for the 1st XI in the 1980s. Also Hugh Laurie, Tom Hiddleston, Tom Hollander, Dom Joly, Tom Ward and Jack Whitehall What sets the school apart? It’s not unusual for the Dragon to field 20 or more sides on any Wednesday or Saturday, often taking on more than one opponent to ensure as many boys and girls as possible have the chance to play. They are delighted to support state school cricket Finest moment There were a hattrick and two centuries from pupils this year. However, the U13As lastover one-run victory against Summer Fields to finish unbeaten, was quite to work well with unbeaten seasons the climax to the season for both the U13A and U12A sides, with the latter winning the county cup Recent progress The continued advancement of girls’ cricket and Fixtures Normally around 150 boys’ providing opportunity for all pupils to fixtures. Caldicott and Summer participate. An increasing number of Fields, as well as the Bunbury county pupils involved with county pathways and national knockout competitions Future plans Continue working with Facilities The 1st XI square is one of the finest school tracks. No grass nets, Oxfordshire Bulls while improving facilities and developing girls’ cricket. but 10 artificial nets outdoors, as well as 2 in the sports hall. In the process of Representing Oxfordshire in the Bunbury Cup in 2022 refurbing some outdoor nets Tours Dragon boys were fortunate Club/county affiliation Strong to tour Cape Town just before the links with Oxfordshire through pandemic. They played 7 fixtures in 10 staff member Neil Pickup. He is in days against a variety of opposition, charge of Oxfordshire U10s, and from friendly matches against the arranges Dragon School fixtures township children from Uhkanyo against Oxfordshire Bulls teams, Primary, to some of the leading prep which comprise the most promising schools in the area cricketers from Oxfordshire state

EAGLE HOUSE SCHOOL Sandhurst, Berkshire GU47 8PH Established 1820 Number of pupils 388 Master in charge Richard Barron Teams 10 senior teams (Years 7 and 8 boys and girls); 12 middle teams (Years 5 and 6 boys and girls); 9 junior teams (Years 3 and 4, boys and girls) Girls’ cricket Now the major summer sport. Eagle House put out 15 girls’ teams on a weekly basis. This is predominantly soft or incrediball cricket, however, 1st XI and U11A girls started playing hardball this year How has cricket bounced back Time dedicated to winter nets to get the children up to speed. All the children from reception to Year 8 doing cricket in some form in summer Fixtures Up to 180 in total, with each team playing on average seven or eight fixtures a year depending on the weather. The 1st XI can play anywhere up to 11 or 12 as they host touring or travelling sides. The longest-running fixture is against Papplewick (who we have played against since 1952). Others include Feltonfleet (first fixture 1956) and Lambrook Facilities 3 cricket ovals – Railton (junior and middle pitch), Manor Field and Main Field (1st and 2nd XI pitch). 3 temporary pitches used in the summer term. They are lucky enough to be able to call on Wellington College, who let Eagle House use two of their pitches on most match days. 2 outdoor turf nets. 2 indoor nets within a sports hall, and use of a bowling machine. With a kind donation from the Parents’ Association, 4 outdoor artificial nets erected Club/county affiliation The main club associated with is Eversley CC. Quite a few parents from Eagle House coach at the club and a few staff members play for the senior sides at the club. Numerous boys and some girls have played for Berkshire age-groups and a few boys have represented Hampshire Best prospect Abby Parker, 13, allrounder. She was the first girl to play at Valley End

CC and played in the U13 boys league. Abby also played for the Colts team at Eagle House in 2019 so she could play hardball matches, She has now joined Weybridge CC and has done several Surrey Cricket camps. Dylan Price – 13-year-old allrounder, has played at Henley CC since 2014 and been in two cup finals (winning one) and has one title with his club team. He has represented Berkshire agegroups Brief history There are several accounts by boys about playing cricket on fields near Hammersmith (the old school location), some of them dating back to the 1820s and ’30s Cultural cricketers Bill Waugh (England hockey), Lewis Moody (England rugby) What sets the school apart? Eagle House have been playing cricket for longer than almost all other traditional prep schools Finest moment 2009 must go down as a year to remember as the 1st XI, 2nd XI and the U11A side all won county titles. The 1st XI won the Berkshire Schools U13 Cricket trophy. The 2nd XI won the Berkshire Schools U13 plate trophy. The U11A side won the Berkshire U11 hardball 8-a-side competition Recent progress Girls’ cricket is now alive and well at Eagle House. All the girls from Year 3 to 8 have played in numerous fixtures and they have a number of girls playing in boys’ teams. The 1st XI and U11A girls have also played some hardball matches Future plans Regular drives to try to engage the children in club cricket – especially for younger years. Wellington have recently built a state-of-the-art cricket training facility and the idea is to try and get some of the groups of children up to Wellington take part in training sessions. Plans to get the girls 1st XI to play their first hardball match at the College oval Tours South Africa in 2012 and 2015 – playing a number of schools from both Durban and Cape Town. Four fixtures on a very enjoyable tour to Antigua in 2018. Tour of St Lucia scheduled for April last year cancelled due to the pandemic thecricketer.com | 137

TOP 50 PREP/JUNIOR SCHOOLS

FELTONFLEET SCHOOL Byfleet Road, Cobham, Surrey KT11 1DR Established 1903 Number of pupils 479 Director of cricket Andrew Rishton, Berkshire and Loughborough MCCU Head of boys’ games James Thompson Teams 29 Girls’ cricket The main summer sport since 2017. In that time the girls’ programme has gone from strength to strength. This year girls’ 1st and 2nd XI both played hardball fixtures

Facilities 4 indoor nets, 4 through the summer term, outdoor nets, three batting playing a combined 15 cages. 1 ground on site fixtures of which 11 were which has a grass wicket won. 7 girls have gone on as well as an astroturf to represent the county strip, plus access to local in recent years and one cricket clubs recent leaver was selected Club/county affiliation to represent Hurstpierpoint The school is a venue 1st XI as a Year 9. There is Director for a number of Surrey plenty of cricket expertise of Cricket coaching courses and they in the girls’ games staff with Andrew Rishton have helped support the two teachers currently development of indoor facilities. playing club cricket in the Surrey Partnerships with Horsley & Send Slam this year and another who has CC, Stoke d’Abernon CC, Cobham represented the MCC on multiple Avorians CC and Whitely Village CC occasions Best prospect Nathan Farmer How has cricket bounced back scored 576 runs and took 10 wickets During the winter lockdown they this summer as he led the 1st XI to the continued to run online cricket skills Surrey Prep Schools’ Cup final. He has sessions each week for pupils from been part of the Surrey CAG teams Year 3-8. Over the Easter holidays since he was an U9. He has played they held a four-day cricket camp for 1st XI cricket at Feltonfleet since he pupils which 145 children attended. was an U10, leading the scoring charts The hard work of the coaches meant that their pupils were returning having in each season. He has been selected by Ashtead CC to had a great time and ready to get play in their 2nd XI, batting started. Every break time all the nets in the middle order are full and small games are dotted Cricketers of around the outfield note Will Kendall Post-pandemic changes More (Hampshire) co-educational cricket with house and Dan Cherry competitions, after-school training (Glamorgan) and gifted and talented groups being Brief history Andy Flower run as mixed sessions officially opened the new Fixtures 251 planned fixtures this cricket pavilion in 2005 year. They play on a strong Surrey which has now witnessed some circuit against a mixture of prep wonderful matches for boys and senior schools. Epsom College, and girls. Girls’ cricket was St John’s Leatherhead, Cranleigh, officially introduced as a core Downsend, Cranmore, Surbiton sport for girls in 2016/17 and has High School, Cumnor House flourished ever since. Feltonfleet and St George’s Weybridge. They has a historical link with Surrey hope to have Trinity House School CCC and local cricket clubs, being from Johannesburg back once the used a venue for winter training pandemic allows

FELTONFLEET SCHOOL

and coaching programmes What sets the school apart? Cricket is played year-round with all children having the opportunity through the winter to continue training. They regularly have four to six staff staying on after school to lead these sessions with the majority of pupils choosing to attend. The pupils are lucky to get a great level of expertise with a current minor counties player (Andrew Rishton, who also recently represented England at the European Cricket Championships), a former Zimbabwe A player and a former Combined Services player on the staff. The school is a Surrey Development Centre. Finest moment The past year was the strongest at the school in recent memory. The boys 1st XI winning 13 of their 15 matches including victories over Danes Hill, Downsend, Rokeby, St John’s Leatherhead and Epsom College. The girls won eight of their nine matches with victories over Surbiton High School, St John’s Leatherhead, St George’s Weybridge and Epsom College Recent progress Seeing how the excellent provision, processes and hard work of pupils and staff has resulted in a consistently high standard of cricket Future plans Replace the current outdoor nets with a new, enclosed facility. They are planning to improve their provision of cricket in the Pre-Prep aiming to introduce an extracurricular cricket club and developing cricket sessions from nursery to Year 2 to develop handeye co-ordination and bowling skills Tours Looking into a Caribbean tour in Easter 2023 and a tour to Yorkshire in 2022

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Excellent”

“

Creating better athletes for life

Independent Schools Inspectorate

At Feltonfleet we are proud to be a Surrey Cricket Development and Performance Centre. Shortlisted for the National TES Sports Award, we are a Shooting Centre of Excellence and we regularly attain both regional and national level achievements. Our 25 acres of grounds and pitches include an astroturf, indoor swimming pool and climbing wall. Coaching 33 teams across 23 sports, we include all abilities from nursery upwards. Visit our beautiful day and flexi-boarding school, where boys and girls aged 3-13 thrive on personalised learning. To find out more contact Jackie Williams on 01932 862 264, at admissions@feltonfleet.co.uk or visit www.feltonfleet.co.uk ®

SCHOOLS GUIDE 2021

Feltonfleet Prep School

Means-tested bursaries available

COBHAM SURREY KT11 1DR

www.feltonfleet.co.uk

W H E R E I N D I V I D U A L S R E A L LY M AT T E R

TOP 50 PREP/JUNIOR SCHOOLS HEATHFIELD JUNIOR SCHOOL Cobbett Road, Twickenham, Middlesex TW2 6EN Number of pupils 450 Master in charge James Watson Teams Boys: Year 6ABC, Year 5AB, Year 4; Girls: Year 6, Year 5, Year 4 How has cricket bounced back During lockdown cricket was part of online learning. It has gone from strength to strength. Middlesex and Chance to Shine have been in to deliver sessions during the curriculum and help develop teachers’ CPD.

HIGHFIELD AND BROOKHAM SCHOOLS Highfield Lane, Liphook, Hampshire GU307LQ

Established 1897 Number of pupils 453 Master in charge Richard Dunn Teams Under-8s: ABCDEFGH; Under-9s to 13s: ABCDEF Girls’ cricket It’s the predominant sport in the summer term and following its full introduction two years ago has gone from strength to strength with a full fixture list alongside the boys How has cricket bounced back Staff and pupils have been chomping at the bit to get back out there despite poor weather at the beginning of the term. The introduction of fixtures after a year off was welcome Post-pandemic changes Emphasis on ensuring that youngsters constantly have a ball or bat in hand and 140 | thecricketer.com

HEATHFIELD JUNIOR SCHOOL // HIGHFIELD AND BROOKHAM SCHOOLS

has allowed pupils to feel While other schools more relaxed, thus focusing dropped PE lessons so on other subjects more pupils could catch up Fixtures This year all in English and Maths, fixtures against other Heathfield timetabled extra schools and the borough PE lessons into the week Master in charge tournament were with a focus on cricket James Watson cancelled. The Staff v Pupils Post-pandemic changes fixture is always fun The school recognised Facilities Heathfield is a state school the pandemic had a huge impact on in a deprived area of Twickenham. physical health. Heathfield’s ‘thrive’ A field, a multi-use hall and a sessions focus on physical literacy. playground. Middlesex CCC donated The change of scenery from the a Flicx pitch classroom is a great way of improving Club/county affiliation Middlesex, pupils’ mood, and is beneficial to Chance to Shine and local clubs teachers as well as pupils. The mood Sunbury, Teddington, Teddington created after burning excess energy Town, Osterley and Twickenham Best prospect Aarav Hegde is a Year 4 pupil playing for Osterley CC. He bowls at a good pace and strikes the ball cleanly Brief history The school won the borough tournament a few years back and were runners up at the 2013 London Youth Games. Before lockdown the majority of children had never seen a cricket bat or ball before. Now cricket is the main sport with the highest participation. Cricket rather

than football is played at break times What sets the school apart? Scott Newman (ex-Surrey, Middlesex and Kent) has delivered five masterclass sessions and said he had never seen such an uptake in a state school. Heathfield is running All Stars and Dynamos cricket out of the school; normally it is run out of clubs. Numerous teachers playing cricket – unusual in a state junior school. Watson is coaching the Hounslow Street Cricket team for the London Youth Games. Josh Hinde, a coach from Teddington, delivered three before-school clubs in September. In the summer, 46 children signed up for the Heathfield Dynamos programme and 36 for All Stars. The school ran mini cricket festivals for state schools Recent progress The impact cricket has had on the children’s wellbeing Future plans Looking to invest in some nets that will surround the Flicx pitch and buy a bowling machine out of sports premium money. There will be more clubs on offer, all year round, for all levels of ability for girls and boys. Hoping to run a borough indoor cricket tournament

Brief history Highfield School was originally founded in Southampton in 1892, before moving to its present site of 175 acres in Liphook, Hampshire, on the West Sussex, Hampshire and Surrey borders. The school became co-ed in 1978 and started to take day children into the junior part. All departments have designated departmental teaching rooms; an indoor swimming pool was opened at Easter 2005, and a new music school in 2006. In 1992 a pre-prep school, Brookham School, was built in the grounds and many of its top year come to Highfield at eight years old What sets the school apart? Performance and participation, with the 1st XI reaching the latter stages of the IAPS Cup. Matches for all ages and ability Finest moment In only her second game with the boys’ 1st XI,

Summer took 5-19 against a strong Twyford side Recent progress During lockdown there was an increase in the number of pupils, mainly girls, at nets Future plans An additional artificial strip plus refurbishment of 2-bay facility to 3-bay one, including new mats and roof netting Tours Since 2001 Barbados every other year. Next one 2023, but looking for a domestic tour in 2022

develop core skills. The school has made good use of the new astro as a training ground for the Under-10 girls. There have been mixed fixtures for the lower age-group teams Fixtures Usually about 230 but with Covid there have been 170; Aldro, Twyford and Westbourne House School are always particularly competitive Facilities 12 pitches, including 3 squares; 4 grass nets, which include two mobile cages; 3 further artificial and 2 indoor nets, 3 bowling machines; 3 covers for the 1st XI square and 2 Flicx pitches on the all-weather Club/county affiliation Pupils play for Liphook & Ripsley, Haslemere and Grayshott, as well as Hampshire Hogs CC; a three-year sponsorship deal with the junior section of Fernhurst CC Best prospect Summer Gratton, year 8, right-arm medium-pacer – 7 for 25 runs in 7.3 overs in a match last season. She has broken into the 1st XI after fine bowling for the 2nd XI

HOLMEWOOD HOUSE SCHOOL // HURSTPIERPOINT COLLEGE PREP SCHOOL

HOLMEWOOD HOUSE SCHOOL Barrow Lane, Langton Green, Tunbridge Wells TN3 0EB Established 1945 Number of pupils 440 Master in charge Simon Leegood Professional James Hockley (ex-Kent CCC) Teams Boys: Under-13, 12 AB; U11 ABC, U10 AB, U9 AB (pairs), Under 8 ABC (pairs); Girls: U13, 12 AB, U11 ABCD, U10 AB, U9 ABC, U8 AB Girls’ cricket It’s flourishing at Holmewood, now the major summer sport How has cricket bounced back Heartening to see players at practice and in matches, and the return of spectators Fixtures Boys 95, girls 92 Facilities 10 outdoor and 4 indoor nets, 3 squares (boys), 3 girls, 2 wickets on astro-turf Post-pandemic changes Year groups are not combined at the moment and work in their bubbles. Club/county affiliations Kent hub – centre of excellence; Kent and Sussex age groups use facilities through the year. Pupils play for Tunbridge Wells, Penshurst Park, Withyham, Mayfield, Bells Yew Green Best prospect Daphne Pink has been playing for Kent since 2017. She is an allrounder, a medium-fast bowler who bats in the middle order. She also plays for Bells Yew Green CC. Rollo Amin plays for Kent Under-13s and Western Rhinos. He is 1st XI

captain: a powerful batsman and bowler Cricketers of note Tony Pigott (England, Sussex, Surrey), Alice Davidson–Richards (England, Kent, Yorkshire Diamonds, South-East Stars), Dr Julian Thompson (Kent), Matthew Banes (Kent), Ben Hutton (Middlesex), Marcus O’Riordan (Kent & Ireland A), Coco Streets (Kent), Toby Pettman (Notts) Brief history Cricket has been played at Holmewood House in its glorious surroundings since 1945. It has a reputation for superb pitches Cultural cricketers Nana AkufoAddo (president of Ghana), Sir Terence Etherton (Master of The Rolls), Bob Woolmer, Andy Zaltzman (Test Match Special), Tristan Gemmill (actor), Shane McGowan (lead singer of The Pogues), Hugh Skinner (actor) What sets the school apart? One of the best prep school wickets in the country Finest moment Winning the national JET Cup in 1993; winning the Tonbridge School Under-11 6-a-side competition in 2011; Winning the Mark Benson sixa-side competition at Sutton Valence 2021 Recent progress The way that the school has bounced back since the pandemic Future plans Looking to host more boys and girls’ tournaments; more holiday courses with elite coaches; More involvement with senior schools and their coaching staff Tours South Africa and the West Indies

HURSTPIERPOINT COLLEGE PREP SCHOOL Chalker’s Lane, Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex BN6 9JS Established 1849 Number of pupils 350 Head of boys’ sport (prep) Ben Dewey Professional Jimmy Anyon, plus Harry Finch, Mark Nash, Chiara Green (all Sussex) Teams U13 ABCDE, U11 & U9 ABCD Girls’ cricket 12 teams from U8–U13. The school has a head of girls’ cricket and a female professional Post-pandemic changes online initiatives, cricket-specific homework Fixtures All teams have about 10. Derbies v Brighton College and Ardingly College are always close affairs. The school also hosts touring teams from across the country Facilities 7 grass pitches, 3 astro, new bank of 12 astro nets, 10 grass nets, 3 other astro nets Club/county affiliations Close

links with Sussex CCC who use the grounds as a junior hub plus many of the staff also coach for the county Best prospect Josh Williams (year 8) a prolific run-scorer and talented wicketkeeper, part of the Sussex set-up Cricketers of note George Garton, Jack Carson and Tom Haines (all Sussex), Jonty Jenner (Jersey) Brief history Cricket is the major sport for boys and girls in the summer term. Hurstpierpoint has a strong cricket history and has had success at all age levels. Fixtures take place every Saturday and in midweek. They have a competitive fixture list and play teams across the south-east of England What sets the school apart? They believe that they have the longest square in the country. It is a hub for Sussex cricket Finest moment Senior school won national T20 six years ago Recent progress The introduction of girls’ cricket has been successful Future plans New bank of 12 nets is ready for use Tours South Africa, India and the UK

Marcus O’Riordan

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TOP 50 PREP/JUNIOR SCHOOLS

KING’S HALL SCHOOL Kingston Road, Taunton, Somerset, TA2 8AA Established 1951 Number of pupils 311 (feeder to King’s College, Taunton) Director of sport Ali Halls Professional Alex Barrow (Somerset) Teams 24 teams: U8 ABC, U9, U10s, 11s, 12s ABCD U13 ABCDE Girls’ cricket Years 3 and 4 train in mixed teams; Years 5 and 6 windball; senior girls hardball How has cricket bounced back Better than ever. It has been an excellent full introduction for the girls Post-pandemic changes The school played cricket in September and nets are all year round Fixtures Between 8–10 block fixtures with Hazlegrove, Taunton, Queens, Millfield, Wellington, Sherborne,

142 | thecricketer.com

Clifton, St Peter’s, West Buckland and Perrott Hill. They often play Taunton and Millfield twice, home and away Facilities 4 indoor nets, 5 outdoor, 8 pitches plus 2 astro Club/county affiliations Taunton St Andrew’s CC Best prospect Thomas Rew (1st XI captain, EPP at Somerset), Jago Barclay (1st XI vice-captain, EPP at Somerset), Zach Vukusic (EPP at Devon), Harrison Philips (specialist bowling sessions with Somerset), Theo Lamey (U11 cricket captain, Somerset U13), Willow Simpson (1st XI girls’ captain, Somerset U13), Katie Rowe (U13), Tabitha Thompson (U11) Brief history Cricket has always been strong at King’s Hall, but now more than ever. All of the teams had strong seasons, with 20 players (boys and girls) in the Somerset pathway set up (U9–U13) What sets the school apart? Outstanding facilities for a prep school. Regular winners of County Cups, Regional Cups and Nationals for U11s Finest moment Winning the Nationals at U11 age. Ex-pupils James Rew, Josh Thomas and George Thomas played for England Under-19s against West Indies this summer Recent progress The most able cricketers are really progressing under Alex Barrow. Girls’ cricket is taking off Tours Jersey

KING’S HALL SCHOOL // LAMBROOK SCHOOL

LAMBROOK SCHOOL Winkfield Row, Bracknell RG42 6LU Established 1860 Number of pupils 560 Master in charge Will McKegney Teams 37: 20 boys, 17 girls. Boys U13/12 ABCDE, U11 ABC, U10, U9, U8 ABCD. Girls U13/12 ABCDE, U11, U10, U9, U8 ABCD. Girls’ cricket Since 2018. Winter nets are well attended in the winter and there are more fixtures each year How has cricket bounced back After the cancellation of fixtures in 2020, “all players seemed doubly keen to be involved,” says McKegney. A live scoring stream for some fixtures was provided Post-pandemic changes The virtual/online coaching library remains available to players and the school has looked into ways of filming/streaming training sessions and matches Fixtures Close to 400 (boys and girls). Notable fixtures for the boys are Caldicott, Cranleigh and Ludgrove. The girls play The Dragon, Cheam and Cranleigh Facilities 2 turf nets, 4 indoor, 3 artificial; 9 pitches ranging from small junior grounds (25m boundaries for U8 and U9) to an excellent 1st XI ‘Edrich Oval’. Three of the grounds have excellent turf wickets Club/county affiliation Various local clubs including Royal Ascot, Maidenhead & Bray, Windsor and Binfield, as well as a selection of clubs for London-based pupils. Many of the boys represent Berkshire and a few are involved with Surrey. Four

girls playing at county level, three with Berkshire and one at Middlesex Best prospect Rory Fulton (Berkshire) 1st XI captain, he has a fine knowledge of the game. A tidy wicketkeeper and dependable opening batsman. Now going to Eton Brief history Cricket has been played at Lambrook since the earliest days. In the 1870s cricket was the most popular sport at the school although matches were played internally. The first competitive matches against local schools were played in the 1880s when Queen Victoria’s grandsons, Prince Christian Victor and Prince Albert, were at Lambrook. Victoria would regularly watch them play Cultural cricketers Giles Clarke (former ECB chairman); Max & Thom Evans (Scotland Rugby) What sets the school apart? Girls’ cricket is taking off. Winter training twice weekly. The school hosts a lot of external clubs, including the England blind team Finest moment Four tours to South Africa have provided unforgettable experiences: they have raised more than £40,000 for a farm school in KZN Recent progress George Barlow (2013) played for Charterhouse 1st XI for four years, two as captain and Surrey 2nd XI; Henry Chapman (2014) was in Radley’s 1st XI for four years before playing for Middlesex 2nd XI Future plans Improving facilities with three artificial pitches recently re-laid. Plans to develop/build a new 1st XI pavilion continue Tours South Africa and the Caribbean

LOCKERS PARK // LUDGROVE SCHOOL

LOCKERS PARK Lockers Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead HP1 1TL Established 1874 Number of pupils 160 Master in charge Jack Doyle (director of sport) Teams U9, U11, 13 ABC Girls’ cricket In the co-educational pre-prep How has cricket bounced back The take-up of cricket has been positive since. Online learning led to live clinics Post-pandemic changes More of a game-play element; ‘quick and enjoyable’ has been the mantra Fixtures 85–90 across all teams. Most notable v Haileybury Facilities Three outdoor artificial nets, three indoor, a main grass square and an artificial wicket Club/county affiliation Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire CCCs; Harpenden, Tring Park and Hemel Hempstead CCs Best prospect Max Coker (U13 1st XI captain, opening bowler and middle-

LUDGROVE SCHOOL Ludgrove, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG40 3AB Established 1892 Number of pupils 190 Master in charge Gabriel French Teams U9ABC, U10ABC, U11ABC, U13 ABCDEF How has cricket bounced back The nets have been full Post-pandemic changes The school has been working on the understanding of the game after a year out Fixtures More than 130 a term, plus a biennial tour to South Africa with six games. Derbies against Summerfields, Cothill and Caldicot Facilities Eight grass nets, four astro, four indoor, a movable batting cage, 2 Bola machines, seven games-day pitches, additional 10 practice wickets Club/county affiliation A link with Barker College in Australia who send a cricketing gap student each year; Binfield and Flashmen CCs Best prospect Alexander Burford, a left-handed opening bat who has represented Middlesex. He is a handy left-arm spinner

order batter), Leon Vandra-Simon (U11A opening bowler and top-order batter), Barney Hancock (U11 legspinner and middle-order batter) Cricketers of note Nawab of Pataudi (India and Sussex), FS Jackson (England captain 1905), BH Valentine (Kent & England), CJM Pugh (Gloucestershire), Ronnie Aird (Hampshire, MCC president), George Garrett and George Panayi

(Warwickshire) Brief history Starting with Henry Draper in 1874, Lockers Park has been blessed with a series of headmasters who were fanatical cricketers, and it has always been a sport for all with cricket played every day throughout the summer term. In the 1970s it was the first school in the Hertfordshire area to introduce limited-overs cricket and more recently it has

Cricketers of note Colin InglebyMackenzie and Mike Griffith were county captains, former headmaster Richard Jefferson played for Surrey and the grandfather of current headmaster Simon Barber was AT Barber, captain of Oxford and Yorkshire Brief history Cricket has always been central to Ludgrove. The school is especially proud of its own quad

game, derived from cricket, called stump. It is played with a thin ‘eye-in’ bat and tennis ball. It is not unusual to have more than 80 boys across all year-groups playing the game every morning after breakfast and in every type of weather. There is even an official position given to ‘the Keeper of Stump’, a senior boy whose job it is to actively include as many people in every game as possible. One of

embraced new formats playing 100-ball cricket in coloured kit with flashing stumps and bails Cultural cricketers Sir Mike Penning (MP) uses the school for his constituency matches, Lord Louis Mountbatten, Sir Alistair Aird; MPs Keith Joseph, Sir Anthony Berry, Paul Channon, Guy Mansfield, James Honeybourne What sets the school apart? Cricket is steeped in the history of the school. Lockers Park versus Ludgrove was one of the earliest recorded prep school matches. Sir Stanley Jackson was the first England cricketer to receive a knighthood and Nawab of Pataudi was one of the outstanding cricketers of the 20th century Finest moment In 2011 the side was unbeaten (14 matches), including a tour to South Africa. George Panayi scored more than 1,000 runs in the season and Jamie Jordache 700-plus Future plans A new pavilion project in the next 12 months Tours South Africa Tour 2007, ’11, ’13, ’15, ’17 and ’19. Planning a UK pre-season tour in 2022 with a return to South Africa in 2023

the school’s earliest headmasters captained Oxford and Yorkshire, and both his son and grandson have coached the school XI before going on to be head. In breakfast on the morning of match days there is always a rousing word from the headmaster extolling the virtues of grit and determination on the cricket pitch. The school motto of ‘Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might’ carries special significance when it comes to cricket Cultural cricketers Bear Grylls played in the XI and returned last year to represent the fathers side. Sir John Major played a game at the school while he was Prime Minister. What sets the school apart? The Boys’ Book of Cricket by Frank Henley first (1924) features Ludgrove boys in all the illustrations Finest moment The last team before lockdown was statistically the best side Ludgrove has produced, winning every game and many by large margins. An inter-prep school T20 competition has been staged for the last five years Future plans New nets Tours South Africa thecricketer.com | 143

TOP 50 PREP/JUNIOR SCHOOLS MERCHANT TAYLORS’ PREP Moor Farm Bungalow, Sandy Lodge Road, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire WD3 1LW Established 1910 Director of sport Dominic Todd Master in charge Christopher Horne Teams U8, U9, U10, U11 ABCD, U12, U13 AB How has cricket bounced back Fixtures resumed home and away Post-pandemic changes Matches were played exclusively in year-group teams (U13, U12, U11 etc) rather than as 1st XI or Colts A Fixtures 60 regular typically with local derbies against Old Merchant Taylors’, St Martin’s & St John’s the most anticipated. The school enters the IAPS national cup (U13) and Herts County Cup (U11) Facilities 3 pitches at The Prep School, a cricket specialist groundsman, 2 outdoor mobile nets and 4 indoor on site. Roll-on covers, sightscreens and scorehut on main wicket. Two bowling machines

including latest TrueMan Club/county affiliation Most A team boys in all age groups play district, area or county cricket (Herts/Bucks/Middlesex). Strong connections with Old Merchant Taylors’ and Eastcote CCs Best prospect Vivaan Verma (Herts U13) 1st XI wicketkeeper & opening batsman; Reeyan Ruparelia (Middx U13) 1st XI opening batsman/offspinner; Abhishek Shinn (Middx U11) left-arm opening bowler Brief history Cricket has emerged as

MERCHANT TAYLORS’ PREP // MILLFIELD PREP SCHOOL

the main sport at Merchant Taylors’ Prep. There is a real passion for the game and ever-improving facilities. Boys play cricket at break time rather than football and a huge number play cricket at club level. Recent success at county and regional level has enhanced the school’s reputation. The school plays on a traditionally strong north London circuit Cultural cricketers Sir David Lidington KCB CBE (former MP & Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster) What sets the school apart?

Middlesex CCC play at the adjacent Merchant Taylors’ School. At The Prep boys have enjoyed coaching masterclasses from Angus Fraser, Eoin Morgan, Steven Finn, Sir Alastair Cook and Muttiah Muralitharan. More boys play club cricket than any other sport Finest moment Final of the IAPS national cup in 2015 (v Millfield). Won Hertfordshire Schools’ U11 Cup every year since entering in 2018. East Of England Schools’ U11 winner 2019 & finalist 2018, U11 national finals 2019 (5th) Recent progress The coaching staff is strong and now includes the area coach/manager for Hertfordshire. U11A have retained the Herts County Cup for the third successive year. They lost out on a place in the nationals by run-rate at the regional East of England finals. The U13A & B teams were unbeaten this season Future plans A return to full and competitive fixture list, IAPS competitions and parental support. Further development of coaching programme with senior school Tours Antigua and Barbados

Jess Hazell both have played for Somerset Ladies What sets the school apart? Fantastic facilities; the ability to allow all pupils to better their cricketing ability; the boys and girls’ teams regularly reach the later stages of national

competitions and have won the prestigious Bunbury Cup and RNCF (Jet) Cup on numerous occasions; the girls have also won the National indoor competition on two occasions Cultural cricketers Lando Norris, Chris Robshaw, Matt Perry, Roland Rudd, Simon and Richard Mantell Finest moment In 2015 winning 2 national titles

MILLFIELD PREP SCHOOL Edgarley Hall, Glastonbury, Somerset BA6 8LD Established 1946 Number of pupils 374 Director of cricket David Beal Teams U13 ABCD, 12 ABC, U11AB, U10AB, U9A, U8B Girls U13, U12, U11, U10 AB, U9 and U8A – fixtures against county teams and local schools. Training all year round and one-to-one lessons offered How has cricket bounced back Youngsters are loving the game and competing in fixtures again Post-pandemic changes Internal games to develop skills Fixtures 312 for boys and girls, including county teams and National Cup games Facilities 4 indoor nets, 8 outdoor, cage, 9 grass wickets, 2 artificial Club/county affiliations Butleigh, Glastonbury CCs, Somerset CCC Cricketers of note Peter Denning, David Graveney, Jonathan Atkinson, Harvey Trump, Iain Fletcher, Piran Holloway, Aftab Habib, Jeremy 144 | thecricketer.com

Hallett, Wes Durston, Ben Hollioake, James Hilldreth, Max Waller, Robin Lett, Ben Duckett (right), Daniel Bell-Drummond, Matt Hobden, Charlie Hartley, Cameron Steel, George Hankins. Two more old boys have signed for Somerset: Kasey Aldridge and Sam Young. India Iwn and

MOULSFORD PREPARATORY SCHOOL // NOTTINGHAM ACADEMY PRIMARY

MOULSFORD PREPARATORY SCHOOL Moulsford, Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 9HR Established 1961 Number of pupils 376 Master in charge James Springer (director of sport), Jaimie Noble (master in charge of 1st XI cricket) Teams 28: 1st–8th XI, U11 & U10 ABCD, U9 & U8 ABCDEF How has cricket bounced back The school offered cricket in September 2020 for the first half of the autumn term, alongside football. In the summer term it staged a full fixture programme for Years 3 to 8 Post-pandemic changes The school ensured everyone across the age groups and ability levels had greater opportunities after such a long lay-off, using more squad rotation Fixtures 18 block fixtures and a total of 136 matches. The most notable is against Caldicott Facilities 4 indoor nets, 12 outdoor astro; 2 outdoor astro wickets, 5

NOTTINGHAM ACADEMY PRIMARY Sneinton Boulevard, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG2 4GL

Established 2009 Number of pupils 900-plus Master in charge Andrew Staszkiewicz Professional Anuj Dal (Derbyshire CCC) and Joe Ashdown have coached there Teams Four: Under-11, U10 and U9 boys; a girls’ team Girls’ cricket They have equal opportunities and also their own teams during the summer Contingency plans during the pandemic Cricket was kept as high profile as possible, with equipment lent to youngsters for home use How has cricket bounced back Working with Chance to Shine (Y1+2), Joe Ashdown Sports (Y4) and a large group of Y5/6 children visited Derbyshire CCC where they got to meet players and have a training session from Anuj Dal; hosting street cricket sessions at weekends Fixtures Between 24 and 40 fixtures

grass squares; 1st XI & U11A grounds overlooking the Thames Club/county affiliations Henley CC Best prospect Oliver Hewes (captain in 2021: top-order batsman and consistent medium-pace bowler) Cricketers of note Dan Housego (Middlesex

per year. Most in the regional city cup. Plans in place for a first hardball game on hold because of the pandemic Facilities An indoor sports hall; an outdoor artificial pitch; playground matches in play-times and lunchtimes. Club/county affiliations

& Gloucestershire), Jack Davies (Middlesex CCC) Brief history Cricket has always been played at Moulsford, as one of the three major sports. In recent years, in line with the growth of the school, it has fielded more and more teams, with as many as 15 teams (Year 5 to 8) playing block fixtures Finest moment All boys

in Years 3 to 8 playing in competitive fixtures last summer. Dan Housego making a century for Gloucestershire against South Africans in 2012, against an attack that included Wayne Parnell and Imran Tahir Future plans More smaller-sided games, to improve and enhance participation levels. Creating a sixth grass square Tours Annual 1st XI and Colts Early-season tour to Taunton, a visit to Somerset CCC and other fun and social activities

Nottinghamshire CCC and Caythorpe CC Best prospect Dipesh Sapkota, a talented young batsman who also possesses the ability to bowl quickly and swing the ball. He was selected for the Notts U10s Brief history Nottingham Academy

Primary continues to grow and develop as a cricketing school. It is a huge primary school and aims to have every child take part in some sort of cricket before they move onto secondary school. It has been featured on BBC’s Midlands Today What sets the school apart? The school stands alone in its raw enthusiasm for the game. “It’s true that we don’t have amazing facilities, equipment or famous ex-players but our children love the sport,” says Staszkiewicz. “Look outside at any playtime and you will see children bowling and batting with smiles on their faces. It’s a sport that is loved within the school and one which will continue for a long time” Finest moment Meeting and training alongside the West Indies World Cup squad in 2019. “They got to salute alongside Sheldon Cotterill which was pretty cool,” says Staszkiewicz Future plans Hardball matches. “Maybe we could play one of the prep schools in this guide. Fancy helping us sort it?” says Staszkiewicz Tours Camp at Caythorpe CC each year thecricketer.com | 145

TOP 50 PREP/JUNIOR SCHOOLS PACKWOOD HAUGH SCHOOL Park Bank, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY4 1HX Established 1892 Number of pupils 200 Director of sport Tammy Pembleton Master in charge Paul Phillips Professional Darrell Corfield Teams U13, U11, U9 boys ABCD, U13, U11, U9 girls AB Girls’ cricket It’s their major sport of the summer term, joining boys’ sessions where appropriate. There

PRESTFELDE PREP SCHOOL

London Road, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY2 6NZ Established 1921 Number of pupils 340 Director of Sport Rob Newey Master in charge Mike Haswell (Gloucestershire, Wales Minor Counties) Teams U9AB, U10 AB, U11 ABC, U13 ABCD, Girls U9 AB, U11 AB, U13 AB Girls’ cricket From Years 3s to 8. Hardball to U11 and above. Mixed coaching with the boys, as well as girls’ teams How has cricket bounced back So many boys and girls playing at break times Post-pandemic changes Offered cricket in September 2020 for the first time after the outbreak. Playing more inter-school and pairs cricket to give everyone a chance to bat in matches but practising with the boys Fixtures About 50 a year, including against ‘auld enemy’ Packwood Haugh Facilities 4 grass squares plus 8 146 | thecricketer.com

PACKWOOD HAUGH SCHOOL // PRESTFELDE PREP SCHOOL

are many opportunities for mixed cricket in both hard-ball and soft-ball formats resulting in girls progressing on the player pathway How has cricket bounced back The popularity of cricket has grown across the school. Both boys and girls have been successful in the SCB winter programme and gained representation at district and county level. Last summer saw a return to a full inter-school match programme along with a strong sixes (house) programme running alongside Post-pandemic changes It led to a review of internal cricket with an

emphasis on building opportunities for a strong and integral sixes programme Fixtures 48 for boys and 23 for girls Facilities Four indoor nets, four artificial outdoor, six grass, nine grounds (one artificial) Club/county affiliations Several local clubs/Shropshire county and district teams Cricketers of note Tim Lamb (Northants & Middlesex) Brief history Cricket has been played at Packwood since the school’s earliest days. The school’s greatest cricketer to date arrived from South Africa in 1909. JD Wyatt-Smith was an outstanding player, averaging more than 100 runs each season he was at the school. Also a fast bowler, in one match he took 10 for 0, including one wicket when a flying bail was caught by a long-stop. He also held the junior record for throwing the cricket ball (104 yards) What sets the school apart? With cricket as the major sport for both boys and girls, all pupils are involved in inter-school matches on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. Different

formats are provided for the different teams, with all pupils provided the appropriate format of the game to suit their playing ability Finest moment National Final U11 Hardball Finals Day at Oakham; U13 girls reaching finals of the Lady Taverners; National Indoor Cricket Competition three years running 2014, 2015 and 2016 and runners-up in 2016; U13s reaching the JET Cup finals day at St Edward’s School Oxford Recent progress All pupils access quality cricket coaching from senior coaches Future plans For all pupils to improve access a winter programme, including a return to the Lady Taverners competition for girls

rough strips in outfield for softball cricket; 6 grass nets, 2 new astro nets, school gym Club/county affiliation Strong partnership with Shropshire who use the school’s facilities for training and matches for their junior age groups Best prospect Harrison Vaughan, a leg-spin bowler and top-order batsman. He played for Shropshire throughout the age groups up to U13. He played up two years in the 2017 and 2019 teams who won the

Nationals Finals at Oakham School Cricketers of note Craig de Weymarn (England team physio) Brief history Cricket has been played for many decades by boys at Prestfelde, before the introduction of girls’ cricket in 2016. Large number of pupils represent Shropshire and go on to play at Shrewsbury School or Malvern College Finest moment U13 ESCA Bunbury champions in 2019 Recent progress The increased

participation of girls playing the game, not only matches but mixed coaching at the school Future plans Increasing the number of internal fixtures and partnerships with local schools and clubs What sets the school apart? Prestfelde prides itself in giving opportunities to every youngster to develop their cricket, from the complete beginner to those dreaming of playing professionally

REPTON PREP // ROKEBY PREP SCHOOL

ROKEBY PREP SCHOOL

REPTON PREP Foremarke Hall, Milton, Derbyshire DE65 6EJ Established 1940 Number of pupils 399 Master in charge Pete Rigney Professional Chris Read (Nottinghamshire & England) Teams 22 – Boys 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, 4th XI; Girls 1st XI, 2nd XI; Boys U11AB, Girls U11AB; Boys U10AB, Girls U10AB; Boys U9AB, Girls U9AB; Boys U8AB, Girls U8AB Girls’ cricket It is the compulsory sport during the summer term for girls in Years 3, 4 and 5. It is also offered in Years 6, 7 and 8 and uptake has been positive, with the majority opting to play in the summer. The numbers of girls in the winter training sessions are on the rise and attendance within local clubs is increasing. The school has five girls in county age-group squads. The U12 girls were crowned U13 county indoor champions a year young How has cricket bounced back Full summer 2021 fixture list and endof-term tour. Read ran performance group sessions for top-end cricketers Post-pandemic changes during the pandemic Weekly batting, bowling and fielding training sessions, video demonstrations and challenges for all age groups at home. Pupils also had the opportunity to learn how to score and umpire matches Fixtures 163, from U8-U13. Most

notable fixtures played against Derbyshire CC county age-group teams at U11 and U13 Facilities Three-lane indoor net facility, a four-lane artificial net facility for summer. Four grass squares, one artificial wicket and a portable Flicx surface Club/county affiliations Ticknall CC, who were recently crowned Derbyshire Premier League champions. Also strong links with Derbyshire CCC, hosting matches. A number of boys and girls part of their county age-group pathway system Brief history A strong history of cricket at the school, playing an extensive and competitive fixture list each summer for both boys and girls against other top prep schools in the Midlands What sets the school apart? Hosting county age-group matches and international-age group teams in recent years. Training and match facilities are excellent. Hosting of IAPS festivals and other tournaments for boys and girls in various age groups. Three ECB coaches among the staff team including Read who is Level 4 Finest moment Under-12 girls crowned U13 indoor county champions for the first time Recent progress The introduction of girls’ cricket has been a revelation Tours 1st XI to Ireland, v Terenure and Railway Union CCs; and to North Yorkshire v Aysgarth and Barnard Castle Schools

Cup Americas region finals Brief history Prior to the school moving to Kingston in 1965 cricket records George Road, Kingston are thin on the ground. upon Thames, Wimbledon Common was Surrey KT2 7PB Master in charge used as a venue but most Rob Williams matches, as were played, Established 1877 appeared to have been Number of pupils 400 staged away from Rokeby. When the Master in charge Rob Williams school moved all sport took place at Professional Andy Gannaway Richardson Evans Memorial Playing (Hampshire CCC) Fields in Roehampton Vale. This Teams At least two fixtures for 41 was a superb venue for football and different teams ranging from the rugby but had no cricket pitches. It seven mixed-ability U6 teams to the was not until the school reached an 1st XI. agreement with Malden Wanderers Girls’ cricket It’s an all boys’, but in 1985 that cricket took off. Now it’s Holy Cross Girls Preparatory trained No.1. Numerous competitions have at the school been won by the school including How has cricket bounced back The Charterhouse 6s by the U10s, Pre-season training. The addition of The Wellington College 6s (3 times) a fourth astropitch helped by the U11s and The Rokeby 6s (5) Post-pandemic changes by the 1st VI. The 1st XI have won Firefly virtual learning: a 12-week the Surrey Prep Schools (SPS) Cup 3 programme of coaching videos times and the Surrey Schools Cricket Fixtures 1,182 since 2011. Most Association (SSCA) Cup twice. The notable include block with U11A XI have won the SPS Cup twice Cranmore (for The Phillips Travers and the SSCA Cup once. In addition Trophy), Shrewsbury House, they reached the national finals of Parkside, Downsend and Danes Hill. the ESCA 8-a-side competition 3 Three tours to Sri Lanka, playing The times in 8 years. Joe Porter scoring 7 Foundation of Goodness Academy centuries for Rokeby Facilities A multi-purpose hall Cultural cricketers Oliver Reed plus Rokeby Sports Grounds with 4 and Richard Briers squares all of which have astroturf What sets the school apart? Club/county affiliations Surrey Rokeby sports grounds have hosted CCCA/CCC; Wimbledon, Spencer, England and county deaf matches Sunbury, Esher, Teddington, Finest moment Under-11 As Hampton Wick, NPL and especially winning the Surrey Schools Cricket Malden Wanderers CC Association Cup (The Verney Cup) Best prospect 6 of the 8 who beating Trinity School in July; the represented the U11A 2011 Under-11 8-a-side team VIII at the 2019 ESCA winning the national title from national finals at an original entry of more than Oakham School 330 schools played for the 1st Future plans New XI this season. Alfie electronic scoreboards Webb, who moves to and ball-by-ball updates Epsom College in for parents unable to September, has attend taken two hat-tricks Tours Sri Lanka and Cricketers of note Luke South Africa. An Ireland Harrington-Myers (Rokeby tour is a possibility in 2009–14) played for the Cayman spring 2022 Islands in the Men’s T20 World thecricketer.com | 147

TOP 50 PREP/JUNIOR SCHOOLS

SHREWSBURY HOUSE 107 Ditton Road, Surbiton, Surrey KT6 RL Established 1865 Number of pupils 350 Head of cricket Danny Baker (Afghanistan, Israel & Cuba, England blind team coach) Director of sport Billy Davison

SPRATTON HALL Smith St, Spratton, Northampton NN6 8HP Established 1951 Number of pupils 364 Master in charge Gareth Barnard (head of boys’ games), Sarah Blason (head of girls’ games) Teams 25 Girls’ cricket From Years 2–8 How has cricket bounced back The addition of eight astro nets has enabled pupils to practise their skills in all weathers. Spratton has played host to multiple teams in up to 11 matches on the same day Post-pandemic changes Girls have taken to cricket, with mixed teams Fixtures About 150. Most notable for boys against Bilton Grange, Witham Hall, Bedford Prep, Stamford, Oakham; for girls against The Dragon, Witham Hall, Foremark Hall, Beachborough Facilities 8 astro nets , 3 grass, 10 grass wickets, 6 astro, and an indoor sports dome; all used by junior county teams; Northampton Saints have used the grounds too 148 | thecricketer.com

Teams 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th XIs. U12 ABCD, U11 & U10ABCDE; U9 & U8ABCDEF Girls’ cricket Boys’ school, but hosts Primary Festival of Sport which features boys and girls Post-pandemic changes Online videos and resources during the pandemic. After returning, a first house cricket competition for all age groups. A ‘County Championship’

Club/county affiliations Overstone, Old Northamptonians, Brixworth, East Haddon and Nether Heyford CCs; Northamptonshire and Leicestershire CCC Best prospect Teddy Green (Northants U11), Vicky Jackson (Northants U13 girls), Frank Fowler (Northants U13 captain); all allrounders Cricketers of note Rob White (Northants) Brief history Cricket has been played since 1951, girls’ cricket since 2018. Cricket is played in all age groups from Years 2–8. Competitive matches start in Year 3 (pairs cricket) Cultural cricketers Tenniel Evans (actor), Mark Haddon (author), Michael Ellis (MP), Harry Mallinder (Northampton Saints & England rugby), Robbie Povey (Canada rugby), Max Fryatt (All Black Schools). The headmaster, Simon Clarke, attended Spratton as a pupil, and opened the batting for the 1st XI in 1985 What sets the school

SHREWSBURY HOUSE // SPRATTON HALL

played at SHS since at supporting boys at the least 1897. In 1899, an old lower end of ability to boy of the school, Claude have meaningful and Jupp, played for Surbiton competitive matches. SHS CC against MCC and was Junior Cricket Skill Awards caught off the bowling of Sir Fixtures 150 against other Arthur Conan Doyle. First schools. Most notable inter-school match in June against Whitgift, Trinity, Head of cricket 1897 against Sydenham. St Paul’s, King’s College 1903 saw the first unbeaten Wimbledon and Danes Hill. Danny Baker season in the school’s Also compete in prestigious history when the 1st XI won all eight tournaments, hosted by Winchester fixtures. During World War II, half of College, Tonbridge, Wellington the school moved to Devon and half College, Harrow, St Paul’s, Reeds, remained in Surbiton, and the ‘two Reigate Grammar and Charterhouse schools’ played each other Facilities 4G all-weather-surface; Cultural cricketers Lord MacLaurin in the school 4 indoor and 2 outdoor and Stirling Moss nets; at the sports ground 5 minutes Finest moment Winning the away 5 outdoor nets and another Winchester College U12 tournament main cricket field in 2017 and 2018; the Surrey Prep Club/county affiliation Schools Cup 8 times; Surrey Watcyn Wimbledon, Chessington, Esher and Evans Cup 4 times; Tonbridge U11 Maori Oxshott CCs & Surrey CCC Tournament 4 times; the Wellington Best prospects Charlie Hulme U11 Tournament 3 times (Y6) – a gifted left-arm seam bowler Future plans New pavilion at the who has perfected a good slower ball. sports ground; a potential cricket Bats top of the order; Christopher Crowley (Y5) – fast bowler and handy breakfast club; cricket camps in the batsman; Jed Lloyd (Y4) – off-spinner Easter and summer breaks Tours St Lucia every other year Brief history Cricket has been

apart? Fantastic facilities and nine coaches; teams play across three afternoons every week Finest moment 1st XI boys unbeaten in 2017; 1st XI girls indoor county champions, winning the National Lady

Taverners U13 indoor competition Recent progress Girls’ cricket taking off; skills being taught to boys and girls together from Year 2, and mixed matches starting in Year 3 and Year 4 Future plans Girls will play hard ball alongside the boys; opportunities for less confident boys and girls to engage in softball Tours Yorkshire, Cambridgeshire and Yorkshire; festivals and tournaments across the age groups

ST ANDREW’S PREP, EASTBOURNE // ST FAITH’S SCHOOL

ST ANDREW’S PREP, EASTBOURNE Meads Street, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN20 7RP Established 1877 Number of pupils 375 Master in charge Mark Tomsett Teams 13 boys’, 9 girls’ Girls’ cricket It’s the main summer sport for girls with 9 established teams; following the ‘cricket for girls’ programme established by Tamsin Greenway; 2 county players How has cricket bounced back Winter programmes plus full fixture list Post-pandemic changes Year-group bubbles Fixtures 70 for boys, 50 for girls; competitive fixtures card against the leading prep schools in the South-east Facilities St Andrew’s forms part of Eastbourne College Incorporated. As a result facilities are shared across both schools: 8 indoor nets across two sites, 8 astroturf outdoor nets, 3 grass wicket pitches on St Andrew’s school

ST FAITH’S SCHOOL Trumpington Road, Cambridge CB2 8AG Established 1884 Number of pupils 570 Master in charge John Welch (exBahamas coach) Teams Boys: U12/U13 (mixed) ABCD, U11ABC, U10ABCD, U9ABCD, U8ABCD

site and we also use a further four grounds of Eastbourne College Club/county affiliations Eastbourne and East Dean CCs, Sussex Cricket Foundation Best prospect Adam Ibrahim, a 12-year-old opening batsman and an off-spinner Brief history Cricket is the main summer sport. With the introduction

of girls’ cricket last year, the school now boasts more than 22 teams and 130 fixtures a season. The boys were Sussex U12 Champions in 2017. In 2018, as a result of winning the Sussex Cup, they entered to the Bunbury U13 National Cup as Sussex representatives; 2019 saw the 1st XI finish third in the U13 IAPS national knockout cup and also win the U13

Sussex Cup; in 2021 the U12As, U12Bs and U10As went through the season undefeated Finest moment U12 county champions in 2017; 3rd place in the IAPS National Knockout Cup, U13 Sussex county champions in 2019 Recent progress Development of girls’ cricket; looking for the 1st team to move on to hard ball within 2 years

Girls’ cricket Years 1-Year 8, matches from Year 3 How has cricket bounced back With more enthusiasm, making use of the digital gains Post-pandemic changes Mixed cricket through the year groups ensuring maximum participation Fixtures Full programme for Years 3–8 Facilities 10 outdoor nets: 4 grass, 6 all-weather; 2 indoor; 8 Kwik Pitches,

4 grass wickets; 4 badminton courtsized sports hall pitches Club/county affiliation Cambridge CC, First Choice Coaching Cricket Company, Cambridgeshire CCC Best prospect Harry Silverwood (Year 5) – technically proficient, hard-hitting batsman, quick and accurate bowler, dynamic fielder; understanding of the game Cricketers of note Justin Benson (Ireland), Nikhail Gorantla (Essex 2nd XI) Brief history Ranjitsinhji came to the school to acclimatise before heading on to Cambridge University; cricket has always been held in high regard in the school, now accessible for all Cultural cricketers Sir Christopher Cockerell (inventor of the hovercraft), Professor Lord Robert Mair, Sir John Tusa, Tom Williams and Alastair Bruce-Ball

(both BBC Sports), John Maynard Keynes, Professor David Thouless (Nobel Prize Winner, physics), John Storey (Olympic rower), John Peake (Olympic hockey), Alex Goode (England rugby), Tessa Howard and Katie Curtis (both GB Hockey). What sets the school apart? Heavy investment in every boy and girl in every team through the school taught by a cricket specialist; County Cup A and B team tournaments; on Wednesday afternoons 15 teams playing through Years 6, 7 & 8; sport for all ethos Finest moment Unbeaten on tour to South Africa in 2009 Recent progress Strength in depth in each year group Future plans Developing year group festivals; inset programmes for local primary school teachers to share ideas based around the game from ages 7–11 Finest moment Losing only three games at girls’ 1st team level in six years; U11 girls county champions for the last 5 years; hosting U11 boys and girls IAPS events; U11 boys finishing 2nd in the England Schools Cricket Association national competition thecricketer.com | 149

TOP 50 PREP/JUNIOR SCHOOLS

ST PETER’S, YORK 8–13 // STAMFORD JUNIOR SCHOOL

STAMFORD JUNIOR SCHOOL Kettering Rd, Stamford PE9 2LR

ST PETER’S, YORK 8–13 Clifton, York, Yorkshire YO30 6AB Established 627AD Number of pupils 350 Master in charge Gareth Sharp Teams U13, U12, U11 AB, U9 ABC Girls’ cricket Yes, “a big push since Covid” How has cricket bounced back Internal competitive training games, followed by a full season after the half-term break. The coaching team put in many quality hours with all the cricketers, working on fundamentals of movement, biomechanical set-up, developing mind-set, group dynamics, game awareness through concept games and teamwork Post-pandemic changes Internal competitive training games; followed by a full season after the half-term break. Online in-house coaching CPD for all staff to access Fixtures More than 150 for boys and girls in a normal summer: Aysgarth, GSAL, RGS Newcastle, QEGS Wakefield; annual Super8s competition Facilities 2 sports halls, 8 bowling machines, 8-lane outdoor artificial net area, 10 grass nets, 3 turf grounds all with covers, 1 artificial ground Club/county affiliations York CC, Yorkshire CCC Best prospects Alex Strain and Jack Robinson (both Yorkshire CAGS) Cricketers of note Jonny Bairstow, Norman Yardley, Stephen Coverdale, Frank Mitchell and David Kirby Brief history “Older than the House of Commons, older than 150 | thecricketer.com

the universities, older than the Lord Mayoralty, older even than the throne or nation itself,” said Arthur F Leach in November 1892. Founded in 627AD, with Guy Fawkes among its alumni, St Peter’s School is an independent co-educational day and boarding school (aged 3–18) in the centre of the historic city of York. The first recorded game played at St Peter’s was in 1853 when against Pocklington. Cricket lies at the heart of the sporting calendar in the summer term throughout the school. The 1st XI play under York Minster with all junior grounds situated on the banks of the River Ouse Cultural cricketers Guy Fawkes, Frank Pick, Harry Gration, John Barry What sets the school apart? So many ECB Level 4 & 2 coaches. The Yorkshire Diamonds used St Peter’s as their training base for six weeks. The Kia Summer Smash (Northern Festival) was held at the school in 2018 and 2019 Finest moment U13 IAPS Cup (the old Jet Cup) finalists 9 times in the last 10 years; 3-time champions 2011, 2018, 2019 Recent progress The levels of participation and engagement across the school in the online programme, the six weeks of pre-season work before June and five successful weeks of the 2021 season after half-term for all teams and many individuals Future plans New sports/cricket pavilion. Renovations to the main square, with investment in some hybrid (SISS) pitches Tours Sri Lanka, Argentina or Dubai. Training camps to Spain and in UK

Established 1532 Number of pupils 325 Director of cricket Dean Headley Professional Jack Mousley Teams U11ABCDEFGH, U10ABCDEFGH, U9ABCDEF, U8ABCD Girls’ cricket Yes, the main summer sport for all pupils. All teams are mixed gender with boys and girls selected in the same teams – 26 in total How has cricket bounced back Cricket has flourished. Winter nets were well attended. Every pupil has represented the school on a number of occasions in the summer term Post-pandemic changes A combination of mixed-ability and ability fixtures in all year groups. Pupils select either hardball or softball training in their games sessions. Fixtures 110. On occasion the school has more teams than the opposition but will rotate after each innings or game to make sure each team plays part in the fixture Facilities 4 indoor lanes for spring term practice and two artificial wickets. In the summer 2 Flicx wickets on the hockey astro and 4 cut-out grass areas on the main field for softball matches. 3 outdoor concertina nets in a caged artificial area Club/county affiliations Burghley, Uffington, Barnack, Stamford, Oakham and Nassington CCs. Huntingdonshire and Lincolnshire CCCs Best prospect A few pupils involved with Huntingdonshire, Lincolnshire and Leicestershire CCCs Cricketers of note Joey Evison

(Nottinghamshire CCC and England U19 World Cup 2020) Brief history Cricket has gone from strength to strength since arriving at its new site in 1976. Since its opening, the school has enjoyed ample space to run, play and create a number of cricket outfields. Two astro wickets were laid on the two upper fields, and two grass wickets either side of both astro wickets and five grass wickets on the lower fields for various pupils to enjoy softball matches were created. Cricket has also become the main summer sport with all pupils enjoying training sessions, clubs and fixtures from Years 3–6 What sets the school apart? Huntingdonshire train and play fixtures on the main square Finest moment The U11A team were unbeaten in the summer of 2018, which included a number of totals over 150 Recent progress The rapid growth of girls’ cricket by introducing it as the main summer sport three years ago Future plans 4-lane artificial net area to replace the concertina nets. This will improve safety and increase the number of pupils that can benefit at any one time. The hockey astro turf is being redeveloped into 2 pitches

TAUNTON PREPARATORY SCHOOL // THE NEW BEACON

TAUNTON PREPARATORY SCHOOL Staplegrove Road, Taunton, Somerset TA2 6AD Established 1847 Number of pupils 310 Master in charge Peter Sanderson Professional Marcus Trescothick Teams 33 – 16 boys, 13 girls, 4 mixed. Boys 1st, 2nd XIs, U13ABC in boys and girls plus a 13Ds in boys. U12ABC; U11ABC; U10B; U9AB across both genders; U8 boys who have two teams playing 7-a-side Girls’ cricket Yes – 15 players in the Somerset pathway programme How has cricket bounced back Sports programmes online and staff running courses in holidays. Sir Alastair Cook held a webinar, and Tom Banton and Craig Overton held tactics sessions Post-pandemic changes More midweek fixtures Fixtures Millfield Prep, King’s Hall, Hazlegrove and Sherborne Facilities 12 grass net pitches, split into 4 bays; 15 artificial nets including

the 7 indoor lanes. The main hall for indoor games. The school has 6 main squares but also play on extra pitches for softball matches. Access to 3 bowling machines including a Merlyn spin machine Club/county affiliations Many schools, clubs including Taunton Deane CC, and Somerset CCC; the school also has county players from Cornwall, Dorset and Devon as well as girls playing in Western Storm teams; also a primary school outreach programme Best prospects Oscar Coleman, Logan Dupont, Kian Roberts and Ben Mason. Joleigh Roberts has also progressed into the Western Storm academy and full squad practice sessions Cricketers of note Tom Abell (Somerset capt & England A),

Adam Dibble (Somerset), Jodie Dibble (England, Somerset & Western Storm), Aftab Habib (England, Essex, Leicestershire & Middlesex), Ricky Bartlett and Nick Pringle (both Somerset), Piran Holloway (Somerset & Warwickshire), John Jameson (England & Warwickshire), Thomas Jameson (Warwickshire), John Cameron (West Indies), Alan Gibson (Oxford University), Alan Marshall (Somerset), Jack White (England, Somerset, Wisden Cricketer of the Year 1929) Brief history The school was established in 1847 before merging with Weirfield in 1976 to become mixed gender. The prep school was created in 1990 and an international Tom Abell

THE NEW BEACON

A beautiful setting and a lovely refurbished pavilion. Two former pupils playing for England and Kent with more in the pipeline Finest moment Winning the JET National competition in 2007. The U11s being in the Kent Cup final every year for the past 21 years and winning the last 10 years Recent progress Maintaining the high standard set decades ago. The resumption of competitive cricket last summer Future plans The New Beacon merged with Tonbridge School in September. Zak Crawley opened the newly refurbished pavilion

Brittains Lane, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 2PB Established 1863 Number of pupils 335 Director of sport Ian BuchananDunlop Teams At least 4 in each age group, U13, U11, U10 and U9 Girls’ cricket It is an all boys’ school, although Kent Girls use the facilities for training How has cricket bounced back Vigorously… full training and fixtures in every age group. U11A Kent Summers Cup champions; U12s won Kent Schools Cup in September Fixtures About 10 per age group, plus knockout competitions at national and county level Facilities 4 all-weather nets, one grass wicket, 3 all-weather pitches, a sports hall for indoor cricket Club/county affiliation Hosted Kent U13 training matches at The New Beacon. Close connections with The Vine and Holmesdale CC, Sevenoaks district and Kent CCC Best prospect An U12 cricketer is

school was added. International and county players have been produced – the best known is Abell, who is a regular visitor. In 2016 Taunton School made the decision to appoint a director of cricket, Peter Sanderson (Level 4 coach/ex-Somerset coach) Cultural cricketers Geoffrey Cox (MP), Alan Gibson (cricket writer), Jeremy Wright (attorney general) What sets the school apart? The enthusiasm of the staff, and the link with Somerset CCC. Variety of match formats used to heighten enjoyment including softball and 4-innings matches. The highlight is the parents v 1st XI match on the last Saturday of term even though the boys are not happy when Trescothick helps out the parents Finest moment Abell scoring 1,156 runs in a school season; winning county cups and regional cups, including this year’s U14s Recent progress The numbers of county pathway players increasing to 70 Future plans Upgrading the outdoor facilities Tours India and Sri Lanka

playing with Kent U13s. A number of boys at varying ages play Kent district cricket Cricketers of note Sam Billings and Zak Crawley (both Kent and England) Brief history A 1901 team photo shows Siegfried Sassoon playing for the 1st XI and cricket has continued to be a strength of the school. Over the last 40 years The New Beacon has become one of the leading cricket schools in Kent. It has won the former

JET National Cricket Cup and has been to finals day twice, beating Millfield in the final in 2007. The school has also won the U11 and U12 Kent Cup on many occasions with the U11s in the final every year since 2000 Cultural cricketers Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles, Sir Patrick Mayhew, Sir Tim Laurence, Siegfried Sassoon What sets the school apart? It has one of the best prep school wickets. thecricketer.com | 151

TOP 50 PREP/JUNIOR SCHOOLS

WELLESLEY HOUSE SCHOOL 114 Ramsgate Rd, Broadstairs CT10 2DG Established 1866 Number of pupils 120 Master in charge Tom Longdon (director of sport) Professional Tim Burleigh Teams U9ABC, U11ABC, U13ABC. They are mixed teams, and the school also runs girls only fixtures at U11 and U13 How has cricket bounced back Cricket at Wellesley never left during the pandemic… Coaching tips for

WESTBROOK HAY PREP SCHOOL

London Road, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire HP1 2RF Established 1892 Number of pupils 352 Masters in charge Stuart Stedman, Peter Makower and John James Teams Three U13; 8 U11 boys’; 4 U11 girls’; 8 U9 boys’; 4 U9 girls’. Also mixed cricket How has cricket bounced back Played in September. John Neal, head of coach development at the ECB, is a former teacher at the school and ran a clinic for both staff and the U11As in the summer Post-pandemic changes Returned with a focus on skill development but the school tried to do this through game-play and a skills catch-up programme Fixtures About 10 per side. Most notable is the derby against Lockers Park 152 | thecricketer.com

pupils via video clips in lockdown Post-pandemic changes Interschool fixtures and daily coaching sessions. Co-ed sport has become more aligned Fixtures About 15 per team per year. Notably against Sunningdale and local rivals Junior King’s Canterbury Facilities Indoor net and bowling machine; artificial outdoor nets; 8 grass nets; 2 main squares with 4 additional squares for juniors Club/county affiliations Sandwich Town CC, Kent CCC Best prospect A trio of promising allrounders who have already made their mark in the 1st XI and all return next year: Alexander Long, Archie

Facilities 2 main grass pitches, 1 astro, 4 junior wickets and 3 astro nets all outside, plus 2 two indoor nets Club/county affiliations Herts Schools’ Cricket Association. Best prospect Charlie Brett (Year 7): a stylish allrounder, signed up by Northants Academy Cricketers of note Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire & England, below) Brief history The school is set in a wonderful environment, with two picturesque grounds. Has a dedicated staff who believe cricket should be available for all and every pupil represents the school in matches. Producing high-quality cricketers who play the game in the right spirit. Pupils are regularly part of the county squad and recent success is seen in winning the U11 County Cup in 2012, 2014 and 2015. In recent years, cricket has been introduced for girls Cultural cricketers Luke O’Nien (footballer, Sunderland AFC), Raef Bjayou (British entrepreneur & TV

WELLESLEY HOUSE SCHOOL // WESTBROOK HAY PREP SCHOOL

Brown and William Franklin Cricketers of note Many Welleslians have played first-class cricket, the most famous being George Mann and Christopher Cowdrey, both captains of England, Graham Cowdrey (Kent), Alex Loudon (England, Kent & Warwickshire), Giles Goodwin (Essex), Hugo Loudon (Hampshire), Sam Northeast (Kent & Hampshire), Ollie Robinson (Sussex & England), Jordan Cox (Kent) Brief history The school was called Conyngham House and was in Ramsgate. It moved to its current site in Broadstairs in 1898 and amalgamated with another prep school, St Peter’s Court, in 1969. Cricket has been played at Wellesley for more than a hundred years. The school has nurtured many famous cricketers and played host to well-known teams such EW Swanton’s Arabs and the Band of Brothers. The school has won the national JET (now IAPS) Cup six times, beating Millfield and Dulwich College in the finals Cultural cricketers William Fox-Pitt (equestrian), Charles and Mark Hue-Williams (rackets), Ivo Tennant (cricket journalist), Mike d’Abo

(Manfred Mann) What sets the school apart? For years Wellesley has punched above its weight in sport, particularly in cricket, and coaching takes place throughout the academic year and on a one-toone basis. Headmaster Gavin Franklin is a former pro (Warwickshire CCC) and ECB Level 4 coach. The school is proud of its pitches Finest moment Winning the national finals in 2003 at Oxford, Sam Northeast scoring 124 not out in the semi-final and 94 in the final (caught on the boundary going for his second century of the day) beating Millfield to win the JET Trophy for the fifth time Recent progress The rapid progress of girls’ cricket. Also a first overseas tour in February 2020 – to Cape Town. Aside from the cultural experience, the 1st XI won 4 out of 5 games (the other tied) with captain Harry Heming scoring 50-plus in each game and only being dismissed once Future plans Developing Easter coaching programme and developing links with youngsters in the local area Tours A return to South Africa in February 2023

presenter), Deji Olatunji (YouTuber with 9m subscribers) What sets the school apart? Cricket is played every day during the summer term with indoor and outdoor facilities always in use Finest moment Winning the County

Cup three times in four years recently Recent progress The development of the girls’ programme Future plans Working with Neal on coaching, and making alterations to the groundstaff in order to produce high-quality squares

HIGHLY COMMENDED

The following schools entered a submission to The Cricketer Schools Guide 2022 but unfortunately just missed out on the top 100, top 50 or top 20. However, their cricket programme has been highly commended and we look forward to hearing of their progress in the future.

Senior schools

Abingdon School AKS Lytham Aldenham School Ampleforth College Ashford School Beechen Cliff Birkenhead School Bloxham School Blundell’s School Bryanston School Burford School Chislehurst & Sidcup Grammar School Downside School Dr Challoner’s Grammar School Forest School Fulneck School George Watson’s College Giggleswick School Gordon’s School Gordonstoun Hill House School, Doncaster Ibstock Place School King Edward’s School, Bath King Edward’s School, Birmingham King’s College School, Wimbledon

Kingston Grammar School Lancaster Royal Grammar School Langley Park School for Boys Latymer Upper School Leicester Grammar School Loretto School Loughborough Grammar School New Hall School Newcastle School for Boys Northampton School for Boys Oswestry School Oundle School Pangbourne College Pocklington School Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Barnet Ratcliffe College Reading Blue Coat School Rossall School Sherborne School Solihull School St Aidan’s CofE High School St Albans School St George’s College St Joseph’s College, Ipswich

Stewart’s Melville College The Cathedral School, Llandaff The Glasgow Academy The King’s School in Macclesfield The King’s School, Chester The Oratory School The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe Trinity School, Croydon University College School Uppingham School Wallington County Grammar School Watford Grammar School for Boys Woodbridge School Wymondham College

All-girls schools

Benenden School Edgbaston High School for Girls Farnborough Hill Malvern St James Sherborne School for Girls St Helen and St Katharine St Swithun’s School, Winchester

Prep/junior schools Aldwickbury School

Ashford Prep School Barfield School Birkenhead Prep School Blundell’s Prep Cranleigh Prep School Cricklade Manor Cundall Manor School Dorset House School Fettes College Prep Great Walstead School Handcross Park School Heath Mount Hilden Grange School King Edward’s School, Bath Milbourne Lodge Newland House School Orwell Park School Parkside School St Andrews Pangbourne St Johns’ Beaumont Summer Fields Prep Sunningdale Prep The Elms Twyford School West Hill Park School Westbourne House Woodcote House School

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INDEX Top 100 senior schools 17 18 20 22 24 24 25 26 28 28 29 29 30 32 32 33 33 34 34 35 35 36 36 37 37 38 38 39 40 42 43 45 46 48 48 49 49 50 50 51 53 53 54 54 55 55 56 56 58 60 60 61 61 62 62 63 63 64

Bede’s Senior School Bedford School Berkhamsted School Bishop’s Stortford College Bradfield College Brentwood School Brighton Aldridge Community Academy Brighton College Bromsgrove School Caterham School Charterhouse Cheltenham College Clayesmore School Clifton College Cranleigh School Denstone College Dollar Academy Dulwich College Dunottar School Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation Eastbourne College Elizabeth College, Guernsey Ellesmere College Emanuel School Epsom College Eton College Felsted School Fettes College Framlingham College Gresham’s School Haberdashers’ Boys’ School Haileybury Hampton School Harrow School Huddersfield New College Hurstpierpoint College Kimbolton School King Edward VI School King’s College, Taunton Lancing College Lord Wandsworth College Magdalen College School Malvern College Marlborough College Merchant Taylors’ School, Northwood Millfield Monmouth School for Boys Myerscough College Newcastle-under-Lyme School Oakham School Queen Mary’s Grammar School, Walsall Queen’s College, Taunton Radley College Reed’s School Reigate Grammar School Repton School Royal Grammar School, Guildford Royal Hospital School

64 66 67 69 69 70 71 72 72 73 73 74 74 75 75 76 76 77 78 80 80 81 81 82 82 83 83 84 84 85 85 86 86 87 87 88 88 89 89 90 90 91

Rugby School Scarborough College Seaford College Sedbergh School Sevenoaks School Shenfield High School Shrewsbury School Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys South Dartmoor Community College St Edward’s School, Oxford St Lawrence College St Paul’s School St Peter’s, York 13-18 Stamford School Stowe School Taunton School The Bishop’s Stortford High School The Canterbury Academy The John Lyon School The Judd School The King’s School, Worcester The Leys The Manchester Grammar School The Perse The Portsmouth Grammar School The Skinners’ School Tiffin School Tonbridge School Trent College Warwick School Wellington College Wellington School Whitgift School William Perkin CofE High School Wilson’s School Winchester College Woodhouse Grove School Worksop College Worth School Wrekin College Wycliffe College Yorkshire Cricket College

Top 20 all-girls schools 94 94 95 95 96 96 97 98 100 100 101 103 103 104

Channing School Cheltenham Ladies’ College Denmark Road High School for Girls Didcot Girls’ School Downe House Godolphin & Latymer School Godolphin School Guildford High School Headington School Loughborough High School Mayfield School Old Palace of John Whitgift School Putney High School Queenswood School

104 105 105 106 106 107

Roedean School St Catherine’s, Bramley Stamford High School The Lady Eleanor Holles School The Mary Erskine School Wimbledon High School

Top 50 prep/junior schools 119 119 120 122 122 123 123 125 125 126

128 128 129 129 130 132 132 133 134 136 136 137 137 138 140 140 141 141 142 142 143 143 144 144 145 145 146 146 147 147 148 148 149 149 150 105 151 151 152 152

Abingdon Preparatory School Aldro Aysgarth School Beaudesert Park School Bede’s Prep School Bedford Preparatory School Bilton Grange Bishop’s Stortford College Prep Brentwood Prep Brighton College Nursery, Pre-Prep and Prep School Bromsgrove Preparatory School Caldicott Preparatory School Cargilfield Cheam School Clayesmore Prep School Cothill House School Cottesmore School Cranmore School Cumnor House School for Boys Cumnor House, Sussex Downsend School Dragon School Eagle House School Feltonfleet School Heathfield Junior School Highfield & Brookham Schools Holmewood House School Hurstpierpoint College Prep School King’s Hall School Lambrook School Lockers Park Ludgrove School Merchant Taylors’ Prep Millfield Prep School Moulsford Preparatory School Nottingham Academy Primary Packwood Haugh School Prestfelde Preparatory School Repton Prep Rokeby School Shrewsbury House School Spratton Hall St Andrew’s Prep, Eastbourne St Faith’s School St Peter’s York, 8-13 Stamford Junior School Taunton Preparatory School The New Beacon Wellesley House Westbrook Hay Prep School

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Supporters of The Cricketer Schools Guide

Completed projects by Durant Cricket Durant Cricket install a wide range of products across the UK. Some of our work in schools includes:

Bradfield College The installation of a five-bay retractable netting system, surfacing and exterior fencing

The Perse School The re-levelling of artificial nets, the installation of netting and delivery of three liveried cover units

Winchester College The supply and installation of Gerflor Taraflex Performance surface and court markings along with a four-bay netting system

Haileybury The installation of a seven bay netting system as part of a large project to kit the school out for cricket for years to come

SCHOOLS GUIDE 2022

www.durantcricket.co.uk

enquiries@durantcricket.co.uk

01572 822013