The Cricketer dives into a selection of the best stories from around the club cricket scene
Seven Gloucestershire cricketers lifted the sport to new heights in May by taking their practice to the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge.
With the bridge, based on a design by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, closed to traffic for three days of maintenance, the girls took to the opportunity to practice their batting and bowling 75m above the River Avon to help promote Women’s Big Cricket Month.
The ECB initiative, which began on June 1, encourages women and girls to play, follow and attend cricket.
Laura Charles-Price, women’s and girl’s development officer for Gloucestershire Cricket Board, said: "This has been a brilliant opportunity to showcase our sport and the growing number of opportunities for young girls and women to play cricket.
"It helps shine a light on Women’s Big Cricket Month and the many different types of cricket available across the country at all age levels. [This is a day] these girls will remember for a long time."
Gloucestershire Women’s player, Katie Dolman, added: "This experience is unheard of, no one has ever played cricket on the bridge before so it’s amazing for Gloucestershire cricket. It’s a really cool experience."
Meanwhile, bridgemaster Trish Johnson remarked on the significance of the moment, commenting: "I’m not sure that there’s ever been any cricket played here before – and the bridge is 156 years old - so this is probably a once in a lifetime opportunity!
"I’m a woman engineer and it’s great to see women getting into sport and science and doing just as much as the men do."
Hollinsend Methodist teenager Patrick Walker took 7 for 10 against Sheffield Transport to record his first senior five-for
Patrick Walker ended May in style with his maiden five-for in senior cricket.
The 13-year-old, who plays for Hollinsend Methodist CC third XI, recorded figures of 7 for 10 against Sheffield Transport CC in the Yorkshire & Derbyshire League Division 4.
Walker, who made his senior debut for the club in July 2020 and previously represented Yorkshire at age-group level, recorded three maidens from his 7.3 overs and also took the winning wicket.
And he wasn’t the only player to enjoy himself in May.
Thorton-le-Moor’s Tom Stead wrote himself into the history books on May 1 after taking 10 wickets for 43 runs against Markington CC. He is the first player in the club’s history to take 10 wickets in an innings and just the fifth in the 127-year history of the Nidderdale League. A fortnight later, he scored 138 against Alne CC – his second century of the season.
Huw Turbervill: Club cricket's joyous return
14-year-old Sam Burns took five wickets in five balls during a T20 fixture between Buckland/Yelverton under-15s and Plymouth CC under-15s. Bowling the 15th over, the youngster opened with a dot ball before embarking on his remarkable spell: caught, bowled, bowled, lbw, bowled. 'Belverton' won by 15 runs and Burns finished with figures of 6 for 15, having picked up a wicket earlier in the match.
And former England allrounder Arran Brindle padded up for Owmby Trojans CC and put on a 143-run undefeated opening partnership with her 12-year-old son Harry. Arran finished on 94 not out from 101 deliveries while Harry was unbeaten on 32 and took 4 for 27 with the ball.
A partnership has been launched between the Middlesex Premier Cricket League and Harrow School to tackle the shortage of cricket fields in London.
MPCL clubs Friends United CC and Harrow Willow CC will each play four home matches on the school’s fields over the summer holidays.
Former England allrounder Arran Brindle and her son Harry Brindle shared a century partnership that helped Owmby Trojans get across the line.
— Women's CricZone (@WomensCricZone) May 25, 2021
Commenting on the arranging, MPCL chairman, Dipu Patel, said: "Our clubs generally play in public parks and, for many, the task of finding acceptable facilities is a major challenge. It is wonderful that Harrow School is prepared to make available two of its high-quality cricket fields for two of our clubs.
"This is a fine example of a public school working constructively with the community, and we very much hope these arrangements represent the start of a long and fruitful relationship."
Meanwhile, Alastair Land, headmaster at Harrow School, added: "We are delighted to work alongside Middlesex Premier Cricket League and to be able to share our first-class facilities with local clubs who do so much to encourage the game of cricket in the community.
Friends United CC and Harrow Willow CC will use the school’s facilities on July 11, July 25, August 15 and August 29.
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On June 18, 12-year-old Teddy Birkbeck will complete a 20-mile run to raise money for the Matthew Hobden Trust, a charity which grants money to young, disadvantaged cricketer.
Matthew, who was Teddy’s cousin, played cricket for Sussex and was selected for the potential England performance programme before tragically passing away in an accident in 2016.
A member of Somerset’s under-13 academy, Teddy’s route will take him from Matthew’s grave at Chiddingly Cricket Club to the County Ground in Hove to arrive in time for Sussex’s Vitality Blast match against Somerset.
To donate, please go to: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/edward-birkbeck
1973 Cricket World Cup winner and women’s cricket pioneer, Enid Bakewell, created a social media storm after being filmed batting at the age of 80…
This is awesome, the great Enid Bakewell still going strong at the age of 80 🙌
— The Cricketer (@TheCricketerMag) May 17, 2021
📹 @ScarlettSport pic.twitter.com/QDMUMoXI3N
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