Summer arrived late in 2024 but the cricket season began at the start of the academic year. Multiple group sessions were run each day by Rob Ferley, our Head of Cricket Performance and his team of professional coaches in addition to almost 100 pupils taking 1:1 lessons, giving members of the Cricket Club every opportunity to learn and develop new skills. Pre-season camps for the U18 and U15 boys and girls at the second edition of our Bradfield Cricket Festival found 38 teams playing in rather soggy conditions for a week in April; a phenomenal effort from those involved. Between them, the boys’ and girls’ 1stXIs will play more than 50 fixtures throughout the season with formats ranging from 100 ball to two-day declaration games, allowing many of our cricketers to challenge themselves against some of the strongest young players in the country.
The boys’ 1stXI had a mixed season; it is not only the England team that battle for consistency as they try to play brave cricket! Five wicket hauls for Sam (F) and Nick (C) and hundreds for Andrew (A), twice, and Enoch (D) demonstrate the high levels that have, on occasion, been reached. Through the age groups both boys and girls have achieved great success in regional and national competitions. Just as significantly as the top-end performers, I take great pride in the way that we are now typically putting out up to 17 teams on a fixture weekend and play over 230 fixtures in total. These opportunities enable all cricketers at Bradfield to represent the College and practise the skills they have been working so hard to develop.
U17 Plate Competition
The season drew to an end in September with victory for the boys in the final of the Cricket Paper U17 Plate competition. Having been inserted by hosts Uppingham, Bradfield were dominant for large portions of the game; a serene opening partnership between Ethan (D) and Artie (A) was built upon by Arush (A) whose run a ball 71 helped set an imposing total of 212 in 35 overs. Once the powerful opposition Captain had been removed by James (D), and the spinners had taken charge, the result was in little doubt. A 60 run victory was secured with three quick wickets by captain Ethan demonstrating why he has just been selected for Scotland’s U19 team to play an autumn triangular series against England and Ireland.
In addition to the fantastic achievements of the girls’ 1stXI at Lord’s, they also won their County Cup, as did the girls’ U15 team and the boys’ U14 team. The U14 boys showed great promise but only really managed to complete a full performance in their final against Eton. Isaac (C) took four wickets as the opposition were limited to 142 which was chased down quickly by openers Jack (A) and Isaac (D).
