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CRICKET TOURS

Cricket Tour to Antigua and Barbados L ast summer we took a senior squad of twenty-seven students to the &aribbean for the first senior cricNet tour since 6ri /anNa in . %y sheer lucN :est ,ndies &aptain -ason +older was wicket-keeper Ridley Jacobs, who kindly answered questions. We ended the day by making a donation of sports equipment, laptops and projectors to the Halo Foundation, which was gratefully received by the Governor General.

innings the boys were treated to traditional Caribbean cooking, including jerk chicken or dahl; potato bake or mac n’ cheese; and fried fish (usually flying fish caught locally), all served with fresh juices. It’s fair to say it was a leisurely lunch most days. Some even had the chance to speak to current West Indian player Rakeem Cornwall at one of the grounds! Beyond cricket, the squad was treated to a catamaran trip around the island, the opportunity to swim with stingrays, a visit to an animal sanctuary, and a Jeep safari across the island. We finished our stay in Antigua with a very special afternoon at the Governor General and Lady Williams’ residence in the capital, St John’s, where the boys were able to learn about the island’s history and the plans for its future. Our boys were then able to meet cricketing legends Sir Andy Roberts, Sir Richie Richardson and former West Indies

boarding our outbound plane. +older was generous and Nind with our pupils posing for photos as we boarded. Upon arrival the boys checked in at the Jolly Beach Hotel, where touring international teams have stayed in the past. The hotel had a swimming pool and its own private beach. The pupils spent eight days on the Antiguan shores, playing four games per team. The standard of cricket was high, and the teams had to show resilience in hot and humid conditions. There were some excellent performances: the main highlights were a sensational century from Shivam Sangani, alongside 118 and a bowling spell of 4-9 from Niyan Kakad. Between

We were fortunate enough to feature on three major radio stations, alongside a live TV appearance on Good Morning, Antigua . The boys took all this in their stride and spoke passionately about their experiences on the tour. After eight stunning days in Antigua, we made the short flight across to Barbados for a further four days, which included a couple of additional T20 games and a visit to the Kensington Oval, as well as some marble cricket (a traditional game played on your knees). The boys also enjoyed an evening at the world famous Oistins Fish Fry and a dance-off with the locals, not to mention an afternoon at The Boatyard water park. The cricket on both islands was special and it was nice to play on some pitches that had hosted international cricket, such as the University of West Indies ground. Undoubtedly, the fixtures at Isolation for the A Team – played under floodlights – and at Christchurch Foundation School for the B Team will last long in the memory. Mr I. McGowan