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54 ST EDWARD’S CHRONICLE

Cricket By Rob Craze, Former Head of Cricket Participation in cricket remained high throughout the 2022 season with 16 boys’ teams representing the School and the new intake of Shell and Lower Sixth doubling the number of girls playing. Junior girls’ and boys’ A teams won cup and block fixtures highlighting the strength in depth and indicating that the coming years will be exciting ones for St Edward’s cricket. Among the highlights elsewhere were the boys’ and girls’ 1st XIs’ comprehensive wins v Eton and Downe House at the inaugural Co-educational Cricket Festival on the beautiful Wormsley Estate in June. Senior Girls The girls’ 1st XI embarked on their first full season of cricket after Covid-19 restrictions meant that only four fixtures had taken place the summer before. A full pre-season of nets in the winter and then two competitive fixtures against Charlbury CC on Upper 1 after a Wormsley Estate training day suggested the squad were in a good place for a jampacked summer. Indeed, this was the case as overall the girls played 12 fixtures won seven, drew one and lost only four matches in the regular season. Whilst the squad were

Green and Oli Sedgwick deserve special mentions as all-rounders who stood up regularly to bat and bowl. The Under 17s reached the quarter finals and the 1st XI’s National T20 run concluded in the last four of the regional round showing the Schools’ continued development in shorter format cricket. Special mention must also go to 1st XI leavers Alex Horton, Alfie Turner, Harry Trowbridge, Toby Kershaw and Stanley Brown, who have been outstanding servants of Teddies cricket during their time at the School and will be greatly missed. The boys’ 2nd XI had the most successful and competitive season in recent memory. Aggressive batting and consistent bowling were key features in wins against Rugby, MCS, Radley and Marlborough, which highlighted a real depth of talent. No doubt the close matches against Harrow, Winchester and Eton could have ended in Teddies’ favour too had injury and absence in the 1st XI not affected the 2nd XI. leavers Andrew Rush, Henry Morgan, Matthew Whittaker, Seb Southan and Ludo Craig-Harvey deserve recognition for their commitment to the club, all playing a part in Cricket Week and starring in the Upper Sixth v Free Foresters draw and 2nd XI victory v Ryde School. Whilst the 3rd XI were less successful, their participation and efforts throughout the term were excellent, often missing out in close games and showing a spirit and resolve that was a credit to the School. Junior Girls For the first time, Teddies’ cricket was able to field two girls’ hardball cricket teams on any given occasion. The new intake of Shells showed real talent and depth as the bedrock of the Junior XI, overall playing eight, winning four and losing four. Whilst a second-round loss in the National Cup was frustrating, wins against Wellington and Lord Wandsworth were highlights that will last long in the memory. Isla Scott-Dalgleish, Lottie Allen, Saffron Day, Imi Routledge and Farah Changizi-Cooper all put in admirable performances and will no doubt challenge for consistent honours with the 1st XI in the summer.

Aimee Diab

disappointed to have been knocked out of both cups in the early stages, excellent victories against Marlborough and Downe House, and the draw in the inaugural MCC fixture will live long in the memory as landmark moments for girls’ cricket. A further highlight of the season was Aimee Diab’s 103 not out at Wormsley. The first girl at Teddies to make a 100, she also finished with the highest number of runs by any pupil in 2022. With a young squad and a year of playing together completed, they will be a force to be reckoned with on the circuit again in the summer. Ruby Freeland and Matilda Pumfrey both depart to pastures new which will be a huge loss to Teddies cricket. They both set the standard for girls’ cricket at the School with their performances and efforts, rightfully being awarded colours during the MCC game. Senior Boys The boys’ 1st XI had an up and down season. Early success during the Eastbourne College pre-season tour meant the squad had momentum leading into the regular fixture card, however consistent losses in the red ball aspect of the season will have been a disappointment for the talented group. Absence and injury resulted in many debuts and different 1st XIs taking to the field, and Lower Sixth Bertie Withers

Ruby Freeland and Matilda Pumfrey being awarded cricket colours