Australian Cricket Experience
What an amazing experience and opportunity for Henry in Year 9!
Henry was invited to play Cricket in Australia for the whole of January, an experience usually reserved for professional cricketers.
He was invited by his Brighton & Hove coach who is now the coach of Melbourne side Ivanhoe Cricket Club. As well as playing and training with Ivanhoe’s U15/16s and adult sides Henry was selected to play in The Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association’s J.G Craig Shield Competition. This is an under 15 competition and is recognised as being the elite competition in the state. Players would usually trial for this competition but Henry was invited due to the plethora of runs he scored in England during last summer in adult cricket. It is played on professionally prepared grass wickets and 32 teams compete in it. Henry was chosen to play as a wicket-keeper/batsman.
On the 4th of January Henry was presented with his Craig Shield cap and shirt as he met his new teammates.
Henry’s first adult team game was in the 3’s and they got off to a winning start thanks in part to Henry’s 13 runs at the top of the order and some very good keeping.
On day one of the Craig Shield Henry batted at number 5 scoring 9 off 9 balls, with more brilliant wicket keeping Ivanhoe won by 53 runs with 10 overs to spare. Overall in the competition Ivanhoe finished 5th out of the 32 sides. The experience for Henry was amazing and unforgettable. His teammates and coach certainly appreciated his contributions. Henry’s coaches had this to say “We were so impressed with Henry’s keeping and we have seen glimpses of what a great batsman he can be. He has fitted in so well with the team and we would love to have him back next year all being well. Henry is the only overseas player in all 32 teams, he has made some great long term friends. He is a very mature and lovely lad and has fitted in really well with both junior and adult teams”
Henry also got to experience some two day cricket, not something played in England. He batted, bowled and kept very well. Henry’s top score was 42 batting in 37 degree heat and on very good wickets against excellent bowling.
The whole experience has been a challenging but very rewarding one. Henry has represented himself, his family and Blatch brilliantly. He has attended other club games that his team has played in and has immersed himself into the club wholeheartedly. He was also top of the honours board in the fielding stats, his 10 catches meant he was 1st in the whole Northern division.
Of course it’s not all been about playing cricket, it is more of an experience than that. Henry got to watch a professional Big Bash T20 game at the world famous MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground). He also spent some time on Brighton beach and when it rains during an Australian cricket match there is no better way to fill the time than a bit of ‘Covers slip and slide’
Well done Henry, we are glad you had an amazing time!!!