Schools cricket

It is rare for a player to make his first-class debut while still at school, especially in the exam term, but Bradfield’s captain Hamza Riazuddin was called up by Hampshire to face Somerset in their county championship match (Douglas Henderson writes). He took one for 21 in six overs and in the second innings where Marcus Trescothick scored 151 and Justin Langer 188, his 23 overs with four maidens for only 78 runs was a very respectable return.

MCC must be sick of the sight of Framlingham’s Robert Newton. Last year he scored 207 not out against them, and this year, after being dropped on 70, went on to score 165 not out. The boys won again, by eight wickets, chasing 255 for six declared.

Such fixtures often give schools an opportunity to play against famous players. Trent had the visitors in trouble at 16 for two, but then New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns strode to the wicket and hit 87 from 47 balls, including nine sixes. Together with former Leicestershire player Scott Boswell, who hit 102 not out, they posted 278 for four declared. Trent had a good attempt at the target but finished on 189 for five.

The prestigious club also brought a strong side to Felsted, with several Minor Counties players and, in an exciting finish, the school scampered home off the last ball of the match. They scored 254 for 8, led by Sam Weller’s fine 124 not out. MCC also brought a strong side to Haberdashers’ Aske’s, having lost for three years. Chasing 219 for two declared, the school started well but then collapsed. With eight wickets down, 14-year-old Tom Edrich (grandson of Bill) was left to bat out the final 14 overs, with Nos 10 and 11 for partners, to secure a draw.

Wellingborough’s Jack Johnson, aged 16, scored consecutive hundreds against Lord Williams’s (Thame) and King’s School, Ely; he also had 94 against Magdalen College School, Oxford. He is a member of the Northants CCC Under-16 squad. The school is undefeated so far, after six wins in normal matches, and Twenty20 wins over Oakham, Stamford and Wisbech Grammar School in the National 20s competition.

Bancroft’s are also unbeaten in six matches. St Albans came close to defeating them, reaching 168 for nine in 40 overs, chasing the visitors’ 177 for eight. Left-arm spinner Jacob McLelland took five for eight in only four overs as Hymers College were dismissed for 68. Woodhouse Grove duly completed their fifth win in six matches.

Two of the finest current schoolboy cricketers were in opposition when Wellington (Berkshire) played Harrow. Neither disappointed. Luc Durandt for Wellington scored 145, but Sam Northeast (121 not out) led Harrow to victory by seven wickets, chasing the visitors’ total of 246 for nine from their 50 overs.

In a low-scoring cliff-hanger at Westminster, Aldenham hung on to win by two wickets in the penultimate over, despite five run-outs in their own innings and three in the Westminster total of 131 for nine.

It was a good day for the Nicoll brothers at Highgate, playing at Chigwell. Will took five for 76 including a hat-trick, while Tom not only took four wickets but also scored 130 not out. Both play for the Middlesex Academy in their age groups, and Tom also represented the county’s 2nd XI last year.

Josh Davey (Culford) came in at four for two chasing The Perse’s 230 for five declared and was out when the score was 139 for 7, scoring an outstanding hundred. The Culford innings was finished off for 145 by seam bowler Harry Picton-Turbervill with a hat-trick.

The National 20s competition, now in its fifth year, enjoyed fine weather for the first round of matches. The first round is contested by four schools at a time in regionalised venues on a Sunday, and then the winners go on to contest the national knockout stages. Some results are printed below, and The Times will follow the competition throughout.

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