Success For Canford Cricket At National And International Levels
Published by Canford School on Tuesday 20th of June 2023
Rated in the past as among the Top 100 cricket schools in the country by The Cricketer, Canford’s 1st XI square, known as Mountjoy, is one of the most beautiful and inspirational school pitches, with its first class wicket set against the backdrop of the Grade 1-listed Canford Manor.The school facilities also include three further squares, outdoor and indoor nets. There is a full programme of fixtures during the summer term and specialist indoor coaching sessions over the winter months.
At National Schools level match play, the Boys’ 1st XI are into last 32 of the National T20 competition having knocked out perennial powerhouse Wellington College away from home in the last round. They face Winchester College on Tuesday 13th June at Canford.The U15 Boys reached the last 32 stage in their National competition also, having won the county title last year, before bowing out of the tournament. Similarly, among the girls’ sides the U18s and U15s are both through to the National Quarter Finals of the Schoolsports Magazine National T20 competition, the second year in a row for the U15s reaching this stage.
There is also ongoing success for individual players, with numerous boys and girls involved in representative programmes across the county and region. At National level, current Upper Sixth pupil Eddie Jack is part of the England U19 International squad, spending time earlier in the year in Australia and Dubai while Izzy Reeve, still only in the Fourth Form, was selected as one of only 12 players in the country for the Southern Vipers Academy and its Emerging Players Programme.
Canfordians are continuing their cricket careers beyond school also, with OC Tom Prest playing for the England Lions and both he and Felix Organ regulars for Hampshire. Director of Cricket Matt Keech commented: “It is wonderful to see Canford cricket going from strength to strength. We have always been a strong cricket school, with cricket played as a major sport during the Summer Term and nets sessions available for pupils through the winter, but the current popularity of the sport among both boys and girls and the success they are achieving is testament to a great deal of hard work and dedication by players and coaches alike. We are hugely fortunate to have one of the most beautiful cricket squares I know in schools in the country and excellent indoor facilities also.
Seeing Canfordians grow on the regional, national and international cricket stage at school and beyond is hugely rewarding for the coaching team, but equally we are as delighted to see the development of players of all abilities who enjoy this wonderful sport whatever their level, and displaying Canford’s values of Purposeful Engagement, Humble Ambition, Gracious Leadership and a Courageous Attitude every time they step out on to the pitch.
