Oakham pupil to play on home turf at Bunbury Cricket Festival

Published by Oakham School on Wednesday 9th of July 2014

Lyndon James, a sport scholar from Oakham School, has been selected to take part in the 28th Bunbury Cricket Festival. This is particularly special for Lyndon, as this renowned competition is, this year, being held at Oakham School.

Lyndon, who will be part of the team representing the Midlands, said, 'I still can't believe it. Being able to play at such a high-level festival has to be one of my biggest achievements, if not the biggest. Knowing the amount of Bunburys that have gone on to play professional cricket inspires me to do the same.'

The Bunbury Festival is one of the most important fixtures in the cricketing calendar for talented U15 players. Over 60 Bunbury boys have gone on to play for England, and 366 have moved into first-class cricket. The first Bunbury to go on to play international cricket was Oakham School's Director of Cricket, John Crawley. He describes how Lyndon 'has played for the 1st XI since half way through his Third Form year, when the sheer volume of runs (including a double century and 141 in his first two games for the U14s last summer) forced his name forward. His growing prowess with the ball will be of great value as he develops into an excellent all-round cricketer, and the experience of 1st XI cricket at such a young age will pay dividends in his cricketing development.'

Oakham School has a national reputation for producing outstanding cricketers. There is a strong track record of pupils going on to play cricket at county and international levels. Old Oakhamians who are currently playing county and international cricket include Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire and England), Tom Fell (Worcestershire), Matt Boyce (Leicestershire), Josh Cobb (Leicestershire) and many more.

The Festival begins on Monday 21st July with a presentation of Regional Caps by Graeme Swan (Notts CCC & England) at Oakham's newly opened BAF Smith Pavilion. Lyndon will take part in one of the first matches to be played (Midlands v's North) on Doncaster Close.

It should prove to be an interesting week of cricket especially as Peter Moore (England Coach) and Paul Farbrace (Assistant England Coach) are planning to come along to look at the cricketing talent.