At the start of the holidays 14 Shirburnians along with Messrs Reynolds, Preston and Willows went on a ten day cricket development tour of Kerala in south west India. The mix of Fifth, Fourth and Third formers, ably captained by Tom Gibbs (m) played 7 games winning 3 and losing 4. The cricket was hugely different to that played in England – we started games at 8.30 in the morning and were confronted by 36 degree heat, 80% humidity, stony, dusty outfields, baked clay wickets and passionate and talented opposition, one of whom has already been signed up by an IPL team – after being dismissed by Anthony Berkeley his contract was in the balance we hear.

The boys bonded together superbly well and made light of the conditions and the early departure of Mr Willows and his high octane wisdom. Three fifties were scored by Tom Gibbs, Arthur Chattey (f) and Dominic Scaglioni (g), whose helmet strap melted in the heat while the bowling of Charlie Fricker (e), Harry Fielder (g) and Tom Leuchars (c) impressed greatly. The two third formers David Buck (m) and Ben Nott (c) also made their Sherborne debuts with aplomb, but best of all every member of the tour party contributed significantly to the performances on the field and was a credit to Sherborne both on and off the pitch.

 
Giles Reynolds