Sport Lived XI 20/20 Match in Melbourne

Aussie Rules champ and mentor, Mathew Pell, recently organised a 20/20 match between a Sport Lived XI and Croydon Cricket Club in Melbourne. Here’s a recap of the hugely successful game:

SL Opening Pair Matthew Jackson and Alex Groucott

Sport Lived Captain Robin Irving from Winchester won the toss and elected to bat and put some runs on the board. Alex Groucott and Matthew Jackson opened for the Sport Lived XI and got the team off to a steady start before Jackson was caught.  This brought Scot Craig Wallace to the crease.  Craig produced a sublime innings of 97 where he dazzled the opposition with some destructive hitting which included five sixes and seven fours.   Craig was ably supported by Will Sach from Birmingham, who was clearly a crowd favourite, and Shamit Nathwani from Middlesex who helped Sport Lived reach a very respectable total of 157, a total the team were confident of defending.

Captain Irving opened the bowling with quicks David Nicholson and William Sach hoping to take early wickets and put Croydon under some pressure. However both openers were severely dealt with by the Croydon opening pair which included Alex Hales, the Croydon overseas professional, who recently represented England U19 and signed a two year contract with Nottinghamshire CCC. However the Sport Lived attack got stuck in and Nicholson rushed Hales with a quick, short delivery leading to his pull short being caught in the deep.  After their brilliant start, it looked as if the home side would cruise to their victory target, but on came off-spiner Nathwani who beautifully to take 2-24 which included a super one handed catch from Liverpudlian Jackson. With 4 overs left Croydon required 21 runs to win and completed victory shortly afterwards with their batsmen getting after Sach in his second spell.

The SL XI and Supporters

It was a terrific effort by the Sport Lived team who can surely only get stronger from here. Craig Wallace was voted Man of the Match for his excellent innings.  Thanks to all involved particularly our hosts Croydon CC who provided a very successful opening match of the Sport Lived 20/20 season!

Stay tuned for the Sport Lived team’s next game against the Aussies where they’ll be looking to avenge this defeat!

If you are looking to Play Cricket in Australia then why not check out www.sportlived.co.uk for exciting playing and coaching programmes Down Under!

Harry Moores – Player of the Month

Sport Lived has awarded Harry Moores the March player of the month award. Harry has been on a Sport Lived play cricket programme to Melbourne where he’s played for one of the top clubs in the city. He has been living comfortably in one of Sport Lived’s city centre apartments and thoroughly enjoying his cricket. Harry hails from Somerset, England where he plays for Castle Cary CC 1sts. Harry also played First XI cricket for his school Sherborne prior to his trip Down Under.  Harry is playing for his club’s 2nd team and paid testament to the standard of Australian club cricket when he claimed that the standard is considerable better to his team back home.

Harry at the Boxing Day Test Match in Melbourne

But Harry has excelled in this environment and has had a remarkable programme having been in excellent nick with the bat. The highlight of his time in Australia came in October when he scored a century for his club on debut.  It was a knock that ultimately changed the course of the match. His team were serious trouble at 10/4 before Harry’s 103 helped them to reach a match winning total of 340 from their 80 overs. He described it as an ‘amazing experience,’ one which I’m sure he will carry with him throughout his playing career.  Harry’s performances have helped his team reach the end of season Grand Finals which will take place later this month.

Sport Lived organise sporting gap year programmes to numerous destinations in Australia and New Zealand. You can also play cricket in Australia by finding out more on our website www.sportlived.co.uk