After the season that never was in 2020, boys’ cricket made quite the comeback in the summer of 2021. A record number of pupils tried out to earn a place in one of the College teams and this enthusiasm permeated through to House matches where the quality of cricket was high and fixtures were competitive. 

While the unseasonal rain led to many fixtures having to be called off it was still an exceptional season for many, not least our U15 teams. As with the girls’ team, they were undoubtedly the most successful of all the Bradfield teams.

The A, B and C teams won all their matches, with the exception of their respective encounters with Eton, while the U15As reached the finals of the ESCA National T20 competition which took place at Arundel Castle in September.

The team played some wonderful cricket on their journey to the finals including during what many have described as one of the most exciting games ever played on Pit.

It was a nail-biting finish against Wellington in the County Cup final with Bradfield needing twenty runs from the last two overs and, in the end, two runs from the final ball secured the home team the County Cup and a place in the Regional finals.

At the finals day they came up against tough opposition in the form of Whitgift and were disappointed to narrowly lose out in their run chase and with it their place in the final.

However, their superb run through the County stages means the boys are well placed to succeed as they move up to the Senior teams.

The 1stXI started the season in promising fashion with good wins against St Edward’s, Oxford and Wellington. Sheridon (D) struck powerful centuries against Hampshire, the MCC and the Free Foresters.

While away from the College he impressed for Surrey County Cricket Club 2ndXI, scoring 86 runs during one early summer fixture.

Sheridon was well supported with the bat by Zach (D) and Sam (D) while Monty (F) and Max (H) were leading wicket takers, the latter receiving a call-up to the Scotland squad thanks to his consistent performances. Zach also spent the summer playing representative cricket for Oxfordshire.

With just two of the squad leaving Bradfield over the summer the bulk of the squad can now look forward to working hard over the winter to form an experienced and dominant 1stXI in 2022.