Elstow
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Elstow
CRICKET CLUB
Here at Elstow, we have big ambitions. Set in the
picturesque Bedfordshire countryside, we see ourselves as
more than your archetypal village cricket club. From staging
our first international series against the Icelandic National
Team in 2017, to last month’s 4 nation World Cup, where we
welcomed teams representing England, India, Pakistan and Rest
of World, we attempt to promote our cricket club on a grander scale.
Not only do these events raise
much needed funds, they have also
enhanced our reputation in the
wider community. This in turn has
bolstered sponsorship and helped
to increase club membership. I
don’t think it’s any coincidence that
success on the field has followed.
This season the 1st XI are unbeaten
and sit atop Division One of the Four
Counties Cricket League. The 2nd
XI and our Sunday XI are also top
of their respective leagues and team
selection is extremely tough, with so
many players keen for game time.
Another successful venture has
been forging links with our sister
club, Nambour CC in Queensland,
Australia. Both our current club
captain, Rani Thiarra, and our mid-
week captain, Phil Johnson, spent
a season honing their cricketing
and sledging skills on the Sunshine
Coast. And in return, each year we
invite a young Aussie prospect to
spend the summer at Elstow.
This year’s recruit, Jack Whisker,
has been a revelation, demonstrating
some of the most destructive batting
we have ever seen, and a previous
guest, Greg Turnball is still with us
five years later, having married a
local girl and settled in Bedfordshire.
As a club, our mission has always
been to make cricket accessible to
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all, and support those that need
assistance. Membership fees are
kept to an absolute minimum, £20
per season for adults, £10 per season
for Under 18s and social members,
which ensures no one is priced out.
Situated a couple of miles from
Bedford, we have also benefitted
from the town’s well integrated
multi-cultural
population.
We
welcome members from all different
communities and our teams have
been improved tremendously with
players from a variety of ethnic
backgrounds.
However, the greatest success
story of recent years has been
the club’s youth section. Initially,
established in 2007 by a true club
visionary, Kiwi Geoff Couling, we
now develop cricketers from the age
of 5, right through to our senior sides.
As chairman, there is no greater
sight than seeing the youngsters the
club have nurtured, graduate into
permanent fixtures in the 1st XI.
19-year-old Jack Flynn progressed
through the ranks to captain the
Sunday XI, and recently notched
up his third senior century for the
club, whilst Cain Hamilton Boyle,