Scotch College

England cricket exchange – an amazing experience

WORDS: SCOTT WRIGLEY, SAM STARKINS AND CONOR O’BEIRNE (YEAR 9)

This year, three Year 9 boys were fortunate to be chosen for a month-long cricket exchange to King Edward’s School (KES) in Birmingham, England. And what an amazing experience it was!

Initially, the three KES cricketers arrived at the start of term one to experience playing Aussie cricket with our 9A cricket team. While here they played four games, gaining invaluable experience on our much harder, drier turf wickets during summer drought conditions.

They also enjoyed seeing the sights of Melbourne, including Healesville Sanctuary, the Art Gallery, the Shrine of Remembrance, Eureka Tower, St Kilda Esplanade, the Neighbours set, and an Aussie beach with ‘real sand’!

Then, in April, it was our turn to receive a taste of cricket, English-style. Despite inclement weather conditions, we played three games with the KES team, discovering just how different the English turf wickets can be, with much damper, muddier pitches. It was interesting to experience life at another school and terrific to form friendships abroad, which we will hopefully keep for the rest of our lives.

We would like to thank our host families for their hospitality, and showing us the sights of London and the historical English countryside. We are also extremely grateful to Mr Banks and the Scotch College Sport Department for giving us this wonderful opportunity. GS