Cricketers take on MCC

As cricket gathers momentum as a key summer sport, one of our players joined the GDST Select Squad to take on MCC Women at our premier league cricket pitch.

Last month, Stella in Year 10 (one of the youngest players selected) joined other promising young cricketers from across the Girls’ Day School Trust to face the MCC Women at our sports ground, home of Hampstead Cricket Club. The GDST Select XI was formed of the best cricket players across all 25 GDST schools following trials in December.

The GDST team opened up the fielding as the crowd enjoyed some excellent play. Stella showed incredible bowling skills and took a wicket, but the MCC ran out winners 123 to 78. Despite conceding the game, the girls enjoyed the opportunity to play against some their icons, including ex-England international Charlotte Edwards. The girls also had the chance to talk to the MCC players afterwards over curry, strawberries and profiteroles.

This term, girls from across the school have been enjoying masterclasses with former England Cricketer and founder of Cricket for Girls, Lydia Greenway. As with all our co-curricular activities, there is an ethos of inclusive excellence – encouraging everyone to take part, as well incredible opportunities for those who excel in their chosen sport.

We have a strong cricketing legacy at South Hampstead: former pupil Netta Rheinberg MBE (1911 – 2006) played for the English women’s cricket team and was a notable figure in the women’s game. Rachael Heyhoe-Flint, the former England captain, has said: “Netta was an action girl… she galvanised activity, partly just by having a great personality and a sense of humour.” Over the past few years, cricket has once again become one of our key summer sports, played at our premier league cricket pitch located at our sports ground.