Syed Bukhari shines in battle of the South London state schools

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State schools don’t play cricket, right?

Wrong actually, judging by a heart-warming scene on a green oasis in Sarf London's ‘Commuterland’.

Carshalton Boys Sports College in particular is determined not to let the world’s greatest game die, and they were giving hosts Wallington County Grammar School a run for their money in an entertaining T20 before the weather intervened.

The venue, between Carshalton’s famous ‘Ponds’ and the Purley Way, has an interesting back story. The school was established 93 years ago, but the main building was struck by a V2 bomb during the Second World War, and 52 pupils were killed. Terrible.

The rebuilt building now has distinctive solar panels. An air-raid shelter exists under a hedge on the boundary. Among the school’s former pupils are Crimewatch’s Nick “don’t have nightmares” Ross and former chief inspector of schools, the late Chris Woodhead.

Carshalton Boys is an academy that punches above its weight on the sports field; and its former pupils including former Manchester United goalkeeper Alex Stepney and the borough’s standing MP, Elliott Colburn.

^{The pandemic has not prevented either school from filling their respective calendars}

The grammar school batted first and posted an imposing total of 164. Syed Bukhari (Purley CC) and the left-handed Christen Rudrigo (Banstead CC) put on 50 for the first wicket before Harry Gardner bowled the latter around his legs.

Rishi Patel at No.3 then imposed his power on proceedings, with a superb six over long-off. Even though it was a smallish ground, another six over midwicket stayed hit.

Gardner, 16, is with the Surrey EPP squad and academy. He is a spinner who has a tasty repertoire of balls, including a top-spinner. In September, he begins a two-year cricket scholarship at Epsom College.

If he had stayed until the end of Carshalton’s reply, they could well have won. He was unbeaten on 47 when the rain came, with the total on 76 for 0 off nine overs; skipper Tom Wilkins had 18 to his name and was providing good support. A reverse-sweep for three and a huge six over long-on were among the highlights of Harry’s game.

A riveting finish was in prospect before the sky turned cobalt blue and the rain arrived.

Both schools have a surprising amount of cricket lined up, considering the pandemic. Wallington Boys have three or four matches before exam season, and six or seven after, including against their local grammar school rivals Wilson’s in Wallington and the Forty Club. They also play a staff XI, with headmaster Jamie Bean opening the bowling. At 6ft 7ins, when he lands it right he can be tricky.

^{Both sides put on a fine show - before the rain came}

"He’s very supportive of sport," says head of cricket Nigel Legg. "Cricket is improving year on year here. We are planning a new pavilion, and nets, within five years, and the demand is good – we have 52 signed up for cricket in Year 7, and 46 in Year 10.

"Before the pandemic, we could go to the Parent, Teachers and Friends Association who raised a lot of money through exam trials, but now we are trying to be inventive in other ways, with quiz nights and cake sales, all with a tour to Sri Lanka next year in mind. Sponsors are also on the school's radar and we are looking in earnest for those too.”

Car Boys master in charge Brendan Earley, from Belfast, fielded a good mix of ages in his XI, including Alf Gardner, 14, who also plays for Surrey. He produced an incredible 'Jason Roy' piece of fielding, flicking what looked destined to be a six back over the boundary, although he couldn't quite catch it second go. The Gardner brothers were among a septet from nearby Beddington CC, who have Ryan Cummins, formerly of Wallington Boys and Leicestershire CCC in their 1st XI. They have also produced fine cricketers in Dan Beaton and George Gardner, who have gone on to play for Portsmouth and Leeds Beckett universities respectively.

The school is looking forward to matches against Wilson’s, Harris Academy Sutton, Overton Grange School, St Joseph’s College in SE19, Sutton Grammar, The John Fisher School Purley and Wimbledon College. These schools featured in my special investigation into state-school cricket two years ago.

With good men like Earley and Legg around, there is hope for cricket in state schools after all.

The Cricketer would like to thank Durant Cricket for their ongoing support of our schools cricket coverage. For more on Durant Cricket, including booking a site visit, please click here