Schools match of the month: Caterham School v The Judd School

Enthusiasm of former Surrey keeper contagious as Judd School visit for a T20, reports Huw Turbervill

Caterham School is where Surrey batsmen Ali Brown and James Benning learnt to bat.

You may recall their brutal innings against Gloucestershire at The Oval in 2007 – 176 and 152 respectively, out of a List A world-record total of 496 (their opening stand was worth 294).

Playing in that match for Surrey was Jon Batty – he made 29 – and now he is master in charge of cricket at Caterham. It is a small world.

Today's T20 fixture – Judd School are the visitors – is a rather more sedate affair, but it is nevertheless enjoyed by pupils, parents and teachers at the delightful setting of Caterham's Home Field.

The first thing you notice is that it has slightly short square boundaries, and Batty jokes that when he heard that Brown and Benning came here, "that suddenly made complete sense". While the former wicketkeeper, 45, admits he misses playing, and the camaraderie of the dressing room, he loves his new life, and the pupils and teaching staff at the Surrey school are all buying into his enthusiasm.

An initially lukewarm response to his ambition to introduce girls' cricket at the expense of rounders did not stop him trying again for instance, and the initiative is now starting to gain momentum.

That perseverance was in evidence in Batty's playing days. He had trials at Derbyshire, Hampshire, Nottinghamshire, Middlesex and Somerset, before spending 15 years with Surrey and three at Gloucestershire. He scored 20 first-class centuries, and many felt he was unlucky not to be given a chance by England.

"I do miss playing, especially winning Championships at Surrey, but luckily enough I have been able to immerse myself in teaching," he said. "This is a great place to be. We do well at sport, considering we are one of the top six coeducational schools academically. We toured South Africa last October, and the 1st XI play 18 matches a summer, including one against MCC."

^{Jon Batty batting for Surrey}

Batty is also assistant coach of Surrey Stars in the Kia Super League, hence his passion for the women's game.

"We asked the girls if they wanted to play cricket, and initially they said no. Most admitted that was because they had never tried it though, and we threw it in again this year as an option. It is taking off, and we are planning some matches after half-term."

It is easy to see why Batty, a Level 4 coach, is enthused by his surroundings. Home Field nestles in a valley, and has been expertly curated for more than 40 years by John Dodwell (in that time David Sales also attended the school); the pavilion – exquisitely decorated inside after its renovation seven years ago – is on one side, integrated into the school buildings, and facing a bank of lime trees on the other.

There are four cricket scenes going on as Batty speaks: the 1st XI match, then a practice game over the road on Beech's Field, with its attractive Sandy Ross Pavilion, plus a game of Kwik Cricket, and a net session. A cornucopia of cricket indeed.

Judd is a state grammar from Tonbridge in Kent. Like Caterham, they have assembled an XI of pupils who have been able to put their studies on hold for the afternoon. "I rarely get all my year groups together," laments master in charge Ralph Richardson.

"We used about 36 boys in the 1st XI last year. I'm head of chemistry as well so I'm not downplaying the importance of study, but it's about achieving a balance. They need downtime. The trouble is that when I was at school, an average offer from a university would be BBC…now it seems to be AAA."

Batty agrees: "There are huge benefits to getting away from your books. Cricket helps you think about something else for a few hours."

Caterham still play longer matches on Saturdays, up to 50 overs per side, and with the occasional declaration game thrown in.

Head teacher Ceri Jones says the situation has improved slightly however. "There is no coursework or AS Levels at the end of the lower sixth now, so there are more opportunities to play cricket," he says. "Sport is important here, but if youngsters make mistakes on the field it doesn't matter. We want youngsters to enjoy cricket… and come back for more."

An absentee for the hosts because he is studying today is winger Jude Williams, who scored two tries against Ireland last April in the Under-18 Six Nations. It is always fun seeing rugby players bat. They tend not to mess about.

Caterham start sensibly, captain Simon Dickson and Ankush Patel posting a first-wicket stand of 62 after using up just over half the overs.

It is pleasing to see Judd persevere with their leg-spinner Harry Coe. His first over goes for 11, but he then has both openers caught at long-on.

Tom Williamson, a year 10 pupil, comes in and injects some urgency despite his relative youth, the highlight of his 20 being a drive for four through mid-off and a six over midwicket.

George Thomas and Alex Criscuolo, who also clears the midwicket rope, smash 26 in the last two overs as Caterham finish on 141.

With the World Cup this summer, the hosts take a leaf out of Martin Crowe and New Zealand’s 1992 book and open the bowling with an off-spinner. Williamson is having a good day, and – achieving a nice loop – he takes four wickets, reducing Judd to 14 for 4.

The dismissals, including a top edge off a pull and a drive straight to mid-off, hint at a needlessly rushed approach to the innings. The situation becomes even worse when Dickson takes a brilliant catch at mid-off.

Sam Wheatley ensures respectability however. Shirt billowing at the back, and very watchful, he strikes some fine blows, including a six that hits a tree over the midwicket rope and cannons halfway back out to the middle. He is out trying to pull, top-edging to the bowler Matt Hannah.

Reece Porter also bats well, a lovely drive off the back foot for four probably the shot of the day, but Caterham run out comfortable winners.

A pleasant afternoon to divert everyone from academia. You can see why Batty likes it here. 

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