Schools match of the month: Stowe School v Bromsgrove School

Ed Krarup reports on Stowe's declaration match against Bromsgrove and embracing the responsibility of captaincy

Schools cricket is about so much more than just playing the game. It is often on the playing fields where students learn about leadership, respect and figuring out how to get the best out of themselves.

This was certainly the case at Stowe School, where the 1st XI won the toss against Bromsgrove School on a blisteringly hot morning at the picturesque Buckinghamshire school. They decided to bat first on a dry surface that looked like it would get more difficult to bat on as the game progressed.

The players on show were following in the footsteps of notable recent alumni such as Ben Duckett, who was a schoolboy at Stowe. "Ben is definitely one of the most talented schoolboy cricketers I have ever worked with," noted James Knott, head of cricket the school.

"I remember in his first year, we were in an under-14 cup semi-final and he switch-hit the left-arm spinner over extra cover for six. Right from the word go nothing was off the table."

Duckett was a raw talent but needed guidance and support in order for him to reach the professional game. He got that from Knott and has since firmly established himself as one of the country's most exciting batsmen.

Today's challenge for Knott and his charges is a declaration match against Bromsgrove, another school with a strong cricketing pedigree.

Opener Ed Snushall went early, bowled by George Marshall, but Rhys Noble and No.3 James Cronie solidified the innings. Cronie – who made his debut for Northamptonshire 2nd XI this season – is Stowe's leading run-scorer this season and averages just over 40. Despite only taking his GCSEs this summer he is already an integral part of the team who is relied upon for his runs.

This was particularly evident when, earlier in the summer, Stowe chased down 160 against Abingdon in a T20, and Cronie got 114 of them.

Noble (28) and Cronie (33) fell in quick succession to ignite a collapse. In 45 minutes Stowe slipped from 68 for 1 to 94 for 7.

However, Kavinda Subasinghe (27) and Ollie Taylor (10) calmly put on 36 for the eighth wicket to ensure they had a score to defend. Stowe were bowled out in 51.1 overs for 143.

The Bromsgrove bowlers shared the wickets evenly but the pick of the bowlers was Dan Meredith, whose 3 for 15 nullified Stowe's middle order.

Cronie top scored and Knott sees the youngster as a potential captain of the 1st XI. But he will not just be offered the role.

"I write to the players asking if they would like to put themselves forward," Knott explains. "They then have to submit a letter of application saying what they would bring to the role on and off  the pitch and who they would vote for other than themselves.

"Finally I interview the leading candidates, asking them about how much they want the job, what they might do in certain situations and how they might handle certain players."

This is a role that Knott takes seriously. And the benefits that this responsibility can have on an individual are clear.

"Duckett captained the team for his final two years and I saw a huge change in him. Before, his attitude could come across in the wrong way as he was quite laid back, but with the captaincy he learnt to channel himself. He started thinking about other people's game rather than just his own."

Duckett flourished with the captaincy and there is little doubt that his two years leading the team greatly contributed to his cricketing education. This year's captain is Rufus Easdale, an opening bowler who showed his desire for the job to Knott.

"Rufus wrote a very thorough application letter which really identified what he thought the team needed to improve on. He also had the tactical nous to back up and execute his theories.

"His strengths as captain are that he leads by example with his performances. He takes the new ball and always knocks over one or two with his first spell."

And that is exactly what he did against Bromsgrove. With a slim total to defend, Easdale and his opening partner Taylor flew out of the blocks and reduced the visitors to 7 for 2. Easdale and first change Cronie chipped away at the Bromsgrove top order and continued to get wickets.

Stowe bowled with discipline and at the stumps, putting Bromsgrove under severe pressure at 62 for 5.

Marshall joined Jo Miszkowiski in the middle and the pair dug in, taking their side past 100 and within sight of victory. Despite a couple of late wickets Bromsgrove held their nerve and surpassed Stowe's target in the 47th over, Miszkowiski unbeaten at the end on 49.

Knott was very complimentary about the Bromsgrove batsman. "Miszkowiski played very well. He absorbed a lot of pressure early on when we were massively on top. He defended well and wore the attack down.

"When he got a bad enough ball to put away he did so and, most importantly, he saw it through to the end.

"It was a really good game that swung several times between two good sides."

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