Cricket

Cricket is the major sport in the Summer Term at Gresham’s for both Boys and Girls. With grounds covering 300 acres, excellent facilities and experienced coaches, Gresham’s is an outstanding school for cricket.

Gresham’s fields eight boys and three girls teams on a Saturday ranging from the Boys 1st XI to U14B and a 1st XI, Senior and Junior XI for the girls. The teams play a wide variety of fixtures against other local schools as well as invitational sides such as The Forty Club and West Norfolk CC. The 1st XI also plays an annual fixture with the MCC. Both Boys and Girls 1st XI will play up to 20 fixtures a season with a mixture of all day, 2 day,  50 over and T20 style matches. We have a record of producing high quality players and in the last few years. In 2023 the 1st XI had their most successful season ever playing 23 matches and winning 19. This Included Arthur W scoring 1036 runs for the School with one innings of 201* and breaking the record for highest number of runs in a season and highest individual score; he subsequently made the shortlist for the Wisden Young Player of the Year. Grace H-K became the first girl to score over 100 with 108 not out and the U15 girls also reached the final of the Sports Magazine competition. 

Gresham’s has four squares at the Senior School, the 1st XI pitch being in a particularly picturesque spot in the middle of the School. We have a large set of both artificial and grass nets to help with team practice, as well. Wickets are always extremely well prepared by the ground staff and the school is often complimented on the standard of the pitches we provide. We run a busy winter programme with the top teams training once to twice a week and then the Juniors training in GAP times. Our Director of Cricket runs one-one and small group sessions weekly with pupils.

“Cricket is a passion in the school and the major sport in the summer.”

THE CRICKETER MAGAZINE

Gresham’s has a long and proud tradition of touring and in 2019 and 2025 we toured Sri Lanka, with a girls tour planned for 2026. In previous years we have toured the Caribbean, including Barbados on two different occasions; we have taken part in the Sir Garfield Sobers Tournament many times and have played against a young Brian Lara and other future Test stars.

Alumni

“After leaving Gresham’s around 16 years ago (it doesn’t feel that long ago!), I now work as Head of Drama at Dragon School, Oxford, where I also teach English and coach sport. Being able to coach and play sport to a decent level has given me great friendships and helped me make good connections in the teaching world. During my time at Gresham’s the cricket was competitive but also fun and hugely enjoyable, and I am grateful to have been through that experience which I now try to replicate for the students that I coach.”

CHARLIE PONDER
(Kenwyn & Howson’s, 2006)

“I went on from Gresham’s to study Economics at Cardiff University, where I continued to play cricket for the Cardiff UCCE and was fortunate enough to play a number of games against first class counties. My love of cricket, fostered at Gresham’s, has led me to meet many amazing people and travel to some incredible places.

I am now a Financial Adviser with St. James’s Place Wealth Management, working in London. I have a fiancé and a 1 year-old son, so sadly not much time for cricket anymore!”

FELIX FLOWER
(Kenwyn & Farfield, 2006)

“As a full-time boarder at the age of 13, I was made to feel instantly welcome at Gresham’s. Despite being a student who struggled academically I had fantastic support from all my teachers and I managed to go on to complete two degrees in sport science and physiotherapy.

I have since worked at Chelsea FC, Charlton FC and Essex cricket club as a physio. As a Gresham’s student I was lucky enough to be part of two cricket touring sides to Barbados that competed in the prestigious Sir Gary Sobers cricket tournament. I loved the tours so much that I’ve currently resided in the Caribbean as a physio!”

SAM FOSTER
(Howson’s, 2006)