Round 1 vs Harrow Wanderers - Win by 5 wickets

The Waifs made it through the first round of the Cricketer Cup hosting Harrow Wanderers on Pit. The Wanderers won the toss and elected to bat. Early wickets for Oli Smithson and Tom Ettridge got the Waifs into a familiar routine picking up wickets early in the game and some smart catching in the slip cordon. Oli Smithson was in no mood to let anyone settle and made light work of 5 Wanderers batters in his 10 overs. Smithson led the bowling attack with aggressive fields and made the Wanderers work hard for their runs. Ettridge pumped up and keen to emulate his previous efforts in the final provided ample support bowling with swing and nip of the Pit deck. Monty McKenzie brought some more pressure alongside Charlie Gwynn who picked up 2 wickets in his 7 overs. The Waifs reduced the Wanderers to 86-9, some resistance for the 10th wicket with some great batting, keeping out all the Waifs could throw at them. It took another spell from this year's captain, Olly Birts, to take a brilliant caught and bowled to finally remove the last batter with Wanderers ending on 153.

The Waifs went about the run chase in a cautious fashion as the new ball offered assistant to the Wanderers bowlers. Joe Sheldon departed bringing Hugo Darby to the crease who then went about putting the pressure back on the visitors. Imran Malik and Darby put on 61 for the second wicket before Malik got bowled. Jack Bransgrove came and went, Charlie Gwynn looked in sweet touch and Darby piled on the runs. Darby brought up his 50 in 38 balls with 6 fours and one maximum. He unfortunately fell 4 runs later and brought Shelvin Gumbs to the crease. Gwynn dragged a slog sweep a touch too square to find a Wanderer in the deep bring Tom Ettridge to the crease. Gumbs and Ettridge went about getting the Waifs over the line, Gumbs in no mood to allow the bowlers to settle hit a few over the ropes, Ettridge showing elegance as ever through the offside. Gumbs finished the game with another 6 over log on to bring up his 50 from 35 balls with 3 fours and 5 sixes, ending on 53*, Ettridge 12* at the other end.

Round 2 vs Stow Templars - Preview

This Sunday 25th June brings Stowe Templars to Pit in the second round who last played one other in the 2014 semi-final where Bradfield won by 22 runs. Charlie Russell scoring 58 and Will Kendall being captain fantastic with a much needed and mature 49 at 8 on the scorecard. The Waifs bowled out for 208 in the 49th over then bowling the Templars out for 186 in the 49th too. 2 wickets a piece for Hamza Riazuddin, Andy Rishton, Shelvin Gumbs and John Gaffney. Only Hugo Darby, Charlie Russell and Craig Williams reprise their positions since that fixture in 2014 this time round.

Sam Negus, Oli Smithson, and Shelvin Gumbs are unfortunately not available for this weekend, but they are replaced by exciting recent leaver Sheridon Gumbs, who got us through the semi-final against Cheltenham in 2022, and Arthur Mills, another recent leaver who will be making his Cricketer Cup debut. Craig Williams takes the gloves and brings a wealth of experience, can anyone else remember that 2014 hundred in the final!? The team to take on the Templars is below, get down to Pit and enjoy the cricket in the sunshine!

Sheridon Gumbs

Imran Malik

Joe Sheldon

Hugo Darby

Jack Bransgrove

Charlie Gwynn

Arthur Mills - CRICKETER CUP DEBUT

Tom Ettridge

Olly Birts (C)

Monty McKenzie

Craig Williams (WK)

12th Man: Charlie Russell

2023 Bradfield Waifs vs Harrow Wanderers

2014 Bradfield Waifs vs Stowe Templars

You can watch a live stream on YouTube and also follow the scorecard and clips of wickets and boundaries via Bradfield Waifs Play Cricket.