Mixed fortunes for Suffolk trio

SUFFOLK all-rounder Tom Harper said he had an ‘incredible day’ after taking two wickets in two balls at the Home of Cricket.

The 20-year-old, who plays for Old Ipswichian CC, was one of three Suffolk cricketers selected to represent the MCC versus an ICC European XI at Lord’s on Friday along with Bury St Edmunds CC duo Josh Cantrell and Tom Rash.

Harper and Cantrell, who both currently play for Suffolk in all three formats of the National Counties competitions, were making their first appearances at Lord’s.

Rash was due to make his fifth appearance and captain the MCC side, but suffered a broken left index finger taking a catch ten minutes before the toss and will now be out of action for a number of weeks.

Cantrell, batting at No.5, scored 20 off 35 balls after going in with the score 89 for 3 in the 17^th over. Harper, who came in at No. 8 with the MCC 149 for 6, made 44 from 48 balls.

He struck two sixes – there were only four scored in the entire MCC innings, which closed on 267 for 8 after their 50 overs.

The ICC European XI, coached by former Bury St Edmunds and Suffolk wicket-keeper and bat Freddie Klokker, won by five wickets with 10 balls to spare after replying with 271 for 5.

Harper, who bowled first change finished with figures of 10-2-35-2, after dismissing two opponents lbw with successive deliveries.

He said: “It was an incredible day at Lord’s with the sun shining. It was an experience I’ll cherish for a long time with all the family watching.

“The highlight of the day was taking two wickets in two balls to be on a hat-trick and I would say overall I couldn’t have asked for much more after scoring runs and taking wickets.”

Cantrell, who skippers Bury St Edmunds as well as Suffolk’s white-ball sides, returned figures of 6-0-36-0 after being the seventh bowler to be used.

He said of playing at Lord’s: “It was surreal – a moment that I’ll never forget. Walking out on to the hallowed turf and then scoring a few was just an all-time moment for me.
“Getting off the mark was the highlight of the day – a nice juicy half volley that I hit to the cover boundary certainly helped relieve any pressure! For a first hit out of the year, I was relatively pleased with how I went.

“It would have been fantastic to get some more runs and take a wicket, but hopefully I can get the opportunity again!”

Rash, who is 41 and was due to skipper the MCC at Lord’s for the second time, had attended a pre-match dinner the night before at the ground and was presented with a gold medal as skipper of the opposing side the following day.

He said of his freak injury: “I was absolutely gutted. We had been warming up for an hour and I was catching a few balls before the toss.

“It was an innocuous high catch, which I caught and then threw the ball in, and one of my team-mates said ‘look at your finger’ as he could see it was damaged.

“I went to St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington and missed half of the match, only returning just in time for lunch.

“But Josh and Tom did Suffolk Lion proud, especially Tom who, as well as scoring runs, was the pick of the bowlers.”

ICC European XI coach Freddie Klokker (second left) is pictured above with Suffolk cricketers (left to right) Tom Rash, Josh Cantrell and Tom Harper at Lord’s.

Tags: Josh Cantrell, Lords, The MCC, Tom Harper, Tom Rash

Categorised in: Suffolk CCC