1st XI Boys Cricket team complete pre-season tour to Australia
Posted on October 14, 2024
The Macleans College 1st XI Boys Cricket team recently travelled to Brisbane, Australia to undertake a pre-season tour.
Last year, the team won the Auckland Secondary Schools A grade competition and were promoted to the Premier grade for the 2024/2025 season. This is the first time Macleans College has been in this grade for almost 20 years.
The purpose of the trip was to improve the skills of the team, in preparation for the new season, and to foster a cohesive team culture.
The group of fifteen boys showed their discipline and respect, travelling in their school uniforms and undergoing a routine inspection of their cricket gear upon arrival in Brisbane. Once at the team accommodation, the boys were divided into teams of four, with a balanced mix of Year 11, 12 and 13 students and an assigned Year 13 student team leader.
On day one, Macleans College played two Twenty20 games. The first game was against Brisbane Boys’ College. Macleans College battled first and scored 134/7, with three boys retiring to allow more boys to bat. Despite a narrow loss with two wickets in over 18.4, the boys displayed exceptional sportsmanship and resilience - a true testament to their character. Abhay Kaushal's (Kupe House) 45 not out and Raphael Scordino's (Upham) 3/15 in three overs were commendable. In the second game, the team played against Brisbane Grammar School. Macleans College scored 104 all out, and Brisbane Grammar School reached the target with five wickets down.
On day two, the team played a 50-over game against St Joseph's College. The opposition scored 275 all out after being 117 without losing a wicket after 15 overs. Selwin Sanjay (Mansfield) topped off the bowlers at 3/35 in ten overs. Macleans College reached 215 runs with Oscar Stewart (Upham) and Namjas Singh (Rutherford) recording a 100-run partnership. Namjas scored 79 off just 31 balls.
On day three, Macleans College played a 50-over game against Anglican Church Grammar School. The opposition scored 109 all out, with Jordan Mills (Rutherford) taking four wickets for 25 runs in his seven overs. Macleans College reached the target with five wickets, with Selwin scoring 50 - a significant achievement for the team.
Day four was a rest day, with the team undertaking an educational trip to Sea World to learn more about Australian sea life. The boys were captivated by the outstanding dolphin show and had a memorable dinner together, celebrating the All Blacks’ victory over the Wallabies. This experience provided a break from the cricket matches and enriched the boys' knowledge about the diverse marine life in Australia.
On the fifth and final day of the tour, the team left Brisbane as a better-connected team; more than just cricket players. The boys reflected on their achievements - competing against teams from private boys’ schools whose facilities are unlike any seen in New Zealand schools.
Lessons from the tour included:
- Macleans College cricket players have the talent to hold their own, even against the best in Australia;
- Sporting tours not only provide the opportunity to play against competitors outside New Zealand, but also teach students how to be independent and thrive outside of their comfort zone; and
- Memories and bonds were created which will last a lifetime.
Thank you to the parent committee, who undertook much of the organisation and fundraising behind the scenes to make this trip possible. Gratitude must also be expressed to Sanjeewa Silva for his dedication of time and knowledge to cricket at Macleans College.
Thank you also to the Macleans College Board and Principal Mr Hargreaves for the support and allowing the team to travel to Australia.
Thank you to the following sponsors for their support:
Ara-Tai Cafe, Posto, Fresh Choice, Howick Meats, Fujifilm, 101 Howick, Whitford Park Golf Club, Adidas, Gaia Day Spa, Life Pharmacy Marina, Chemist Warehouse, Cinnamon Brown Homestore, Ahi Restaurant, Origine Bistro, Allure Beauty Salon, Davis Food Ingredients, BluLink, Smartfoods, Under Par Golf, Timberworld, Sails Restaurant, Les Mills Howick, Kiwi Discovery, John Russell Schoolwear, Countdown Howick, Salon Furniture/Hair & Beauty Kingdom NZ, Sleepcorp.co.nz/Protectabed, Kiwi Discount Limited, Move Logistics, Barfoot and Thompson Pakuranga, Howick Pakuranga Cricket Club and Papakura Cricket Club.
