A British Police Cricket Club debut
Michael, PC at Hereford Garrison, shares his recent experience playing for the British Police Cricket Club (BPCC) for the first time.
I was selected for the 2020 Touring squad of the British Police Cricket Club (BPCC) but, the tour was abandoned because of the pandemic. I was finally able to make my debut with the BPCC this year in June, on their tour of Lincolnshire, Leicestershire and Derbyshire.
We played against Lincolnshire County Cricket Club and the Army, RAF, UK National Asian Council and National Cricket Conference teams, winning 4 out of 5 games, with the Friday RAF game rained off unfortunately.
The tour was a real test of my fitness and body durability. Playing Sunday to Friday and being only one of three quick bowlers for the week really took its toll on my body.
The standard of cricket was very high too and the British Police side consisted of six ex-professionals from around the country, who are now with Home Office forces.
Policing representatives from Suffolk, Derbyshire, Greater Manchester, Gwent, Kent, Northumbria, Staffordshire, North Wales, Gloucestershire and Nottinghamshire made up the squad. It was such a fantastic opportunity to be able to network, and to meet and talk with the Chief Officers who sit on the cricket committee, along with officers from around the country.
For me personally, the tour was a success. I took 10 wickets in 4 games whilst opening the bowling attack and I enjoyed challenging myself to meet highly competitive standards. Playing with some quality players made this really enjoyable, and I’m looking forward to taking part again next year.
It has been a huge honour to represent British policing and the MDP, whilst playing a sport I love.
I have been playing cricket all my life. I played minor counties cricket for Cumberland from 2014 to 2016 and I also had a contract in Australia for 2 years around the same time. My club cricket was mainly played for Rochdale, where I was the first team captain, but I have also played at St Anne’s in Blackpool and more recently Brockhampton in Herefordshire.
I would like to express my sincere thanks to my Senior Police Officer on station at Hereford and to the MDP Sports Committee, for their encouragement and support. It has been greatly appreciated.
More information
Fitness is an operational requirement for MDP officers, and all staff are encouraged to keep fit and healthy. The MDP Sports Association offers support to staff taking part in competitive opportunities: further information and contact details are available on the MDP Intranet.
Find out more about the British Police Cricket Club and visit www.mod.police.uk to find out more about sports, fitness and wellbeing support in the MDP.
