BUNBURY CRICKET FESTIVAL ARRIVES IN WALES

The Bunbury Cricket Festival, the under-15 tournament which has helped develop the careers of over 50 England Test players including current Captain, Andrew Strauss, comes to Wales for the first time next week.

The 25^thBunbury Festival is being hosted by Cricket Wales and Monmouth School, on behalf of the English Schools Cricket Association (ESCA), from Monday 25 – Friday 29 July.

The event, which has also helped to develop over 180 professional cricketers, features the four regions of England and Wales, with young Welsh players forming a key part of the Wales and West regional side.

The four regions play in 50-over games at Monmouth School on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday; with Twenty20 matches at the SWALEC Stadium on Wednesday, and at Monmouth School on Friday.

Three Welsh players are part of the Wales and West team: Monmouth School pupil Jeremy Lawler (St Fagans Cricket Club), Ben Roberts (Brymbo Cricket Club) and Daniel Jones (Carmarthen Wanderers Cricket Club).

Bunbury founder, David English, said: “It was destiny that the Bunbury Roadshow should surge over the Severn Bridge for the first time, to celebrate our 25^thAnniversary - pure magic because this wonderful seat of learning standing on the banks of the River Wye is also approaching its 400^thanniversary.

“I started the Bunbury in 1987 to give children something as beautiful as cricket, the greatest of all sports and the one in which the values and ideals of sportsmanship achieve their highest expression. Cricket teaches you the virtues of teamwork, courtesy towards opponents, being social in defeat and gracious in victory, but, most of all, respect.”

John Barclay, President of the ESCA, said: “The Bunbury Festival, famous for developing the very best cricketers in the country and with a track record of success that is second to none, has now reached Wales and the beautiful town of Monmouth. There could hardly be a more enticing venue for this year’s festival.I know that Monmouth will give us all the warmest possible Welsh welcome.”

Peter Hybart, Director of Cricket at Cricket Wales, said: “Cricket Wales is delighted to be welcoming the Bunbury Festival to Wales for the very first time. We believe Monmouth School and the SWALEC Stadium are ideal venues for this prestigious event and we look forward to a great week’s cricket involving the next generation of young professional cricketers, some of whom may go on to represent England.

“We are particularly pleased that the three Welsh players involved in the Wales and West squad come from completely different parts of Wales, suggesting that the hard work of our junior clubs, regions and national sides is paying off, throughout the principality.”

Dr Steven Connors, Head Master of Monmouth School, said: “It is a great honour and pleasure to help celebrate the 25^thESCA Bunbury Under 15’s Cricket Festival by hosting the event here at Monmouth School. Long may the Bunbury Festival continue to provide such a wonderful opportunity to young cricketers.

“I hope all the players, parents, coaches and officers of this great cricketing institution will enjoy their time by the banks of the beautiful Wye river, and I wish all those participating the very best of luck in their quest for a place in the National team.”