Brentwood School once again among cricketing elite

Howzat! Brentwood School has again been named one of the UK's top 100 cricketing schools by the world’s best-selling cricketing magazine ‘The Cricketer’ - in both the Senior and Prep/Junior categories.

Brentwood’s double inclusion in the prestigious Schools Guide 2022 came at the end of a long and exhaustive selection process which saw a huge number of schools submit entries for a coveted place in the top 100 Senior, the top 50 Prep/Junior and the top 20 all-girls’ schools.

The prestigious list includes schools across the country, from Bedford to Brighton, and from Dulwich to Durham. Each entry was judged against extensive selection criteria, including a compelling commitment to cricket in the curriculum, facilities, fixture programmes and coaching. Also taken into account was how schools kept the game alive during the pandemic, and how they look to ensure cricket remains a central part of school life.

Brentwood has strong links with Essex CCC and the School’s list of illustrious cricket professionals includes former Essex batsman, Brian Hardie, Ashes hero Geraint Jones, and the current incumbent, former Essex batsman Jaik Mickleburgh.

The Cricketer magazine editor, Huw Turbervill, said: “It has been incredibly heartening to see school cricket making such a comeback after a very different 2020. Of course, not all schools’ programmes have been the same due to varying restrictions, facilities, and many other understandable reasons but what has been consistent across the spectrum is that the dedication to the game in schools has not only remained unaffected, but increased.

“As a parent myself, I would like to place on record my thanks to all the teachers, coaches and volunteers who have worked so hard, in the most difficult of circumstances, to ensure the next generation are given opportunities to grow within, and love the game that we cherish so deeply. Congratulations to all of the schools included and we look forward to hearing about all of your future successes.”