Cricketers switch sports for a day in memory of Bal

TEAMMATES of a popular cricketer who died last year are coming together to take on a different sport in his honour.

Balmer Bains, who worked as a taxi driver, died when his Mercedes Vito van collided with a lorry on the A5 in February 2016.

Tributes flooded in for the 51-year-old, known as Bal, who had played and coached at a number of cricket teams in Coventry and Warwickshire, including Highway and Standard.

And now those two clubs are planning to play each other at football next month to raise money in Bal’s memory.

The match will take place at Highway’s ground, off the A45 Fletchamstead Highway, at 7.30pm on November 3.

Jamie Marsh, from Highway CC, who has organised the match, said: “Bal’s work for Coventry District Cricket Board was amazing and two of the clubs he was closest to were Highway and Standard.

“As such, myself and Ryan Leybourne (Standard CC captain) thought it would be a great idea to come together and raise money and awareness for Bal, via the Lords Taverners charity.

“The game will feature many players that Bal has coached in the past, as well as those who will remember him fondly for a variety of reasons.

“In addition, we would like to involve the Coventry cricket and sporting community, and invite them to come along and watch the game, and show their support to one of the county’s most missed volunteers.”

Entry on the night will be £2 for adults and £1 for children, while all the players are also donating towards the charity. Organisers are also looking for anyone who can help with equipment for the game, such as balls, kit and a trophy for the winners. Bal was a dadof-two from Longford and a memorial cricket game was played in his honour at Highway last year where an electronic scoreboard and bench were also unveiled.

Bal had coached numerous junior sides over the years and also used to play for Bedworth Cricket Club and brought through a lot of youngsters who now play for the side.

Tributes flooded in following Bal’s death, including kind words from David Johnson, secretary at Highway Cricket Club, who said: “Bal championed the cause of the young player and I am very grateful to him for the way he gently introduced our juniors to senior adult cricket.

“He ensured that they had the opportunity to fully participate in the game and for Bal the development of young players came first before getting too concerned with the match result.”

The game will feature many players that Bal has coached in the past, as well as those who will remember him fondly.