Bunbury guru English hails the class of 2016
Ross Lawson looks back at the Bunbury Festival and discovers that the production line of talent is working as well as ever
Nine members of the England side that beat Pakistan last weekend are Bunbury Festival alumni but the 2016 intake could become the best crop yet – according to founder David English.
Now boasting 70 players in its history to have gone on to appear for England, the festival has developed into the unquestionable breeding ground for elite U15 talent.
As for English, who celebrated the festival’s 30th year, the former Bee Gees manager is certainly in a better position than most to judge those coming through his ranks.
All four regional sides – London and East, South and West, Midlands and North – took to Radley College for the finals last week.
And though the festival was hosted in such idyllic settings, English is keen to quash any charges of elitism – half of the 56 players on display at the festival came from state schools.
“It makes me so excited, I felt like a 12-year-old again being able to watch all this talent. I’m very proud of it, but this has been the dearest to my heart over everything that I’ve done, the one that gives me the greatest pride,” he said.
“Each year the standard gets higher, [England assistant coach] Paul Farbrace and I were joking that they look just like a miniature version of an England team, the way they mimic Alastair Cook, Joe Root and Chris Woakes is just fantastic.
“I think this could even be the best one we’ve had. 727 of the lads have gone on to play first-class cricket and I’m very privileged to have gone to all these schools in England where all the best boys have been able to show their skills.”
The Midlands side emerged as winners of the T20 competition, defending 170-7 by 21 runs, with Worcestershire’s Zain Hassan top-scoring with 53no from just 38 balls.
In response, London and East put in a strong display to reach 149-8, with Sean Sullivan’s unbeaten 48 thwarted by Daniel Mousley’s 2-17 from four overs to fall just short.
In the other finals day clash, Ben Charlesworth smashed 74 from 50 balls opening up for South and West, who made 155-5 from their 20 overs as Fletcha Middleton anchored the innings with a run-a-ball 39.
But impressive bowling helped South and West prevail over North, with Zac Organ and Lewis Goldsworthy both registering maidens and the latter conceding just five runs from three overs, as North could only make 117 in response.
And that third-placed T20 finish to an impressive 50-over campaign, as South and West won two of their three matches to claim the title despite losing their last encounter to Midlands by just a single run.
But there were plenty of individual performances to soak in, too, with North captain Sam Dorsey making 104no against London and East, helping him to 185 runs in the tournament and earn the honour of top batsman.
North team-mate Dominic Leech’s nine wickets earned him the honour of best bowler, while Sullivan, of London and South East, took the all-rounder honours.
And under the watchful gaze of Andrew Strauss, Charlotte Edwards, Mike Gatting and James Taylor – along with phone conversations with Alastair Cook, Joe Root and Steven Finn among others – there were two performances in particular English cited as showcasing the best of Bunbury talent.
“I’d put my house on these guys playing for England,” English added. “Firstly there is Sam Young, from Millfield School – he looked just like a young Brendon McCullum, he came out in his first game of the week and smashed his first ball for six on the way to a brilliant 121 for South and West.
“Then there was Jordan Cox, of Felsted School – he was very self-assured, make it look easy with excellent timing for Midlands.
“These guys are two brilliant examples, but they were all wonderful – at least half a dozen could play for England and more than 30 will I’m sure play firstclass cricket, and that’s what Bunbury is all about.”
They were all wonderful. At least half a dozen could play for England and more than 30 will, I’m sure, play first-class cricket. That’s what Bunbury is all about -David English