A n attacking line-up that features New Zealand and Canterbury representatives, the Gillette Cup Young Player of the Year, and a prestigious scholarship holder has spun out all rivals to lift the premier secondary schools cricket trophy for the first time in Christ’s College history. Self-belief, stylish innings, and brilliant displays of line and length have all played integral roles in the 1st XI carrying the bat to deliver an unbeaten series and win the Gillette Cup at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln.
at the event. Opener Matt Lewis contributed valuable runs at the top throughout the week – striking at 136.7, as well as grabbing a handful of wickets. Fast bowler Ben Breitmeyer led the way – finishing with eight wickets – while spin bowlers Matthew Hocquard and Hamish Falls-Anderson proved miserly, with six wickets apiece. Matthew also claimed the best economy rate for all bowlers at the tournament while George Ryan finished with the most wicketkeeper dismissals (10). Tim was named the Gillette Cup Young Player of the Year, dominating the scoresheet to finish as the top scorer with 311 runs at an average of 155.5, including two centuries and a half-century in four games, while Nick was recognised as the College MVP. College also successfully defended the local Ara Shield 12 times and the Heathcote Williams Shield (a Ranfurly Shield-style contest but for schoolboy cricket) nine times in 2022. In all, College won every trophy and competition that the team was eligible to enter, sending the opposition quickly back to the pavilion. In Term 4 alone, the 1st XI won by more 100 runs on nine occasions. During the season, eight different players scored 50s or 100s and seven players took more than 20 wickets. Among the impressive feats of 1st XI players, Ben has been selected to represent New Zealand at the 2023 U19 ICC World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Darwin, Australia.
For more than 30 years, the premier national secondary
schools cricket trophy stayed out of reach, an elusive prize coveted by schools across New Zealand. However, the dream became a reality for Christ’s College last summer, with five years of strategic planning resulting in the 2022 title triumph under the guidance of coaches Keryn Ambler and Ryan McCone. At the national tournament in December, College was also awarded the Spirit of Cricket Award, recognising the players’ character and sportsmanship. A strong team culture evolved in recent seasons, ensuring that the talent within the group was always on show because all the players felt supported to excel in each game. Top-order batsman Tim Seeto (160 runs) and 1st XI captain Nick Gibb (125 runs) set a record 276-run partnership in their first tournament match – the highest partnership ever scored
COLLEGE 2023
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