Year 12 student Finn Marshall was one of the Grammar cricketers who enjoyed the opportunity of a lifetime to participate in the Schools Tour of India over the April School Holidays. Amongst playing lots of cricket, the students were also able to explore and learn more about the wonderful history, monuments and cities in India.
On Tuesday, 2, April at 2.00am in the morning, 22 students along with 11 parents and 3 teachers – Mr Lincoln, Mr Reid and Mr Butler, departed for Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi, India on the Grammar Hawks cricket tour. The Delhi leg of our trip involved going on a 4-hour bus ride through the Indian countryside to Agra, to visit the Taj Mahal, commissioned by Shah Jahan in the 17th century and developed by Ustad Lahori. Staying in the heart of Delhi, we were fortunate to visit Old Delhi and explore the area through rickshaw rides. A highlight for all tour members to learn from, and be amongst, the day-to-day life that the citizens experience. Organised by the tireless efforts of Mr Lincoln, Mr Reid and the Modern School of Delhi, both the Grammar Hawks Junior and Senior team were lucky enough to each play a match against the Modern School on 4 April. While the Senior team lost, the Modern School team were restricted by a remarkable spell by Crawford Bolto of 2 for 22 off 4 overs, with Modern making 270 to secure the win. The Junior side were victorious, with Benjamin Lincoln taking 4 wickets and Wil Lloyd and Flynn Fazey each making 50 runs, cementing the win in foreign conditions.
On Friday, 5April , Grammar Hawks departed to Indore. We stayed at the Round Square school Daly College and played them in a cricket tournament. The tour group adapted not only to the pitches but also to the spicy food served at the dining hall! The Senior team played four matches against Daly College with the series levelled at 2-2. Scoring over 250 runs across the four games , including a century in his final game was Jonah Lincoln who won the batting award for the senior side at the closing ceremony. The Bolto brothers of Crawford and Jonty tied with 8 wickets a piece and jointly received bowling award. Jonty Bolto also added batting prowess to his overall performance with a memorable 50 off 24 in the second game.
The Junior side was only victorious once but pushed Daly College close in the three games they lost. Year 9 student Flynn Fazey scored two centuries across the Indore leg of the trip along with a 50. His remarkable form cemented him the batting award for the Junior side. Sam Meek year 9, won the bowling award for the games across Daly College after taking 5fer in game two.
Across the five games played on the tour, the player of the series for the senior side was Year 10 Crawford Bolto who took 9 wickets and made over 110 runs. For the junior team, Year 9 Flynn Fazy Year 9 was the player of the series, with two centuries and two half centuries.
Other highlights from the Indore trip included the Principles Dinner in which players were able to sit with and talk about life and cricket with the opposition cricket players from Daly College, turf net training sessions and the visit to Mandu to experience historic buildings and forts from the ancient Indian Empire.
While team did get defeated by sickness, we all managed to toughed it out and made it home. A special thanks to Dr Rennie for help keeping us well.
All Students would like to recognise and thank the sacrifices made by Mr Lincoln, Mr Reid, and Mr Butler in accompanying and organising this once in a lifetime trip and opportunity.
Check out the video with some highlights from the trip.
Finn Marshall :: Year 12
