Cricket tours help develop lasting friendships, build character, and cultivate a strong sense of camaraderie within the club. International tours also offer a unique opportunity to use the wonderful game we play to make a meaningful impact—both on and off the field.
After months of planning — which included intensive on-field training as well as off-field education sessions on Zimbabwean history and culture — our two junior squads, the Trailblazers (U18) and the Titans (U15), touched down in Harare for a week-long cricket tour. The Trailblazers were led by Savan Patel and coached by Will Burridge, while the Titans were captained by Finlay Gibbins and supported by coach Ricardo Kirton.
What followed was a packed schedule of fixtures across Zimbabwe’s two major cities, Harare and Bulawayo, before the teams rounded off the trip with a well-earned break in the breathtaking Victoria Falls. Despite limited warm-up time, both squads managed to squeeze in a valuable net session at an excellent facility called The Hub, managed by Zimbabwean cricketer Jonathan Campbell, who generously granted us access to the venue.

Our fixtures were organised in partnership with Far and Wide Cricket, an organisation CECC has proudly supported over recent years. CECC has donated equipment, provided coaching to teachers, and helped fund camps aimed at introducing cricket to schools taking their first steps into the game. Far and Wide also work closely with local schools to create pathways for talented young players to gain competitive experience — in this case, through matches against both CECC touring squads.

The tour featured fixtures against some of Zimbabwe’s most established cricketing schools, most notably Prince Edward School — founded in 1898 and renowned for producing cricketing greats such as Graham Hick, Duncan Fletcher, and David Houghton. Also in Harare, the Titans enjoyed the rare opportunity to play a day/night match against Hellenic Academy, a school showing rapid development across several sports. In Bulawayo, both teams faced Christian Brothers College (CBC), a leading institution with a strong sporting pedigree and outstanding facilities that reflected its commitment to athletics as a core value.

Alongside fixtures with these established schools, the tour provided an opportunity to support players at the earliest stages of their cricketing journey. Wise Owl School in Westgate — a suburb of Harare — welcomed the Titans warmly, and their students were put through the full Ricardo Coaching Machine™: batting, bowling, and fielding drills enthusiastically delivered with help from the Titans squad.

We also visited our main host school, Lord Brighton College a brand-new institution that opened its doors only in January this year. With ambitions to develop excellence in sport, including cricket, our presence has hopefully nudged their programme forward and sparked interest among children who previously had no access to the game. On our final day in Harare, the entire CECC touring group helped coach pupils from Lord Brighton as well selected schools who are introducing cricket into their curriculum.

A special highlight for several members of the Trailblazers squad was the chance to step away from cricket for a guided tour of Harare Sports Club, kindly arranged by a family friend. The experience was made even more memorable when Rashid Khan took a break from Afghanistan’s training session to generously offered his time for a 1-to-1 conversation with our players, answering questions and sharing insights from the top level of the sport.

On-Field Performances

Trailblazers (U18)
The Trailblazers secured two impressive victories — overcoming Far & Wide Academy and Christian Brothers College (CBC) — but fell short against a powerful Prince Edward School side and the second F&W Academy team.
The bowling unit delivered several standout performances, with rising talents Yash, Morley, Fadil and Ben Potts leading the attack, the latter finishing with excellent figures of 4–19. They were well supported by skipper Savan and Rory, who maintained pressure when it was required.
However, batting proved far more challenging on slow, unpredictable wickets that produced a series of low-scoring encounters. Many players struggled to convert promising starts or fell victim to the dreaded “being trapped on the wicket.” Nevertheless, senior players Rory and coach Will consistently showed grit and determination, often steadying the innings and guiding the team to competitive totals.

Titans (U15)
Titans opened their tour with a well-earned victory against Far and Wide on the first day. Although they were unable to maintain that winning momentum in subsequent fixtures, their performances were full of moral victories and provided invaluable opportunities to strengthen team camaraderie and collective resilience. Notable batting contributions came from Teo, James, Rohan, Finlay and Gil each stepping up in different games at crucial moments when the team needed them most.
The standout bowling performances were delivered by Jacob (3–10), Gil (2–15), and James (2–6), all of whom performed admirably against strong batting line-ups. A special highlight was Arlo receiving the Player of the Match award for his determined batting and for taking two of the team’s three wickets in the game against CBC.
As Ricardo highlighted, the Titans showed tremendous grit and determination throughout the tour, refusing to give the opposition any easy wins. These experiences will undoubtedly “move the needle” in their development and serve them well heading into next season.

Beyond Cricket
For many, the opportunity to witness Zimbabwe’s extraordinary wildlife was a standout experience — especially the visit to Lion Park on the outskirts of Harare, which included the rare chance to spend time with lion cubs.
The tour group then travelled to Victoria Falls, where they had time to relax, bond, and experience one of the world’s natural wonders. For some, the Zambezi River cruise — and the unforgettable sight of a herd of elephants crossing the water at sunset — will remain etched in memory forever.

Our hosts at the Tag Rugby Trust provided an unforgettable camp experience, giving players the chance to try a new sport and to contribute to local community projects, adding depth and purpose to the tour.
As with any tour, there were countless stories — some that will remain on tour, and others that will no doubt fuel the banter for years to come. The boys deserve enormous credit for embracing every challenge thrown their way, including gruelling 10-hour bus journeys, +35°C heat, insects the size of mini-dinosaurs, and much more.
Most importantly, the entire group represented Crouch End Cricket Club — and the country — with maturity, humility, and pride. Their conduct on and off the field reflects the values of the wonderful club community we are all part of.

Planning for the next tour has started!