I arrived at Bristol airport at 8am on April 10th where I was met by Mr Lintott, the Head of Cricket at Queen’s College in Taunton. I arrived at the impressive school and had a tour around the facilities straight away. I had training that day, so I was straight into it with a fitness bleep test to start the training session. I met all of my English teammates and they were all very welcoming. We have quite a young team this year but our oldest player is a Leinster man, Fionn Hand. Fionn has played for Somerset 2XI and played for North County Cricket Club back in Ireland. He introduced me to everyone and was very welcoming.

In the Academic department I have been put into year twelve and have been going to classes daily and attending prep in the evening. It is exam time over here at the moment so everyone is studying very hard.

The first game I played was against West Buckland School. I scored 31 not out and took three wickets. It was great to get my first game in and see what I was coming up against. The 1st team coach Mr Lintott informed me that he had organised for me to play two fixtures for the Somerset Academy side which was a great experience. I got three wickets over those two games. It was a top class standard of cricket and it was a great to experience too. I have had a few training sessions also with the academy which is great training and I’m improving my skills every day I’m over here.

I have been training with a club side called Clevedon, which has been great practice as well. I will be playing for them after the school midterm break in June.

The cricket facilities at Queens are second to none. The have got four cricket pitches, three hockey pitches, twelve tennis courts, a gym and a sports hall where there are indoor nets. Is has been a great experience so far and I have really enjoyed my time here not only improving my cricket but also mixing with different kinds of people and different nationalities and making great friends.

I would like to thank Cricket Leinster (who also arranged my trip to Muir College, South Africa during the January-March period) for this amazing opportunity and also those at Queen’s College who have facilitated my stay here.

Mitchell Thompson

Y.M.C.A Cricket Club and The King’s Hospital school

Photos: Courtesy of Cricket Europe

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