We are thrilled to be named, once again, in the top 100 senior schools for cricket in The Cricketer Schools Guide for 2021, and excitingly this year the Prep School has been named in the top 50 prep schools.
To be recognised in this prestigious guide the school faced a rigorous selection process, during which it was judged against other schools on criteria such as facilities, fixture programmes and coaching.
The Cricketer Schools Guide 2021
Gary Steer, Director of Cricket said, “It is an honour to be included in the top 100 cricketing schools and the top 50 cricketing prep schools selected from schools throughout the whole of the UK. All of the cricket staff and grounds staff work very hard to give the boys in the Upper and Prep School a challenging and enjoyable cricket programme to take part in, as well as first-class facilities to play on.”
Additionally, this year saw a record number of schools enter and so to be selected is a huge testament to the standard of cricket facilities and coaching we have at Bedford School.
Editor of The Cricketer magazine, Simon Hughes said, “There should be deserved praise for all the teachers, coaches and volunteers who have put in so much hard work, in the most difficult of circumstances, to preserve a love of the game among the next generation.”
The 148-page guide, which features the top 100 senior, the top 50 prep/junior, and for the first time, the top 20 all-girls schools, is available with the December issue of The Cricketer (released 27 Nov) and on The Cricketer website (from 15 Dec).
Bedford School Cricket facts:
- We have approximately 80 boys in the Upper and Prep School who play county cricket for Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Hampshire and Derbyshire.
- Three of our boys have been selected for the Emerging Players Programme. This is an elite programme that all counties run to help develop good cricketers to try and then move them on to the academy.
- A large number of Prep School boys receive 1:2 coaching with our Director of Cricket as part of their standard PE lessons.
- Boys are able to train in the nets before school, at lunchtime and after school.
- We have biennial cricket tours for both Prep and Upper School boys (running consecutive years).
Old Bedfordians who are currently playing professional cricket:
- Sir Alastair Cook (98-03)
- Alex Wakely (96-07)
- Charlie Thurston (07-14)
- Emilio Gay (11-18)
- Harry Gouldstone (12-19)
- Gus Miller (15-20)
Facilities include:
- 18 outdoor cricket nets
- 6 indoor cricket nets
- 8 cricket pitches
We can also boast an abundance of talent from our current staff members:
- Gary Steer, Director of Cricket played for Derbyshire CCC
- Tom Brett played for Northamptonshire CCC and currently plays for Bedfordshire as well as a high standard of club cricket
- James Hodgson, Head Master played for Surrey 2nd XI and was awarded his Cambridge Blue in 1994.
- Simon Lincoln, Keith Thomson, Ross Wise and Will Montgomery have all played (or are still playing) cricket to a high club standard