We made the Kabul Cup!

Jamie Theakston presenting the Trophy.

Surrounded by tight security and watched by baffled US servicemen the tourists from Ditchling Cricket Club were beaten by 124 runs over 25 overs.

Ditchling’s unlikely journey to Kabul began three years ago with an Afghan cricket tour of the UK.

A chance meeting between a Ditchling player and an Afghan official prompted an open invitation to play the village side.

The offer was taken up when another fixture against a Sussex 2nd XI fell through and 300 villagers turned up to watch the Afghans play on the village pitch.

Six months ago, the idea of a return match was raised and with the aid of village sponsors and support from Afghan businesses, the Kabul Cup was born. For security reasons, we were sworn to secrecy whilst making the trophy – a large rose bowl hammered in our classic style.

The team captain, Jamie Theakston, the former Blue Peter presenter turned radio presenter who lives in the village, said it “seemed fair” to let the Afghans win on their home ground.

~ by prudenandsmith on May 14, 2009.