Archbishop of Canterbury XI defeats St Peter’s Vatican side in charity T20 match
Sunday 21st September 2014
The Archbishop of Canterbury visited The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence on Friday as his side defeated a visiting team from the Vatican in a charity 20-over match.
The encounter, organised by The Church Times in aid of the cross-faith charity Global Freedom Network, pitted an Anglican XI against St Peter's Cricket Club from Rome.
Hundreds of spectators turned out as the home side narrowly defeated the tourists with five deliveries to spare under the lights at the home of Kent Cricket.
St Peter's XI batted first after prayer and set the Archbishop's XI a modest target of 106 which was made tougher by accurate bowling and good fielding from the Catholic side.
A fine 26 not out from Rob Oram, a trainee priest from Cambridge, guided the Anglicans to victory.
Bishops, archbishops and clergymen turned out for the match which was followed by a VIP dinner in the Chiesman Pavilion, compered by broadcaster and former Zimbabwe international cricketer Henry Olonga.
There was massive media interest in the game with regional, national and international journalists at the ground to raise awareness of human trafficking through the charity's work and cross-faith cooperat, ion.
Click here for more information about the Global Freedom Network
Church Times coverage – page 14-15
BBCRadio 4 coverage – from 31 min