Felsted Named As One Of The Country’s Best Schools For Cricket

Felsted has been selected by the world’s longest established cricket magazine, The Cricketer, as one of the country’s top 100 independent senior schools for the sport, while Felsted Prep has made it on to the list of the country’s top 50 prep schools.

For inclusion in the prestigious Cricketer’s Schools Guide’s special 10th anniversary edition this year, cricketing schools were judged against an extensive set of criteria, including ‘a compelling commitment to cricket in the curriculum, facilities, fixture programmes and coaching’.

‘Cricket is very much an integral part of sport at Felsted, so it is very gratifying for the school to continue to be recognised by The Cricketer,’ said Felsted’s Director of Cricket Jason Gallian, a former professional player for Essex, Nottinghamshire, Lancashire and England. ‘We are consistently providing pathways into professional cricket for the most talented young players alongside encouraging pupils of all ages and abilities to be involved and enjoy the game,’ added Felsted’s Head of Girls’ Cricket Lissy Macleod, who represented Birmingham Phoenix in last year’s The Hundred and won the Rachel Heyhoe Flint trophy with Sunrisers. Lissy also recently signed a professional contract with Essex which further enhances Felsted’s links to the professional game.

Felsted’s first cricket pitch was opened in 1805 and since then the school has become known for nurturing cricketing talent. The school has produced many first-class and international cricketers, the latest being former pupil Jordan Cox, who in September 2024 was selected as part of the squad for England Cricket’s IT20 series against Australia. Other well-known names include Derek Pringle (Essex and England), Nick Knight (Essex, Warwickshire and England), John Stephenson (Essex, Hampshire and England), Grace Poole (Essex), Emma Jones (Essex) and Jessica Olorenshaw (Essex).

Many current pupils play cricket at a high level, including 12-year-old Felsted pupil Mia R who plays for the Essex county side and was recently named Essex Cricket Under 13 Lightning Player of the Year 2024 after a highly successful season, and 15-year-old Amber M, who was voted Girls’ Cricketer of the Year and Coaches’ Cricketer of 2024 by High Roding Cricket Club, for whom she plays in both the U15s and the ladies’ teams, competing in T30s.

Cricket is hugely popular at Felsted. Girls and boys are introduced to the sport at the age of eight and coaching continues throughout the school, with elite pathways including individualised training and nutrition programmes for talented athletes. There is a full fixture list for boys’ 1st, 2nd and 3rd XIs and the U14 and U15 A and B teams, as well as the girls’ 1st and 2nd XI, and U14/15 A and B teams. Every year a match is played against an MCC team on the school’s famous main pitch – ‘The Front’ – and Felsted also competes in the national T20 competition.

‘Our aim at Felsted is to widen access to cricket for many more boys and girls,’ said Felsted’s Head Chris Townsend. ‘We are proud to be a Performance Hub for Essex Women, running regular coaching sessions. It’s such a great sport and we are excited to be developing more and more young players.’