Our first match ...

Today we played our first match on tour. Unfortunately we lost by 5 wickets, but the experience was valuable and memorable for all of the boys in many respects. The cricket field was unlike any they had previously encountered - slow outfield (long long grass!), boundaries marked by ravines, with goats and cows grazing on (and occasionally inside) the boundary!

As the picture shows, facilities were basic, but the welcome from the Choiseul Club was genuine. We batted first and, while the run rate could at times have been higher, we eventually managed 149-6 in our 35 overs (Sleightholme 34, Hoyle 22, Busby 15, Hulley 13 not out).

We had lunch in the local school and we were all struck by how different it was from QEGS. Without wishing to patronise, it is clear that many people on this island don't have much in the way of money or possessions; but it is also clear that St Lucians are a proud and happy people who have welcomed us warmly and genuinely wherever we have encountered them.

Then it was our turn to field. The very first ball was dispatched for 6 runs into the aforementioned ravine and it was clear that we would have to work very hard in order to win this game! Drinks breaks couldn't come quickly enough as the temperature soared to well into the 30s, but our lads stuck at their task in a most creditable fashion. Choiseul batted well, with one of their opening batsmen getting 61 not out, and they knocked off the total for 5 wickets in 26.4 overs. (Braithwaite 5-0-19-1, Hawley 5-0-6-1, Brown 3-0-8-1, Busby 5-0-24-1). All members of the squad were involved in this game, either batting or bowling, and we will look to keep this up as much as possible for the rest of the tour.

Mr Fitzsimons got to practise his newly-learned scoring skills under the tutelage of the master Mr Cox, while he almost got to grips with the advanced 'linear' scoring system - he might need a few more lessons yet! And thanks also to Mr Busby for his help with scoring today.

The long journey back to the hotel (the island is only 27 miles long, but the roads are much longer!) was broken up with a spirited (and mostly clean) singalong and we arrived back pretty much exhausted. Tomorrow is a 'rest day' and we are heading out to explore some more of St Lucia in a Jeep Safari. Despite the loss today, the camp is in good spirits and we are determined to make amends in our next match, which has been confirmed for Tuesday at the Beausejour Test Ground.