King's School Chester named as one of UK's top cricketing schools

The Schools Guide, published by The Cricketer, the world's oldest and best-selling cricket magazine, is the result of an exhaustive annual search for the UK's best cricketing schools.

The Chester school is proud to be recognised for the first time in the prestigious guide. Judges took a number of factors into account when choosing the shortlist of 100 schools, including facilities, commitment to a full fixture programme, development of the girls' game and future plans.

King’s cricketers celebrate their success with director of cricket, Mark Baker.

This year's list was announced by Huw Turbervill, editor of The Cricketer. He said: "Considering the quality of entries this year, you should be very proud of your achievement.

"Once again, we received a huge number of entries and it was heartening to read how schools are ensuring that cricket remains central to their curriculum. The game is in excellent hands thanks to the unstinting commitment from you and your coaching team."

King’s hosted the first North West U12 girls cricket festival last year.

Cricket at King's is led by director of cricket, Mark Baker, who is thrilled with the news.

He said: "This is fantastic recognition of the work we have done over the last few years to grow our cricket programme, increase engagement and, crucially, to help drive development of the girls' game in the North West.

Ieuan Morris is named in the guide as one of the school’s big talents.

"We run a total of 13 representative sides, including girls' teams, and we pride ourselves on offering opportunities for all players. For the first time last year, cricket became the main summer sport for girls which has resulted in a huge increase in the number of girls training and playing outside of their games sessions.

"We also have a number of very talented young players in school who play at county level and we are equally committed to supporting them in their development. On a practical level, this means that we have some younger cricketers playing for the first XI, and several of our most talented girls playing A-team hardball cricket with their male peers."

Since 2021, the school has undertaken a programme of improvement for their cricket facilities which has included the installation of a six-lane ECB-approved outdoor nets facility, a mobile batting cage for open wicket practice, a new electronic scoreboard, and ECB approved flooring in the sports hall that will give more opportunities for winter and pre-season training.

Winning partnership in last year’s match against Nottingham High School.

King's is one of only four North West schools named on the list, reflecting their growing status and influence in the area.

King's School headteacher George Hartley thanked Mr Baker for his work over the last two years. He said: "We introduced the director of cricket post in 2022 and had ambitious plans for the game in school.

"Mr Baker has worked tirelessly since his appointment and I am delighted that this has been recognised in the school's very first inclusion in this prestigious list of top cricketing schools.

"I am incredibly proud of all the staff and students who make King's such a cricketing success."

Not content to rest on their laurels, the school has big plans for the future.

Priorities include increasing match day hosting capacity at King's, developing girls' hardball cricket and continuing to work with local schools and clubs to increase cricketing opportunities for the whole community.

Mr Baker is also looking forward to establishing a touring programme for younger students, and launching a senior cricket tour to Sri Lanka.