Church of England picks squad for Vatican cricket match

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The Church of England has chosen its team that will face the Vatican XI in a historic cricket match to raise awareness of slavery and human trafficking on 19 September. The match at Kent County Cricket Club will be used to raise funds for the Anglican-Roman Catholic anti-trafficking initiative, the Global Freedom Network. Entrance will be free but there will be a bucket collection during the match, which will be followed by a gala dinner to raise further funds.

The Vatican XI, who issued the challenge last December are seminarians, with an average age 28, under the captaincy of a more experienced cricketer.

They are:

Fr Tony Currer, captain (batsman)
Antony Shehan, vice-captain (batsman)
Aamir Bhatti (wicket-keeper, batsman)
Shynish Bosco (batsman)
Jomcy Mathew (fast bowler)
Ajeesh George (medium-fast bowler)
Deepak Anto (batsman)
Ruwan Tharaka (left-handed batsman)
Davidson Jestus (fast bowler)
Benedict (fast bowler)
Paulson (batsman)

Taking on the Vatican XI will be:

The Revd Jez Barnes, captain (batsman and slow bowler)
Will Foulger (seam bowler and lower- order batsman)
The Revd Rob Glenny (opening bowler and lower-order batsman)
The Revd Steve Gray (top-order batsman, wicket-keeper)
Jonny Hughes (wicket-keeper and middle- order batsman)
Chris Kennedy (opening batsman and seam bowler)
The Revd Matt Lefroy (bowler)
Chris Lion (top-order batsman and leg-spin bowler)
Rob Oram (batsman)
Jim Robinson (middle-order batsman)
John Summers (middle-order batsman)
Andy Watkins (seam bowler and middle- order batsman)

The Church Times says the Vatican team might have the edge, because they will have already played together for several matches, and have been able to draw on the international students studying in Rome - hence the preponderance of players from the Indian subcontinent.

The Anglican side will have come together for the first time at a practice engagement just two days before the big game. But their team includes some experienced players - and they are hoping there will be more CoE's in the crowd to cheer them on. The match begins at 4pm and should end by 7pm.

For more information on the Global Freedom Network see: www.gfn2020.org/

Source: Archbishop of Canterbury/Church Times/VIS