ENGLAND test and one-day international legend Stuart Broad has played in some unusual cricket matches in his long and distinguished career, but probably none more so than the annual Brambles Bank match off Cowes.
The 32-year-old fast-medium bowler, with 417 test wickets to his name, who will feature in next month's test series against India, accompanied members of Hamble's Royal Southern Yacht Club in the match against a team from the Island Sailing Club on the sandbank at 6.30am this morning (Sunday).
The fun match, supported by the England cricket team's sponsors, Hardy's wines, was played at low tide for about an hour and a half and watched by a crowd of around 200 in glorious conditions on a wide playing area on the sandbank.
England cricket star Stuart Broad on strike. Photo: Sienna Anderson
It has become a tradition since its brainchild, renowned Island sailor Uffa Fox, started it in 1950.
The winners each year are decided by which club hosts the game.
So, as is the tradition, hosts the Royal Southern Yacht Club were presented the Bramble Bank Shield by the Island Sailing Club's team captain, John Allen, after the game.
Test bowler Stuart Broad steams in during this morning's Brambles Bank cricket match. Photo: Sienna Anderson
Mr Allen said: "The weather was fabulous, as was the occasion. It was a magical game and what a great bloke Stuart Broad is
"Stuart bowled to me and I bowled to him.
"I'm not joking, he hit one ball of mine so hard it was more like a 12 than a six. It just disappeared into the distance and someone had to go out and swim to retrieve it.
Action from this morning's Brambles Bank cricket match. Photo: Patrick Condy.
"The the next ball, he hit another six, the opposite side.
"The event has given the Island Sailing Club a real feelgood factor and put us up there as an organisation which can put on top sporting events."
Hardy's, which supports and promotes English grassroots cricket, brought Broad along to experience the quintessentially English challenge match for the first time.
Stuart Broad in the field at Brambles Bank. Photo: Sienna Anderson
Mark Tomson, the opposion's skipper, said: "Stuart was a little anxious about playing in it as he didn't know what to expect or how he should bowl — whether at full tilt or not.
"But he said he really enjoyed it and that he was impressed by the dedication of players — diving into the sea to retrive the ball.
"Stuart thoroughly enjoyed it."
Handshakes after this morning's Brambles Bank cricket match. Photo: Patrick Condy.
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