As the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup begins, we look back on a day of celebration at Ripon Cricket Club during Catch the Spirit Week.
In Yorkshire’s smallest city, communities gathered to showcase the women and girls game in a big way. ‘Picnic on the Pitch’ at Ripon tapped into the energy and excitement as the ICC global cricket tournament comes to host venues across England and Wales – including Headingley.
In partnership with Ripon City Council, Ripon BID, Little Bird, Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate and North Yorkshire Council, the event combined accessible cricket for all ages with the chance to socialise in leafy surroundings.
A women’s softball match featured players from Bilton, Knaresborough and the home club among others, while walking cricket also took centre stage. The Mayor of Ripon Cllr Andrew Williams even faced an over out in the middle.
A unique match with coloured powder filling the air (and covering everyone) delighted adults and children alike. Pink, purple, orange and green dusted one and all from head to foot as the party really started.
For the hundreds of spectators who attended this showpiece, there were a variety of food stalls from Punjabi curries to gourmet quiches and Ripon Cricket Club’s pavilion was open for a bite to eat and refreshments.
Lacuna Sports came along to share their expertise with women and girls clothing, while a stand offering information and a tombola highlighted the important work of St. Michael’s Hospice, who provide support for those living with or caring for someone with a terminal illness.
Other activities at Ripon were face painting and a magician, while a DJ was on-site to provide the tunes. The Yorkshire Cricket Foundation (YCF) inflatable batting cage proved a hit, along with cricket nets and throwing challenges.
Women’s T20 World Cup fever is sweeping Yorkshire as the double header on Wednesday 17 June of Australia v Bangladesh (10.30am) & India v Netherlands (2.30pm) at Headingley gets closer.
Further matches are West Indies v Scotland (Thursday 18 June), England v Scotland (Saturday 20 June) and Australia v Pakistan (Tuesday 23 June) as international stars come to Leeds in an action-packed month.
By John Fuller – cricketyorkshire.com
