St Austell’s Ben Sleeman was one of three promising young Cornish cricketers to have been selected to participate in the prestigious 2024 Bunbury Cricket Festival.
Sleeman, of St Austell Cricket Club, joined performance pathway teammates Toby Stoddard from Redruth and Camborne’s Will Macdonald in representing Cornwall Cricket Board.
The Bunbury Cricket Festival, held at the National Cricket Centre at Loughborough University, is a six-day event that showcases the top 60 under-15 male cricketers from across the country.
A highlight of top end youth cricket for over 40 years, the festival represents a significant milestone for young players aspiring to reach the highest levels of the sport.
Pathway lead, Chris Hunkin, expressed his pride in the selection of these players saying: “It is a fantastic achievement for Cornwall to have three players selected for this prestigious festival [and] the first time for many years that we’ve had as many.
“Recent players from Cornwall who have attended include Joe Phillips, Lewis Goldsworthy and Sam Wyatt, and there have been many more over the past four decades.
“All three boys are incredibly dedicated and committed to their cricket, with a work ethic that is second to none. Ben, in particular, has shown remarkable progress in recent weeks, a testament to the consistent effort he’s put into his game.
“It’s exciting to see their current achievements, and I look forward to their continued development.”
The Cornwall Cricket Board remains committed to offering opportunities for individuals aged five and above to engage with cricket across the county.
As the official governing body for cricket in Cornwall, the Board is dedicated to nurturing a love for the game among both children and adults.
For more information on Bunbury Cricket Festival, or cricket across Cornwall, visit www.cornwallcricket.co.uk or email admin@cornwallcricket.co.uk.
