Published on: Wednesday, January 31, 2024
In December, King's cricketer Neil Brand received the fantastic news that he had been named South Africa cricket test captain for their two-match tour of New Zealand in February.
Neil joined King's in 2009 and finished five years later as one of our most decorated captains and players. King's Director of Sport, Phil Lewis, comments:
"Neil was a fantastic player for us and captained our 1st XI through one of its most successful periods in the school's history. He scored over 1000 runs in his final season for us but was not only a top cricketer but a superb young man who worked incredibly hard and deserves every ounce of his success".
Following his time at King's, Neil played cricket for and studied at Cardiff University, where he also played for Glamorgan CCC before returning back to South Africa, where he obtained his first professional contract for the Titans. He then went on to represent the South Africa A team and, after many top performances, has now been called up for the full squad for this tour. King's can now boast two international cricket captains (alongside Jos Buttler) in the same calendar year. We are very proud of Neil and wish him all the best for his up and coming tour.
Last summer, the King’s College 1st cricket team won the National T20 U18 Cup for the first time, and this period also saw the U15 team raise the equivalent championship trophy.
Cricket at King's has always been at the forefront of the school's culture and traditions and King's is currently a Centre of Cricketing Excellence. King’s has produced numerous professional cricketers in recent years, many of whom play for major counties and at international level. We have produced 18 professionals in the last 15 years, including Jos Buttler (England ODI captain), Will Smeed, Tom Banton and Calvin Harrison, who have recently played in the Hundred, as well as Nathan Gilchrist and James Rew, who have performed brilliantly in the county championship. We also have a number of players who have recently signed professional contracts, including Ed Middleton, Eddie Byrom, George Thomas and Will Smale.
The school has also been awarded the status of being one of the first MCC Foundation Hubs, an initiative which will allow local young cricketers to access the brilliant coaching and facilities that King's can provide. It has been an enormous success so far and continues to emphasise the school’s growing cricketing reputation.