Middlesex in the Community ran its first Walking Cricket Festival at the Middlesex Indoor Cricket School on Monday 9 March 2026. Just short of 50 men and women made their way to Finchley to have six hours of fun playing this fast-growing form of the game. Four teams took part in the day, which was played using the round robin format.
The light-hearted festival contained two teams from Barnet/Stanmore, a team from the MCC and a team from Stoke Newington Cricket Club. Each side contained eight players and played three eight-over matches. MCC, who won all three of their games, could declare themselves victors, but finding a winner was not the reason for entering or staging the tournament.
All players, plus umpires, were kept hydrated and energised by an ample supply of tea, coffee and biscuits, but it was the bakes provided by Bethan from @bette.bakes / [email protected] that stole the show. If you want to treat yourself, visit her Instagram page and make contact.
Everyone who attended seemed to have a great time, and at the end of the day, the main question asked was: ‘When can we do something like this again?’
Whilst most of Middlesex in the Communities focus is on making cricket available to the youngest and least served members of our community, walking cricket is something we feel very strongly about. The physical and mental health benefits of elderly members of our community playing cricket are considerable, and walking cricket is an area we want to grow.
We currently receive minimal support in our quest to grow walking cricket and would love organisations or individuals to get involved. Our aim, in time, is to have at least one team per London borough, so 17 in total.
MITC will take walking cricket outside during the summer months and would love to see games being played at club grounds during the day, when they are not being used. If any clubs would like to host festivals or set up walking cricket teams of their own, please contact Angus Fraser at [email protected]
