Teams Confirmed for Connecting Communities Fixture

It’s time to announce the teams for the inaugural Connecting Communities event at Uptonsteel County Ground next week.

Leicestershire Blades will take on the Sheriff’s Foxes in a charity cricket match following the format of The Hundred on 6 September (4pm start).

Both teams will comprise individuals from an eclectic mix of varying backgrounds, including different cultures, religions, businesses, and government bodies.

The Blades, captained by Nirav Bhatt, will feature the likes of BBC Radio Leicester’s Ady Dayman, Vice-Chancellor and President of Loughborough University, Nick Jennings, as well as former Police and Crime Commissioner, Lord Willy Bach.

The Foxes, captained by Bishop Saju, the Bishop of Loughborough, is set to include influential community names such as Romail Gulzar of Pukaar News, Sanjiv Nichani of Healing Little Hearts, and Simon Winfield of Red Monkey Play.

There will also be representation from the Running Foxes, as Leicestershire CCC Women’s captain Katie Winterton and all-rounder Lucy Weston will feature for the Blades, while fellow all-rounder Amie Colquhoun will play for the Foxes.

Hosted by Eava FM, the day will see LCCC work in collaboration with the High Sheriff of Leicestershire, Mehmooda Duke MBE DL, to unify and celebrate our county’s diverse communities.

Commenting, the High Sheriff said: “It’s fantastic to announce our two teams, which have such great representation of Leicestershire’s diversity.
“There’s so much going on during the event, which is free for everyone, so we’d love to invite all of our communities to book their tickets in advance or turn up on the day for a wonderful occasion.”

As well as the charity cricket match, Uptonsteel County Ground will house a festival by the community, for the community, with stalls providing cricket related activities, entertainment, as well as food and drink which reflect the county’s diversity. 

Activities include crafts, zumba, Bolly cricket, henna artists and a bake off with celebrity judges including food blogger, Anisagrams.

The fixture will also be a fundraiser to support the LCCC Foundation, which aims to support grassroots cricket across the county.

Tickets are now available “ completely free of charge, HERE. Gates for the festival open at 3pm.

Leicestershire Blades: Nirav Bhatt, Rev James Pickersgill, Commander Yakub Ismail, Nick Jennings, Zuber Mohtat, Ady Dayman, Mick Cassell, Lucy Weston, Brenton Cross, Katie Winterton, Ally Statham, Lord Willy Bach.

Sheriff's Foxes: Bishop Saju, Romail Gulzar, Kirk Master, Sanjiv Nichani, Amie Colquhoun, Elizabeth Page, Hashim Duale MBE, Leo Smith, B.D. Patel, Paul Angrave, James Armishaw, Bobby Upple, Simon Winfield.