With the recent news that the 2020 Bunbury Festival has been cancelled due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, we recently caught up with Oxfordshire’s James Coles and Zach Lion-Cachet who both participated in what ended up being a memorable 2019 Bunbury festival.
Last year saw the 33rd annual Bunbury Festival held at the Felstead School in Essex, which saw both Oxfordshire boys selected to participate in the festival having been considered as one of the fourteen best players at under 15 level in the South & West region. The festival brings together 56 of the most talented Under-15 schoolboy cricketers from England and Wales, to compete in 50-over and T20 matches whilst also providing a platform to deliver education for players, parents and coaches.
Nineteen years on from his own Bunbury experience, the 2019 festival saw a very special guest in former England Captain Alastair Cook on hand to present the 2019 players with their respective teams cap. The teams were split into regions of the North, the Midlands, London and East, and South and West. The Bunbury festival is now the first step on the ECB’s player pathway programme, where players can compete against what is considered the best players and the players of the best potential in the country at U15s. The Bunbury festival is known for having over 95 former Bunbury players to go on to represent England, which also included 10 from the 2019 winning World Cup squad. As the 2019 festival went on the South and West team that included both James and Zach finished the festival unbeaten, securing both the T20 and 50 over competitions, with James being named as Player of the Tournament.
We recently caught up with James Coles and Zach Lion-Cachet to find out what their experience of participating in the Bunbury Festival was like:
What was the Bunbury experience like?
James – The entire process, including the selection process, was memorable. I met many new players who I’m sure I will be friends with for life. As well as this the standard of cricket is incomparable to anything I had played before. The week turned out to be a real turning point in my career so far.
Zach – It is one that I will remember for the rest of my life. We had an amazing team with great coaches. It was a privilege to be selected and have the opportunity to play with, and against, some of the best players in the country in my age group.
What was your favourite moment or memory from the 2019 festival?
James – My favourite moment of the 2019 festival was captaining the South and West to victory in both the T20 and 50 over competitions and being awarded “The Player Of The Tournament”.
Zach – It is tough to answer as I enjoyed it all, but when we won the trophy at the end of the tournament was probably the best moment.
What was it like playing with a fellow Oxfordshire player at the festival?
James – Playing with Zach was very comforting as it allowed us both to settle into the team. We have played together for Oxfordshire since we were 9, so it was great that we both made it all the way to the tournament.
Zach – I have played county cricket with James for years so it was good to be in the team with him. I also knew quite a few of the other boys before the trials started, and as the process went on we got to know each other much better, so by the time the festival came, we had a great team spirit.
What advice would you give to a player who has aspirations to go on and play at the Bunbury Festival?
James – Ultimately scoring lots of runs and wickets in county games and in the trial matches is important. However my positive attitude , when not performing well, and making a contribution in any way I could was probably a factor in me being selected for the 2018 tournament @ Millfield. The South and West selectors were very fair giving everyone ample opportunity to push their case.
Zach – Believe in yourself and be yourself when you go to the trial days. Embrace the opportunity rather than fear it and above all work hard at every session.
*Special thanks to Julie Morton, and Dr David English for providing the fantastic photos. You can view more by going to https://www.photosunlimited.org.uk/