IST20 Match Ball Set For Final Journey

IST20 Match Ball Set For Final Journey

IST20 Match Ball Set For Final Journey

On 25 April the match ball for the Inter Services Twenty Twenty cricket was flown out by the RAF to Camp Bastion in Afghanistan. 

Leaving Brize Norton with great ceremony the ball, sponsored by Sodexo, safe in a custom made box, arrived in Camp Bastion where it spent two days before going on a three week tour of the country.  In the safe hands of Flight Lieutenant Joe Marlow, the ball was taken from Kandahar to Kabul and many places in between. 

Servicemen serving in Afghanistan had their photos taken with the ball, and wished for success for their individual services; Army, Royal Navy and Air Force, in this year's Inter Services Twenty 20. 

Cricket is a popular sport in Afghanistan and as the ball has travelled the country, Corporal Paul Tayler has also been collecting donations of cricket kit to be sent out to Kandahar the local school and cricket team.  Paul's collection has been successful but as ever, more donations of kit would be welcome.

The ball has now arrived back in Brize Norton and in the early hours of Tuesday 28 June, 2011, Paul Tayler with his team of ten will cycle from Brize Norton to Lord's.  They will arrive at North Gate at around 8.30am and at 9.30am they will present the match ball to the Tournament Referee and Sodexo, the ball sponsors, under the Media Centre.

They cycle ride is in aid of charity and is hoping to raise £5000 for Help for Heroes.  If anyone would like to donate to the riders, they should do so through:

www.bmycharity.com/H4HCYCLETOLORDS

The route will follow these key points:

-          A40 to Oxford (Cowley)
-          Oxford (Cowley) to Watlington
-          Watlington to Marlow on country B roads
-          Marlow to Maidenhead
-          Maidenhead to Uxbridge (to go past Vine Lane)
-          Uxbridge to Acton
-          Acton to Lord’s through Maida Vale

For more information and to donate, please contact: