The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup may have ended, but there is still much cricket news to celebrate at New Hall School in Chelmsford as the School has been named in The Cricketer Schools Guide Top 100 Schools for 2024. This is the second year in a row that New Hall has been recognised for its outstanding cricket provision.  

Students spot themselves in The Cricketer Schools Guide 2024

Head of Cricket, Eddie Ballard said: 

“I am absolutely delighted that New Hall has, once again, been named in The Cricketer Top 100 Schools. It is well-deserved recognition for all the hard work put in by both students and staff in the last year.  I am very proud of them all.” 

Last cricket season, the New Hall teams played over 170 matches, reaching the Girls’ U13, U15 and U17 County Cup Semi Finals.  The Boys’ U12 and U13 teams were crowned the MESSA League Winners, as were the U15 Girls! A very special match was the 1st XI team’s annual match against the prestigious Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). This match tested the skills of New Hall’s cricketers as we welcomed back some New Hallians playing for the MCC.  

None of these incredible achievements would have been possible without the support of the Head of Cricket, and New Hall’s cricket professionals, former Essex CCC and England Cricket Captain Nasser Hussain OBE, and current Sussex CCC cricketer Ravi Bopara. Both cricket professionals have seen the development from student to cricket professional: 2016 alumnus Ben Allison began his cricket training at New Hall before later joining the Essex CCC as a professional in 2019. Likewise, former 1st XI Cricket Team Captain, Mac Jones left New Hall in July 2023 and, within months, began playing for the Scotland U19 cricket team, which has qualified for the ICC U19 Men’s World Cup in South Africa next year! 

Former 1st XI Cricket Team Captain, Mac Jones, bowling for the U19 Scotland cricket team at the European Championships 2023

Looking back to 2006, when the cricket provision began, the standard of cricket at New Hall is now unrecognisable. Students have the opportunity to use first class facilities, including the Six Acres 1st XI pitch, indoor and outdoor nets, bowling machines and a high-quality fitness suite for training outside of the cricket season.  

“We have more to come in 2024, with a more extensive Pre-Season training programme, and the return of our overseas tour”, says Head of Cricket, Eddie Ballard.  

New Hall School was ‘Highly Commended’ in the category of ‘Outstanding Sport in a Large School’ for the Independent Schools Association (ISA) Awards 2023. This comes after an exceptional academic year full of success across the broad range of sports offered at New Hall. 

“Sport is the best metaphor for life…it teaches us discipline, communication and teamwork, and helps build character.” – Mr Bigara, Director of Sport