Lewis Reeder (U5) has been playing cricket since he could pick up a bat and this year he had the opportunity to play at the Bunbury festival. We caught up with Lewis to find out more about his cricketing achievements...
How long have you been playing cricket and what is your favourite thing about the sport?
I first picked up a bat and ball when I was 2 and started playing in matches when I was 5 years old. I enjoy cricket because every time I step on the field there is always a different challenge for me to overcome and how it is completely different to every other sport, I enjoy the mental battles, the tactical side of the game, competing against others and most of all I enjoy winning with my mates.
Can you tell us a bit more about the Bunbury festival and what it means to be selected for the team?
The Bunbury festival showcases the skills of 56 of the most talented England under-15 players in the country at the National Performance Centre in Loughborough. Four teams from London & East, South & West, Midlands and North, compete in 50-over and Twenty20 competitions. England captains past and present, Joe Root and Ben Stokes, are Bunbury graduates and more than a hundred Bunburians have gone on to play for England. To be selected for Bunbury was a massive honour and to be the first player from Norwich School was great.
What is your favourite cricket memory?
In the Lower 4 we played away at Trent College over 2 days. On the first day I scored my maiden century and on the second day we won a very close game when the odds were against us. This was such an amazing game to be a part of and was great fun to win it with my teammates and go unbeaten for that season.
Apart from being selected for the Bunbury festival team, what is your proudest moment as a cricketer?
My proudest moment would have to be when I was 12 and I joined Northamptonshire County Cricket Club Emerging Players Programme. This is a standout moment in my cricket journey as joining a first class county was a major achievement for me that I had always dreamed of right at the Northamptonshire CCC 1st team ground.
Who is your favourite professional cricketer and why?
My favourite cricketer would have to be Ben Stokes. He is an amazing player and has performed brilliantly in every format he has played in and is a role model to so many young cricketers like me. Even though he has had bad experiences in the past with his mental health and all the pressure that has been put on him throughout his career, he continues to excel and inspire everyone.
