100% win rate marks first clean sweep since 2021 as debutants shine across three victories
The British Police Cricket Club’s 2025 annual tour concluded with remarkable success, achieving a perfect 100% win rate for the first time since 2021, despite facing significant logistical challenges and squad disruptions in the lead-up to competition.
Rocky Beginning Sets Stage for Redemption
The tour got off to an inauspicious start when the prestigious opening fixture against the MCC was abandoned on Saturday evening due to a waterlogged pitch. The situation was compounded by a communication breakdown that saw the MCC team arrive at the ground on Monday morning to find no opposition present – including one dedicated player who had flown in from Barcelona that morning specifically for the match.
Quick thinking by Tour Manager Paul Sims helped salvage relationships with urgent calls and emails, ensuring the mishap caused no lasting damage to the longstanding fixture. The BPCC remains optimistic about securing the MCC match again for 2026.
Selection Challenges Reflect Wider Policing Pressures
Team selection proved particularly challenging this year, with Captain Tom Knight and selectors facing an unprecedented number of obstacles. Course commitments, acting-up roles, and what sources describe as “SO many injuries” forced multiple last-minute squad changes and ruled out several tour veterans.
The selection difficulties highlight a growing concern within police sport. While some forces continue to support officer wellbeing through sporting representation, others have reduced or eliminated time allowances for national sport participation. This policy shift is forcing officers to choose between representing their country and precious family time – a dilemma that threatens the future sustainability of police representative teams.
Despite these challenges, Knight assembled a squad featuring six debutants for his second year as captain, building on last tour’s impressive 75% win ratio.
Perfect Record Delivers Outstanding Performances
Day 2: British Police CC 243/2 beat Royal Navy 242 all out (8 wickets) The tour’s competitive action began with a commanding victory over the Royal Navy. Ed Lomas led the bowling attack with figures of 4/55 from eight overs, supported by Barry Stephens’ economical 3/36 from ten overs.
In reply, debutant Will Shuttleworth announced himself with an unbeaten 82 – recorded as the 9th best debut performance in club history. Gary Knight’s undefeated century (106*) formed part of a record-breaking 172-run third-wicket partnership, the second-highest such partnership in tour records.
Day 3: British Police CC 188 all out beat Royal Air Force 167 all out (21 runs) A lower-scoring but equally impressive victory over the RAF saw contributions throughout the batting order. Ed Hyde top-scored with 55, while Will Evans (43) and Gary Knight (43) provided valuable support. The bowling attack was led by the consistent Max Mannering (3/39 from 10 overs) and Nick Atkinson (3/32 from 10 overs).
Day 4: British Police CC 177/3 beat Royal Army 176 all out (7 wickets) The tour concluded with perhaps the most impressive individual performance. Max Mannering’s devastating spell of 6/53 from ten overs – the fourth-best bowling figures in tour history – dismantled the Army batting lineup. The chase was anchored by Ewan Cox (81) and Will Evans (65), who combined for a 160-run opening partnership, the fourth-highest first-wicket stand on record.
Record-Breaking Performances and Future Promise
The 2025 tour proved particularly fruitful for the club’s record books, with multiple partnerships, batting performances, and bowling figures earning places in the official statistics. Max Mannering narrowly missed a ten-wicket week, claiming nine wickets across just two matches – a performance that underlines the depth of talent within the current squad.
Several players are reportedly on the verge of cementing their places in club history, setting up intriguing storylines for the 2026 tour – selection and availability permitting.
Crucial Sponsor Support Enables Success
The BPCC acknowledged the vital support of new sponsors XPS Group, Magnet Forensics, and SCC, whose backing proved essential in making the tour financially viable. Without this commercial support, the club indicated the tour may not have proceeded.
Looking Ahead: Women’s Cricket Takes Center Stage
The success of the men’s tour provides positive momentum for the upcoming BPCC Women’s Tour, scheduled for September 1-2. The women’s team will face the Asian Cricket Council at Camberley and the Army at Aldershot, providing another opportunity for police cricket to showcase its talent and competitive spirit.
As Captain Tom Knight and his squad celebrate their perfect record, attention turns to building on this success while navigating the ongoing challenges facing police sport participation. The 2025 tour stands as a testament to what can be achieved when talent, determination, and proper support align – even when the weather doesn’t cooperate.
Report compiled from tour notes by David Fraser-Darling, TeamPolice
