Stars of the England cricket team took on Britain’s best golfers in a friendly ‘cric-golf’ challenge ahead of the ISPS HANDA Ladies European Masters at Buckinghamshire Golf Club.
After the ‘hit for six’ session at Denham Cricket Club, won by the cricketers, the players headed to the putting green and driving range for a 30 foot putting challenge and a nearest the pin competition respectively, where the golfers redressed the balance resulting in a draw.
Dame Laura Davies and Melissa Reid were among the most enthusiastic participants and padded up before taking to the nets at Denham cricket club. They were also extremely impressed by the ball striking of cricketers Charlotte Edwards, Heather Knight, Natalie Sciver, Laura Marsh, Katherine Brunt and Lydia Greenway on the driving range.
Davies said: “Golf is more of an individual sport but the actual mechanics of what they do and what we do – and you could see when we were on the range… they could all hit it, which was really impressive. A lot more impressive than our cricket!”
Reid added: “I think it’s good to integrate the two sports and helps to promote women’s sport as a whole. It’s good to get the cricketers and golfers together. I don’t think I will be able to change my career though!”
Edwards, the England women cricket captain, said: “It was great fun and to have some tips from some of the best players in the world has been fantastic and I’m sure we’ll go away better golfers.
“I’ve played a little bit of golf but some of the girls love going down the driving range so they enjoyed playing with all the golf clubs and getting some tips. In the winter I did some work on the driving range to help me with my backswing for cricket and it’s very similar mechanics to power hitting.
“I think it’s vital to share stories and get to know people and do something outside cricket. We’ve enjoyed the day and will certainly be following the girls this week.
The golfers, who also included Holly Clyburn, Amy Boulden and Hannah Burke, will be following the England team when the Women’s Ashes Series get underway from July 21, with live coverage on Sky Sports.
