Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
A sport-loving Bahrain businessman has had the opportunity to play alongside some of the world's top cricketers in a charity match staged in the English countryside. David Axtell, a consultant and governor at St Christopher's School, who lives in Saar, is better known for his field hockey prowess in Bahrain and his exploits on the green at the Royal Golf Club. But the father-of-two managed to hold his own and even secure a couple of autographed photographs of the stars which he hopes to auction off in aid of good causes in the kingdom. He reports from a village green ...
I ALWAYS find helping out for a charitable cause to be a rewarding experience. However, to be able to raise money while fulfilling a lifelong ambition is nearing utopia.
While in the UK I've been lucky enough to have the opportunity to raise money to support the UK Bowel Cancer charity while playing cricket, close to my original home, with 12 current or former internationals, all of whom are currently professionals.
Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK with more than 100 people being diagnosed daily. Despite improvements in diagnosis and treatments more than half of those diagnosed will die within 10 years resulting in 16,000 deaths in the UK annually.
The match was played on the village green of Car Colston in Nottinghamshire, close in distance but still a far cry from the Test match arena of Trent Bridge.
The event was arranged by Notts captain and former England wicket-keeper, Chris Read, who is a patron of the UK Bowel Cancer Charity.
Given this was a quiet week for Notts he had arranged for the squad to intermingle with a number of amateurs with the aim of raising money for his favoured cause.
The pitch at Car Colston is set in rolling hillside in a quaint village centered around the village green. The cows had been moved to a nearby field in time for the early arrival of some nervous and excitable village cricketers and relaxed and chatty professionals, all of whom arrived early for the distribution of named shirts and official photographs.
While the BBC interviewed selected Notts stars the club cricketers also had the opportunity to chat to their illustrious team-mates.
The match was played in the T20 format. Chris Read won the televised toss and elected for his England XI to bat first against David Hussey's International XI. The professionals were taking this opportunity to enjoy themselves and try something a bit different.
Paul Franks the Nottingham stalwart, former England U-19 captain and permanent joker opened the batting with Samit Patel's mongoose. Both captains tried to ensure that all amateurs got a chance to participate while also giving the large crowd of more than 1,000 what they came to see ... the professionals in action.
Both batting line-ups alternated a professional with an amateur. I entered the fray at No. 6 and departed not long afterwards, although not before hoiking a couple of Andre Adams' 'tweakers' through cow corner.
The pros were clearly operating below full effort, partly to give us mere mortals a chance and partly to prevent injury. However, there was still plenty of good natured banter between the sides. This provided an intriguing insight to some of their nicknames and personal habits!
Yet, as I trudged off accepting, slightly embarrassed, the polite applause of the crowd while trying not to be too visible to the TV crew, my son could be heard screaming at me 'the walk of shame!'
Ryan Sidebottom later was quizzing young George about this incident and even asked whether he could be permitted to use this 'sledge' at the world's opposing batsmen in the future.
At the half-time interval I kept a close eye on Samit Patel who is renowned as one of England's finest talents yet was famously dropped by England for being overweight - he definitely ate fewer scones than anyone.
While 'in the field' I got a closer look at the English professionals in action. Fielding at first slip to Ryan Sidebottom was an exhilarating experience, even if he wasn't bowling that fast. What impressed me the most was his control over the ball and the bounce he generated with such little effort.
With this being a benefit match Paul Franks had taken the gloves from Chris Read. Samit Patel decided he would try his luck as a left arm seamer - it worked, removing a couple of amateurs with relative ease.
I took one wicket in two economical overs, my gentle trundlers aided by an erratic batting strip and nervous batsmen (amateurs, I hasten to add). However, my personal highlights were catching out Dirk Nannes and having Ryan Sidebottom give me a high-five for my wicket and a run-out!
The match came down to the last over. Read's England XI made 124-6 with the International XI of David Hussey drawing level with a six off the last ball, hit into the midst of the sheltering cows by Darren Pattinson.
A tie was a tremendous result in keeping with the wonderful family atmosphere.
Having failed to last long enough at the crease I asked Dirk Nannes if he would mind bowling a few balls at me in the nets afterwards and he readily agreed. As with Ryan Sidebottom he exerts tremendous control at pace. Could I pick his slower ball? I couldn't even see it!
Professional sportspeople, particularly footballers, often get lambasted in the press for being arrogant and aloof. Nothing could be further from the truth for these international cricketers.
Throughout the day they were friendly, including us in their banter and freely answering any questions we asked, willingly staying for a few hours after the match had finished to enjoy the wide selection of refreshments on offer.
However, while I was living a dream, I can always rely on my daughter to bring a reality check. When asked by Ryan Sidebottom whether she had enjoyed the afternoon, Charlotte replied, "I certainly did - I've read three books!"
