Year 8 student, Ben Musgrave has plenty to celebrate after producing an incredible bowling performance, playing for Bridgnorth Cricket Club in a recent senior league match.
The talented leg-spinner made history by taking five wickets for the fourth team against Madeley, equalling coach Sam Whitney’s record of being the youngest bowler in the club’s history to take a senior five wicket haul.
Back in 2002, Sam, who also runs training sessions at Bridgnorth Endowed, famously took 5-73 against Newport, and went on to take over 500 Birmingham League wickets in first team cricket.
“Leg spin is one of the toughest parts of the game to master, and it takes a lot of hard work to get it right,” said Sam, after Ben equalled his long-standing record.
“You can tell how much he enjoys it, and he’s constantly trying to get better by learning to bowl different deliveries. I’m so proud of him, there’s no limit on what he could achieve.”
The twelve-year-old, who also plays for the county, has been into cricket for many years, according to mum Alison. “Ben started playing when he was about six, as I remember him going to a cricket camp, unofficially! He loves bowling, and Sam has done a great job with him.”
Ben has since gone on to play in the third team for Bridgnorth, and is representing Shropshire at age-group level for the second year running. The school is also fortunate enough to benefit from his talents as he plays for Bridgnorth Endowed’s U14 boys.
Congratulations to Ben on his impressive cricketing achievements.
