In a tightly contested match on Wednesday, the Vatican cricket team narrowly defeated St Mary’s University, Twickenham, by two wickets with just two balls to spare at Teddington Cricket Club’s scenic ground in Bushy Park.
The high-energy T20 match saw St Mary’s bat first, setting a challenging total of 149 for 6 after 20 overs. The side included a mix of lecturers and students, including Isabella James, who was recently selected by Kent County Cricket Club.
But the Vatican side, playing as part of their ongoing Light of Faith tour, responded with grit and skill. They chased down the total in the final over, scoring 151 for 7 sealing victory with only two balls remaining in a dramatic finish.
The match was a highly anticipated rematch after the two sides faced off in 2024 at the Duke of Norfolk’s Ground in Arundel, where the Vatican team won by just five runs. Chris Wylde was the skipper for the St Mary’s team again for this year’s contest.
After the match, Andrew Reid-Smith, Head of Sport at St Mary’s, who played and helped organise the match said “Both teams made it an exciting and competitive game. I’m really proud of the St Mary’s team, who produced a spirited performance right to the end.”
The Vatican cricket team - established to create ties between the Catholic Church and cricket-playing nations such as India, Pakistan, and those in the Caribbean – represents interfaith dialogue and cultural exchange. Operated under the patronage of the Dicastery for Education and Culture, the team is based at Italy’s only international cricket ground and reflects values of inclusiveness, respect, and community shared by St Mary’s University.
Both teams have expressed hope for continued collaboration through sport, building on a growing relationship between the Vatican and St Mary’s that blends faith, fellowship, and friendly competition.