High Peak MP Robert Largan spoke in Parliament on the world record attempt for the longest run-up for a ball bowled at a local cricket club. The world record attempt was made to help raise funds for new cricket nets for junior players at the Charlesworth & Chisworth Cricket Club.
High Peak MP Robert Largan informed the Rt Hon Jacob Rees-Mogg MP, Leader of the House of Commons, that:
“I recently spent a sunny Saturday afternoon at Charlesworth & Chisworth Cricket Club on verification duty for a world-record attempt, as James Butterworth ran the longest-ever bowling run-up: over 5 km, going through two different parliamentary constituencies. After all that, thankfully, he did not bowl a wide. This was all done in aid of raising funds for new practice nets for the club. With that in mind, can we have a debate on grassroots sports and support for them in this country, so that fantastic clubs such as Charlesworth & Chisworth can get the equipment they need to produce the next generation of first class test cricketers?”
The Leader of the House responded very enthusiastically:
“I believe that it is Yorkshire Tea National Cricket Week, so it is a good occasion on which to be raising this matter. The previous recordholder was Sameer Khan Yousufee, who ran two and a half miles before getting to bowl. I am a bit worried about the over rates—if they keep on bowling at that rate the dismal rates that we get in test matches will be even slower, though I do wonder quite how fast Wes Hall or Michael Holding might have bowled had their run-ups been even longer than they were. I am also quite intrigued by the commentary. How would even Henry Blofeld keep going for the quarter of an hour or so—[Interruption.] Thangam Debbonaire heckles me to say that she is sure he would. She is probably right, but it would be quite a challenge to keep it up for all that time. It is absolutely brilliant that we should have this record. I am glad that a wide was not bowled and hope that it was not a no ball either. We should do everything we can to encourage grassroots cricket; it is part of our nation’s story, something that we can be proud of and one of our great exports to the rest of the world.”
People can donate and bid for a range of prizes at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/project-charlesworth-chisworth-cricket-nets.
Robert Largan MP commented:
“It was great fun watching the world record attempt to raise funds for Charlesworth & Chisworth Cricket Club. They are a fantastic club, that do so many positive things for the local community.
“Young cricketers will benefit from new nets, and I am proud to have raised awareness in Parliament of our local sports clubs that do so much to make High Peak a special place to live.”
