Sheffield cricket club racing Australian rivals for the prize of a bag of hash browns

A Sheffield cricket club has gone head-to-head with a team in Australia in a bid to win a coveted prize - a bag of hash browns.
By Steve Jones
Published 22nd Mar 2021, 15:57 BST
Updated 22nd Mar 2021, 16:09 BST
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In what’s been dubbed ‘The Hashes’ after the famous series contested between England and Australia, members of Whitley Hall Cricket Club in Ecclesfield have spent all of March racing against Laidley District Cricket Club to walk the equivalent of the 10,850-mile distance to their Queensland base.

And, true to form, the Aussies came out on top after finishing first.

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Joe Webster, club secretary at Whitley Hall Cricket Club, admitted he was nursing ‘blisters on blisters’ after the contest – but was happy with his side’s efforts.

Members of Whitley Hall Cricket Club are walking the distance to Australia for 'The Hashes'.Members of Whitley Hall Cricket Club are walking the distance to Australia for 'The Hashes'.
Members of Whitley Hall Cricket Club are walking the distance to Australia for 'The Hashes'.

He said: “I’m really, really proud of what they have done. It’s a lot tougher walking in English weather.

“We did about 800 miles yesterday to try and catch them. Hopefully we can get an honourable draw.”

Owing to time differences, Whitley Hall’s 50-strong team had about 600 miles left to complete on Monday to try and salvage some national pride.

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Joe, 33, added: “I have been asking 50 people to walk for four or five hours a day and they have done it – I can’t knock them.

Joe Webster (right) and his dad Bob stop for a selfie during the challenge.Joe Webster (right) and his dad Bob stop for a selfie during the challenge.
Joe Webster (right) and his dad Bob stop for a selfie during the challenge.

"It was meant to be over the whole month of March but because of the competition with the Australians it ramped up.”

Whitley Hall’s members undertook the challenge to raise money for a three-lane cricket net to allow practice sessions to talk place alongside matches.

The club’s growth in recent years means often there is not enough space for everyone to play.

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Laidley District Cricket Club got involved thanks to one of their players, Alex Welsh, who played for Whitley Hall before he emigrated to Australia.

Joe also played in Queensland eight years ago and both clubs continue to send players to each other.

Whitley Hall has around 200 members made up of three men’s teams, two women’s sides and a junior programme.

Joe said: “The reduction of training opportunities has a negative impact on the experience we can offer and the development of the players involved. The constant changing dates of these also has a negative impact on numbers.

“The new facility would allow the club to organise a consistent practice calendar, greatly improving the development and experience of our players.”

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Related topics:England