St Mary’s University Alumni Monty Panesar to Play against Vatican Cricket Team at Arundel Castle

Former England spin bowler and St Mary's University alum Monty Panesar is gearing up to face off against the Vatican (St Peter’s) Cricket Team in an upcoming T20 match at the historic Arundel Castle Cricket Ground.

The match, part of the Vatican Cricket Team’s Light of Faith tour, will see Panesar teaming up with Jake Oakes, an Ashes-winning cricketer from the England Deaf team, in the St Mary’s University XI.

The Vatican cricket XI, an initiative aimed at fostering inter-faith dialogue, features players who are seminarians or priests hailing from different parts of the world, showcasing the diversity of the Catholic Church.

The Vatican’s home ground at St Peter’s is the only international cricket ground in Italy, reflecting the global outreach of the team.

Managed by Fr Eamonn O’Higgins, the team has undertaken cricket tours to countries like England, Malta, Kenya, Spain, and Argentina, spreading the message of unity and sportsmanship.

The St Mary’s University Cricket XI, led by academics Dr Leanne Griffiths and Dr Chris Wylde, will include current students alongside Panesar and Oakes, aligning with the university’s values of excellence and inclusiveness.

Arundel Castle Cricket Ground, a historic venue in West Sussex, will host the match under the patronage of the Duke of Norfolk, a prominent figure both in England’s nobility and the local Catholic community.

St Mary’s University, founded by the Catholic Poor Schools Committee, has grown into the UK’s largest Catholic university, with a rich history of producing top athletes like Olympic and Paralympic champions Sir Mo Farah, Rebecca Romero, Moe Sbihi, Dave Weir, and others.

The upcoming Paris Olympics will also see a contingent of SMU alumni competing across various disciplines, showcasing the university’s legacy of sporting excellence.