Armed Forces T20 Cricket Day (Men and Women)
Thursday 23rd April 2026
Lord’s Cricket Ground
Format of the day
1315-1600 IST20 Match 2 Army V Losers of RN/RAF IST20 Match 1
1930hrs – Match Presentations
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Cricket Skills Challenge 2026
2025 Result
RAF Win Inter-Services T20!
RAF Win Inter-Services T20!
IST20 Match 1
20 May 2025
Utilita Bowl, Hampshire CCC
Inter-Services T20 Match 1
RAF (145/2) beat Army (142/8) by 8 wickets
20 May 2025
Utilita Bowl, Hampshire CCC
Inter-Services T20 Match 1
RAF (145/2) beat Army (142/8) by 8 wickets
UKAF Women vs MCC
22 May 2025 Lord's
MCC Women overcome UK Armed Forces Cricket Association Women in one-sided encounter at Lord's.
A sunlit Lord’s bore witness not only to an absorbing contest between MCC Women and the UK Armed Forces Cricket Association Women, but also to a moment of real significance before a ball had been bowled. AS1(T) Molly Rebanks, proudly wearing the armband as the first woman from the RAF to captain UKAFCA, received her ‘Wickets’ from her Squadron in recognition of service rendered not just on the cricket field, but on operations and exercises around the globe. It was a moment of real pride and one entirely fitting of the grand surroundings.
MCC won the toss and elected to bat, a decision that was soon vindicated. With a quick outfield and a short boundary on one side, the early stages were brisk, the batters eager to make the most of the favourable conditions. The ball flew to all parts in the first few overs, and though UKAFCA plugged away, chances were few.
Trussler looked in fine touch before her dismissal for 25, undone by a fine catch in the covers from Cant off the bowling of Quashie. Dixon followed shortly after, stumped by Stanley off Sullivan for just 3, as UKAFCA looked to claw their way back into the game.
But from there, the innings belonged to Routledge and Sweet. Their partnership, worth 50 off just 36 balls, was the backbone of the MCC innings. Routledge brought up her half-century from 43 balls while Sweet reached hers from just 38. Their 100-run stand came in the 14th over and was a masterclass in momentum-building.
MCC closed on an imposing 166, Routledge making a commanding 72 off 51 balls and Sweet contributing a fluent 59 from 43. Sullivan was the pick of the bowlers for UKAFCA, her 1 for 29 from 4 overs offering a measure of control amid the barrage.
Set a challenging target, UKAFCA’s reply began shakily. Stanley fell early to Macbean and the departure of captain Rebanks, caught off Heap for 13, further dented the chase. The middle order never quite settled, with wickets falling at regular intervals and the asking rate climbing out of reach.
Only Potgieter provided meaningful resistance. Calm and collected, she compiled a well-made 50 from 47 balls, but her dismissal at the hands of Fox all but sealed the contest. Talib impressed with the ball, finishing with 3 for 17 in an incisive spell that extinguished any lingering hopes.
The innings closed on 106 for 7, a total that reflected both the pressure exerted by MCC’s bowlers and the difficulty of chasing under significant scoreboard pressure. In the end, a polished performance from the MCC, a side combining experience and ambition. Yet beyond the scorecard, it was a day that will be remembered by all who played for UKAFCA. Molly Rebanks and her team wore their colours with pride, representing the Armed Forces with grit and grace at the Home of Cricket.
22 May 2025 Lord's
MCC Women overcome UK Armed Forces Cricket Association Women in one-sided encounter at Lord's.
A sunlit Lord’s bore witness not only to an absorbing contest between MCC Women and the UK Armed Forces Cricket Association Women, but also to a moment of real significance before a ball had been bowled. AS1(T) Molly Rebanks, proudly wearing the armband as the first woman from the RAF to captain UKAFCA, received her ‘Wickets’ from her Squadron in recognition of service rendered not just on the cricket field, but on operations and exercises around the globe. It was a moment of real pride and one entirely fitting of the grand surroundings.
MCC won the toss and elected to bat, a decision that was soon vindicated. With a quick outfield and a short boundary on one side, the early stages were brisk, the batters eager to make the most of the favourable conditions. The ball flew to all parts in the first few overs, and though UKAFCA plugged away, chances were few.
Trussler looked in fine touch before her dismissal for 25, undone by a fine catch in the covers from Cant off the bowling of Quashie. Dixon followed shortly after, stumped by Stanley off Sullivan for just 3, as UKAFCA looked to claw their way back into the game.
But from there, the innings belonged to Routledge and Sweet. Their partnership, worth 50 off just 36 balls, was the backbone of the MCC innings. Routledge brought up her half-century from 43 balls while Sweet reached hers from just 38. Their 100-run stand came in the 14th over and was a masterclass in momentum-building.
MCC closed on an imposing 166, Routledge making a commanding 72 off 51 balls and Sweet contributing a fluent 59 from 43. Sullivan was the pick of the bowlers for UKAFCA, her 1 for 29 from 4 overs offering a measure of control amid the barrage.
Set a challenging target, UKAFCA’s reply began shakily. Stanley fell early to Macbean and the departure of captain Rebanks, caught off Heap for 13, further dented the chase. The middle order never quite settled, with wickets falling at regular intervals and the asking rate climbing out of reach.
Only Potgieter provided meaningful resistance. Calm and collected, she compiled a well-made 50 from 47 balls, but her dismissal at the hands of Fox all but sealed the contest. Talib impressed with the ball, finishing with 3 for 17 in an incisive spell that extinguished any lingering hopes.
The innings closed on 106 for 7, a total that reflected both the pressure exerted by MCC’s bowlers and the difficulty of chasing under significant scoreboard pressure. In the end, a polished performance from the MCC, a side combining experience and ambition. Yet beyond the scorecard, it was a day that will be remembered by all who played for UKAFCA. Molly Rebanks and her team wore their colours with pride, representing the Armed Forces with grit and grace at the Home of Cricket.
IST20 Match 2
A battle of discipline and nerve as Army prevail in Inter-Services clash.
In a contest that ebbed and flowed with all the nervous energy typical of Inter-Services sport, it was the Army who held their nerve at the critical moments, emerging 16-run victors over the Royal Navy in a low-scoring but compelling encounter.
After the Royal Navy won the toss and asked the Army to bat, there was early movement for the seamers which they exploited perfectly. Walton and Johnstone stuck immediately, removing both openers within the first two overs. The dismissal of Wiseman, so often the dangerman within the Army batting line-up, was a key moment. Caught by Hewitt off Walton for 12, the Army were in trouble at 21 for 3.
Matters soon worsened. Lesporis, trying to lift the scoring rate, was undone by a mistimed stroke and fell to a fine boundary catch from Robbins off Hill. At 34 for 4 in the 7th over, the Army innings was teetering.
It took the composed pairing of Boynton and James to lend it some substance. James, in particular, brought the Grand Stand to life with a towering 6 into the top tier off Hill, a rare act of defiance in a largely subdued first half. But momentum remained fleeting, James was removed for 27, courtesy of a clever piece of bowling by White and the safe pair of hands of Johnstone.
Walton returned to complete an excellent spell, finishing with figures of 2 for 18, before Hewitt pulled off another sharp catch to remove Boynton for 22, this time off Fraser. Fletcher and Cowdell scrapped for every run in the middle overs, but Robbins accounted for Cowdell and a sharp stumping saw off Fletcher. A late flourish from Narayan, who batted with commendable intent, lifted Army to 148 for 8, a total that felt competitive but not commanding.
The Navy reply began poorly. Hewitt, a key figure in the field, fell early, caught by Boynton off Patwary. Gabriel then produced a jaffa to castle Johnstone for 1, and at 28 for 2 the Army sensed an opportunity.
From there, it was a game of pressure; the required rate ticked upward, and with it, the Navy’s anxiety. Streather offered brief resistance before falling to a catch by James. At the halfway stage, with 84 still needed it was doable but increasingly unlikely.
Robbins was the exception. Unfazed by the tempo, he played a composed and increasingly fluent innings, striking boundaries with elegance and urgency. Yet even he could not escape the net, falling for 44 of 31 deliveries to Boynton, who was Army’s pick of the bowlers; the all-rounder's spell of 3 for 22 instrumental to closing the door.
Gabriel produced the moment of the match in the field, clawing back a would-be six from high above his head – an act of athleticism that summed up Army’s commitment. Hill then fell to an excellent return catch from Narayan, who had to dodge a teammate while keeping his eyes on the swirling ball.
With 24 needed off the final over it was left to James to finish the job. And he did do clinically, bowling Marks for a valiant 36 and Walton shortly after. The Navy closed on 132 for 8.
It was, in the end, a win due to discipline and sharpness in the field, with Boynton, Gabriel and Narayan all playing decisive roles. In a match where no side ever truly broke free, it was Army’s composure under pressure that proved decisive.
A battle of discipline and nerve as Army prevail in Inter-Services clash.
In a contest that ebbed and flowed with all the nervous energy typical of Inter-Services sport, it was the Army who held their nerve at the critical moments, emerging 16-run victors over the Royal Navy in a low-scoring but compelling encounter.
After the Royal Navy won the toss and asked the Army to bat, there was early movement for the seamers which they exploited perfectly. Walton and Johnstone stuck immediately, removing both openers within the first two overs. The dismissal of Wiseman, so often the dangerman within the Army batting line-up, was a key moment. Caught by Hewitt off Walton for 12, the Army were in trouble at 21 for 3.
Matters soon worsened. Lesporis, trying to lift the scoring rate, was undone by a mistimed stroke and fell to a fine boundary catch from Robbins off Hill. At 34 for 4 in the 7th over, the Army innings was teetering.
It took the composed pairing of Boynton and James to lend it some substance. James, in particular, brought the Grand Stand to life with a towering 6 into the top tier off Hill, a rare act of defiance in a largely subdued first half. But momentum remained fleeting, James was removed for 27, courtesy of a clever piece of bowling by White and the safe pair of hands of Johnstone.
Walton returned to complete an excellent spell, finishing with figures of 2 for 18, before Hewitt pulled off another sharp catch to remove Boynton for 22, this time off Fraser. Fletcher and Cowdell scrapped for every run in the middle overs, but Robbins accounted for Cowdell and a sharp stumping saw off Fletcher. A late flourish from Narayan, who batted with commendable intent, lifted Army to 148 for 8, a total that felt competitive but not commanding.
The Navy reply began poorly. Hewitt, a key figure in the field, fell early, caught by Boynton off Patwary. Gabriel then produced a jaffa to castle Johnstone for 1, and at 28 for 2 the Army sensed an opportunity.
From there, it was a game of pressure; the required rate ticked upward, and with it, the Navy’s anxiety. Streather offered brief resistance before falling to a catch by James. At the halfway stage, with 84 still needed it was doable but increasingly unlikely.
Robbins was the exception. Unfazed by the tempo, he played a composed and increasingly fluent innings, striking boundaries with elegance and urgency. Yet even he could not escape the net, falling for 44 of 31 deliveries to Boynton, who was Army’s pick of the bowlers; the all-rounder's spell of 3 for 22 instrumental to closing the door.
Gabriel produced the moment of the match in the field, clawing back a would-be six from high above his head – an act of athleticism that summed up Army’s commitment. Hill then fell to an excellent return catch from Narayan, who had to dodge a teammate while keeping his eyes on the swirling ball.
With 24 needed off the final over it was left to James to finish the job. And he did do clinically, bowling Marks for a valiant 36 and Walton shortly after. The Navy closed on 132 for 8.
It was, in the end, a win due to discipline and sharpness in the field, with Boynton, Gabriel and Narayan all playing decisive roles. In a match where no side ever truly broke free, it was Army’s composure under pressure that proved decisive.
IST20 Match 3
RAF soar to victory as Shorthouse shines in Inter-Services T20 finale
The sun, which had flirted coyly with the horizon for much of the day, emerged at last for the final match of the Inter-Services T20 tournament – a timely appearance for a match of real consequence; Navy needing to beat the RAF by 19 runs to take the title.
RAF, sensing both the conditions and equation, chose to field after winning the toss. It was a decision underscored by early reward: the very first over saw Shorthouse produce a peach to dismiss Hewitt without scoring – an opening statement that set the tone.
Yet, the Navy’s top order rallied well. Johnstone and Robbins batted with assurance and purpose, rebuilding to 41 before Fuller breached Johnstone’s defence for a well-made 19. Robbins, possessing fine timing, launched Hawk into the top tier of the Grandstand and 2 more towering sixes in a single over followed to give the Navy a lift in both tempo and morale.
But, as in all T20 cricket, momentum is a fragile thing. Robbins’ promising innings was halted for 37 when Shorthouse held a smart catch off Hollingsworth, and Marks followed almost immediately, bowled second ball. Streather’s departure to Burdekin’s very first delivery added to Navy’s troubles, though the hundred came up in the 13th over – a marker of progress if not dominance.
Hill and White added much-needed ballast through the middle overs, nudging along at a run-a-ball, but both fell to RAF-induced pressure. Hill’s innings ended on 23 via a smart catch by Diver at short fine leg, and it was Diver again, showing safe hands, who removed Morris without scoring. Hawk then struck again in the same over, bowling White for 17.
Navy’s innings might have petered out but for some spirited late-order hitting from Chadwick and Walton who took the total to 149 for 8 – a score that felt competitive but would require an excellent bowling and fielding performance to defend.
What followed was a masterclass in composed chasing. Shorthouse wasted no time, taking 12 from the opening over, before Moorby continued the assault by thumping Johnstone into the RAF VIP box. When Moorby was gifted a life, dropped over the rope for 6, it seemed the RAF were destined for victory.
Shorthouse, dropped on 26, made the Navy pay dearly the very next over depositing Hill into the top tier of the stands. The RAF fifty came up in the sixth over, and the Navy bowlers, spirited though they were, could find no sustained pressure.
Moorby eventually departed for a well-paced 45 (from 37) to Fraser with the score on 91 – a solitary blemish on an otherwise untroubled pursuit. Shorthouse, undeterred, brought up his fifty from 39 balls with the RAF well in command at 115. Hanford proved a worthy partner, his 25 from 19 deliveries complementing Shorthouse’s aggression perfectly.
RAF reached the target with nonchalant ease, winning by nine wickets with three overs in hand. Shorthouse remained unbeaten on 66 from 47 balls, an innings of style and substance, to anchor the chase and take the RAF to tournament victory.
RAF soar to victory as Shorthouse shines in Inter-Services T20 finale
The sun, which had flirted coyly with the horizon for much of the day, emerged at last for the final match of the Inter-Services T20 tournament – a timely appearance for a match of real consequence; Navy needing to beat the RAF by 19 runs to take the title.
RAF, sensing both the conditions and equation, chose to field after winning the toss. It was a decision underscored by early reward: the very first over saw Shorthouse produce a peach to dismiss Hewitt without scoring – an opening statement that set the tone.
Yet, the Navy’s top order rallied well. Johnstone and Robbins batted with assurance and purpose, rebuilding to 41 before Fuller breached Johnstone’s defence for a well-made 19. Robbins, possessing fine timing, launched Hawk into the top tier of the Grandstand and 2 more towering sixes in a single over followed to give the Navy a lift in both tempo and morale.
But, as in all T20 cricket, momentum is a fragile thing. Robbins’ promising innings was halted for 37 when Shorthouse held a smart catch off Hollingsworth, and Marks followed almost immediately, bowled second ball. Streather’s departure to Burdekin’s very first delivery added to Navy’s troubles, though the hundred came up in the 13th over – a marker of progress if not dominance.
Hill and White added much-needed ballast through the middle overs, nudging along at a run-a-ball, but both fell to RAF-induced pressure. Hill’s innings ended on 23 via a smart catch by Diver at short fine leg, and it was Diver again, showing safe hands, who removed Morris without scoring. Hawk then struck again in the same over, bowling White for 17.
Navy’s innings might have petered out but for some spirited late-order hitting from Chadwick and Walton who took the total to 149 for 8 – a score that felt competitive but would require an excellent bowling and fielding performance to defend.
What followed was a masterclass in composed chasing. Shorthouse wasted no time, taking 12 from the opening over, before Moorby continued the assault by thumping Johnstone into the RAF VIP box. When Moorby was gifted a life, dropped over the rope for 6, it seemed the RAF were destined for victory.
Shorthouse, dropped on 26, made the Navy pay dearly the very next over depositing Hill into the top tier of the stands. The RAF fifty came up in the sixth over, and the Navy bowlers, spirited though they were, could find no sustained pressure.
Moorby eventually departed for a well-paced 45 (from 37) to Fraser with the score on 91 – a solitary blemish on an otherwise untroubled pursuit. Shorthouse, undeterred, brought up his fifty from 39 balls with the RAF well in command at 115. Hanford proved a worthy partner, his 25 from 19 deliveries complementing Shorthouse’s aggression perfectly.
RAF reached the target with nonchalant ease, winning by nine wickets with three overs in hand. Shorthouse remained unbeaten on 66 from 47 balls, an innings of style and substance, to anchor the chase and take the RAF to tournament victory.