Owzat for an amazing experience? Student joins Leicestershire against New Zealand

Playing against one of the world’s best Test sides would be a highlight for any cricketer – and a De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) student got the chance to do just that as New Zealand took on Leicestershire.



All-rounder James Moy – captain of De Montfort Students’ Union cricket side - spent the day fielding for Leicestershire, as well as bringing on drinks and new kit for the batsmen as 12th man at Saturday’s game at Grace Road.

Leicestershire were on a high from beating rivals Nottingham in the Twenty20 Blast the night before by six wickets. New Zealand’s thrilling, attacking pace had laid waste to England at Headingley and drawn an exciting Test series 1-1.

“The week before I had been watching them on the telly and here I was standing on the same cricket pitch as them,” said James, from Norfolk. “It was surreal – I kept thinking, one of the players could give me a catch, or I could drop him! They were amazing to see.

“Being alongside some of the best players in the world was the chance of a lifetime. New Zealand are playing really different cricket – really attacking, and we saw that on Saturday.”



The Black Caps did not disappoint, Luke Ronchi making short work of Leicestershire’s bowlers to reach his century in 100 balls while his unbroken partnership with Grant Elliott reached 221 runs. The tourists won by 198 runs.

After the game James got to hang out with the players, including chatting to the New Zealand team before they headed to Birmingham for the start of the one-day series against England which the home side won with a record-breaking performance.

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It was a great end to James’ time at DMU. This summer he graduates in Business and Management. “It’s been an incredible experience,” he said.

DMU are the main sponsors of Leicestershire County Cricket Club. DMU Cricket visits Grace Road to train and players get the chance to bowl at Leicestershire’s team.



Leicestershire players use the Queen Elizabeth II Leisure Centre on campus and the club has also given valuable employability experience to graduates through DMU Graduate Champions.