Cricket club next to royal estate stumped for players

A CRICKET club which plays close to the King’s Scottish private retreat now needs more players.

- By Mike Merritt

When Crathie Cricket Club was formed 76 years ago it boasted a complete line-up of Balmoral staff.

But today, there is only one estate worker - club captain Lyndain O’Brien.

The team plays in North East Scotland Cricket’s Grade Three but some of the most well-known people in the country have been spectators at the club, which is situated west of the castle.

Mr O’Brien said: “We are struggling for players — and if we don’t get enough we may not be able to fulfil all our fixtures.

“The team is quite old — two of the players are in their 70s and several are in their sixties.

“The King would certainly fit the age profile, if he fancied a game”

He continued: “We are the only cricket club — other than Windsor - that can boast such a Royal castle backdrop.

“We played a team of Afghan refugees last year and they were gobsmacked by the King driving past and waving.