This fixture which is played every two years after the Sri Lankan Tour, is a wonderful opportunity for the boys who have been fortunate enough to have been on tour, to meet up again, and give a little back to The Willows as a club.

The Sri Lankan XI was asked to bat first, on a typically evenly paced and good Willows wicket. With early wickets lost The Sri Lankan XI were in trouble at 12 for 3, however Richard Turpie and Ben Lockrose combined to put on a 59-run fourth wicket partnership.

Bowling for The Willows the evergreen Andrew Nuttall displayed his wonderful skills in taking 4/32 from 8 overs. Arsh Singh knocked the top off the Tour XI order, with two early wickets and returned excellent figures of 2/16 from 6 overs. Young players can learn a lot from Andrew in the way he approaches his cricket, and his attitude towards the game.

After an early wicket, The Willows replied with a 54-run second wicket stand. Lachie Stove and James Glynn batted well and showed much promise.

Unfortunately, The Willows were not able to compile any further partnerships of substance, and were dismissed for 132. Liam McBreen-Smith and Ben Lockrose were the pick of the Tour XI bowlers with 4/27 and 3/38 respectively.

It is the hope of The Willows Club that we see more of the Tour XI players committing to playing matches for The Willows in the coming seasons.