Exactly 27 years ago today 12 Priory cricketers and 5 supporters were flying out to Bombay, as it was known as then, for our first overseas tour. We were joined by 2 other RPCC players who were already out that way.

We had 4 matches in Bombay and then flew down to Goa for a few days of R & R on the beach. The players were accommodated at the Cricket Club of India's Brabourne Stadium, the initial Indian test ground and where they have just played the Final of the Women's IPL. Most players were in the Maharajah of Patiala's pavilion at the boundary edge, as shown in the picture in the top right

The picture shows Priory's match against the CCI in progress and the photo top left is of the Bombay Gymkhana, which hosted another of our fixtures. One of the other matches was played on the world famous Mumbai maidan, where there were about 14 matches going on at the same time. The 4th match was on a College ground where a cow casually ambled across the outfield during play.

The hospitality was world class and the overall experience, and the cricket experience in particular, better than that. If you haven't played or witnessed cricket in India your cricketing education is unfulfilled.

Surely it doesn't take 27 + years to repeat such a wonderful cricketing tour? All it takes is for someone to step up and organise it. The Club has superb Indian contacts.

How many of the players can you recognise? Eight are still members and three still playing the occasional game for the Club. If you go to "Gallery" on the Club's Pitchero website and look for "India Tour 1996" you'll find 50 odd photos from the tour. WHAT AN EXPERIENCE !!