Former ICC Stars take on England XI
Harry Nielsen and Ben Pengelley stepped onto the stage as Cricket Australia XI took on England at the Drummoyne Oval shortly after the final test in the 2017/18 Ashes series.
It's times like this at Ilkley Cricket Club when we feel so privileged to have had the opportunity to play cricket alongside some of the world's best young talent.
Harry Nielsen celebrates a wicket as Ilkley take on Beckwithshaw.
Incredible to think that within the last four years, both these lads have pulled on the Ilkley Cricket Club colours to represent our team in the Airedale and Wharfedale Senior Cricket League.
This week, Former IlkleyCC Wicket Keeper, Harry Nielsen, and Opening Bowler / Heavy hitting top order batsman, Ben Pengelley, have been facing up against some of England's top players as the Cricket Australia XI took on England, post-Ashes, at the Drummoyne Oval.
Former Ilkley Cricket Club Overseas boys, Harry Nielsen and Ben Pengelley at the crease together as Cricket Australia XI take on England at the Drummoyne Oval. Click the image for a link to the highlights.
In the first innings as Cricket Australia XI took to the crease, Nielsen was the first of the two out at the crease batting at 7, and made a exquisite 40 before being bowled out by England's Liam Plunkett.
Ben joined Harry for a brief period at the crease before being dismissed off the bowling of Adil Rashid.
The two lads were heavily involved in 4 of the 5 England wickets that CA XI were able to claim, with Pengelley claiming the wicket of England's opening bat, Jason Roy, and Nielsen claiming victims in Bairstow, Buttler and Ali from behind the sticks.
Ben Pengelley before and after a successful spell on the Scarborough turf with the Ramblers during his stint at Ilkley in 2016.
It's only now that the surrealism of having played alongside these two incredibly talented lads kicks in when you get to watch and admire as they perform on the big stage against your own national side.
Two top lads, and two individuals that the club is incredibly proud to have been able to call their own, if only for a short period of time. But in our eyes they will forever by ICC.
A very bright future lies ahead for you two lads. Continue to play hard and all the very best for the future!
PS - are you available Thursday nights for the T20 league next year?
#ICCTWD