As I write this, and the sun has finally decided to grace us with its presence, the Citywide team has taken full advantage by dusting off our (non-existent) cricketing credentials and diving headfirst into the wonderful world of summer sport. That’s right — we’ve taken up cricket!

We kicked things off in style with a trip to Sixes, where we discovered that some of us are surprisingly decent with a bat, while others… well, let’s just say the screens are still recovering. Spirits were high, competitive streaks came out, and the phrase “it’s harder than it looks” was heard more times than we care to admit.

With our enthusiasm fuelled (and a few questionable bowling techniques on display), we’ve been practising in the cricket nets, channelling our inner Stokes and Root – although realistically, we’re hovering somewhere between village green legends and enthusiastic amateurs.

We’re not just in it for the fun though — there’s glory on the line. In August, we’re taking on the team at Stevens and Bolton, one of our preferred professional contacts, in what promises to be the legal clash of the cricketing calendar. It’s all very serious… in a “friendly rivalry and post-match drinks” kind of way. Beyond the fun and social side, it’s also a great opportunity to strengthen our external partnerships with key firms where our professional services naturally complement each other — building connections both on and off the field.

The sunshine has helped our motivation — turns out cricket feels much more appealing when you’re not dodging raindrops or wearing three layers

So, if you don’t hear from me in the coming weeks, there’s a good chance I’ve been called up to the England cricket team. Either that, or I’m still chasing a rogue cricket ball down the street !

by Max Sapsed, Client Services Assistant and Cricket Correspondent