From Rejection to Depiction: How a London cricket Club Found International Play
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A London-based amateur cricket team, the Believers Cricket Club (BCC), has defied expectations and forged a path to international competition, proving that passion and perseverance can overcome limitations. Founded in 2008 by Matthew Hawkes, the club offered a haven for players who hadn’t secured a spot on local sides, but nearly collapsed following the COVID-19 pandemic and the departure of its captain. Now, under the leadership of Ben Geffen, the BCC is rewriting its narrative, one international match at a time.
A Dream Rekindled Through Unexpected Inspiration
For years, BCC players were told they simply weren’t good enough. Current captain Ben Geffen shared a similar sentiment about his own aspirations.”I always dreamed of playing Test cricket for England, but, like most of my mates, I gave up on that dream pretty quickly when there was a mismatch between my dream and my ability,” he said. However, Geffen’s ambition found new life through an unlikely source: Pavel Floren, a famously unskilled Romanian cricketer.
“He really was quite terrible,” Geffen admitted. “But I loved the fact that he didn’t care and did what he loved without fear.” This observation sparked a pivotal question: if Romania had a cricket team, who’s to say other lesser-known nations didn’t? Geffen spent hours researching countries with cricket programs, leading to a bold proposition. “We may not be able to play for our own country, but we might just be able to play against another country,” he realized. “[I] thought if Pavel can do it, why can’t we?”
Reaching Out to the World
Geffen embarked on an enterprising outreach campaign, emailing over 50 countries requesting a match. To his surprise, several responded positively.The BCC has since completed tours of Romania and Slovenia and is preparing to face the Gambian national team in West Africa this summer.
Challenges and Triumphs on the Field
The journey hasn’t been without its setbacks. The team once suffered a crushing defeat, getting all out for 169 while chasing 312. Though, even in defeat, there was a silver lining. “the only positive was their coach sat down with his boys after the game and mentioned that if any of them could go on to play cricket in their 30s with the same love and spirit we showed, then he’d consider that a success,” Geffen recalled.
A match played the day after Geffen’s wedding resulted in another heartbreaking loss, and one game was canceled due to a double-booking. despite three frist-time players recording golden ducks, the team secured a victory in their final match of the season.
A Story Worth Telling
The believers’ unique journey has captured the attention of filmmakers. A documentary, directed by Jai Sarvesh, is currently in production. Sarvesh likened the team to the characters in the Bollywood film Lagaan, noting, “Each team member was a distinct character in their own right. One guy holds the bat like a baseball bat and can only hit the ball if it’s a full-toss.” Mudit Agarwal, whose company is producing the documentary, added, “I was never much of a cricket fan myself, but over time, being around the team has been like a slow poison…I’ve started developing a real interest, and I’ve grown to love the drama, the emotions, and the way the game binds people together.”
The team’s bond extends beyond the pitch. Vice-captain Ash Silva, who aspires to emulate Kumar Sangakkara, emphasized the club’s significance. “The club doesn’t just mean something to me, it’s a part of me,” he said.”When I arrived and our team was worse than a group of pensioners I knew I’d found the right place.” Silva hopes the team can achieve one international victory, believing it would provide a lifetime of stories.
The Believers Cricket Club’s story is a testament to the power of passion, friendship, and the unwavering pursuit of a dream, no matter how improbable.
