OM cricketer close to the action in down under

Euphoria has been evident among the cricket fraternity following England’s recent triumph in the T20 World Cup in Australia, and Old Marlburian Sam Martin-Jenkins (LI 2017-22) has been close to the action.

Having completed his A Levels in the summer, he is spending the winter at the Darren Lehman Academy in Adelaide before he starts university next September. Sam, nephew of the late TMS commentator and cricket journalist Christopher (B3 1958-63), has followed in the family footsteps as a huge lover of cricket and sport in general. Alongside coaching youngsters and playing grade cricket for Northern Districts CC, Sam has spent plenty of time net bowling at international sides playing in the tournament, including hosts Australia, New Zealand and Holland. In preparation for the semi-final Sam bowled in the nets at the Indian batters the day before England’s emphatic 10 wicket win.

As a sports scholar at Marlborough Sam was a prolific performer across the board. He was a key component in the Rugby XV and Hockey XI and reached a Queen’s Rackets quarter final in his final year. The former Sussex youth all-rounder also enjoyed a successful cricketing career at school. He was part of the side that reached the ESCA U15 national cup semi-final in 2019 and, following a season lost to lockdown, scored 667 runs at 35.21 and claimed 63 wickets at 16.09 in his two years in the XI. He always played with his heart on his sleeve and a smile on his face.

It is fantastic to see Sam taking his cricket beyond school. The winter down under will provide plenty of challenges but, as an Englishman in Australia, Sam will at least enjoy bragging rights following England being crowned double white ball world champions – the only men’s team in history to hold the world ODI and T20 titles at the same time.