Students Soak Up Summer Cricket Spectacle at the Kia Oval

In the golden glow of the July sunshine, twenty Charters School students were treated to an unforgettable day of cricket, colour, and celebration at the iconic Kia Oval, thanks to Mrs Hartwell’s passion for sharing the excitement of the T20 Blast.

The group travelled to London to watch Surrey take on Somerset in both the Women’s and Men’s T20 matches, and what a day it turned out to be. From the electric atmosphere created by the stadium DJ and pyrotechnics to the interactive family zone, students were immersed in the full matchday experience. They played games, had their faces painted, and each received a free T-shirt to remember the occasion.

One of the standout moments came when Tanav was selected to go onto the pitch and play Cricket 24 on Xbox, broadcast live on the big screen in front of thousands of spectators. To the crowd’s delight, Tanav held his nerve and won!

There was more excitement to come, with students snapping selfies and collecting autographs from players. On the pitch, Surrey delivered a double triumph—dominating both matches with superb batting and bowling to secure places in the knockout stages of the competition.

Behind the scenes, the trip had an extra special connection to Charters: Adam Corbett, Operations Manager at the Kia Oval and an ex-Charters student (1995–2002), took the time to meet with staff and students. He offered insight into the matchday experience, explaining how everything - from food choices to entertainment - is designed to maximise both enjoyment and return on investment.

A huge thank you goes to Surrey Cricket, Xbox UK, and especially to Adam for his generosity and time. And of course, to Mrs Hartwell, whose dedication made this incredible, inspiring trip possible.

For students, it wasn’t just a day at the cricket - it was a memory made, a passion sparked, and a brilliant example of how sport can engage, excite, and educate.