HEREFORDSHIRE cricket enthusiast Kinsey Hern’s next game is set to be one heck of a catch.
For the Twenty20 game being played on Tuesday will be held in one of the most inhospitable places on Earth – in the shadow of Mount Everest, more than 5,000 metres up.
“We’re trying to break the world record for the cricket match played at the highest altitude,” said Kinsey.
“About 18 months ago, a few of my friends from university put the idea to me. We put on a promotional event in London to generate more interest and attracted about 100 applicants.”
These were whittled down to 30, making up two teams of 15 – Team Tenzing versus Team Hillary – named after the first climbers to reach the top of the world’s highest mountain.
Kinsey, 27, a farmer from Lyonshall who regularly plays nationwide for a social roaming side featuring his old university friends, will play for Team Tenzing.
“There’s quite a rivalry building up between the teams,” he said.
“If we win the toss, I think we’ll have a bowl. We’re taking about 200 balls up with us as we’re expecting to lose a few.
“We’ll have to take a pitch up as well, along with our kit and equipment, which will be carried by porters.”
It is hoped the Everest Test will raise more than £250,000 for the Lord’s Taverners children’s charity, and it has has already gained support from current England cricket captain Andrew Strauss.
The fund-raisers are midway through a nine-day trek to their match venue, the Gorak Shep, the highest plateau in the world standing at 5,165 metres.
“Altitude sickness is a real possibility and there will be four doctors on the trip with us,” added Kinsey.
“It will be really tough and every player has been given a fitness plan to follow.
This is the toughest challenge I will have faced in my life.
“With my physical history of three dislocated kneecaps, a broken leg, a broken ankle, a broken collar bone and a continuation of lower back problems, there is no guarantee I will make it.
“It’s the opportunity of a lifetime. My parents think it’s a little crazy but there probably won’t be the chance to do something like this again.”
And while “rain stops play” is commonplace for English cricketers, different climatic problems are posed in Nepal.
“The area is an inhospitable place but I can’t see us not playing unless conditions are really bad,” said Kinsey.
To sponsor him, visit his website at just giving.com/kjhern or email him at kjh ern@hotmail.com.
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