The Royal Military Police (RMP) and the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have swapped bullets for bouncers to bring cricket to the school children of Basra Province over the past six months.Cricket fanatic Major Andrew Banks, Officer Commanding of Germany-based 110 Provost Company RMP, arranged for 'Kwik Cricket' sets from the ECB to be sent to Iraq to help build relations with the local community.
Bringing the sound of willow on leather to the villages is designed to make the British troops a more welcome presence, encouraging the locals to report terrorist activity. Major Banks, who completed a seven month tour based in Basra as part of the 20th Armoured Brigade, said:
"It worked particularly well for The Queen's Royal Hussars who were conducting anti-smuggling patrols around the Iran-Iraq border as they used to stop and get their guys playing which stopped the Iraqi kids from chucking stones at them.
(PHOTO: Not yet stumped – Major Andrew Banks (far left) is determined to win new converts to the game at a school near Basra Air Station [Picture: Cpl Anthony Boocock RLC] )
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