![\"Harcourt](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/4JUYVXX_20260111_135851_0_2_jpg.jpeg\")
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\nHarcourt team-mates Oliver Pascoe (left) and Callum Wright during Sunday’s fixture
\nPhoto: RNZ \/ Adam Burns\n<\/p>\n
A Christchurch cricket club turned on the charm for their first game of the season, playing hosts to a globe-trotting outfit of social cricketers from offshore.<\/p>\n
The visitors, largely made up of amateur club players from Australia and the UK, were touring the country for the first time, the latest trip of a fledgling annual tradition.<\/p>\n
On Sunday, they faced the Valley of Peace XI at their “picturesque” club grounds, captained on the day by James Stokes, brother of New Zealand-born England cricket captain Ben.<\/p>\n
Although the concept may not have the history and pedigree of the Ashes, the Stanton Harcourt Lions have already completed several tours around the world.<\/p>\n
The idea arose about 15 years after a member of Australia’s Harcourt Cricket Club in Victoria stumbled on another namesake club based in Oxfordshire, England.<\/p>\n
Australian Callum Wright would make a cameo appearance for Stanton Harcourt when he was in the UK for a wedding.<\/p>\n
Local player Oliver Pascoe said he kept in touch with the Australian tourist.<\/p>\n
“It took us a while, it took us till 2017 when we went to Australia and played against them, and a couple of other local clubs,” he said. “Because we were only a small village, we didn’t have the amount of players to tour around the world on our own. So we came together.”<\/p>\n
The team has experienced a range of conditions, climates and circumstances during their travels.<\/p>\n
They have tripped to Australia, South Africa, India, Nepal and South America, where they were locked down in a Peruvian hotel for a fortnight during the pandemic.<\/p>\n
New Zealand was their latest destination,<\/p>\n
Tucked away at the foot of the Port Hills in Kennedy’s Bush, the Valley of Peace club previously hosted a friendly match against the Barmy Army XI during the England team’s tour to New Zealand at the end of 2024.<\/p>\n
“We weren’t sure what to expect,” Pascoe said. “A friend of mine from England played here a couple of years ago. He recommended it. I wasn’t expecting it to be this picturesque, with the history as well. It’s brilliant.”<\/p>\n
Valley of ‘paradise’<\/p>\n
Off the beaten track, the small and secluded Valley of Peace club was not your average cricket ground.<\/p>\n
The boundaries were ringed by various trees. The pavilion, bar and score box at the southern end were built from rough-hewn oak wood. The Hoon Hay Valley also accentuated the vista.<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/4JUYVOF_20260111_140433_jpg.jpeg\")
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\nThe idyllic Valley of Peace cricket club is located in the Christchurch suburb of Kennedy’s Bush.
\nPhoto: RNZ \/ Adam Burns\n<\/p>\n
Club president Scott Cartwright described the 98-year-old club as “a hidden treasure”.<\/p>\n
“The Valley of Peace speaks for itself. It’s in the valley, it’s very peaceful,” he said.<\/p>\n
There were traditional customs players and umpires had to adhere to when arriving at the club, including the wearing of a jacket, collar and tie.<\/p>\n
Due to the smaller dimensions of the ground, sixes were worth four runs, and boundaries were worth two runs.<\/p>\n
Inside the pavilion were photographs, memorabilia and honours boards dating back to 1929<\/p>\n
Century-makers at the club included English test batting great Herbert Sutcliffe and current Black Cap Henry Nicholls.<\/p>\n
Founded in 1928 by cinema operator Harry Waters, the club began as a means to play cricket on Sundays when other council-owned grounds were shut.<\/p>\n
With temperatures climbing to 33 degrees in Christchurch on Sunday, the tranquil backdrop left the tourists impressed.<\/p>\n
“What a magnificent setting here up the valley,” Wright said.<\/p>\n
“We’re only minutes out of the city of Christchurch, but you’d think you were in paradise, it’s beautiful out here.”<\/p>\n
![\"Valley](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/4JUYUXJ_20260111_142041_jpg.jpeg\")
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\nValley of Peace club president Scott Cartwright.
\nPhoto: RNZ \/ Adam Burns\n<\/p>\n
Fresh off a quick-fire captain’s knock of “30-odd”, Stokes said games like these were always special occasions.<\/p>\n
“Everyone wants to play them,” he said,<\/p>\n
Ashes sparring<\/p>\n
A week after the Australians completed a resounding 4-1 Ashes series win across the Tasman, there were obvious questions about team harmony among Australian and English teammates.<\/p>\n
“It’s been very quiet, the English don’t talk about the cricket much,” Wright quipped.<\/p>\n
“There’s always a little niggle, that’s where the fun’s at.”<\/p>\n
Cartwright joked that he was surprised by the concept of an Australian-English combined team.<\/p>\n
“I thought the [English] and the Aussies hated each other, let alone get together and tour together.<\/p>\n
“I’d love to hear the sledging in behind the scenes.”<\/p>\n
There was also an Ashes connection on the other side of the ledger, with Stokes leading the Valley.<\/p>\n
English cricket pundits continued to lambast the side’s Ashes showing, particularly the preparation and tactics employed by their Kiwi coach Brendon McCullum.<\/p>\n
When asked about the Ashes, Stokes stopped short of adding to the pile-on his brother’s team was copping.<\/p>\n
“Yeah… everyone saw it to be fair. I’m not one to comment on that, I might get a bit of stick,” he chuckled.<\/p>\n
![\"Valley](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/4JUYX4N_20260111_133313_jpg.jpeg\")
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\nValley of Peace players, captained by James Stokes (third from left), converse with one of the opposition’s players.
\nPhoto: RNZ \/ Adam Burns\n<\/p>\n
As far as the more laid-back setting of Sunday’s game went, the Valley posted a respectable total of 192 in their 40 overs.<\/p>\n
The game was later abandoned after a fierce thunderstorm and heavy rain hit Christchurch later that afternoon.<\/p>\n
The Stanton Harcourt Lions were also due to play games in W\u0101naka and Queenstown this week.<\/p>\n
The team plans to travel to the Caribbean for a tour in 2027.<\/p>\n