Day 1: Arrival in the UK — Friday, August 21, 2026
After a long journey across the Atlantic, the CAP 2026 team arrived in the United Kingdom ready to begin an exciting nine-day journey of cricket, learning and new experiences. The first day was intentionally kept light, giving everyone time to settle in and recover from the flight.Following arrival at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, the full squad came together for a team orientation to review the week ahead, discuss expectations and prepare for the busy program of activities and matches.Later in the day, the group enjoyed a relaxed walk along the Thames and around the Hampton Court Palace area, taking in their first sights of historic Kingston upon Thames and its beautiful riverside surroundings.It was the perfect start to CAP 2026 — time to recharge, bond as a team and build excitement for the memorable week ahead.
Day 2: Trent Bridge, Leadership & Nottingham — Saturday, August 22, 2026
Day 2 of CAP 2026 brought together three of the tour's key themes — cricket, leadership and learning beyond the boundary. The OSCA delegation travelled to the historic Trent Bridge Cricket Ground in Nottingham, where the players took part in an inspiring leadership session with Nicola Weston, Deputy Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire; Megan Powell Vreeswijk, Chief Executive of Marketing Nottingham & Nottinghamshire; and Amy Harhoff, Chief Executive of the East Midlands Combined County Authority. The discussion explored their personal leadership journeys, building confidence and developing strong careers both on and off the field.
The team then had the opportunity to meet players and coaches from The Blaze, Nottinghamshire's women's cricket team, taking part in a hands-on training session with players including Emma Jones and Flora Davies — featuring skills work, tactical advice and a lively Q&A on what it takes to perform at the professional level.
The day concluded with a visit to downtown Nottingham, including a stop at the iconic Robin Hood Gate at Nottingham Castle.
A special thank you to Mandy Wright and the team at Trent Bridge for hosting the group, to Megan Powell Vreeswijk and Alice Colith for the planning behind the visit, and to Victoria Borwick, whose original introduction helped make the Nottingham experience possible.
It was a memorable day that captured what CAP is all about — using cricket to create opportunities for learning, leadership and experiences beyond the boundary.
Day 3: First Cricket Action — Sunday, August 23, 2026
Day 3 marked the start of the CAP 2026 team's match schedule in England, with two fixtures providing the squad with valuable opportunities to adjust to local conditions and build match experience.
The morning began at Long Ditton Cricket Club, where OSCA faced a determined home side. The team received steady contributions throughout the batting order, led by Shreya Vora (12) and Rameen Rashid (11), while Fatima Amin (11*) and Izma Choudhary (9) added resilient unbeaten efforts. Fatima and Shreya also played important roles with the ball as OSCA settled into its first match on English soil. OSCA finished on 62/8, with Ben Robinson taking 2 wickets and Elias Oliver 1 for Long Ditton.
Later in the afternoon, the squad travelled to Victoria Recreation Ground to face Twenty20 Community Cricket in a 25-over fixture. Building on the morning's experience, OSCA showed plenty of energy and teamwork in the field as the players completed an action-packed double-header.
It was an important first full day of match play — giving the team a chance to adapt, compete and enjoy the experience of playing cricket in England.
Day 4: Lord’s Cricket Ground & Hartley Wintney — Monday, August 24, 2026
Day 4 brought together two of cricket’s richest traditions — the history of the game and its living local culture.xt inside of a div block.
The day began in London with a special visit to Lord’s Cricket Ground, the legendary Home of Cricket. The CAP 2026 team walked out onto the iconic ground, stood in front of the historic Pavilion and enjoyed a memorable guided tour led by Rob Lynch, absorbing the history of a venue where many of the world’s greatest cricketers have played.
For these young cricketers, it was a moment they could only have dreamed of. A special thank you to Robert Lawson, CEO of MCC, whose support helped make this unforgettable Lord’s experience possible.
In the afternoon, the squad travelled into the Hampshire countryside for Match #3 against Hartley Wintney Cricket Club, played on one of the oldest and most picturesque cricket greens in the country, dating back to 1770. Surrounded by local supporters, beautiful scenery and traditional English cricket surroundings, it was an afternoon of friendly competition that captured the spirit of the club game.
From the Home of Cricket to one of England’s historic village grounds, Day 4 gave the team a rare opportunity to experience both where the game’s traditions were built and where they continue to thrive today.
Day 5: Diplomacy, Leadership & Cricket — Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Day 5 was one of the most significant days of CAP 2026, bringing together international diplomacy, leadership, recognition and cricket.
The morning began at Canada House in Trafalgar Square, where the OSCA delegation was welcomed by representatives of the High Commission of Canada and the Government of Ontario. A special thank you to Sophia Arvanitis, Ontario's Agent General in London, for arranging such a meaningful visit. The players had the opportunity to engage with Deputy High Commissioner Robert Fry, Sophia Arvanitis, Caitlin Workman, Fiona Hawkshaw and Erika S., hearing first-hand about leadership, public service and international careers.
The visit also celebrated the wider CAP story. A member of the 2014 CAP cohort returned in 2026 as a coach, having since guided his high school team to four Ontario Premier's Cup girls' cricket championships. Long-time CAP champions Victoria Borwick and Bob Qureshi MBE were also recognized, alongside OSCA's Ranil Mendis, for their contributions to the program.
Later, the delegation visited the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), where Chris Elmore MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, warmly welcomed the young cricketers and spoke about the historic cricket connections between Canada and England. The visit also acknowledged the continued support of Fouzia Younis, British Consul General in Toronto, for Cricket Across the Pond.
The day concluded on the cricket field with Match #4 against Reigate Priory Cricket Club. OSCA posted 34/6 from seven overs before Reigate Priory reached the target, finishing on 35/2. Shreya Vora produced a strong all-round performance, top-scoring unbeaten with the bat, taking a wicket and completing a sharp run-out in the field.
From Canada House and the corridors of the FCDO to an evening on the cricket field, Day 5 captured the broader purpose of CAP — using cricket to open doors to leadership, international experiences and lasting connections.
Day 6: Movie Magic & Civic Leadership — Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Day 6 combined a touch of movie magic with meaningful civic engagement, blending fun and inspiration in equal measure.
The day began with a visit to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, where the team explored the iconic sets, props and costumes of the Wizarding World. It was a welcome opportunity to relax, bond and enjoy a shared experience away from the cricket field.
Later, the delegation gathered at Kingston’s historic Guildhallfor a special reception bringing together CIMA and the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames (RBK) — two organizations that have played foundational roles in the CAP journey.
As members of OSCA’s historic first-ever all-female high school CAP cohort, the players had the opportunity to meet distinguished civic and business leaders, including Mayor Thay Thayalan, Councillor Yogan M Yoganathan MBE, Paul Turner FCMA, CGMA, Matthew Hansard FCMA, CGMA, CPA, PhD, and Sarah Burrows.
The team learned about Kingston’s rich civic history and the 18-year legacy of CAP, founded by CIMA Canada members, while gaining valuable insights into leadership, professional development and making a positive difference in the community. Special thanks to CIMA and RBK for their generosity and thoughtful gifts, and to lead corporate sponsor Marcatus QEDfor supporting OSCA’s mission to broaden horizons and create lifelong opportunities for young leaders.
From the Wizarding World to the historic halls of Kingston’s Guildhall, Day 6 was a reminder that CAP is about much more than cricket — it is about broadening horizons, opening doors and building connections that can last well beyond the tour.
Day 7: Kensington Palace & Cricket in the Spirit of the Game — Thursday, August 27, 2026
Day 7 delivered a rich blend of history, leadership and the true spirit of cricket.
The morning began at the Clore Learning Centre at Kensington Palace, where the delegation was hosted by Justine Locker, Head of Palaces at Historic Royal Palaces, alongside Aadam Ali and Kim Klug-Miller MBE. The session took the team beyond the royal history of the Palace into a thoughtful conversation on leadership, service, inclusion and community — capturing exactly what CAP is meant to be: cricket opening doors to learning, growth and transformative experiences well beyond the boundary.
In the evening, OSCA travelled to Giggs Hill Green for Match #5 against Thames Ditton Cricket Club. When Thames Ditton couldn't field a full roster, the two clubs came together in a true reflection of the tour's spirit of adaptability and camaraderie, splitting into two blended teams — Aura and KT — drawing players from both sides for a competitive, good-natured 10-over match.
Aura posted 67 in the first innings, built on retired knocks from Rabbjyot Rajput (11) and Izma Choudhary (12) plus 26 extras, while Snigdha Malhotra and Shreya Vora each picked up a wicket for KT, conceding just 4 runs apiece. Aura added a further 38 in the second innings, with Rameen Rashid and Shreya Vora both scoring 9, before KT's bowlers closed out the match in style — Laiba taking 2 wickets for just 1 run, and Fatima adding 1 for 1.
From a royal palace to a cricket green shared between two teams, Day 7 was a reminder that CAP has always been about connection first — the cricket is just the vehicle.
Day 8: The Kia Oval & A Standout Win — Friday, August 28, 2026
Day 8 brought together cricket history and a memorable evening on the field, giving the CAP 2026 team another special look at both the heritage and community spirit of the game.
The day began with a visit to The Kia Oval, the ground where the story of The Ashes began. In 1882, Australia's defeat of England there inspired the famous mock obituary declaring English cricket dead, its "ashes" bound for Australia — the moment that gave rise to one of the sport's greatest rivalries. The team had the opportunity to walk out onto the ground and stand in the middle, experiencing first-hand a venue that has played a defining role in cricket history. A special thank you to Chris Coleman for welcoming the group and helping make the visit so memorable.
Later that evening, the squad travelled to face Old Wimbledonians Cricket Club at Nursery in Match #6 of the tour. OSCA produced a strong performance, led by Rabbjyot Rajput, who retired not out after scoring 30 runs before making an impact again with the ball by taking two wickets. Snigdha Malhotra also contributed with the bat, while Snigdha, Nayla and Fatima each claimed a wicket as the bowling unit put the opposition under pressure.
From the birthplace of The Ashes to an evening of spirited club cricket, Day 8 connected the history of the game with the friendships and experiences that make cricket so special.
Day 9: A Rainy Reunion & A Fitting Finale — Saturday, August 29, 2026
Day 9 brought the cricket portion of CAP 2026 to a fitting close, combining a special reunion with one of the program's long-standing friends and a final afternoon exploring London.
The morning began at Beddington Cricket Club, a club with a special connection to Cricket Across the Pond dating back to the program's early years in 2008. Persistent rain unfortunately meant that Match #7 — the final scheduled fixture of the tour — could not get underway.
The weather did little to dampen the occasion. The players instead took part in an engaging Q&A with Chanda Kaur, a former England women's cricketer and current England Over-50s player, who shared stories from her cricket journey and valuable insights with the CAP squad. A wonderful lunch and social gathering with the Beddington hosts added to the warmth of the reunion.From Beddington, the delegation headed into central London for a final city experience, taking in some of the capital's most famous landmarks, including Big Ben and the London Eye. It was a relaxed and memorable way to bring an extraordinary nine days in England to a close.
Across seven scheduled shorter-format fixtures, OSCA finished the tour with a very respectable four wins, two losses and one match abandoned due to rain — but, as OSCA's Ranil Mendis put it, "the results tell only a small part of the cricket story." He extended a heartfelt thank you to every club that hosted the team — Long Ditton CC, Twenty20 Community Cricket Ltd, Hartley Wintney CC, Reigate Priory Cricket Club, Thames Ditton CC, Old Wimbledonians CC and Beddington CC — noting that several fixtures came together at short notice, with hosts sometimes having CAP players fill in for the opposition so that everyone could get a game. "That is what cricket is all about," he said.
From reconnecting with a club that has been part of the CAP story for nearly two decades to one last look at the sights of London, Day 9 was a fitting finale — celebrating cricket, friendship, learning and the connections built across the pond.
