While Samuel Beckett remains the only Nobel Prize winner to have played first-class cricket, Highgate synagogue’s Rabbi Nicky Liss, Chair of the Rabbinic Council, and Rabbi Andrew Shaw, Chief Executive of Mizrachi UK and an Edgware shul rabbi, must be the only United Synagogue rabbonim to have been selected for the Archbishop of Canterbury’s XI.

These two rabbis made their debuts together last week against a Royal Household XI on a sticky wicket in Old Windsor within a Ben Stokes hit for six of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s newly refurbished cottage (for “cottage” read “mansion”. I know. I saw it).

The Archbishop’s team of clergymen of varying degrees of seniority (plus the two rabbis) batted first. Sadly, the rabbis’ joint contribution to a below par total of 122 all out in the 30 overs a side match, was not significant. 

In mitigation, coming in way down the order, with one over to go, gave them licence to hit out or get out.  Sadly for their fan club, who cheered them loudly to the middle, they both chose the latter option. The sighs on their return were noticeably more muted.

During the tea interval, Rabbi Shaw revealed that the priest he had run out during his brief innings publicly forgave him. He may even have blessed him as well. And when the Royal Household batted, their only wobble came at 52 for 3 when the umpire gave their best batsman out lbw.

All 11 men of faith heard the nick. After a brief conclave, they suggested to the errant umpire he might reverse his decision. He did – and the resulting unbeaten 72 run partnership saw the Household home by 7 wickets with 4 overs to spare.

Even three black horses grazing peacefully behind the bowler’s arm in an adjoining field failed to disturb the Household batsmen’s concentration. They certainly didn’t need the cavalry – though the clerics could have benefitted from a mystery spinner who could bowl a canon ball.

Rev. Chris Kennedy, captain of the Archbishop’s team and a pioneer of using sport to help young offenders at Feltham, said afterwards that the result was less important than the interfaith links and friendships that sport can bring.

Rabbi Liss, who has also helped at Feltham, agreed. Though he still would have preferred to advance his chances of Ashes selection by being on the winning side.

Rev. Kennedy’s ‘Peace at the Crease’ initiative continues with an interfaith tournament in Manchester next month and follows on from the first interfaith cricket tournament hosted last year by Maccabi Vale.