Howzat, afternoon is finally back at the cricket! Tradition of providing a spread is revived

School and community cricket hasn’t been the same since Covid put an end to the beloved tea tradition. Will and Nick reckon Saints puts on the best spread – do you agree? Have your say!

St Michael's College cricketers Will Hennessy and Nick Boeyen are looking forward to the return of afternoon tea at cricket. Picture: Emma Brasier

Forget the score, it is all about the sausage rolls, chicken sangas and scones and cream as afternoon tea returns to the cricket.

For schools and junior clubs hosting a game this weekend it is the first time since Covid struck that the tradition of providing a spread for the opposition will be revived.

The First XI lads at St Michael’s College are among those looking forward to seeing what’s on offer, saying the sporting ritual has been sorely missed.

“It’s what I look forward to when I wake up,” Will Hennessy, 18, laughs.

He and teammate Nick Boeyen, 17, say they prefer a savoury snack over a sweet treat.

“I like to have a warm sausage roll or a pie – I find the sweet things a bit rich, if I need to bowl, they don’t sit so well,” Nick said. “(But) homemade is definitely best.”

And it may have been a while, but who puts on the best spread?

“Definitely St Peters College … it’s amazing,” the sporting duo say.

Forget the score – it’s all about the sausage rolls, scones and sangas say ricketers from St Michael's School Will Hennessy, 18, and Nick Boeyen, 17. Picture: Emma Brasier

Jordan Young, secondary co-curricular sport co-ordinator at the Henley Beach school, said sharing afternoon tea was an important part of the competition.

“It brings players and families together and creates a great sense of community … it is an important part of the social aspect of the game,” he said.

“Players and parents love coming together to share a meal, so it has been greatly missed, especially with so many amazing family recipes on show.”

Former A-grade district cricketer Edward “Ed” Vagnarelli, who co-created Facebook page That’s Over and Tea, devoted to sharing a club’s afternoon tea efforts, says it’s just not, well, cricket, without the sporting tea break.

“(Sharing afternoon tea) gives a bit of culture to cricket … what other sport do you stop halfway through the game, to mingle around food?” he says.

Who do you think puts on the best afternoon tea spread? Tell us in the comments!