SANGIN, Afghanistan - Sometimes an explosion breaks the silence of an afternoon in Sangin, but today the silence was broken with cheers.
British and U.S. Marines joined together and played a charity game of cricket, Sept. 14.
“The game was a charity event for the Somerset County Cricket Club,” said Sgt. Mike Davis, with the Military Stabilization Support Team, Royal Air Force Regiment. “They sent over the equipment that we used today.”
The match was about more than just charity, Davis said, adding that each team was required to have at least one U.S. Marine.
“The Americans who played were pretty good,” said Davis, a 38-year-old native of Wiltshire, England. “It was funny to see them play at first, but they did very well.”
The Americans enjoyed playing also.
“This game means a lot to me,” said Staff Sgt. Michael Bailey, a career planner with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment. “My grandfather and father both loved cricket.”
Bailey also said it was nice to spend a few hours letting loose and having fun.
Although the game was about having fun, it was also about forging relationships.
“We patrol with the British and we work hard with them,” said Sgt. Josh Michlitsch, a squad leader with the Police Mentoring Team, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment. “It is good for us to be able to have fun with them too.”
“I have the utmost respect for the British Marines and I’m honored to work with them and be able to play with them,” said Michlitsch, a 38-year-old native of Brookings, Ore.
Bailey, who played cricket in high school in the Caribbean, described the sport as a gentleman’s game similar to baseball.
A game of cricket contains 11 Overs. An Over consists of six balls bowled to a batsman standing in front of three wickets. Runs in cricket are scored when any of the two batsmen runs to the opposite set of wickets.
The equipment used during the game was signed by each player and will be auctioned off by the Somerset County Cricket Club.
The two opposing teams were comprised of the officers versus the staff non-commissioned officers of both forces. The officers won 83-51.
Davis said there are plans for another game between the non-commissioned officers and junior enlisted.
Patrolling and playing cricket together, British and U.S. Marines continue to develop lasting relationships as Coalition force partners, working together to maintain security and stability throughout the Sangin district.