A CRICKET match between two faith teams have made lasting friendships.

For only the second year, a new fixture in the cricketing calendar went ahead recently – a match between a team from The Church of England in Lancashire and a team representing Lancashire Council of Mosques.

The match was praised by the Bishop of Burnley, Rt Rev. Philip North for demonstrating that ‘love, friendship and support we can have for each other, whatever our background or faith, are more important than ever’.

Clergy and laity from across the County ( were joined by Imams in a game played at Ribblesdale Cricket Club which took place subject to English Cricket Board additional Covid-19 regulations.

Rev. Dr Tom Woolford, Vicar of New Longtonm, said: “After the success of the first Mosques v Churches fixture played at Stonyhurst College last summer, both teams were eager to reprise their sporting rivalry.

"Last year’s friendly was one of the highlights of the summer, and I’m so pleased that, despite everything that has gone on this year, we were able to play this fixture again."

Bishop Philip, who currently chairs the Diocese’s Coronavirus Task Group, praised the initiative saying: "Howzat?! Against all the odds, this wonderful match - bringing Lancashire Vicars and laity and the County's Imams together on the cricket pitch - has been able to go ahead.

"With the pandemic throwing everything into disarray, even a short while ago it was impossible to imagine any kind of sport taking place."