A SUFFOLK schoolboy was literally swept off his feet during the heat of an Ashes battle.

Nick Garnham

A SUFFOLK schoolboy was literally swept off his feet during the heat of an Ashes battle.

Thirteen-year-old all-rounder Ben Osborne was invited to bowl while fielding as 12th man for the Australian Masters against the PCA England Masters.

Ben, who lives in Frinton and attends the Royal Hospital School at Holbrook, near Ipswich, dismissed England's Dean Headley with his one and only delivery, stumped by wicket-keeper New Zealander Lou Vincent, who was guesting for the Aussie side in the Twenty20 challenge match.

After whipping off the bails, Vincent ran down the wicket and picked Ben up over his shoulder and ran around the wicket in celebration in front of several hundred spectators at the picturesque Wormsley Cricket Ground, which was created by the late Sir John Paul Getty on the family's estate in Buckinghamshire.

The Australians, whose side was captained by former Essex star Stuart Law and included legends such as Jeff Thomson and Rodney Hogg, won by 23 runs against England, who were led by Darren Gough and lined-up with Dominic Cork, Phil DeFreitas and Graeme Hick in their team.

Ben landed the opportunity to act as 12th man for both sides after his dad Justin successfully bid for the prize during an auction at Frinton Cricket Club, where he used to play, when the PCA Masters played during the club's Cricket Week last month.

The prize also included three corporate tickets to the match, so a group of Frinton members brought tickets to the match to join them.

Ben recalled: “I was told that I would get on to field for one team or the other and when I got on with a few overs to go Stuart Law gave me the opportunity to bowl, although he said I could only bowl the last ball and not the whole over.

“I was very nervous, although very excited, as I did not know what would happen.”

The left-arm over medium pacer, who has been a member of Frinton CC for four years, said: “I bowled it just outside off stump, and Dean Headley tried to come down the wicket and hit it but missed it and was stumped.

“It was then that Lou Vincent ran over to me and picked me up in the air and put me over his shoulder. The Australian side all said they were very impressed and well done to me. I couldn't have asked for anything better.

“I was really shocked to get out a former professional player, and afterwards I said sorry to Dean Headley, who my mum has known for a few years as he regularly plays for the PCA side at Frinton.

Ben, who was allowed to keep the kits worn by the respective sides, was also presented with an orange cricket ball autographed by Australians Jeff Thomson and Stuart Law and former England players Darren Gough, Dominic Cork and Paul Nixon as a memento of his memorable day.

After his brief involvement Ben is thirsting for more Ashes success.

“My ambition is to play in a real Ashes match when I get older,” he added.

Proud mum Jenni, who helps to organise the annual Frinton Cricket Week, said: “The whole day at Wormsley was fabulous. Ben loves his cricket, we could not be more proud of him and his efforts on the day. It was also very pleasing to hear from the PCA and Australia Legends what a super young gentleman and player he is.”