Army veterans welcome the Dutch Lions Durham Tour

The Durham Light Infantry has extended a very special welcome to the Netherlands National Cricket Team participating in the 2025 North East Cricket Series supporting National Armed Forces Day celebrations.

Moving into its 22nd year, ‘The North East Cricket Series’ has maintained its reputation as one to attend, with the local young community cricketers facing up to the challenge of the World Cup qualifying Netherlands national team, and the might of the British Army Cricket Association.

The Netherlands team has based itself in County Durham for the week and with it an opportunity to learn more about the Durham Light Infantry’s history in the Netherlands with the fallen honoured annually through the Netherlands’ ‘Nationale Dodenherdenking’ which the Dutch Lions tourists will be part of in their local communities on May 4th.

Major Chris Lawton MBE “On behalf of the DLI, I would like to welcome both the Army Cricket Association and KNCB's decision to play in the North East Cricket Series against the young local cricketers. The DLI has a rich history with the Netherlands. Our 6th, 8th, and 9th fought in Vlokhoven Ekkart, Bruegel, north of Eindhoven and just short of Arnhem. Crossed the river and were at Waal and Nijmegen and Bemmel. They also attacked the Germans at Haalderen, then Aam and Elst. They were also at Boekel and Baal, Rssen, Oostulleteren and Heuvel. I look forward to meeting with all the cricketers in July, to help them understand our shared history, and to present the Army series trophies”.

Subir Shrestha, KNCB’s High Performance Youth HP Operations Manager “On behalf of the KNCB, can I thank Major Lawton and the Durham Light Infantry for their gracious welcome to our forthcoming tour. Our Dutch Lions understand the North East Cricket Series is no ordinary cricket series. It has opened so many doors to learning like our nation’s special bond with Durham, areas that many of the cricketers live in, and why we have our ‘Nationale Dodenherdenking’ each May will be very powerful for the young Dutch Lions. We look forward to proudly representing that bond, meeting Major Lawton, and the DLI veterans in July”.

Army Cricket Association Operations Manager Major (Retd) Paul Greenwood “I am delighted to learn of the DLI’s support for the North East Cricket Series. If our participation is helping to bring youngsportsman a greater understanding of their history, and supports the Netherlands Nationale Dodenherdenking then it just adds to our pleasure in being part of the series in July”.

‘The North East Cricket Series’ will be releasing more series details including venues, formats, and live streaming details in the coming weeks.

For more information on the North East Cricket Series contact: thenortheastcricketseries@gmail.com