A group of international cricketers created history by playing the world’s highest-ever cricket match near the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest mountain, in a remarkable sporting challenge aimed at setting a new world record.
The historic Twenty20 match took place in 2014 at an altitude of 5,730 metres (18,799 feet) inside a flat crater just below the mountain’s summit in Tanzania, surpassing the previous record of 5,165 metres set at Everest Base Camp in Nepal in 2009. The event featured several well-known cricket personalities, including former South African fast bowler Makhaya Ntini, former England spinner Ashley Giles, and England women’s vice-captain Heather Knight. Despite extreme conditions and thin air, the players managed to complete 10 overs per side before heavy clouds forced the game to end early. Former England spinner Ashley Giles expressed his excitement during the match, posting on social media:
“This is absolutely incredible! We are playing cricket on the summit of Africa!” The match saw the Gorillas, captained by Heather Knight, defeat the Rhinos, led by Ashley Giles. The Gorillas scored 82-5, while the Rhinos finished on 64-9.
The record-breaking event combined adventure, endurance, and cricket in one of the most challenging environments ever used for the sport.
Gorillas Team
- Heather Knight (Captain; England vice-captain)
- Raymond Lebokana
- Phil Walker
- Liam Breedveld (Wicket-keeper)
- Hugo Worsley
- Rob Barry
- Christopher Fenton
- Jonathan Worsley
- Clare Connor OBE
- Jane Van Marken
- Shripal Shah
- 12th Man: Melinda Kocsis
Rhinos Team
- Ashley Giles MBE (Captain; former England cricketer)
- Makhaya Ntini (former South African cricketer)
- Robert Moloisane (Wicket-keeper)
- David Harper
- George Jerram
- Simon Rogers
- Matthew Weihs
- Ben Norrington
- Steven Smith
- Phil Fordham
- Tess Norrington
- 12th Man: Edward Haines
- 13th Man: Rebecca James
The extraordinary achievement remains one of cricket’s most unique world-record moments, showcasing the sport’s ability to inspire adventure beyond traditional stadiums.
