WEARY hikers completing the third highest peak in England would not have expected to see a cricket match played at the top. 

Yet that was the case on Monday, May 20 with the Helvellyn Eleven competing against Henley, from Oxfordshire. Rather than a typical field, the game was conducted on a plateau near the summit of the 3,117ft (950m) Helvellyn. 

Ben McGregor (22), from Ambleside Cricket Club, said that the reaction they got from hikers was: "Is this serious? What's going on? A few people saw us trekking up in our whites." 

Weeks before, Ben got an email 'out of the blue' from Henley Cricket Club asking if they would like to compete against them at the top of the fell. 

The Westmorland Gazette: The teams celebrate their game at the top of England's third highest peakThe teams celebrate their game at the top of England's third highest peak (Image: David Mart)

"We looked at it and we were like 'right - are they serious?'" he said. "We didn't have massive hopes." 

However, Ben praised Henley for putting in the work before the game, even conducting a recce before the match. 

READ MORE: England international Wyll Stanway signs for Barrow AFC

Ben said that they took up 30 balls knowing that some would likely be lost. Because of the amount of space they had, Ben said that it was safe because any balls batted away would end up in the rocks and could be brought back rather than falling off the side of the fell. 

The Westmorland Gazette: The game was played to raise money for charityThe game was played to raise money for charity (Image: David Mart)

"Getting the equipment up to the top was one of the main challenges," Ben said. The pitch was carried up in three sections.  

The Oxfordshire team wanted to do this to raise money for research into Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease, a group of inherited conditions that damage the peripheral nerves. 

Their teammate John Neville has the condition. He managed the attend the match via the use of walking aids. 

The Westmorland Gazette: Ben described it as a 'proper' game of cricket, which is now likely the highest-ever played in EnglandBen described it as a 'proper' game of cricket, which is now likely the highest-ever played in England (Image: David Mart)

Ben said that it was a 'proper' cricket match, similar to what the teams play on a weekend. It was a 20 over game each played over three hours, which ended in a draw. His team, the Helvellyn Eleven, was made up of players from Ambleside, Keswick and other local clubs. 

The teams were back down Helvellyn by around half 4, Ben said. 

Not only have the men already raised over £15,000 for CMT Research Foundation, the match is likely the highest ever played in England. 

Ben said that they had a 'really nice reaction' from hikers, some donating on the spot. 

The men are already thinking about what they can do next, with 'England's lowest cricket match' put on the table.