A London rabbi has gone into bat for the cause of Afghan refugees.

Highgate Synagogue minister Rabbi Nicky Liss joined other faith representatives, former England cricketer Chris Lewis and Bond film actor Colin Salmon in a team which played against a Refugee Council XI of Afghan refugees at Beckenham.

As the match fell on the Fast of Gedaliah, Rabbi Liss had been prepared to offer a lack of sustenance as an excuse for an indifferent personal performance.

But in the event, he took a wicket and a couple of catches and “didn’t let the side down”.

He told the JC he had wanted to show solidarity as “the Jewish community’s history is one of being refugees.

“I was there the day after Rosh Hashanah when we pray not only for ourselves but for the whole world to have a better year ahead. I expressed the love of the Jewish community to the Afghan team and said we’re here to help where we can.”

He also read a statement from Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis highlighting “the instantaneous empathy shown by so many across British society, exemplified by your game today, in response to the suffering of the millions caught up in this painful humanitarian crisis”.

Prayers from other faiths were offered in a display of unity.

As for the match, the Afghans shaded a close contest. But the faith leaders will have a chance to exact revenge with more fixtures planned for next season.