Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo,Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE custodians of the laws of the game and owners of the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground, Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) have announced a 13-man squad for their historic tour of Zimbabwe next week.
The forthcoming tour, scheduled for October 6-15, marks the first time that MCC tours Zimbabwe in the modern era.
Captained by Glamorgan batter Will Smale, the squad also includes nine players with first-class and/or List A experience and will play seven matches of varying formats – including a three-day first-class match.
Essex wicketkeeper Simon Fernandes is included along with Kent leg spinner Mo Rizvi, who made his Rothesay County Championship debut at the beginning of September.
Scotland international Jasper Davidson is in the squad and left-arm seamer Joseph Davies was awarded a place on the tour as part of his performance in the relaunched MCC Young Cricketers programme earlier this summer.
Sam Arthurton, Daniel da Costa, Alistair Frost, Michael Frost, Darren Ironside, Billy Mead and Matt Wareing complete the strong squad, which will be managed by Owen Dawkins, Gloucestershire’s Second XI and Batting Coach, a former MCC Young Cricketer.
International official Martin Saggers, who played for England and Kent during his playing days, will be the Club’s umpire on the tour which comprises one three-day fixture, one 50-over match and five T20 games.
During the trip, MCC will play their first three matches, two T20 games and a 50-over match, against Rhinos at Kwekwe Sports Club.
The squad will then face Zimbabwe A in a three-day first-class match at Old Hararians Sports Club.
The final three matches of the trip will be against the Zimbabwe Academy at Takashinga Cricket Club, all of which will be T20s.
MCC Squad:
Will Smale (c), Sam Athurton, Ben Allison, Daniel da Costa, Jasper Davidson, Joseph Davies, Simon Fernandes, Alistair Frost, Michael Frost, Darren Ironside, Billy Mead, Mo Rizvi, Matt Wareing, Owen Dawkins (Tour Manager), Martin Saggers (Umpire).
Fixtures:
Monday 6 October: Rhinos v MCC (2x T20 matches, Kwekwe Sports Club)
Monday 7 October: Rhinos v MCC (50-over match, Kwekwe Sports Club)
Friday 10 – Sunday 12 October: Zimbabwe A v MCC (three-day match, Old Hararians Sports Club)
Tuesday 14 October: Zimbabwe Academy v MCC (2x T20 matches, Takashinga Cricket Club)
Wednesday 15 October: Zimbabwe Academy v MCC (T20 match, Takashinga Cricket Club)
