Game-On Reporter
England Cricket Club, Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) is set for a historic visit to Zimbabwe after more than six decades.
The historic visit by MCC will be the first to Zimbabwe since the 1964-65 season.
Zimbabwe Cricket have described the visit, which is part of its re-engagement exercise with England Cricket Board (ECB), as a historic visit.
“We are proud and thrilled to welcome MCC back to Zimbabwe after six decades.
“This historic tour is a celebration of our cricketing heritage, an inspiration for our players and fans and a testament to the enduring friendship and cultural ties between Zimbabwe and England,” said Makoni.
The MCC will tour the country for seven matches, which will be played in Kwekwe and Harare.
The visit by MCC is part of its elite performance program, and the club’s director of cricket and operations Rob Lynch said he was looking forward to the tour.
“We are pleased to be touring a Full Member nation as part of our overseas programme this year, with a focus on elite performance,” said Lynch.
MCC has named a strong 13-man squad for the tour, captained by Glamorgan batter Will Smale.
Nine players in the travelling party have first-class and/or List A experience, highlighting the high-performance focus of the trip.
Smale was a key figure in Glamorgan’s Metro Bank One-Day Cup campaign this summer, including a century against Surrey at the Kia Oval.
He is joined by Worcestershire’s Ben Allison, who helped his side win the One-Day Cup final, and Essex wicketkeeper Simon Fernandes.
Kent leg-spinner Mo Rizvi, Scotland international Jasper Davidson and Joseph Davies, who earned his place following an impressive showing in the relaunched MCC Young Cricketers programme, are also included in the squad.
“This is an exceptionally talented squad, with several players excelling in the domestic game and others with the potential to do so.
“The relaunch of the MCC Young Cricketers programme this summer was a success, and we’re thrilled to include a player who impressed through the scheme,” he said.
As part of the tour MCC will play T20s on 6 October and a 50-over match on 7 October against provincial side Rhinos at Kwekwe Sports Club before travelling to Harare for a three-day first-class fixture against Zimbabwe from October 10 to 12 at Old Hararians Sports Club.
They will round up their tour with three T20s against the Zimbabwe Academy at Takashinga Cricket Club, between October 14 and 15.
