Fleming’s Afghanistan development mission

Date released: 28 April 2009

Heading for Afghanistan: Matthew Fleming Former England all-rounder and army officer Matthew Fleming is travelling to Afghanistan this week to attend an MCC Spirit of Cricket camp and open two MCC-funded school cricket pitches.

Since 2006, when an MCC team led by Mike Gatting lost to Afghanistan in an inaugural match in Mumbai, the world’s most famous cricket club has played an active part in trying to develop the game in a country great on promise but short on opportunity.

Fleming, who serves on MCC’s Cricket Committee, went on a fact-finding trip to Afghanistan in 2007 and came back convinced that tapping into the substantial cricket-loving population in the country could play a part in aiding a return to normal life after years of war.

He said: "MCC plays a significant role in helping to develop the game worldwide. As a former soldier, I also understand the importance of building trust and creating opportunities for local people.

"It is clear to us at MCC that we can do much to help the game in Afghanistan and help create these opportunities."

Afghan Connection

MCC is working with the charity Afghan Connection to encourage Afghan children to play cricket. Fleming will attend a two-day MCC Spirit of Cricket camp for more than 300 children at Jalalabad University on 4 May.

He will also open two cricket pitches funded by MCC - seven more will be built in the next 18 months.

This is to coincide with the start of the new cricket season in Afghanistan but also comes hot on the heels of the national team gaining One Day International status at the ICC World Cup qualifiers in South Africa.

Fleming said: "The more that MCC has forged links with Afghanistan and the more successful the national team have become, the more it’s become apparent to us that it is the grass-roots level that would benefit most from our help.

"Without developing the skills of the next generation of cricket talent, the fantastic achievements of the current national side will not be replicated in the future."

"Hotbed of talent"

Afghan cricket has undergone a meteoric rise in the past few years.

Hassan and Nabi at Lord's After the resounding win against the MCC tourists in 2006, two players - Hamid Hassan and Mohammad Nabi - were brought over to Lord’s by MCC to play with the MCC Young Cricketers.

Hassan was the first Afghan to play at ‘The Home of Cricket’, when he took 1 for 23 for MCC against a Europe XI in 2007.

Keith Bradshaw, Secretary & Chief Executive of MCC said: "MCC’s worldwide remit to promote the game is central to our tours policy.

"While we leave a development grant to every country we visit, we are fortunate to be working with a fantastic charity to invest more substantially in Afghanistan.

"Afghan Connection has the local knowledge that is so important and a method of delivery - through the Swedish Committee - that is required to make our plans a reality.

"We know that part of the world is a hotbed of cricketing talent, and it would be a great shame if youngsters there were deprived of the opportunity to learn about the game."

Fleming leaves the UK on Thursday 30 April.