Seven MCC Playing Members were included in the England squad that won the International Masters Cricket Over-50s World Cup in Cape Town on Monday, with six featuring in the line-up that were victorious against home team South Africa in the final.
David Snellgrove, who captained the side, Charlie Knightley, Giles Ecclestone, Jonathan Wileman, Marcus Sharp and Richard Trotman all played in Monday’s final at Newlands, with Rob Nelson playing in three matches on the road to the final. James Williams, who is taking up the role of Indoor Cricket Centre Manager at Lord’s (where he has coached for 10 years) next week, also played three matches across the course of the tournament
Giles Ecclestone won the player of the match award in the final after his contribution of 120 runs off 103 balls at the top of the innings steered England towards their score of 267 for 8 in the 40 overs-per-side fixture. The total proved to be too much for the hosts, who succumbed to a 65-run loss.
Mr Ecclestone’s century ensured that he finished the tournament as England’s second-highest run scorer, and the third highest in the tournament overall. He was also named in the team of the tournament.
England won all but one of the eight fixtures they played over the course of the World Cup, which was the largest ever international over-50s cricket tournament, consisting of 14 teams in total.
"It is great to see our Members making up a significant proportion of the England squad"
Fraser Stewart, MCC’s Head of Cricket, said: “First and foremost, I’d like to commend the England team on their remarkable victory and their dominating performances throughout the tournament.
“A special congratulations goes to the seven MCC Playing Members, each of whom played a role in England’s success. It is great to see our Members making up a significant proportion of the England squad – they have all done the Club proud.”
Photo from @CountiesEngland on Twitter.