MCC begin 2023 Overseas Tour programme with Men's tour of Belize

MCC begins its first overseas tour of 2023 today as a men’s squad departs for Belize, to take part in the Central American Cricket Championships.

A 13-man squad departed from Lord’s this morning and will join hosts Belize and Costa Rica, Mexico, and Panama in the T20 tournament, which begins on Thursday 27 April.

The Club is no stranger to the tournament and MCC last competed in 2019 in Costa Rica and Mexico, topping the final group table and winning all four of their matches in the competition.

The squad will take on all four nations who are competing in this year’s tournament as they aim to qualify for the latter stages of the competition.

The touring squad will be captained by Steven Reingold and Tim Cooper is the Tour Manager for the trip.

Former Glamorgan batter Reingold recently made a half-century in the MCC Men’s Day fixture at Lord’s, and also in the squad is Josh Knappett, who formerly represented Worcestershire and is a long standing member of Middlesex Cricket staff. Several other members of the touring squad also possess experience in the first-class game.

As with all MCC overseas tours, there will be an emphasis on coaching in local schools and clubs, as well as umpire education, with two sessions dedicated to the training of local officials.

"Overseas touring remains a crucial part of the Club’s commitment to growing cricket around the world"

There are further tours planned this year to Austria, Greece, and Kenya, as well as a women’s tour to Germany later this summer.

MCC Director of Cricket and Operations Jamie Cox said: “Overseas touring remains a crucial part of the Club’s commitment to growing cricket around the world, particularly in nations where cricket is not as popular as other sports and Belize fits firmly into that category.

“This selection of Playing Members will not only be able to impart their experience to the local youngsters through the coaching programme but will also benefit from representing the Club in a competitive tournament.”

SQUAD

Tim Cooper (Manager), Ehtesham Ahmed, Simon Beetham, Lalit Bose, Gareth Davies, Joe Ellis-Grewal, Harry Killoran, Josh Knappett (wk), Joe Ludlow, James Newland, Liam Phillips, William Purser, Steven Reingold (c), Matthew Tigg, Jonny Singer (Umpire)

FIXTURES (All T20)

Thursday 27 April:
MCC v Mexico
MCC v Belize (1)

Friday 28 April:
MCC v Belize (2)

Saturday 29 April:
MCC v Panama
MCC v Costa Rica

Sunday 30 April:
Finals Day

For more information regarding MCC Overseas Tours, please click below.

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