MCC is touring Zimbabwe this October, with a strong 13-man squad named for the trip, the first time that the Club has toured the country in the modern era.

The squad, which will be captained by Glamorgan batter Will Smale and includes nine players with first-class and/or List A experience, will depart Lord’s for Harare, where they will play seven matches of varying formats – including a three-day first-class match - across the trip which lasts a fortnight.

Skipper Smale was a regular in Glamorgan’s Metro Bank One-Day Cup campaign this summer, scoring an unbeaten century against Surrey at the Kia Oval, whilst Ben Allison was part of the Worcestershire Rapids side that won the competition recently, beating Hampshire at Trent Bridge in the final.

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 is 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 in the T20 format.

Rob Lynch, Director of Cricket & Operations at MCC said, “We are pleased to be touring a full member nation as part of our overseas programme this year, with a focus of this trip on elite performance. This is an exceptionally talented squad, with several players who are excelling in the domestic game and others that have 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 from the scheme.”

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

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).