MCC took a 13-man squad, led by former Glamorgan batter Steven Reingold, to represent the Club in Bulgaria last month.

The tour began with two T20 fixtures against Sofia Stars and Spartan CC. George Sandbach was the standout performer in the first match, scoring 102 to help MCC post 221 before the hosts were dismissed for 163 as Jack Doyle and Jaisreet Bajwa took three wickets each. 

The Club won the second fixture thanks to 130 from Michael Cafferkey, aided by an unbeaten 70 from Sandbach, and 52 from Reingold.

A third consecutive 50+ score from Sandbach (65) helped the Club to their third victory in as many matches, defeating local side Vihren Pak Falcons in a rain-affected match by 51 runs. 

The following day, the Club played the Bulgarian national side, winning by 49 runs with O'Driscoll again picking up three key wickets to secure victory. A clean sweep was accomplished with a 189-run win over Bulgaria in the final match. 

Bulgaria are ranked 87th in the ICC men’s T20 International rankings, and were most recently in international action in July, when they won a T20I triangular series with Gibraltar and Turkey, beating the Gibraltarians in the final by eight wickets on home turf in Sofia.

Off the field, four members of the touring squad met with Vessela Letcheva, President of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee, to discuss the future of cricket in Bulgaria. Conversations focused on establishing structured coaching programmes and improving facilities across the country. 

The Club’s partnership with the country was strengthened by the kind gift of a plaque from the committee dedicated to MCC President, Lord King.