MCC and The Cricketer are again joining forces to highlight the exceptional work being carried out across the country by volunteers in cricketing communities.

The Cricket Community Champion Award is now in its third year. Its objective is to find the true heroes of club cricket, who often go unsung despite their relentless work to help bring communities together using cricket as a medium.

The winner of the award will be invited to a day of Ireland’s eagerly anticipated Specsavers Test match against England at Lord’s, the Home of Cricket, which begins on 24th July. Nominations are now open with entries invited up until 7th June.

As part of a truly unique experience including full hospitality for the day, the winner will enjoy the great honour of ringing the five-minute bell to signify the imminent start of play.

They will join a list of cricketing greats who have had this honour, including Garry Sobers, Clive Lloyd, Rahul Dravid, Ricky Ponting and Kumar Sangakkara.

Our 2017 winner was Julia Farman. From coaching, scoring and fundraising, from Dunstable to Rwanda, Julia, from Bedfordshire, inspired with her boundless enthusiasm.

Chris Mainstone won out last year for his work with the junior section at Ketton Cricket Club in Rutland over a 14 year period.

The search is now on for a winner this year.

Guy Lavender, MCC Chief Executive & Secretary, said: “I am thrilled that MCC has joined forces with The Cricketer magazine once again to make this award. Without the tireless, unrelenting contributions of the thousands of unsung heroes around the country, the recreational game simply could not survive.

"I look forward to welcoming the winner in July for the England v Ireland Test Match. Ringing the five-minute bell in such a prestigious match, the first of its kind between the teams at Lord’s, will be an experience I am sure they will never forget.”

Guy Evans-Tipping, chief executive of The Cricketer, said: “Grassroots cricket relies on the help of volunteers who contribute their time and energy to ensure the recreational game thrives and is available to as many people as possible.

Through this special partnership with MCC we are able to reward one such contributor to thank them for their tremendous work, and give them the chance to emulate some of cricket’s most legendary names – by ringing that iconic bell at Lord’s.”

If you know somebody at your club, school, community, university who you feel fits the bill, please go to our website and nominate them below.

Nominate here