LAST year saw Ben Rhydding Cricket Club achieve its Centenary year and despite the pandemic, the club were able to stage a highly successful and well attended whole of club event in September.

However, the plan had always to been to invite the Lashings World X1 to play a home-grown BRCC X1, and so the Centenary celebrations are set to continue as the two teams finally meet each other on Friday 1st July.

The Lashings X1 will be captained by Martin Bicknell, and Ben Rhydding skipper Sam Tattersall is under no illusions about the size of the task his players will face on the day, but is hoping that youth will overcome reputation on the day! The Lashings X1 is brimful of talent and includes the likes of Ryan Sidebottom, Chris Lewis, Phil Mustard, Chris Scofield and Devon Malcolm.

Fans of Love Island will not be disappointed either as series seven islander Hugo Hammond, himself a former England Physical Disability cricketer, at 26 years, and by far the youngest member of his squad, will line up for the visitors alongside one of England’s best off-spin bowlers, now 69 years young, John Emburey. In a commentating capacity, Henry Blofeld will also be in attendance, as will one of the game’s greatest opening batsmen, and this years Lashings ambassador, Sir Gordon Greenidge.

Proceedings get under way at the Coutances Way ground (LS29 8AW) at 11am with a junior coaching session for IGS and Ben Rhydding Primary School students, and this is followed by a marquee charity luncheon for 300 guests at 12.30pm. The response from club members, the community and the corporate sectors has been phenomenal - and there are just a handful of places remaining, so please contact Robin Snook for more details: (robinsnooky@gmail.com)

Snook said: "General admission is from 3pm, with the T20 match due to start at 4pm….and all are welcome. (The car park will be busy, so using public transport, or walking to the ground is advisable). The club will be running a BBQ, and the bar will be open all day as well. Admission is free, but adults will be asked to make a donation, with all proceeds going to towards new covers."