Brandon Moyo
The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), custodians of cricket’s laws and proud owners of Lord’s, are set for a groundbreaking tour of Zimbabwe next week — their first in the modern era.
The 13-man squad, captained by Glamorgan batter Will Smale, will be in the country from 6 to 15 October, playing seven matches across formats, including a rare three-day first-class game.
The touring party is stacked with talent. Essex wicketkeeper Simon Fernandes makes the cut alongside Kent’s leg-spinner Mo Rizvi, who debuted in the English County Championship this September. Scotland international Jasper Davidson is also in, while left-arm quick Joseph Davies impressed enough in the MCC Young Cricketers programme to earn a spot.
The rest of the squad features Sam Arthurton, Daniel da Costa, Alistair Frost, Michael Frost, Darren Ironside, Billy Mead, Ben Allison and Matt Wareing. The team is managed by Gloucestershire’s Owen Dawkins, a former MCC Young Cricketer. Former England bowler Martin Saggers will officiate as the club’s umpire.
The action begins at Kwekwe Sports Club with back-to-back T20s and a 50-over clash against Rhinos. The highlight will be a three-day showdown with Zimbabwe A at Old Hararians Sports Club before the curtain closes with three T20s against the Zimbabwe Academy at Takashinga Cricket Club in Harare.
Fixtures at a glance
• Oct 6: Rhinos v MCC (2x T20s, Kwekwe)
• Oct 7: Rhinos v MCC (50-over, Kwekwe)
• Oct 10–12: Zimbabwe A v MCC (3-day, Old Hararians)
• Oct 14: Zim Academy v MCC (2x T20s, Takashinga)
• Oct 15: Zim Academy v MCC (T20, Takashinga)
