MCC To Take On MPs To Promote Chance To Shine

MCC To Take On MPs To Promote Chance To Shine

Lord's will host the game between the MCC and Lords and Commons

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MCC will play against Lords and Commons at Lord’s on Friday 10th June.  It will be the first time that the Home of Cricket has hosted this annual fixture since 12th July 1939. 

MCC will be led by the former Kent and England all-rounder, Matthew Fleming, whose team includes Clare Connor, the former England Women’s captain.  James Morris MP, who has played first-class cricket for Oxford University, captains a cross-party Lords & Commons team that also features the Minister for Sport, Hugh Robertson MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander MP and the Shadow Chancellor, Ed Balls MP. 

The match will be followed by a reception in the Long Room, to raise awareness of ‘Chance to Shine supported by Brit Insurance’, the Cricket Foundation’s initiative to reinvigorate state school cricket.  Throughout the day, approximately 100 children from Chance to Shine schools will compete in a Kwik Cricket Tournament on the Nursery Ground. 

Matthew Fleming, who sits on the MCC Committee, said:

"MCC, through the MCC Spirit of Cricket campaign, is a big supporter of Chance to Shine, which does great work in introducing cricket to hundreds of thousands of children each year.  With widespread political support for Chance to Shine, it seemed fitting to return the MCC v Lords and Commons fixture back to Lord’s after such a long absence in order to highlight the excellent work of the charity."

James Morris MP said:

"I am very much looking forward to what should be a great day. Hopefully both teams can provide some good entertainment to help raise awareness of Chance to Shine."
 
The Minister for Sport, Hugh Robertson MP, said:

"Chance to Shine is the Cricket Foundation’s fantastic charitable campaign that encourages young people from all backgrounds to take up cricket. I hope that as many cricket lovers as possible will come together to raise the profile of this terrific cause."

MCC can boast 36 victories in this annual fixture; Lords & Commons eight, with 21 drawn matches.  Lords & Commons Cricket Club were last successful in 2003.

The Ground Admission charge for the MCC v Lords & Commons match on Friday 10th June is £5 for adults, £2.50 for adults over 65 and free admission for children under 16.  Gates will open at 10am. 

The Lords & Commons team to play MCC is:

James Morris MP (captain)
Danny Alexander MP
Nigel Adams MP
Ed Balls MP
Crispin Blunt MP
David Gauke MP
Matt Hancock MP
Jo Johnson MP
John Redwood MP
Hugh Robertson MP
Rob Wilson MP
 
England Women’s cricketer, Beth Morgan, who coaches in Chance to Shine schools, will present the prizes to the winners of those taking part in the Kwik Cricket tournament:

Cromer Road School, Barnet
Christchurch C of E School, Barnet
St Mary’s & St Peters CE Primary school, Richmond
Fulham Prep School, Fulham
Merryhills Primary School, Enfield