Leicestershire all-rounder Neil Dexter will captain MCC on a two-week tour of Nepal, starting on 12 November.
Dexter, who recently moved from Middlesex to Grace Road, will lead a squad of 13 players on the trip, with former England international Martin Saggers travelling with the group as umpire.
MCC will play six games during the tour, including a two-day and a 20-over match against the Nepal national team. They will also play against Nepal B and U19 teams.
Five fixtures will be played in Kathmandu, and the group will also travel west to Pokhara for a 50-over match against Pokhara CC.
The squad will visit areas affected by the earthquakes and will run coaching clinics with local youngsters – who will not have access to elite coaching and whose facilities have been severely damaged.
“This is one of the most important tours in the Club’s history”
The tour had been under review after this year’s earthquakes, but was confirmed by MCC Head of Cricket, John Stephenson, after a short fact-finding visit to Nepal in October.
This will be the third time MCC have toured Nepal. The first visit was in March 2003, when the itinerary included four one-day matches in Kathmandu.
MCC won three, including a last-ball victory over the Nepal Under 19 side. The second tour of Nepal took place in March 2009 and was captained by former England international, Min Patel.
John Stephenson said: “MCC have been touring overseas for many years but I think this is one of the most important in the Club’s history.
“Cricket’s popularity in Nepal has been growing significantly in recent years, and after the trauma the country has been through this year, the sport has become a relief to many local people.
“It is fantastic that MCC is able to contribute towards that and I am confident that this group of players will be excellent ambassadors both for the Club and English cricket.”
Neil Dexter added: “It is a great honour to be selected as captain of an MCC squad, and I’m really looking forward to the tour.
“I’m particularly excited about playing against some of the best young cricketers in Nepal and being a part of the growing passion for cricket that exists there.
“The squad and I also have an important responsibility in representing MCC and the Club’s Spirit of Cricket values both when playing and coaching local youngsters – something which I’m sure everyone will thrive on.”
MCC Squad
| Name | Role |
| Colin Maber | Tour Manager |
| Neil Dexter | Captain, Leicestershire CCC |
| Liam Redrup | Somerset CCC |
| George Adair | Hampstead CC |
| Steve Clark | Hampstead CC |
| Storm Green | British Army CC |
| Scott McKechnie | Hartley Country Club CC |
| Michael Coles | Corsham CC, Wiltshire CC |
| Alex MacQueen | Valley End CC |
| Alex Senneck | Westbury & District CC, British Army CC |
| Ben Shepperson | Mildenhall CC |
| Richard Wilkinson | Alderley Edge CC |
| Chris Lawlor | St Fagans CC |
| Greg Holmes | Cardiff CC, Wales MC |
| Martin Saggers | Umpire, Kent |
Itinerary
| Date | Fixture | Venue |
| 14 November | MCC v Combined Full & U19 Nepal XI (50 overs) | Kathmandu National Stadium |
| 16 November | MCC v Pokohara CC (50 overs) | Pokohara CC |
| 18 November | MCC v Combined Full & Nepal U19 XI (50 overs) | Kathmandu National Stadium |
| 20 November | MCC v Nepal B (50 overs) | Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground, Kirtipur |
| 21-22 November | MCC v Nepal | Kathmandu National Stadium |
| 23 November | MCC v Nepal (T20) | Kathmandu National Stadium |
Article credit to www.lords.org
