22 Mar 2024
Some of the legendary names of international cricket will be coming to St Albans to do battle with our homegrown heroes.
Old Albanian Cricket Club will be playing the Lashings International Cricket Squad, dubbed ‘The Harlem Globetrotters of cricket’, on June 28.
Squad announcements will be popping up in stages over the next few weeks but those already committed include: late ‘90s England legend and the first-ever specialist one day international captain Adam Hollioke; the inventor of the Doosra and spin bowler with 288 wickets for Pakistan in ODIs and internationals and 208 in test matches, Saqlain Mushtaq; and one of the greatest opening batsman to have played the game, scoring over 7,500 test runs for West Indies, Sir Gordon Greenidge.
The event. which will be compered by Henry Blofeld, aims to raise money for local mental health charity Youth Talk, which provides free, confidential counselling to 13-25 year olds in St Albans district.
The touring Lashings squad will be at Woollam Playing Fields on Harpenden Road for the whole day, starting in the morning with some coaching and training session with local youngsters.
Director of cricket Simon Bates said: “We are thrilled to be welcoming the renowned Lashings World XI, featuring a full team of international cricket legends to St Albans. Sir Gordon Greenidge, Saqlain Mushtaq, Adam Hollioake, to name a few will be taking to the Woolams pitch to face an OACC select XI.
“Preparations are in full swing and all hands on deck to make this an unforgettable cricket spectacle. Plenty of refreshment stations, a mouth watering food court and entertainment from some of the greatest names to have played the game at the highest level.
“Get ready to witness an epic showdown and cheer on our very own Old Albanian Cricket Club as they take on the mighty Lashings World XI.”
A large marquee will host a three-course lunch with complimentary wine alongside Lashings players and wrapped up with a live auction.
Following this will be the main event, a Twenty20 match between an Old Albanian XI and the Lashings XI featuring world famous cricketers, with a pre-match toss conducted by St Albans MP Daisy Cooper.
The game will be supported by a food court and pitch-side bars and entertainment.
As well as the cricket, the OACC shirt sponsor – BTCC race team EXCELR8 Motorsport – will be displaying the official 2024 Hyundai BTCC race car alongside 2022 BTCC champion Tom Ingram.
Tickets are limited so book now to save your place via the following link:
