AFTER a gap 119 years, Selkirk Cricket Club is once again preparing to play a fixture at Philiphaugh against Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the world’s most active cricket club.
The previous match took place in 1904, when the Souters faced an MCC XI captained by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the famous writer and creator of Sherlock Holmes. The game was drawn, with Conan Doyle opening the batting and finishing second-top scorer with 35 runs.
This year’s historic contest takes place on Sunday, August 6, when the visiting MCC side will include a trio of Scotland internationalists – Fraser Watts, Stuart Davidson and Jack Jarvis – and will be captained by Grange CC’s Andy Wilson.
“It’s certainly going to be a red letter day for the Selkirk club,” said chairman Neil Gentleman, “and everyone at Philiphaugh is looking forward to it.
“The players have enjoyed competing for the first time in East League Division 2 this season, and to their credit have been managing to hold their own at this higher level.
“On Sunday the club is laying on a lunch for both teams, and a short presentation ceremony will take place after the match. We’re hoping as many members as possible will come along on the day for what should be an intriguing contest.”
Selkirk’s ranks will be bolstered by a handful of guest players, including former Scotland and Yorkshire all-rounder John Blain and ex-Selkirk skipper John Everitt.
The MCC was founded in 1787 and continues to play a pivotal role in advising on the laws of cricket, and promoting the game across the UK and globally. The club has 18,350 full and 5,500 associate members.
This year MCC is playing over 560 matches against schools, universities and clubs in the UK, plus more on its overseas touring programme. The club has over 3,000 active cricketers, and 21 of the MCC’s fixtures this summer take place in Scotland.
Selkirk’s match against the MCC will be a 40-over contest, and takes place at Philiphaugh this Sunday, August 6 (12 noon start).
MCC squad – A. Wilson (capt.), F. Watts, E. Keenan, S. Davidson, P. Maksimczyk, M. Sharp, J. Thompson, P. Ritchie, K. McLaren, P. Deakin, J. Jarvis, B. Davidson.