A ‘WHO’s who’ of international cricket descended on Earlswood Cricket Club when the Lashings cricket team arrived.
Formed in 1984 by David Fold, the Lashings team are known as ‘The Harlem Globetrotters of Cricket’ and bring together a host of former cricketing superstars who tour and play at provincial clubs around the world.
The Lashings World XI brought 11 players from their star-studded squad to Watery Lane for a T20 match and the visitors won by 98 runs.
The team, coached by Gordon Greenidge and led by Phil DeFreitas, includes a host of famous names including West Indies player Tino Best, who at one point was the fastest bowler in the world, and recent England opening batsman Michael Carberry.
A number of the players still regularly play for counties in England’s T20 Blast as well as the Indian Premier League and Australia’s Big Bash.
The day started with a champagne reception for guests before a three-course lunch was served to 300 people and this was followed by an auction and a question & answer session with the Lashings squad.
Alongside the Earlswood players, Gary Maynard from rival team Wellesbourne Cricket Club was also in attendance while 16-year-old Joe Pietrafesa represented the Earlswood junior section.
Australian wicketkeeper Tim Paine opened for Lashings and he top scored with 77, whilst Indian Wasim Jaffer made 46 and Yasir Arafat crashed a brutal 58 off just 16 balls including seven sixes to guide Lashings to 230-5 off their 20 overs. Geoff Brown took an impressive 3-26 off his four overs.
In reply only Joe McGovern with 61 and captain Will Windeatt (25) offered much resistance as the hosts were dismissed for 132 in 19 overs.
Pictures by Harish Chavda (www.dingleimages.com).
