Strong Lashings side to face Bexhill
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The team includes legendary West Indies opening batsman Gordon Greenidge and Barbadian fast bowler Tino Best.
Also on the list is former England spinner Monty Panesar, for whom it will be a return to The Polegrove having made a handful of appearances for Bexhill in 2010.
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Hide AdAmong the others are another ex-England spinner in John Emburey, all-rounders Martin Bicknell and Chris Lewis, and former West Indies batsman Kirk Edwards.
The line-up is completed by left-handed batsman Usman Afzaal, the in-form Matt Coles and Charl Willoughby, plus South African Hardus Viljoen, who played one Test against England during the winter. David Smith is team manager and well-known broadcaster Henry Blofeld will be on commentary duties.
The first ever meeting between Lashings and Bexhill will take the form of a T20 match, which is due to start at around 3pm.
Bexhill stand between Lashings and an undefeated season. Lashings are unbeaten all summer and Bexhill are their final opponents.
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Hide AdBexhill captain Johnathan Haffenden said: “It’s an exciting game to be involved in. It’s taken a long time to come round, but what a way to end the season. A lot of hard work’s gone in, fingers crossed the weather stays good.”
Lashings are due to arrive at 10.30am and will help deliver a coaching session for Bexhill’s junior players from approximately 11am.
A lunch involving the Lashings players and corporate guests in the hospitality marquee (which went up yesterday morning) will get under way at 12.30pm. There will also be an auction of memorabilia.
That will be followed by the cricket, which will feature coloured clothing, a pink ball and live commentary, and the subsequent post-match presentations.
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Hide AdGates will open at 11am and ordinary ground tickets will be available to purchase on the gate, priced at £2.50 for adults, £1 for children and £5 for a family of four. Spectators are welcome to bring their own deckchairs.
Thirteen players are expected to feature for Bexhill, although Sam Roberts will stand aside to focus on hospitality duties. Byron Smith and Jamie Wicks will step up from the seconds.
The likes of Hamish Russell, Roberts and Chris Anderson, from Bexhill Cricket Club, have been working hard at the ground throughout the week in readiness for the big day.
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