Ex-England cricketer set to appear at Bury club’s first ever international match - all because of a chance meeting
A community cricket club in Bury is getting ready to host its first ever international match, with a former England player set to make an appearance.
Elton Cricket Club will stage a masters cricket match between England Lions 60s Cricket and West Indies Masters this Fathers’ Day.
Roland Butcher, who became the first black player to represent England in 1980, is expected to attend the game, a historic occasion for one of the town’s oldest cricket clubs.
Members are now rallying round to host their prestigious guests, with junior players set to form a guard of honour.
It was all by chance this match will be taking place, Elton committee member Mark Burns, who plays for the club, was holidaying with wife Kim and son Luke when he received a call asking if he could fly to Italy to help a cricket team that was one player short for its game against the Vatican Cricket Team.
He said: “It was an opportunity I couldn’t miss, without question, so we jumped on a plane and went to Rome. I got talking with Paul Bradley, the manager of England 60s Cricket and, when he found out we were associated with a cricket club, he asked if we’d be interested in hosting a match.”
The game will happen this Sunday and see England Lions 60s Cricket team take to the field for a 45-over match against the West Indies Masters side. Roland Butcher is the vice president of the Seniors County Championship, and will be a guest of the club, which is hoping as many people as possible will attend. Entry is free for spectators and there will be food and drinks available.
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Chairman Warren Hornby said: “We’re delighted to be welcoming the England Lions and West Indies teams to Leigh Lane and hope the community will come and join us for this historic event.”
He said: “Bringing international cricket to Elton Cricket Club has really captured the imagination of all of our members, who are rallying round to make sure the day is a huge success. Clubs like ours couldn’t function without the support of volunteers and it seems fitting that people have been working tirelessly to prepare for our visitors during Volunteers’ Week.”
Adding: “It should be a great day with some fantastic cricket played, a real community occasion, and we’d like to thank the teams for giving us the opportunity to show what Elton Cricket Club can do.”