Hurley gets MCC call-up for Spanish tournament

CHARLIE Hurley of Oakham CC has been selected to represent Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) as it resumes its overseas touring programme.

The club is hosting a Spirit of Cricket Tournament at the Desert Springs Cricket Ground in Almería, Spain, this week, and batsman Hurley is part of the touring squad.

The men’s T20 tournament will see four European countries participate – Austria, Germany, Italy and Spain – with MCC providing two strong squads and assisting with coaching sessions.

Overseas tours are a crucial part of the club’s commitment to the global game.

But over the past 18 months, both the men’s and women’s touring programmes have been on hold due to the complications of overseas travel caused by Covid.

The club had been due to visit the Czech Republic, Nepal, Spain and Uganda in 2020, having already toured Argentina and Pakistan in the early part of the year before the pandemic took hold.

MCC assistant secretary (cricket and operations) Jamie Cox said: “We are thrilled to be able to restart our touring programme with this tournament in Spain.

“The quality of cricket will be of a high standard and bringing these nations together to face each other, and MCC, will be of great benefit to all involved.”

The two MCC squads are made up of players who represent the club throughout the course of the year.

Chris Swallow and Thomas Rash are the captains of the respective sides, who will be managed by Yasir Arafat and Paul Davidge.

Marcus O’Riordan, of Kent, and Steven Reingold, who played for Glamorgan this summer, are among the players involved.