Andover host Vaughan’s legends
August 30, 2012
ANDOVER Cricket Club took to the field in a one-off fundraising game on Bank Holiday Monday. Andover faced some very special opposition – the NatWest Legends XI, captained by legendary
England captain Michael Vaughan. After losing the toss and being put in to bat, the NatWest Legends made 139-8 off their 20 overs. An explosive start saw the top three – Chris Schofield, Mal Loye and Legends’ captain Vaughan – each scoring over 30 runs.
Andover made 107-7 in reply, Mark Copleston top scoring with 30. Andover captain, Jonty Hadfield, was chosen as the NatWest
Legends Man of the Match after taking three wickets for 19 runs in his four overs.
His scalps included Alex Tudor, who once made 99 not out for England as a nightwatchman, and wicket-keeper-batsman Paul Nixon, who was out for a duck.
“It’s always nice to win,” said Michael Vaughan.
“It wasn’t easy, Andover gave us a very good game, but today wasn’t just about the result.
“The real focus was on helping to raise valuable funds towards the redevelopment of the club and that’s been achieved thanks to the hard work of the club’s volunteers and support of the local community.”
Jonty Hadfield added: “It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience to be able to play against Michael Vaughan and the NatWest
Legends.
“The guys were great fun on and off the pitch, and it was a pleasure to host them – but of course it would have been nicer if we’d beaten them too.”
The match was part of a day of activities organised by the club, and heavily supported by the local community and businesses, to raise the funds that they need to reinvest into their future development.
Philip Knight, Andover CC chairman, commented: “We’ve had a marvellous day with the NatWest Legends – not just for the club, but also the local community.
“Players from other clubs in the area have come along to watch while people who have never come along before have had a brilliant time here and we hope that they come back.”
The match was the second of a three-match series being played across the country this season, organised by long-running supporter of cricket, NatWest.