Heathcoat land fixture with Lashings to launch Cricket Festival

Lashings on a visit to North Devon in 2009

SOME of the best-known names in world cricket over the last generation are heading for Tiverton this summer for a benefit match.

The Lashings World XI will be playing Heathcoat at Knightshayes on Thursday, July 27 in a T20 game.

Over the past 30 years Lashings CC has grown from a pub team in Kent into a star-studded side packed with Test players of the recent past and sometimes the present.

The old boys’ list includes Sachin Tendulkar, Alvin Kallicharan, Jimmy Adams, Rashid Latif, Wasim Akram, Allan Donald and Sir Viv Richards.

The current squad list includes players of the calibre of Tino Best, John Embury, Devon Malcolm, Gordon Greenidge, Michael Carberry, Adam Hollioake, Phil DeFreitas, Ian Harvey and Monty Panesar.

Heathcoat don’t know yet who will be representing Lashings in the charity match, but whoever they are will have star quality.

“Players drop in and out of the team on a regular basis, but all their players are well known and there will be plenty of stars on show,” said Heathcoat chairman John Smith.

Heathcoat officials are expecting a lot of interest in the game and have already started preparations.

Hospitality packages – lunch with wine and a seat overlooking the match in a professionally serviced marquee – have just gone on sale

“A table of 10 is £500 – and there will be some tables with one of the Lashings players on, which will cost a bit more,” said Smith.

“There will be beer tents on the ground and take-away food available.”

Heathcoat’s day with Lashings is the first part of a mid-summer cricket festival at Knightshayes.

The fun will start in the morning when the Lashings players stage coaching master classes with local youngsters.

“It is part of the Lashings ethos to spread the word of cricket,” said Smith.

Before the match gets under way it is hoped to play a junior tournament on the ground with teams invited from clubs in the Tiverton area.

Friday sees more junior cricket at Knightshayes.

Saturday’s Devon League Premier Division game will be followed by live entertainment in the pavilion.

Sunday has been set aside for an eight-a-side pub tournament based on the Last Man Standing format.

Richard Cabburn is the man to contact for table reservations. 

There are sponsorship opportunities throughout the festival from the Lashings match onwards. Contact Smith