Andy Flower to captain MCC

2004-03-31 20:18

London - Former Zimbabwe captain Andy Flower will lead the MCC against Sussex at Lord's in a revival of the traditional curtain-raising fixture to the English season, MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club) v The Champion County, it was announced here on Wednesday.

Flower, who now divides his time between English county Essex and Australian state side South Australia, effectively ended his international career in dramatic style at last year's World Cup.

Before Zimbabwe opened their tournament in Harare, Flower, together with black pace bowling team-mate Henry Olonga, issued a statement lamenting the "death of democracy" under the regime of President Robert Mugabe.

Both players wore black armbands when they took to the field.

Flower was recently appointed an honorary life member of MCC and will captain their team in a four-day, first-class match which starts at Lord's on Friday, April 9.

In its heyday the fixture, which was last played in 1991 when the game was drawn against Middlesex, was often viewed as an unofficial Test trial for aspiring England cricketers.

And MCC said in a statement that its side had been selected "after consultation with England selectors".

Adding to the official stamp of approval, MCC's team wil be managed by England selector and Academy coach Rodney Marsh, the former Australia wicketkeeper.

SA born batsman

Among those included are Alex Gidman, captain on England A's winter tour to India and South African-born batsman Kevin Pietersen whose performances on that trip cemented his status as an England prospect once his qualification period ends.

Announcing the team, MCC head of cricket Tony Dodemaide said: "The game should also give the England selectors, whose advice was sought when we put the team together, a good opportunity to study the early season form of those players who may feature in their future plans."

MCC team: Andy Flower (Essex, capt), Alex Gidman (Gloucestershire), Alastair Cook (Essex), Robert Key (Kent), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Kevin Pietersen (Nottinghamshire), James Foster (Essex, wkt), Graham Napier (Essex), James Tredwell (Kent), Sajid Mahmood (Lancashire) Steve Kirby (Yorkshire)

12th man: Adam Harrison (Glamorgan)

- AFP