Lashings put on a star show for Eversley (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Lashings put on a star show for Eversley

1:20pm Friday 19th June 2009 in

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INTERNATIONAL cricketers Graeme Hick, Devon Malcolm and Phil DeFreitas were among the stars in action at Eversley last week.

Players with a wealth of top-level experience turned out for the Lashings World XI, entertaining a large crowd as they beat the village club by 142 runs.

Hick, who came to the wicket with 41,112 first-class and 22,059 one-day runs to his name, was the star attraction. However, he could only make 26 before being bowled by Australian Rhys Jones, Eversley’s overseas player.

Another Australian, all-rounder Ian Harvey, who had opened the batting for Northamptonshire in the Twenty20 Cup the previous week, played the day’s major innings, making 75.

Zimbabwean internationals Brendan Taylor and Grant Flower played cameo roles, as did former New Zealand star Chris Harris, as Lashings ended on 234-7 from their 35 overs. Grant Whelan was Eversley’s most successful bowler, taking 2-28.

The home side’s batsmen knew they were in for a tough time against Lashings’ pace trio of Malcolm, who took 128 wickets in 40 England test appearances, DeFreitas, another former England international, and Surrey star Mohammed Akram.

However, while these three did not give many runs away, they were only able to take two wickets between them. It was former England off-spinner Peter Such who offered more threat to the Eversley batting line-up, taking four wickets while conceding just six runs as the village side succumbed for 92.

Henry Blofeld, a familiar voice from the BBC’s Test Match Special team, was the match commentator, while guests in the hospitality marquee enjoyed the superb singing of Henry Olonga, the Zimbabwean pace bowler.

Eversley president Andrew Renshaw said: “Lashings produced a spectacular day’s entertainment for everyone, both on and off the field.

“They coached many of our club’s 235-strong colts section in the morning to give them a day to remember, hosted lunch tables in the marquee, and then gave a fine exhibition of their cricketing skills in the afternoon.

“Once again, the Lashings stars have proved great ambassadors for the game and we were privileged to host them at Eversley.”