Arfan Akram and Simon Fernandes will provide representation from Essex as the Marylebone Cricket Club’s 2023 Overseas Touring Programme concludes with a two-week trip to Kenya.
Akram, who was part of the very first intake into the Essex Academy in 2003 and has played eight First-Class matches for Cambridge UCCE, will lead the group as Tour Manager.
Having also played more than 100 matches for the MCC, he currently sits on the club’s Committee, alongside working as Essex Cricket in the Community’s East London Operations Manager.
Meanwhile, 23-year-old Fernandes, who has represented Essex Second XI and plays club cricket for Colchester and East Essex, will be one member of the 13-strong playing squad.
Captained by former Kent and Leicestershire all-rounder Darren Stevens and featuring three other players with first-class experience, the group will play eight games of varying formats.
Matches, ranging between 20, 30, and 50 overs per side, will take place in the capital Nairobi, Nakuru in the Great Rift Valley, and the south-eastern coastal city of Mombasa.
“We are thrilled to be travelling to Kenya for such a significant tour,” said Akram. “We are looking forward to eight competitive matches against strong opposition.
“It is a fantastic opportunity for this set of Playing Members to represent the Club abroad.
“As with any MCC tour, coaching local children is one of the main priorities of the trip and we have some interesting sessions lined up which are part of several projects in the country.
“It is also fitting that we will pay tribute to the late Simon Prodger, who had undertaken amazing work in Kenya through the EACDT programme.”
Tour Squad:
Arfan Akram (Tour Manager), Adam Ball, Harry Came, Alex Evans, Simon Fernandes, Tushaar Karia, Abhishek Kulkarni, Cillian McDonnell, Charles Page-Morris, Marcus O’Riordan, Darren Stevens, Jack Tector, Finlay Yates, Chris Whittock, Neil Bainton (Umpire).
Tour Programme:
Saturday 04 November: Kenya Kongonis CC v MCC (in memory of Simon Prodger)
Nairobi Club Ground – 30 overs
Sunday 05 November: Kenya XI v MCC
Ruaraka Sports Club Ground, Nairobi – 50 overs
Monday 06 November: EACDT XI v MCC
Jaffery’s Sports Club, Nairobi – 30 overs
Tuesday 07 November: Rift Valley Sports Club v MCC
Rift Valley Sports Club, Nakuru – 20 overs
Friday 10 November: Kenya XI v MCC
Shree Cutchi Leva Patel Samaj Ground, Nairobi – 20 over floodlit match
Saturday 11 November: Kenya XI v MCC
Simba Union Club, Nairobi – 50 overs
Sunday 12 November: Coast Cricket Association v MCC
Mombasa Sports Club, Mombasa – 20 overs
Tuesday 14 November: Kenya XI v MCC
Nairobi Club Ground – 50 overs
