Sixteen year-old Martin Fearon has gained selection to represent the most famous club in cricket when he tours India with the Marylebone Cricket Club. Martin will travel all expenses paid with a MCC Schools U17 team to play in the Spirit of Cricket Festival in Chandigarh held from the 27th March to 7th April.
The trip will see young cricketers from New Zealand, The Punjab, Sri Lanka & India, as well as the MCC compete in a series of matches, some of which will be held at the Mohali Test Match Stadium. The trip will be punctuated by practice, lectures by ex-Test players on subjects such as Captaincy and cultural visits around Chandigarh & Mohali. The new festival aims to develop young players’ ability to play in a different cricketing environment against players from other countries, whilst fostering a deeper appreciation of the Spirit of Cricket, which the MCC is world famous for.
From Phil Nicholson, Master i/c Cricket at King’s, also Northumberland CCC captain, MCC member (and MCC Schools 1992!):
“It is a fantastic opportunity for any player to go to play in the sub-continent, which is seen as the heartbeat of world cricket. Indeed for Martin the experience should be even greater as he bowls spinners and India is usually kindest to players of his type. Selection for the side is a rich reward for his dedication to the sport he has displayed since joining King’s seven years ago. His cricket is already at an exciting phase as he has recently signed for The Durham Cricket Academy and he has been part of several national squads over the past couple of seasons. I sure he will make the most of this wonderful chance the MCC has given him and use it, as he aims to be a full-time professional in the next few seasons.”
Picture: Martin Fearon and Phil Nicholson
