From Lord's to Luxembourg

An MCC women's team today leave Lord's for a trip to Luxembourg as part of MCC's extensive touring programme. Managed by Norma Izard and captained by Coral Handley, the team will play three matches against Maidens Cricket Club - which is celebrating its tenth anniversary - at Walferdange.

Sir Tim Rice, the MCC president, said: "With MCC having 50 female players, and this tour including the 50th match to be played by its women's teams, the club has quickly established itself as a major force in women's cricket."

He added: "We are delighted that our women's teams are playing an increasingly important role in the playing programme of MCC. With their help, MCC remains the world's most active cricket-playing club."

Since the start of the year, MCC's touring programme has already taken its teams to countries ranging from Nigeria to Nepal. In total, the teams play around 450 fixtures every year.

The touring party leaving for Luxembourg is:

Norma Izard (Manager) Kent Nomads
Coral Handley (Captain) Middlesex / Gunnersbury
Alison Bruce (Asst. Manager) Sussex / Brighton & Hove
Emma Beamish Surrey / Merrion / Shepperton
Ursula Frost Hampshire / Royal Navy / Portsmouth
Amy Joynson-Hicks Dukesmead
Julie May England / Kent / Oprington Nomads
Sian Price Hampshire / Brighton & Hove
Michele Quayle Lancashire / Middlesex / Dukesmead
Marilyn Smith Middlesex / Dukesmead
Carole Ward Middlesex / Gunnersbury / Dukesmead
Natalie Williams Warwickshire / Birmingham
Stephanie Williams Middlesex / Dukesmead CC
Brian Canniford (Umpire) Devon Dumplings

Women's cricket will next be played at Lord's on Wednesday July 2, when the Nursery Ground will host the Varsity Match (sponsored by Singer & Friedlander Investment Management) between Oxford and Cambridge. Admission will be free.

For further information, please contact:

Iain Wilton Head of Communications 020 7616 8520 iain.wilton@mcc.org.uk

Clare Skinner Press & Public Affairs Officer 020 7616 8522 clare.skinner@mcc.org.uk