PCA Masters v West Indies Arundel Castle Cricket Club Tuesday 26th June
Tuesday 26th June saw the PCA Masters take on the West Indies in a Twenty20 match at the beautiful Arundel Castle Cricket Club in Sussex. A crowd of around 5000 people,, including the guests of the PCA turned up to watch the West Indies beat the Masters by 56 runs in an encounter that precluded the NatWest International Twenty20 match against England at the Brit Oval. This match is part if a season of around 20 PCA Masters matches that this year are sponsored by Sodexho.
Rain in the days leading up to the event had placed doubts on whether the match could be played but the day dawned sunny and clear and the crowd began to flock in when the gates opened at 1:30pm. The guests of the PCA in the hospitality tent were treated to a champagne reception followed by a relaxed buffet lunch after which Alec Stewart, Nick Knight and Shivnarine Chanderpaul entertained the marquee guests with their thoughts on the day's game and the international series. The guests dug deep to raise valuable funds for the PCA Benevolent Fund through a raffle and an auction with some fantastic prizes.
Meanwhile on the pitch, local school children were given the opportunity to train with some of the PCA Masters themselves as part of the PCA in the community scheme. 60 children were coached by Foster, Clarke, Schofield and captain Nick Knight, giving them a chance to meet and pick up tips from their heroes.
As 5:30pm drew closer the rain cleared and the full 40 overs were able to be played. The West Indies won the toss and elected to bat first finishing on 198 with the loss of just one wicket at the end of their twenty overs. The West Indies fielding was excellent and left the Masters all out for 142 with the West Indies taking the trophy by 56 runs.
The PCA Masters would like to thank all those who supported the day with special thanks to the Duke of Norfolk and the team at Arundel Castle Cricket Club for all their hard work. Thanks are also due to the PCA Masters Sponsors Sodexho, Associate sponsors VW and Hilton, Cockspur Rum, Boundary Sports and Links of London.
PCA Masters XI v West Indies
Nick Knight (captain), Warwickshire & England
Nathan Astle, New Zealand
Robin Smith, Hampshire & England
Rikki Clarke, Surrey & England
James Foster (WK), Essex & England
Azhar Mahmood, Surrey & Pakistan
James Middlebrook, Essex
Chris Lewis, Leicestershire & England
Martin Bicknell, Surrey & England
Chris Schofield, Surrey & England
Dean Headley, Kent & England
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