Kent all-rounder Marcus O’Riordan has been selected to represent Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) as it resumes its overseas touring programme.

MCC is hosting a Spirit of Cricket T20 Tournament at the Desert Springs Cricket Ground in Almería, Spain later this week, with O’Riordan being coached by another Kent T20 Champion, 2007 cult hero, Yasir Arafat.

O’Riordan was on the field as a substitute fielder when Kent Spitfires secured the 2021 Vitality Blast title on 18 September, and also took 1-18 to help Kent towards their most effective T20 bowling performance in history – bowling Middlesex out for just 80 at Lord’s using an entirely new squad due to COVID isolation.

Also amongst the touring group travelling to Spain this week is Tunbridge Wells Cricket Club’s Christian Davis.

Founded in 1787, MCC is recognised as the sole authority on the game’s Laws. There are approximately 18,350 Full and 6,000 Associate Members of MCC, a Club that owns Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, dubbed the ‘Home of Cricket’.

The men’s Spirit of Cricket T20 tournament will bring together four European countries to participate – Austria, Germany, Italy and Spain, with MCC providing two strong squads and assisting with coaching sessions.

Overseas tours are a crucial part of MCC’s commitment to the global game and over the past 18 months, both their men’s and women’s touring programmes have been on hold due to the complications of overseas travel caused by COVID-19.

The tournament will be split into two separate stages – with MCC, Germany and Italy playing each other between 13 and 15 November, before Austria and Spain arrive in Almería to play a new MCC team between 17 and 19 November.

Kent’s Grant Stewart will not be featuring for Italy in these matches, which are not classed as IT20s.

MCC Assistant Secretary (Cricket and Operations) Jamie Cox said: “Overseas touring is a vital part of the Club’s commitment to the growth of the global game, and we are thrilled to be able to restart our touring programme with this tournament in Spain.

“The quality of cricket will be of a high standard and bringing these nations together to face each other, and MCC, will be of great benefit to all involved. It also provides another opportunity for our Playing Members to represent the Club.”

MCC squad to play Germany and Italy:

• Yasir Arafat (Manager/Coach)
• Chris Swallow (Captain)
• Aman Bailwal
• Mike Coles
• Jamie Crawley
• Christian Davis
• Scott Galloway
• Fionn Hand
• William Hardie
• James Newland
• Marcus O’Riordan
• Tharindu Perera
• Toby Pettman
• Robert Peyton
• Ian Ramage (Umpire)
• Brian Rodwell (Scorer)

MCC’s schedule at Almería in full:

• Saturday 13 November: MCC vs. Germany
• Sunday 14 November: MCC vs. Italy, MCC vs. Germany
• Monday 15 November: Italy vs. MCC
• Wednesday 17 November: MCC vs. Austria
• Thursday 18 November: Spain vs. MCC, MCC vs. Austria
• Friday 19 November: Spain vs. MCC