Tino Best bowling for the Lashings World XI against Plymouth in 2017<br>credit: Contributed

ONE of the highlights of Exeter CC’s bicentenary celebrations takes place next week when the Lashings World XI pay a visit to the County Ground.

Some former Test stars fade away gracefully; others carry on entertaining as members of  the Lashings World XI squad, which has been doing just that for more than 30 years. Lashings are following in a long-established tradition of invitation sides made-up of past and present professionals playing exhibition games against club sides.

Cricket fans with long memories will remember the Whitbread Wanderers and the International Cavaliers, who were regular visitors to Devon in the 1950s, 60 and 70s. Garry Sobers, John Snow and Geoff Boycott were among the star names spectators flocked to see.Flashback! North Devon's Dan Bowser (right) receiving the MoM award after his team defeated Lashings back in 2009

Modern-day cricket lovers in Devon will be able to watch some familiar household names in action one more time when Lashings arrive at the County Ground on Thursday, June 20.

Although no team has been named yet, this season’s Lashing’s squad is jam-packed with cricketing talent from the 70s through to almost the present day.

Venerable old cricketers such as West Indian legends Gordon Greenidge, Courtney Walsh and Sir Curtley Ambrose rub shoulders with former England stars Ryan Sidebottom, John Emburey, Chris Lewis and Martin Bicknell on the squad list.

This season’s Lashings captain is former England all-rounder Chris Schofield. The team he will be taking to the County Ground is likely to include former Somerset favourites Andy Caddick and James Hildreth, alongside Walsh, Ambrose and Saqlain Mushtaq.

Lashings are infrequent visitors to the South West, although they have been sighted at Plymouth (2017) and North Devon (2009) CCs in the past.

North Devon famously defeated Lashings by six-wickets in a last-over finish thanks to an unbeaten 85 from Dan Bowser. He is pictured (right) being presented with a MoM memento by New Zealand international Chris Harris,

Tickets are still available for the game, which gets under way at 4pm. Gates open at 3pm. A 30 per cent discount is available for Tolchards DCL players, officials and supporters who book on-line. 

Go to link www.eventcreate.com/e/ecc-lashings-2024 and use discount code DCL30.