Spriegel off to Tanzania with MCC

By Paul Bolton, County News Correspondent

Northamptonshire’s new recruit Matthew Spriegel will be off to Africa tomorrow for a 12-day tour of Tanzania with the MCC.

Batsman Spriegel, who signed for Northamptonshire from Surrey last month, is one of 13 playing members of the tour party who will play two 50-over and two Twenty20 matches against local opposition before a two-day match against the Tanzania Cricket Association in Arusha.

Also on the trip will be Northamptonshire’s Ireland international wicketkeeper Niall O’Brien who will depart for Tanzania with his county future uncertain.

O’Brien has a year remaining on his contract at Wantage Road but he has been given permission to talk to other counties. Leicestershire are understood to have made O’Brien a contract offer but nothing has been signed.

Other members of the MCC squad include former Pakistan A captain Kashif Ibrahim and former Loughborough MCCU all-rounder Richard Wilkinson, who plays for Barnt Green in the Birmingham & District Premier League.

“Tanzanian cricket is currently moving through a phase of significant growth and development and I am delighted that MCC can continue to support this progression,” said John Stephenson, the MCC head of cricket.

“We have selected a strong touring party, including several player with first-class and international experience, so I hope that the MCC team will provide challenging opposition and help raise playing standards amongst the Tanzanian players.”

Cricket was first introduced to Tanzania by British settlers in 1890. The nation was granted Associated Membership of the International Cricket Council in 2001 and from  2008 until this year Tanzania have competed in Division Four of the ICC World Cricket League.

But they finished sixth in this year’s tournament and were relegated to Division Five for the 2014 event. MCC last toured Tanzania in 2007 when they won all seven of their matches.

Date: 10/10/2012 10:00:00 by Paul Bolton
In: Today | Surrey | Northamptonshire |