MCC Centre of Excellence to be opened on December 15

MCC's post-Tsunami fund-raising efforts will culminate on Saturday 15th December with the official opening of the MCC Centre of Excellence and a new, purpose-built cricket ground and training facility in Hikkaduwa, near Galle.

MCC will celebrate the opening of these facilities by holding a special Twenty20 match and a three-day, MCC Spirit of Cricket Challenge camp for local primary school children - the first time MCC's grassroots initiative has taken place overseas.

Over o650,000 was raised by MCC through a specially arranged cricket match at Lord's in June 2005 that featured 22 of the world's best players.

Charities and organisations to benefit included the British Red Cross, Leonard Cheshire, Sri Lanka Cricket and The Foundation for Goodness (a charity supported by Muttiah Muralitharan).

An MCC delegation, lead by Club President, Mike Brearley and Secretary & Chief Executive, Keith Bradshaw, will fly out to Sri Lanka to oversee proceedings.

Mike Brearley said: "I am very much looking forward to seeing these post-Tsunami recovery projects. I was heartened by the response of MCC Members and public alike when the one-off fund-raising match was arranged in 2005 and am pleased that, as a result, we could help to rebuild an area that was greatly affected by the events of December 2004.

"With a remit to help to develop the game worldwide, it will be fitting that surrounding all this activity will be an MCC Spirit of Cricket Challenge camp, in which - you never know - our coaches might unearth the next Murali or Malinga."

Keith Bradshaw added: "Many important and worthwhile causes have benefitted from MCC's fundraising and vital facilities have been built, repaired or improved as a result. Equally important for MCC is to ensure a long-lasting, positive legacy is left in the region. This is why monies have been set aside for the ongoing maintenance costs of the MCC Centre of Excellence and cricket ground in Hikkaduwa - to ensure that both projects can thrive now and in the future.

"In addition, it will be great to see Test cricket return to the wonderful Galle stadium. I look forward to seeing the action knowing that MCC has played its part in making it happen."

Events on Saturday 15th December will begin when Mike Brearley officially opens the MCC Centre of Excellence at 10.30am.

At midday, MCC and their guests will make the short journey to the Sri Sumangala College Cricket Ground to open the new facility and oversee the first day of the MCC Spirit of Cricket Challenge Camp.

The Challenge Camp - delivered by TomTom nation, the specialist grassroots agency - will be attended by 120 children from local state schools, who will be given a fun introduction to the game and taught the basics. Members of the England and Sri Lankan Test squads will be on hand to join in and provide coaching tips to the children.

Finally, at 1.30pm, Keith Bradshaw will lead an MCC XI against a local Sri Lankan XI in a celebratory Twenty20 match. MCC's team will include former Sri Lankan Test Cricketers Aravinda de Silva and Sidath Wettimuny.