Smallwood joins MCC tour of Canada (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Harry Smallwood of Bradford & Bingley joins MCC tour of Canada

5:30pm Monday 9th July 2012 in Sport By Sports Desk

Bradford & Bingley all-rounder Harry Smallwood is in a 14-man MCC squad heading to Canada this week for the club’s second overseas tour of the year.

Smallwood is part of a diverse squad, which comprises MCC members from across the country, who will play in five 50-over matches and two Twenty20 fixtures during the 14-day trip.

The tourists, led by former England Test batsman Jason Gallian, will pit their skills against a range of invitational teams, each selected from the top club sides in Canada.

They will also deliver three special coaching sessions for local primary schools, before the tour culminates with a coveted fixture against a Canada Select XI at Toronto Cricket Club on Sunday, July 22.

MCC head of cricket John Stephenson said: “I am really pleased that Harry has been selected for this tour and I am certain that he will be a great ambassador for the club.

“While Canada boasts a rich cricketing heritage, there is undoubtedly vast potential and opportunity for the further development of the sport across the nation.

“The infrastructure now employed by Cricket Canada has set the foundations for this growth to occur and it is evident that there is a lot of ambition and passion in the ranks to make this expansion happen.

“I am delighted that the MCC can continue to support the ongoing development of cricket in Canada and I hope that the 2012 touring team will provide challenging opposition and help to raise playing standards among Canadian sides.”