Earlier this week I once again picked up my bat as part of the Lords and Commons Cricket Club.
We played as part of a charity Festival of Cricket at Pudsey to mark the 40th anniversary of the momentous Headingley test match against Australia, when England snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. The series later became known as Botham's Ashes - he followed up his 149 not out at Headingley with a spell of 5 wickets for 1 run at Edgbaston, and another superb century at Old Trafford, as England came from behind to win the series 3-1.
The team also attended a charity dinner at Headingley on the previous evening, with most of the surviving England XI from 1981 present as guests of honour. It was great to chat to Sir Ian as well as other big cricketing names such as Sir Geoffrey Boycott, Graham Gooch, David Gower and Mike Gatting.
The dinner and game were in aid of Ian’s Beefy's Charity Foundation, which helps to fund specific projects relating to chronic illnesses and other challenges that young people face.
On the day, we were well and truly beaten by The Lord's Taverners - a fabulous cricket charity, dedicated to bringing the game to disadvantaged and disabled youngsters. However I did manage to improve on my previous outings for the team, scoring 27. The video is the local ITV coverage of the event.