PORTLAND Red Triangle captain Matt Randell says the upcoming Twenty20 fixture with Lashings Allstars Cricket Club is a “fantastic opportunity” to boost cricket in the local area.

Randell will lead his side out for the match at Reforne on Friday, August 4 (4pm) and excitement is starting to build after Lashings announced their squad for the match.

The headline acts include cult hero and former England international spinner Monty Panesar, former West Indies’ trio Tino Best, Gordon Greenidge and Kirk Edwards plus the likes of ex-England stars Devon Malcolm and John Emburey.

And Randell told Echosport the occasion promises to be a “once in a lifetime” match.

He said: “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for people so we thought ‘let’s make a big day out of it’.

“Given the opportunity, people in the club were quick to book it and we were training quite hard over the winter knowing we had this game, which has helped us this season.

“We’re the second club in Dorset to host a Lashings game after Bournemouth and probably the first this end. We have had a lot of people getting excited about it which is great. Anything we can get to boost cricket is a fantastic opportunity.”

On the prospect of facing some of cricket’s most famous names, Randell said two players stood out for him.

“Definitely Monty Panesar and Tino Best. Those are the two most modern, recent players. When I was growing up watching cricket Monty was playing for England. It will be nice to face Monty and Tino, but I’ve got more chance of hitting Monty about than Tino!” he said.

Part of the event sees the Lashings players hold a coaching session for youth players and Randell, who works at IPACA, says the day will help raise awareness of cricket with youngsters.

He said: “I’m working at IPACA and promoting it, getting loads of kids aware. Just trying to promote cricket to youngsters was something we’ve been trying to do at the club for the last few years. I’m also teaching cricket and lots of people who have come to our coaching sessions are excited about it. They have heard of the names and are really excited about them.”

Lashings squad: Gordon Greenidge, Tino Best, Martin Bicknell, Chris Schofield, Charl Willoughby, Chris Lewis, Monty Panesar, Devon Malcolm, John Emburey, Kirk Edwards, Wasim Jaffer, Usman Afzaal