HENRY BLOFELD CRICKET

The boisterous Henry Blofeld is back behind the microphone to commentate on a cricket match for the first time since retiring from Test Match Special, last year.

 

His irrepressible love for cricket buoyed the BBC team through 45 years of exuberant fund and we will hear that unmistakably sonorous voice ‘orchestrating’ this special match at Fenner’s.

 

The T20 match will be between a Cambridge University President’s XI captained by Zafar Ansari, Cambridge University and England, and a Royal Anglian Regiment XI, captained by Lt Col David Carter. Players will be drawn from 1st class clubs and include some well known names.

 

Marking the centenary of the end of World War I the match will be a fund-raiser for the Royal Anglian Regiment Benevolent charity that takes care of the needs of soldiers, former soldiers, their families or dependents and the bereaved from the current and precursor regiments across East Anglia. It is a fitting charity for this centenary year when cricketers from Cambridge, Henry’s home county of Norfolk and across the country laid down their bats, pulled stumps and went into battle. 

Henry is delighted to return to Fenner’s where he played for Cambridge University in the 1950s as an undergraduate at King’s College. ‘I was an opening bat, of sorts,’ he said, modestly describing himself as ’the worst Blue awarded since the War’. He did, fittingly, score a first class century at Lord’s against the MCC.

 

Guest of honour on the day will be the ‘Majestic’ Majid Khan who won his Blue when at Emmanuel College (1969-72) and went on to captain Pakistan. Majid was considered one of the best batsmen in the world who tore apart any bowling attack not least the towering West Indian fast bowlers of that time.

 

Food carts providing delicious meals will be dotted around the outfield. There will be a champagne tent, a wine truck and a beer tent and tea, no doubt.

 

An auction of cricketing memorabilia will include a Pakistan sweater generously donated by Majid, himself and a bat, donated by Grays of Cambridge that will be signed by the celebrities and the players.

 

Henry’s hugely successful book ‘Over and Out’ will be on sale and he will sign copies.

 

We anticipate a few surprises on the day, as well.

‘You haven't heard my final 'my dear old thing' quite yet," Henry has said. Who would have guessed that one would be at Fenner’s and for this worthy cause.