Ghana play host to MCC

Accra, Feb. 2, GNA - Ghana's senior national cricket team play host to the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) from the United Kingdom who are scheduled to arrive in the country next Monday for a weeklong international friendly matches scheduled for the Achimota Oval and the Accra Polo Turf.

Aside Ghana, the MCC, which is responsible for making the laws of cricket and is the world's most famous cricket club will also engage Gambia in the same month and Morocco in October as part of its tour of some selected countries in the year.

The MCC, founded in 1787 became the controlling body of the sport as well and its most popular venue until it was taken over by the International Cricket Council.

And in order not to lose its grip and accolade as the "mother" of cricket, the MCC, as part of its yearly itinerary selects few countries around the globe to engage in some matches, as well as help develop the sport especially among young people.

A year after its formation, the MCC laid down the code of laws, requiring the wickets to be pitched 22 yards apart and initiated how players could be given out.

These laws were adopted throughout the game and MCC today remains the custodians and arbiter of laws relating to cricket around the world. Ghana will be using these matches as preparatory tools to defend their West African crown and to prepare for the 2007 World Cricket Championship qualifiers in South Africa.