Ghana prepares for international cricket friendlies

Accra, Feb. 2, GNA - The Achimota Oval and the Accra Polo turf are being put in shape by the Ghana Cricket Association (GCA) as the country prepares feverishly to host the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) from the United Kingdom in a series of international friendly matches. The turfs are being leveled and the grasses mowed down while the arenas are also being painted for the weeklong friendlies, which are due to kick-start on Wednesday, January 11, at the Achimota oval. According to the programme copied the GNA Sports, the MCC will also organize a coaching clinic for the Ghanaian officials as well as practice matches for the young ones on Thursday, January 12 at the Achimota School Oval.

The visitors will engage the senior national team in two fierce battles on the 13th and 14th at the Achimota Oval and the Accra Polo Turf respectively while engaging the Chairman's eleven on the 15th and 17th.

The MCC, responsible for making the laws of cricket, is the world's most famous cricket club. They will depart for Gambia for a similar exercise on Wednesday, January 18, and are also billed to tour Morocco in October this year.

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

Being 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.