Marske ready to host Yorkshire for first time in 12 years

The club are playing host to the one-day Second XI Trophy game between Yorkshire and Derbyshire (noon start).

It is the first time the north-east club, who play in the North Yorkshire South Durham League, have held a Yorkshire match since 1999, when they staged a fixture between Yorkshire and Durham. Marske were awarded today’s game earlier in the year and are hoping for a big turnout at the Windy Hill Lane ground.

One of the key driving forces behind the match being taken to Marske was Simon Guy, the former Yorkshire wicketkeeper who played in that AON Trophy win in 1999.

Guy, who made a handful of first team appearances for Yorkshire earlier this season as an emergency wicketkeeper, is the Marske professional for the season.

In preparation for the match, the club showers and changing facilities in the pavilion have been refurbished with the generosity of local trades people and building suppliers under the guidance of club stalwart Keith Bramwell.

Marske club president Ian Bernard commented: “Without the help and hard work of our local trades people and suppliers, the community project would not have been possible, and both local and national politicians should look at what we have achieved here at Marske as a blueprint for their ‘Big Society’.

“There is a real buzz around Marske at the present time, brought about by the local people uniting together for a common goal. We are really looking forward to welcoming back the supporters, players and officials of Yorkshire County Cricket Club.”

Gates at Windy Hill Lane open at 11.30am and admission is £1 for adults and 50p for concessions.

Local schoolchildren can attend free of charge.

Refreshments will be available all day and there is free parking at the ground.

Yorkshire will be looking to bounce back from a heavy defeat in their last Second XI Trophy outing.

They went down by 169 runs to Unicorns A at Todmorden.

Unicorns batted first and scored an imposing 290-8 from their 40 overs.

It was too much for a Yorkshire team, who crashed to 129 in reply in 29.1 overs, Alex Lilley top-scoring with 45.

The seconds return to the north-east for another Trophy fixture next Monday when they play Durham at Darlington.

Their next home game in the competition is against Lancashire at Bingley on July 25.