SOME of test cricket's biggest names are coming to Malton for a match which will help to develop junior players in the town.

Malton and Old Malton Cricket Club is to play the world-famous Lashings XI on Sunday, June 20. The money raised will be used towards the cost of all-weather nets and a bowling machine, which will assist the club's junior cricket development.

It's quite a coup for the Malton club, as Lashings play the majority of their fixtures in the south of England. Contacts provided by Nicky Nixon, the cricket bat maker who is based in Malton, helped to secure the fixture.

Team captain Richie Richardson will lead the Lashings side, while other former test cricketers who could feature include Sherwin Campbell, Stuart Williams, Junior Murray, Franklyn Rose, Vasbert Drakes and Jimmy Adams.

Shahid Afridi, who seven years ago hit the fastest ever one-day century - for Pakistan against Kenya - may also be there, as could Henry Olonga, the Zimbabwean bowler famous for wearing a black armband in the 2003 World Cup, in a protest against Robert Mugabe's regime.

The club hopes to attract about 3,000 people to the ground in Old Malton Road. Malton. The day begins with a junior under-11 tournament at midday followed by the celebrity match at 2pm. The final of the under-11 tournament will be held during the tea interval.

Denis Johnson, club chairman, said: "We're delighted that a lot of big names will be coming here."

Cricket is on the rise at the moment at Malton, with under-11s, 13s, 15s and 18s teams. The club started raising the money for the nets and bowling machine in 2003 and hope that they will be able to start work next year.

Mr Johnson said: "The new facilities will be a big lift for cricket in the town. There's a very strong junior section at the club and we have more people coming down every week."

The fixture follows the success of last year's celebrity match against an Emmerdale XI, watched by about 2,000 people.

For the Lashings match, a steel band will add that Caribbean atmosphere, and there will be a licensed bar, food and refreshments, raffle, tombola, bouncy castle, and face painting.

Entry will be by ticket only, costing £5 (concessions £3) and available from Hoppers of Malton, Will's Bar, and Malton News, or £6 on the gate. Tickets including afternoon tea are on sale at £12.50 - bookings are being taken until June 12. Contact Joy Hudson on (01653) 692223.

The club would like to thank all the sponsors who have helped to get the Lashings match off the ground.

During the last five years, Malton and Old Malton Cricket Club has established a new clubhouse and electronic scoreboard, at a cost of around £300,000, helped by a £167,000 Lottery grant.

Updated: 14:42 Wednesday, June 09, 2004