Bell and Billings announced for Festival of Cricket

The Professional Cricketers’ Trust has announced the first set of players that will contest the second edition of the charity’s Festival of Cricket.

This year’s event takes place on Friday 29 July with the PCA England Legends taking on a Kent XI, with the day being held in memory of former Kent legend Alan ‘Iggy’ Igglesden.

Both teams have announced some worldwide names that will be playing in the T20 fixture. Former England batter Ian Bell and Kent skipper and England wicketkeeper Sam Billings bring plenty of international pedigree to their respective teams.

Representing his country in 118 Test matches, Bell knows a thing or two about playing for England. With more than 13,000 international runs and five Ashes wins, the former Warwickshire man brings plenty of experience to the side.

The inventive Billings has made a name for himself in the shorter formats of the game, scoring more than 4,400 runs in T20 cricket across the world, as well as representing his country across all formats on 63 occasions.

Former Kent and England favourite Geraint Jones will represent the England side against his former county. Playing in 34 Test matches and being part of the infamous 2005 Ashes winning side, Jonesy brings a vast knowledge of the game to the PCA England team.

With more than 450 career wickets, the England side will be captained by fast-bowling all-rounder Alex Tudor, many will remember him for his batting accolades in 1999 when he scored 99 not out as night-watchman against New Zealand at Edgbaston.

Opening batsman Daniel Bell-Drummond will also be representing the Kent side. ‘DBD’ had a fantastic 2021 finishing as top batter in the Vitality Blast MVP Rankings and second on the overall table to Vitality Blast Player of the Season, Samit Patel.

Jordan Cox and Jack Leaning will join their current teammates on the day. In 2020 they broke the record for the highest partnership for any wicket for Kent with an unbeaten 423 in the Bob Willis Trophy.

They both have pedigree in the shorter format of the game as well. Cox won the Match MVP in last year’s final scoring 58 not out off just 28 balls as Kent won the Vitality Blast and who can forget his superman-like effort in the field with ‘that’ catch. Leaning has shown his T20 skills already this season picking up the Match MVP for his 72 not out against Somerset.

The Festival of Cricket returns to Wormsley in Buckinghamshire for a day of T20 fun, sun, food and drink all in memory of Iggy.

Doors open at 10am, followed by a warm-up T20 fixture an hour later, with a showcase match between the PCA England Legends and a Kent XI rounding off the day.

Tables in the VIP marquee are also available, and you can contact our Head of Fundraising Bee Ford at bee.ford@thepca.co.uk for more information.

The Trust supported Iggy and his family during the final years of the former Kent man’s life, and continues to support PCA members and their immediate families thanks generous donations.

Former England batter, Ian Bell, said: “I’m really excited for the Festival of Cricket at Wormsley in July this year. It’s going to be a great opportunity to raise money for a fantastic cause in the Professional Cricketers’ Trust, all whilst remembering an inspirational man.”

Kent Captain, Sam Billings, said: “It’s going to be a great day of fun for all involved but most importantly we’ll be raising funds in memory of Iggy. We saw the incredible work the Trust did in supporting Iggy and his family and this is why the work the players’ charity does is invaluable. The more money we can raise for the Trust, the more they can help current and former players that are in desperate need.”

Follow the Professional Cricketers’ Trust on Twitter and Instagram with more player names to be announced in due course.

More information on the Trust and make a one-off donation to the players’ charity.