MCC has found 11 new Community Cricket Heroes after a month long, nationwide search to uncover the unsung heroes of grassroots cricket.

Launched in 2023, MCC’s Community Cricket Heroes campaign, which is run in conjunction with The Cricketer magazine, celebrates the grassroots game and the thousands of people who dedicate their time to support cricket in their communities.

Now in its third year, another team of 11 heroes have been selected. A judging panel, which included Ricky Reynolds (Head of Programmes, MCC), Dr Sarah Fane (Director, MCC Foundation), Arfan Akram (MCC Committee), Huw Turbervill (Editor, The Cricketer) and Nav Gahonia (2024 Community Cricket Hero), reviewed many applications from across the UK, before deciding on a final XI, each of whom will be invited to Lord’s for a day in the prestigious President’s Suite this summer.

The heroes will be invited to a day of either the England v India women’s One-Day International in July, a London Spirit double header fixture in August, or the England v South African men’s One-Day International in September.

The two previous years of the campaign have seen 22 Community Cricket Heroes be named and invited to be guests of former MCC Presidents Stephen Fry and Mark Nicholas.

The 2025 MCC Community Cricket Heroes are as follows:

Abdul Raouf Raja (Deane & Derby CC – Greater Manchester)

Having been associated with the club since 1963 and instrumental to the instigation, development and growth of the club, Raja has led the vision to set up a junior section which has become a key part of the club’s future.

Barry Raynor (Westcott CC – Buckinghamshire)

Raynor has provided 60 years of service to Westcott CC, including being the club groundsman for the past 30-40 years and continues to work at the ground 4-5 days a week whilst in his mid-80s.

Clare Ludlow (Crouch End CC – London)

Dedicating up to five hours daily, Ludlow has transformed the junior section into a thriving, inclusive, and professionally run grassroots cricket programme. She has pioneered international charitable cricket tours and significantly expanded women and girls’ cricket.

Jenny Count (Dulwich CC – London)

Count tirelessly manages multiple age groups, founded Dulwich Dragons, a soft ball cricket team, to increase access to cricket for state school children and helped to create a great sense of community within the club.

John Wright (Dorridge CC – West Midlands)

Wright led on a project to create a second ground and pavilion at Dorridge CC whilst keeping the team motivated at all times through his enthusiasm. He improved the sustainability credentials of his club by installing solar panels and arranging for 200 trees to be planted around the ground.

Joe Crossley (Mersey Rose Recreationals CC – Merseyside)

Aged 89, Crossley is one of the oldest active cricketers in the UK, having dedicated 49 years to Rainhill Cricket Club. He established Mersey Rose Recreationals in 2023, a club created to focus on inclusion and diversity.

Len Enoch (Wanstead & Snaresbrook CC – London)

Over 30 years of service, Enoch has helped to grow junior membership from 100 boys to over 300 boys and girls and has been instrumental in re-establishing women’s cricket and championing EDI policy.

Natasha Bourke (Dunmow CC – Essex)

Bourke set up a women’s softball team from scratch, where there was previously no provision for girls or women’s cricket and has now built a squad with more than 39 women training each week.

Phil Lewins (Abbots Langley CC – Hertfordshire)

By actively promoting cricket in his visits to girls’ schools, Lewins has been crucial in developing girls’ and women’s cricket, welcoming women new to the sport and did it all while caring for his terminally ill wife, supporting the club with unwavering dedication.

Samreen Begum (Berkswell CC, Moseley CC – West Midlands)

Begum has dedicated her time and energy to breaking down barriers that prevent girls, especially from South Asian backgrounds, from accessing cricket. She founded the women and girls section at Moseley CC, offers 1-to-1 coaching, trains multiple teams, organised and funded an Iftar event, all while studying for a University degree.

Walter Brotherton (Perranarworthal CC – Cornwall)

Well known locally as an unsung hero of grassroots cricket, now in his mid-80s, Brotherton looks after the village cricket ground and prepares the pitch for all adult and junior teams.

All of the above will be the special guests of MCC President Lord King at Lord’s to watch a day’s play later this year from the prestigious President’s Suite.

MCC President Lord King commented:

"It has been a privilege to be a part of the MCC Community Cricket Heroes campaign and read all about the incredible individuals doing wonderful things for the grassroots game and their communities.

"I am really looking forward to welcoming them all to Lord’s later this year and hearing about all the remarkable work they are doing."