The Napa Valley Cricket Club (NVCC) will host its eighth annual “World Series of Cricket” match this coming Saturday, July 20 from 10am at the Napa Valley Expo in downtown Napa. The match marks the halfway point in the clubs 2019 season and will be played on the Midway Green, on the western side of the Expo. As ever the game will be hotly contested as the Rest of the World (RoW) team of members look to wrestle back the trophy won convincingly in 2018 by a strong American & Australian (AA) team.
The NVCC uses their annual World Series match to showcase the game and encourages locals and visitors alike to come watch, and learn about, the game. Cricket is played in over 100 countries worldwide and close to home the game has a strong and passionate following in the South Bay.
“It’s our big day out each season” said NVCC president Rob Bolch, an Australian, of the World Series match “and we’re expecting a well contested match with almost all of our playing members available for the match. A number of new members will get their first taste of our World Series day when the community comes out to enjoy a day of cricket in downtown Napa. On a personal level I’m excited for the World Series this year as we’ll be debuting the collab brew that my business, John Fearless, worked on with our friends at Stone Brewing. The Wicketkeeper as it’s called will be perfect summer sipper to enjoy while watching a great day’s cricket.”
New Zealand born Bernie Peacock captains the RoW team for the 2019 match and he has strong pool of players to choose from. “We have a great team for the 2019 World Series.” says Peacock “And we come into the World Series with a number of those players having played well in recent club matches. That being said we know that the Australia / America team will up their game for what’s always a fiercely contested match. Off the field I’m really excited to be playing the match at the Expo in downtown Napa as a number of family and friends will be coming along for the day to enjoy the spectacle and have their kids enjoy the supervised kid’s activities like the bounce-house and water slide.”
Australian spin bowler Brendan Helme will be captaining the AA team in 2019 and he’s looking forward to the challenge of retaining the trophy. “The World Series day is a big one for the club each season but my focus will be on making sure that our boys are on their game on the big day. We put a lot of time and effort into making the day lots of fun for all of those who come to watch and we’re looking forward to giving local something to cheer about.”
The toss for the game, to decide who bats or bowls first, will take place at 10.15am with the Master Brewer from Stone Brewing, Steve Gonzalez. performing the task. Gonzalez recently collaborated with NVCC sponsor John Fearless on a special beer for the club, The Wicketkeeper, which will be debuted on World Series day.
Commentary on the game will be provided by American born NVCC member Jared Thatcher in the company of Australian Scott Curwood and Englishman Alan Montague. During the innings lunch break and during drinks breaks, explanations of the game and its rules will take place at the “pitch” area in the middle of the ground.
Admission is free for the day with food from club sponsor NapaSport Steakhouse and refreshments from 19 Crimes Wine and Stone Brewing on sale. An instant cellar drawing with wine worth in excess of $2000 will take place both at the lunch break and at the end of proceedings to raise money for the club. Tickets will be on sale on the day for $5 each or $20 for five.
World Series Match Day Details
FREE ADMISSION
Saturday 20th July 2019 from 10am – 4pm (approx.)
Midway Green, Napa Valley Expo, 575 Third St., Napa, CA 94559