When they asked Matthew Hoggard to bowl a maiden over, he didn’t know the maiden in question was going to be Olympic legend Victoria Pendleton.
But that was the case as the two sporting stars took part in a charity cricket match between a Strictly Come Dancing XI and the Lord’s Taverners XI at Wormsley Cricket Ground in Buckinghamshire.
Despite former England cricketers Matthew Hoggard and Andy Caddick turning out for the Lord’s Taveners, the Strictly team – which included professional dancer Brendan Cole and former contestant Victoria Pendleton – waltzed their way to victory by 40 runs.
Also in action were Cricket AM presenter Matt Floyd (who top scored with 84 runs) and Location, Location, Location presenter Phil Spencer. The Man of the Match award was presented to Victoria Pendleton, on account of her astounding fielding display and a “not out” on her batting debut.
The Olympic gold-medallist also took a leading role in the pre-match charity auction, modelling one of the Strictly costumes to encourage bids on a tour of the DSI Studios where the dresses are made. The auction eventually raised £10,000 for the Lord’s Taverners charity, which works to help disadvantaged children through sport.
Thanks to sponsorship by publishers Pan Macmillan, spectators were also able to take advantage of a unique tour of the Getty library on the Wormsley estate which houses some of the most valuable books in the world.
And a further sprinkling of stardust was provided by Jamie Oliver’s Fabulous Feasts, who laid on a traditional cricket lunch and tea.
Amongst the famous faces supporting the event was author and passionate cricket fan Jeffrey Archer whose latest Clifton Chronicles novel Be Careful What You Wish For is available now.
