MCC has made nine signings to help boost its Young Cricketers' squad for the 2006 season.

The new signings - seven men and two women - include Montoin Hodge (an all-rounder from the British protectorate of Anguilla), Kate Oakenfold (another all-rounder, and a former England U-19 player) and Michael Pedersen (a left-handed batsman who has already played for Denmark).

The new players will help to strengthen the MCC team that will play, for the second successive season, in the Second XI Championship.

MCC’s Head Coach, Clive Radley (the former Middlesex and England batsman, right), said:

“I'm very pleased with the squad we’ve assembled for the coming season. MCC had a very promising first year in the Second XI Championship, but we wanted to keep the momentum going this year. With some impressive signings, I believe that our Young Cricketers will more than hold their own on the county circuit.”

MCC’s Head of Cricket, John Stephenson (the former Essex, Hampshire and England all-rounder), said:

“MCC’s track record of producing professional cricketers is very impressive, and the Club’s investment in the scheme is considerable. The Young Cricketers are given every opportunity to make a career out of the game, benefiting as they do from a superb coaching set-up, overseas tours, training camps and unrivalled facilities at the ‘Home of Cricket’. With additional support and education at the City of Westminster College, MCC's Young Cricketers receive great personal, as well as cricketing support to develop their all-round talents. With an outstanding playing programme, including matches in the 2nd XI Championship, they will have every chance to impress county and even international selectors over the coming season.”

Former recent MCC Young Cricketers include Hamish Marshall (New Zealand), Rikki Clarke (England, right), Darren Sammy (West Indies), Nicky Shaw (England women) and Alex Gidman (England 'A).

MCC's 2006 squad of 21 Young Cricketers consists of eighteen men and three women. The men’s squad includes Will Gidman (brother of Alex, right), Simon Roberts (voted player of the series during the recent England v South Africa indoor competition) and two cricketers – Jonny Hughes and William Porterfield - who will begin the season playing for an MCC University (Loughborough and Leeds / Bradford, respectively).

Of the female Young Cricketers, Caroline Atkins is a current England player and featured on the tour of Sri Lanka and India at the end of 2005.

To see the 2006 MCC Young Cricketers' fixture list click here