£16,000 Raised for St Michael's Hospice as Herefordshire Take on MCC

18 May 2026   |   By Richard Prime

RAIN brought a premature end to the second match of Herefordshire’s T20 double-header with the MCC at Brockhampton with the county side in with a chance of gaining revenge for defeat in the first match.

But the downpour failed to dent the generosity of those attending with more than £16,000 raised for St Michael’s Hospice.

On a day of heavy showers amidst spells of bright sunshine, Herefordshire came under the cosh early on in the first match as MCC opener J Redshaw pounded 51 from 41 balls with three fours and three sixes.

But the Herefordshire seam attack persisted and the visitors were restricted to 149-8 from their 20 overs.

Roshan Venkataraman turned in an excellent display with the ball, finishing with 4-20 from his four overs and getting good support from Callum Bennett who, as well as taking two catches off Venkataraman, picked up 2-15 from three overs.

James Rudge (1-22) and Theo Barker (1-27) claimed the other wickets.

Venkataraman got the Herefordshire innings off to a good start with 32 but only Bennett (13) and Luke Powell (17) of the rest of the top five reached double figures as the home side slid to 99-5 in the 16th over.

Ollie Rogoff, with a quickfire unbeaten 35 from 22 balls, and Rudge, 16 from 14 balls, tried hard to mount a victory charge, but the home county fell 12 runs short of victory.

When Herefordshire lost three quick wickets batting first in the second match, it was Bennett who led the recovery with 56 from 51 balls.

The all-rounder received impressive support from Powell, 38 from 27 balls, Rogoff (21) and skipper Luke Tulacz as the innings reached 144-7.

Venkataraman (1-26) and Ben Clarke (1-11) snared a wicket apiece before rain ended proceedings with the MCC on 66-2 in the ninth over.

Herefordshire begin their NCCA T20 campaign on Sunday when Dorset are the visitors to Eastnor for the first of four group double-headers.

 CAPTION: Callum Bennett (left) and Roshan Venkataraman received awards for their performances for Herefordshire against the MCC.