EAST Lancashire chairman Mark Lomas is helping to spread the cricket gospel and is currently donning the famous ‘egg and bacon’ blazer of the MCC on a tour to Argentina.

The 42-year-old is a long-standing member of cricket’s most famous club and is a regular in domestic games for them during the summer.

And now Lomas, who built a reputation as one of the best middle order batsman in league cricket and still turns out for the Lancashire League outfit, is part of a 15-man MCC squad for a tour of six games in 13 days including three matches against the Argentinian national side.

The MCC touring party, which will be captained by former Ireland cricketer Alan Lewis, also includes three current county professionals, Warwickshire all-rounder Darren Maddy, and Somerset duo, opening bowler Steve Kirby and wicket-keeper Steve Snell.

In addition to playing six matches, the MCC touring party will deliver a special coaching session for primary schools, and will present an umpiring seminar, to assist with the ongoing development of cricket in Argentina.

Speaking about the tour, MCC head of cricket John Stephenson said: “I am delighted that MCC is touring Argentina again this year. “The club has a very long and strong relationship with the Argentine Cricket Association, and I know how important MCC’s visits are for the continued development of cricket there.

“Cricket has a wonderful history in South America, however, the men’s national side has struggled a bit on the international scene recently. I hope therefore that this tour will help to reinvigorate the game, and in particular that the coaching session will inspire the next generation of cricketers in Argentina.”

Cricket has been played in Argentina since 1806, when the sport was first introduced to the nation by British soldiers. The national side made its first international appearance against Uruguay in 1868, and Argentina’s inaugural First-Class match was against MCC in 1912.