Suffolk duo’s unforgettable tour

October 24, 2025

TWO Suffolk cricketers have returned from an unforgettable tour to Zimbabwe.

Darren Ironside and Matt Wareing, who both represent Suffolk in the NCCA competitions, were selected for the MCC in a 14-strong squad that included some first-class cricketers.

They played a mixture of first-class, 50-over and T20 matches, with Darren playing in all seven fixtures while Matt featured in the first four before picking up an ankle injury.

Ironside (above right) was awarded man-of-the-match across the opening two T20 matches against the Rhinos, scoring 64 not out off 56 balls in a four-wicket loss and 24 not out off 22 plus taking 1 for 17 in a six-wicket win.

Wareing (above left) took 1 for 27 and 2 for 18 plus a catch in both of those games before dismissing Ben Curran, who has just scored 121 for Zimbabwe in their Test victory against Afghanistan, for a second time in the abandoned 50-over game against the Rhinos.

In the Test match that followed versus Zimbabwe ‘A’ Wareing had returned figures of 7.2-3-15-2 before he was injured as the match ended in a draw.

Ironside, who plays his club cricket for Mildenhall, took a wicket and a catch in the Test and did the same in the two-wicket T20 loss to Zimbabwe Academy.

He then took two catches in the eight-win win in a T10 match against the same opponents and claimed 2 for 37 and scored 12 in a 23-run T20 success versus Zimbabwe Academy.

The 30-year-old, who is now back in Adelaide for the Australian season, said: “The tour was such a rewarding experience both on and off the field.

“It was a little daunting at first being in a tour squad containing several current professional cricketers, but that feeling soon subsided.

“I feel extremely fortunate to have been given the opportunity to represent the MCC and play cricket in another country. As well as play an extremely high standard of cricket, it was great to meet new people, experience a different culture and have the opportunity to make some unforgettable memories.”

He said highlights included playing the first-class fixture versus Zimbabwe ‘A’ and to do it alongside Wareing made it even more memorable, as well as scoring 24 not out and 64 not out in the first two games against the Rhinos to win the MOTM award.

He said of his performances: “I am probably my own harshest critic at times. It was extremely pleasing to be awarded MOTM following the first two T20s against the Rhinos domestic team, and to contribute consistently throughout the tour.

“I would have like a few more runs and wickets in the first-class game against Zimbabwe A. I felt I managed to make a positive impact in most matches, whether it was with the bat, ball or in the field.”

Wareing, 31, said: “The overall experience was the stuff dreams are made of, from the reception we had from Zimbabwe Cricket and the Tourist Board giving us cultural cloth on arrival, to the people we met and how they accommodated us everywhere we went, we felt like international cricketers or film stars at times!

“From a personal point of view my best playing achievement was finally making a first-class match appearance and then taking my first wicket by bowling their opening bat – to see off stump out of the ground is something I will never forget.

“Playing in the game against nine internationally capped players and competing well against them from a personal and team point of view made us very proud, as I think the MCC was with the team’s performances across the tour.

“On the whole I was pretty happy with my personal performances, although there are always areas and moments where you feel you can do better, but getting Ben Curran out twice and taking 2 for 15 in a first-class match is something I’m very happy with.

“Even batting for 40 balls on half a leg and holding an end up trying to help the team get more of a score, I can look back on and be very happy with.”

 

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