A NESTON Cricket Club player has been called up to represent one of the most famous teams in the game.

Chris Finegan is in Argentina preparing to play for MCC, the world’s most active cricket-playing club and the owner of Lord’s.

The MCC are playing six 50-over tour matches, including three against the Argentina national team.

Neston and Cheshire player Finegan forms part of a 15-man MCC touring party, which will be captained by former Ireland cricketer Alan Lewis. Finegan, of Eastham, will also get the opportunity to play alongside three current county professionals – Warwickshire all-rounder Darren Maddy, and Somerset duo Steve Kirby and Steve Snell.

MCC head of cricket John Stephenson said: “I am really pleased that Christopher has been selected for this tour, and I am certain that he will be a great ambassador for the club.

“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 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.

A strong relationship has existed between MCC and the Argentine Cricket Association ever since.

Following a couple of days of acclimatisation and training, the tour began with a match against a President’s XI at St George’s College in Buenos Aires on Saturday.

MCC won by 17 runs, with Finegan contributing a useful 25no at the end of the first innings to take his side to 201-8. He finished with 0-25 in the second innings.

The three-match series against Argentina tomorrow, at Hurlingham Club.

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

MCC will also be touring the Cayman Islands, France, Cyprus and Uganda and Rwanda in 2013.