The Mote skipper Tom Harvey jetted off to Canada this week on a two-week trip to help the country’s cricket development.

The 32-year-old all-rounder is part of a 13-strong MCC squad, including former club-mate Tom Parsons, now at Sevenoaks Vine and ex-Cambridge University colleague Tom Webley, who was in the same Light Blues team when Harvey made his only first-class appearance against Middlesex in 2004.

Harvey (pictured) who has also played Minor Counties cricket for Cambridgeshire, got the call several months ago telling him he had been selected, after applying to become a playing member of cricket’s most famous club.

He explained: "You have to play 10 games over two seasons in order to be considered for selection, and I did really well last year scoring three centuries and a 50. I got 160 and bowled well against Cambridge University at Fenners which got me the nod."

It’s his first visit to the country after previous trips to Australia and South Africa, where he played as a club professional.

The party, managed by the Vine’s Steve Salisbury, and skippered by former England batsman Jason Gallian, flew out to Vancouver on Wednesday and will play five 50-over matches and two T20 fixtures, as well as holding coaching sessions in local primary schools.

James Knott, son of former Kent and England wicketkeeper Alan, has been appointed tour umpire.