Penrith Cricket Club celebrated their 150th anniversary in style as they welcomed some of England’s finest cricketers from the recent past.

Penrith’s first-team were given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play against a PCA Masters team, which included the likes of Andy Caddick, Mal Loye and Saj Mahmood.

England batted first and posted 187-3 in the 20-over clash, Caddick top-scoring with 71. After a gallant effort, Penrith closed on 147-6, Mikey Hay top-scoring with 46.

Former Durham bowler Steve Harmison was one of the biggest names at Penrith’s Tynefield Park and praised the club on reaching their 150th birthday this year.

“I was here a couple of years ago doing a dinner and I spoke to Andy Hall (Penrith chairman). He said they were looking for some sort of way to mark 150 years,” said Harmison.

“Neil Fairbrother assures me that 150 years ago this place was thriving. We have come along and it’s a great event. Kids have flown in and it’s great. A very, very good event.

“It is a great achievement to have been going for 150 years. It just shows you that players, professionals, committee members, all things like that, come and go but the club will always stay. – 150 years is a long time. They have kept the place going, kept it thriving and long may it continue.”

Mahmood explained the work the PCA charity does to support ex-professional cricketers.

“The PCA looks after people like me who have finished and retired from playing cricket,” said Mahmood.

“We just play these sort of events for charity and to help players in the grassroots to come through, really. You don’t get to see players that have played international cricket play much at club grounds, and that is what PCA do.

“We go around the country, playing against clubs and getting families involved and watching, which is now very rare. This is a massive part of the grassroots stuff. They encourage that massively.

“Obviously, at the same time, they help us guys who have finished cricket and don’t play as much now, to get back out.”

Lots of children and families watched the match and Ryan Sidebottom was pleased to see so many youngsters at the event.

“You want to talk about the younger generation taking up the sport and playing cricket and watching their heroes,” he said.

“To do that, it is really great. So, to be here today on a great occasion, there are loads of young kids around, we’re signing autographs and stuff. It’s brilliant and great for the club as well.”

On playing again, he added: “To see guys you have played with, and against, for many years, and to be here mingling and talking to people about their stories, everything is really great.”

Penrith chairman Andy Hall was delighted at how the event panned out, with a decent crowd watching the match and a corporate lunch which had been organised at Tynefield Park.

“It has been a fantastic day,” Hall said.

“We appreciate that for those that have been involved in organising it, it has been a bit surreal, really.

“We have been busy planning for 18 months and we have put in a lot of hours, including this week in the build-up.

“But we have to be delighted with it. We had a nice day weather-wise. The businesses of Penrith, and the surrounding area to Carlisle, have been fantastic in their support, getting involved. A great way to celebrate our 150th.”

Hall added: “Some of the corporate people have said they have really enjoyed the day today and they would like to get involved with us, which is great.

“That helps us to run the teams that we do and to keep looking at what things we can do to progress and what other things we can do in the community, not just for cricket but for everyone in the community. It’s a win-win situation for us. We are very proud of the club and what we have put on today to showcase the club.”

And after a disappointing season so far for the first-team, Hall hopes the players will improve their game, having learned, hopefully, from some of the best in the business.

“We have not had a great season, we all know that, our position doesn’t tell any lies. We are third-bottom of the Northern League, which isn’t anywhere near where we should be,” said Hall.

“We have been batting a lot better in the last few games and, hopefully, the guys will get some confidence. It doesn’t matter that we lost this one – it would be shock waves throughout the cricketing world if we won. It’s a case of sometimes maybe being able to go out with a bit more freedom.

“Who knows? Maybe next Saturday the lads will be able to bat with a bit more freedom and a bit more confidence and enjoy their cricket.”