Cricket commentator Michael Holding talks to Rochdale Rotary Club

President of Rochdale Rotary Club, Irene Davidson with Michael Holding

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

Former West Indies fast bowler and Cricket commentator Michael Holding came to a packed out Masonic Rooms as guest of Rochdale Rotary Club on 10 September.

The evening is the fourth annual event in aid of coaching of young amateur cricketers in Rochdale.

150 guests were royally entertained by Dudley Doolittle MC for the night, a keen cricket fan and Rochdale comedian. He did a wonderful job constantly having the audience in stitches.

After an excellent three course meal guests were invited to put cricket questions to Michael Holding. For the next 45 minutes he answered them all in a very fluent manner with his broad deep Jamaican voice resonating around the room.

Questions ranged from ‘why aren't West Indies such a good cricket team nowadays’ (better administration needed) to ‘what is today's best test cricket side’ (most top teams apart from South Africa have difficulty winning both home and away).

Purple is his favourite colour.

Many of his former opponents such as Ian Botham, Tony Grieg and Ian Chappell are now close friends and they meet regularly as TV pundits on their travels around the world; he had many interesting and humorous stories to tell.

Rotarian and former Test Match umpire John Holder said: "The things that impressed me was he was so friendly and approachable, chatting so easily with people and having selfies and photos taken with them. He handled the questions in an impressive and often humorous manner."

A signed cricket bat with signatures of Clive Lloyd and many Test Match Special celebrities was auctioned off and £200 raised for the Sarah Percy hope tribute fund a Christie hospital cancer charity in memory of a local Rochdale girl and cricketer who died of a brain tumour. Her father had asked for the bat to be auctioned at this event.

An original acrylic painting on canvas board painted and donated by local artist Geoff Butterworth FRSA also sold for £500. It was done by Geoff after a recent T20 game between Lancashire and Derbyshire under floodlights at Old Trafford and entitled 'Home Win'. There was a round of bingo and raffle prizes which included a signed copy of Lancashire CC centenary book, test match tickets and afternoon tea at Nutters Restaurant.

£4,000 was raised on the night and this will be of great help in providing coaching to our local amateurs. This will be administered by the Rochdale Cricket Development Group.

President of Rotary Irene Davidson said: "Thanks to Michael for being such a good sport and giving us a great evening to remember. John Holder and his team of Rotary members have done a great job and many thanks to Highfield BMI hospital who generously sponsored the evening."