BRIDLEY Moor pupil Andrew Alexander had a taste of the cricketing high life when he played against an MCC XI last Wednesday.

But unfortunately dreams of a century or of a wicket-taking bonanza were dashed, with the MCC proving too strong for the team of schoolboys.

The visitors piled on 233-6 at Barnt Green Cricket Club and the teenagers were then bowled out for 83.

The MCC team included former Middlesex batsman John Carr who was joint top scorer with 58.

Alexander, 16, was drafted into the squad, which is normally made up of players exclusively from Bromsgrove.

North Bromsgrove High School's head of PE Gwyn Thomas said: "The fixture has been running for six of seven years and this was one of the best teams the MCC has fielded.

"And because of exams, it also coincided with one of our youngest and most inexperienced teams.

"But the students had a really good crack at it. They had a challenging but enjoyable day's cricket against a highly talented side."