Nigel (pictured with former Zimbabwean test star Henry O'Longa (left), former Prime Minister Sir John Major and ex-England cricketer John Emburey (right) said, “It was one of the highlights of my cricketing career, which wouldn’t be a bad place to retire,”  after captaining the Lords and Commons XI in a charity match against a Lashings World XI led by former England star Phil DeFreitas, who is also featured on the opposite page on the back of his autobiography just published.

Greenidge, 61, had made his way to 35 when he skied a shot into the safe hands of Mr Adams, who is also appearing for the Selby Hands of Hope XI in a charity match at Selby Cricket Club. Nigel said he was seriously considering bowing out of the game “on a high”. He did admit, however, that he would probably talk himself out of it.

Former fast-bowling all-rounder DeFreitas had Nigel trapped lbw for just a single after smashing a half-century with the bat as his team rattled up 302 runs in just twenty overs, with Australian Ian Harvey scoring 60!

But the MP was relatively economical as he conceded just 20 runs from his three overs.

And his team – including former cabinet minister John Redwood and Beverley MP Graham Stuart – responded with a creditable 192, led by Gloucester MP Richard Graham (50 not out).

The Lashings team, also skippered off the pitch by former Prime Minister Sir John Major, is made up of ex-internationals who raise the profile of the game through charity matches. And this was in aid of Help for Heroes and the Diamond Jubilee charity. Also in the team were Henry Olonga, John Emburey and Mohammad Yousuf.

“It was played in a very good spirit for a very good cause,” said Nigel, who is pictured with a forgiving Gordon Greenidge.