Bilal Shafayat and Mark Wagh are helping to spread the cricketing message as they head off with the MCC on tour to Uganda.

The Notts pair are part of a squad of 13 who will play six matches over two and a half weeks, including fixtures with the Ugandan national squad and Kenya Under-19s.

The tour was originally intended to include games in Kenya as well, before being rescheduled after the civil unrest in the country.

Wagh said: “I’ve never been out to Uganda before and it will be great to get in some outdoor practice in warm weather ahead of the county pre-season.

“There’s quite a lot of games to play in a short space of time and the standard should be strong enough to offer useful practice.”

MCC Assistant Secretary and Head of Cricket, John Stephenson, said: “It looks a good tour itinerary, not only with some challenging matches, but with some important coaching sessions arranged for promising young cricketers in the country.

"I’m sure our players will help to provide inspiration for the next generation of Ugandan talent, something that is important to MCC with our commitment to promoting the game worldwide.

“We expect the cricket in Uganda to be of a high standard and that’s why we’ve selected a tour party that is littered with first-class cricketers and quality throughout.”