THERE is a big week of quality cricket ahead on the Isle of Wight featuring a series of tour matches against the world-famous Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC).

The MCC will play three exhibition matches, in what has traditionally been regarded as one of the biggest events on the Island cricket calendar.

Tomorrow (Monday), the MCC will take on an Isle of Wight Cricket Board senior team, for the Keith Newbery Memorial Trophy, at Westhill, the home of Shanklin Cricket Club.

Former County Press columnist and award-winning editor Keith was a past chairman of the Isle of Wight Cricket Board and a fanatic of the game.

The fixture has been played for more than 35 years at venues such as Shanklin, Northwood, Ryde and Newclose.

Ryde School will host the MCC on Tuesday, while the Isle of Wight U17s play them at Newclose on Wednesday.

Play starts 11.30am on each day.