Six former England Test cricketers rode into Monmouth School for Boys on Monday as part of a gruelling cycling challenge for charity.
Marcus Trescothick, Tim Bresnan, Geraint Jones, Steve James, Matthew Maynard and Gavin Hamilton were all taking part in Big Bike Ride 3.
Old Monmothian Steve James, who had 17 seasons with Glamorgan and played two Tests for England in 1998, returned to familiar surroundings.
Talented players from Monmouth School for Boys, Monmouth School for Girls and Monmouth School Boys’ Prep enjoyed meeting their cricketing heroes, collecting autographs and having photographs taken with them.
Batsman Nathan Lee, who plays for Wales and hit 973 runs for the school’s first team last summer, said: “I met Marcus Trescothick and Daryl Mitchell and had a chat with some former Glamorgan players like Dan Cherry, Ian Thomas and Mark Wallace. It was great to speak to them and get to know them.”
Monmouth School for Boys’ Hitchcock Pavilion hosted around 75 riders who are raising money for the Tom Maynard Trust and the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) Benevolent Fund.
The cyclists were cheered into the building by a group of teachers and pupils from Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools, including headmasters Dr Andrew Daniel and Mr Neil Shaw.
Matthew Maynard made a special presentation to Head of Cricket at Monmouth School for Boys, Mr Andy Jones, to thank him for the tremendous hospitality the party received.
Mr Jones said: “We have a proud sporting tradition at Monmouth and were delighted to host the riders who are raising money for two important causes.
“It was a pleasure to invite some of the schools leading male and female cricketers along.
“I am sure they will now be inspired to further improve their cricket after meeting a host of former England and professional players and having photographs taken with them.”
Monmouth was the final stop on the fourth and penultimate day of Big Bike Ride 3 which is due to conclude in Cardiff today (Tuesday).
The cyclists had travelled to Monmouth from Worcester, taking in the Malvern Hills and the Forest of Dean with stops at Ledbury, Ruardean Hill and Lydney cricket clubs.
The gusty weather conditions proved challenging for the cyclists.
The group will be finishing at the SWALEC Stadium in Cardiff where Tom Maynard, who died in tragic circumstance, played his formative cricket and where the Trust set up in his name is based.
The PCA contingent included chairman Daryl Mitchell, the former Worcestershire captain, chief executive and former Worcestershire all-rounder David Leatherdale, and the personal development and welfare managers, including Glamorgan’s Mark Wallace.