YORK cricketer Chris Booth is part of a 14-man MCC squad which is on a tour to Germany this week.

The representative MCC outfit are playing six matches during the five-day trip, including two 50-over contests against the senior German team and a 50-over and Twenty20 match against their under-19s side.

The fixture list is completed by two T20 games on the same day, against Hattersheim and hosts Frankfurt, where the tourists will be based throughout their stay.

In partnership with cricket charity Lord’s Taverners, MCC’s cricketers will also be taking numerous bags of kit to distribute to local clubs and young players learning the game.

The visit of a strong MCC side, managed by former Yorkshire cricketer Jim Love and including Ireland wicketkeeper-batsman Niall O’Brien, will provide a stern test for Germany in preparation for their upcoming participation in the ICC World Cricket League. The country was granted Associate status of ICC in 1999.

Interest and enthusiasm for cricket has shot up in Germany in recent years, thanks to the growing influence on German culture of immigrants from Pakistan and Afghanistan. In January this year, 20 new clubs were founded and the German Cricket Federation recently reported there were now more than 5,000 registered cricketers in the country.

This tour is particularly significant for former Afghanistan bowler Izatullah Dawlatzai, who will make a guest appearance for MCC.

A current resident of Hamburg, Izatullah will be looking to make a case for selection to the Germany side once he is eligible for citizenship. He made his international debut for Afghanistan in 2010 aged 19 and played a part in them reaching the Twenty20 World Cup in 2012.

John Stephenson, MCC head of cricket, said: “Germany is improving rapidly as a cricketing nation and MCC is delighted to be touring there.

"Chris Booth is one of many talented cricketers representing the club and will help to provide tough opposition as Germany develop and look to continue their move up the ICC rankings.

“One of MCC’s key remits is helping develop cricket in nations not widely associated with the game. The progress of cricket in Germany is exciting. With the experience and cricket knowledge of Jim Love, MCC is well placed to play a part in helping to take Germany’s game to the next level.”

Brian Mantle, general manager of the German Cricket Federation, said: "The German Cricket Federation is delighted to have the honour of welcoming MCC to Frankfurt.

“German cricket is growing fast with a very healthy future and MCC's visit will go a long way to helping us promote the game here.

"For our national team, the games against tough opposition will serve as excellent preparation for our forthcoming ICC tournament in the Netherlands, where we have high expectations of qualifying for the ICC World Cricket League as well as giving some of our best club cricketers and up-and-coming youngsters the opportunity to test their skills."

This is the first time MCC has visited Germany since 2008, a tour which included a match at the Olympic Park CC in Berlin.