WILTSHIRE captain Ed Young has been selected in a Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) squad that has embarked on a 12-day tour of Namibia

The party left Lord’s on Thursday with a 13-strong squad which also includes Essex wicketkeeper Adam Wheater. Former England international Tim Robinson has also traveled with the team as umpire.

Former Gloucestershire all-rounder Young, who plays for Potterne, took over from outgoing Wiltshire captain Michael Coles at the tail-end of last season after he stood down and has landed the role permanently for 2017.

Cambridgeshire all-rounder Joe Barrs is captain for the tour with seven fixtures scheduled for the trip, including a T20 clash with Namibia A in Windhoek and a 50-over match against Welwitschia Sparta CC in Walvis Bay.

The squad will also lead two coaching clinics with local young cricketers in Windhoek and Swakopmund.

This will be MCC’s fifth tour of Namibia, the first coming in 1990 when Phillip Hodson managed a touring party including Paul Allott and Dermot Reeve.

Previous touring squads have included former England captain Andrew Strauss (2000), Darren Maddy (2010) and Ollie Rayner (2010).

John Stephenson, MCC Head of Cricket, said: “Cricket in Namibia is an increasingly popular sport and the visit of an MCC squad will only enhance that.

"We have arranged a very busy itinerary for this tour, and our squad has been selected with the aim of creating the most competitive cricket possible.

"I am sure Ed and the rest of the players will prove excellent ambassadors for the club and the Spirit of Cricket.”