The MCC has confirmed that the proposed match between an MCC side and a European XI will take place on 29 June, during the club�s six-day visit to The Netherlands.

Full details of the tour have not yet been released, but it seems certain to include at least one match against the full Dutch side, part of the latter�s preparations for the 2007 World Cup.

It will be the first time that a representative European team has been selected, and it is expected that the MCC will put out the strongest side available. But with the 20/20 competition in full spate that week (not to mention a one-day international between England and Sri Lanka), it is unlikely that current county players will be included.

This is unlikely to diminish the significance of the occasion, however, as the best of Europe�s cricketers play together for the first time, against the world�s senior cricket club