Renowned actor and author Stephen Fry is to umpire a unique all-star cricket match at Hay Festival, it has been confirmed.
The event will take place as part of the inaugural Hay Festival Sports Day, and will see Hay Town cricket team challenging an extraordinary all-star cricket team.
The line-up includes broadcaster Adam Rutherford, authors Robert Macfarlane and Charlie Campbell, comedians Marcus Brigstocke and Carrie Quinlan, musician and actor Johnny Flynn, and professional cricketers Claire Taylor and Azeem Rafiq.
The team includes members of the Authors Cricket Team, which over the years has boasted esteemed players such as PG Wodehouse, AA Milne and Arthur Conan Doyle, and who recently faced teams from the Indian Premier League, the Vatican and national teams from Japan and Iceland.
The Hay Festival Sports Day marks the latest addition to the programme for the Olympic year.
The event will feature an impressive line-up of leading thinkers and sports stars, presenting their creative talents through interactive and engaging activities across the Festival site.
Figures including broadcaster and footballer Gary Lineker, tennis coach Judy Murray and former athlete and politician Lord Sebastian Coe are scheduled to make appearances.
As part of the programming for Hay Festival Hay-on-Wye 2024, the Sports Day is set to be a captivating day amidst a bustling portfolio of more than 600 events scheduled from May 23 - June 2.
The global CEO of Hay Festival, Julie Finch said: "Worlds collide at Hay Festival Hay-on-Wye with events that offer a detour from the day to day.
"In this thrilling year of international sport, our first ever Sports Day seeks to explore its interconnections with the arts and their dual roles in promoting wellbeing.
"We are delighted to welcome this all-star cricket team and Hay Town onto our programme, and grateful to Festival president Stephen Fry for ensuring a fair game.
"Do join us for a special session to remember.
"And may the best team win!"
The participating author and batsman Adam Rutherford also humorously warned the local team, as he said: "On Wednesday 29 May, the cricketers of Hay-on-Wye will feel the full force of seven middle aged writers and a couple of comedians.
"And two ex-professionals.
"Our sledging will be eloquent."
Tickets for the cricket match which takes place on May 29, and other Hay Festival events are now available for purchase on the festival website.
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