Sunday 26th April 2009 saw the Grand Opening of the new pavilion by former Warwickshire, Leicestershire and England player, MJK Smith.
Attendants included The Mayor of Kenilworth, Councillor Spencer Harrison, Local MP Jeremy Wright, Mike Turner from the ECB, and members and people who had contributed generously to the fire appeal. Following an afternoon tea, accompanied by champagne, the crowd were entertained by a 25 over cricket match between a Kenilworth team and Geoff Edmunds’ Chairman’s XI which included a number of former players as well as Neil Smith and Steve Ogrizovic.
The Chairman’s XI emerged victorious by 13 runs in a 25 over contest to celebrate the opening of the new Kenilworth Cricket Club’s Clubhouse and Pavilion. Batting first the Chairman XI racked up 179-4 in their 25 overs thank to Graham Charlesworth who top scored with 88 from only 79 deliveries and Neil Smith with a rapid 65 off 25 balls with 6 huge 6s and 4 x 4s. For the Club XI, Dave Edmunds was the leading bowler with 2-33 , Mitch Lowe 1-35 was the only other wicket taker with 1 run out. In reply the Club XI finished just short of the winning target closing on 166-7 from their 25 overs. Plenty of batsmen made starts but only Gregg Peebles with 32 and Dave Temple 31 passed 20. For the Chairman’s XI captain Geoff Edmunds took 2-34 , and there was a wicket each for Jon Corden , Steve Ogrizovic , Neil Smith , Graham Charlesworth and part time KCC bowler Joe Courts . Many Thanks to all the players for putting on a fine match,also to the officials who gave their time umpires Jonathan Cousins and Barrie Leadbeater and scorer Richard Grover. The match was played in great spirit and was watched by the biggest crowd at the Warwick Road ground for many decades.