Cheshire charity date for India star Farokh

FAROKH Engineer, an entertaining Lancashire cricketer with an infectious personality, was an integral part of the Clive Lloyd glory era of the 1960s and 70s.

- BY TIM TAYLOR

One of the finest wicket-keeper batsmen in Test history, he played for India for almost 15 years and later became a star turn on the speaking circuit.

Now 87 he's still in demand and - thanks to a chance meeting in an online bridge club during Covid - he’s hosting a charity evening at East Cheshire’s only Michelin Guide restaurant, La Popote in Marton, near Congleton.

This is in support of Bombay-born Farokh’s chosen charity, Homeless Children in India.

Farokh's connection with the casual fine dining restaurant was made with cricket lover Cris Rawlins, whose son Joe is the chef and co-owner at La Popote.

Said Cris: “During the dreadful morale sapping time of Covid a lot of us found our own ways of escaping the gloom and misery online, but I never expected to become friendly with a worldwide cricket star.