Rockhampton gave the star-studded Lashings World XI a scare before falling to a 70-run defeat on a special day for the club.

A blistering opening spell of bowling from William Cartlidge and Rob Belbin saw the Lashings perilously placed at 76-4 from 14 overs before former Indian opening batsman Wasim Jaffer took command of proceedings to make a majestic 129 not out.

The event proved to be a fantastic spectacle for the 500 plus spectators, half of which had earlier enjoyed a delightful lunch in the company of the Lashings Squad and with former Test Match Special commentator Henry Blofeld taking on the role of guest speaker.

Blofeld then went on to provide a thoroughly entertaining commentary of the day over loud speakers, with former Sussex and England bowler Ed Giddins his summariser.

Former New Zealand batsman James Marshall was Rob Belbin’s first victim in a spell (3-41) which later saw him presented with the man of the match award from Lashings skipper Phil DeFreitas.

Belbin clean bowled Marshall for 17 and then collected his New Zealand Team-mate Ian Butler, caught behind by Rowan Cartlidge for 19.

The magical moment of the game came a few overs later when Belbin bowled Graeme Hick for a duck.

Hick, who has a record 41,000 first class runs and has a top score of 405 not out, was rooted to the crease as Belbin bowled one through the gate to knock back his off stump.

Will Cartlidge (1-32) immediately followed suit at the other end to bowl Defreitas for a duck, and the former England all-rounder later admitted that his team was genuinely fearful of an embarrassing defeat at this stage.

Jaffer, who was playing Test cricket as recently as 2008 and has a double hundred to his name, was in sublime form.

Charlie Turrell, Michael Beard and Matt Tyler all collected wickets and skipper James Hancox pulled off a superb catch over his head to remove John Emburey for six, but Hancox himself was the biggest victim of Jaffer’s power.

He smashed 20 off Hancox’s last over as the Lashings closed on 218-7.

It was a full length diving catch from the 58-year-old Emburey which was the surprise start to the Rams’ downfall to give Devon Malcolm his one wicket.

Rowan Cartlidge made a neat 23 before Mohammad Akram whistled a bouncer past his nose that he was unlucky to edge through to West Indies legend Jimmy Adams behind the stumps.

Simon Hore made 23 including a straight six off Shaun Udal and Jack Spence top scored with 25.

Hancox added 12 but was Giddins’ third victim as he collected 3-19 and Charlie Turrell made a tidy 17 not out as the Rams finished on 148-9 from their 35 overs.

Lashings guests and skipper DeFreitas praised his opponents efforts, particularly in the field, before proposing a re-match next season.