RORY Delap's run up has been known to inspire as much fear as the sight of Michael Holding or Malcolm Marshall tearing in.

The Stoke City midfielder has reduced goalkeepers to jelly with his fearsome long throw-ins; in fact Tottenham's Heurelho Gomes was in tears after one Delap bombardment at the Britannia.

However, Delap and his team-mate Ryan Shawcross swapped the heat of battle at the Brit for the more genteel surroundings of Cholmondeley Castle cricket pitch, near Nantwich, in Cheshire, yesterday.

The City duo were happy to play after being asked by Stoke fan and television star Nick Hancock, who helped organise the match for the Lord's Taverners charity.

The pair joined celebrities including Tiswas and Who Wants To Be A Millionaire host Chris Tarrant, Wales manager Gary Speed, ex-West Brom and Wolves striker Don Goodman, Coronation Street actor Charles Lawson (Jim McDonald) and former England bowler Neal Radford.

Delap and Shawcross lined up for the England XI against a side officially titled as a Wales XI in honour of its captain Speed.

Shawcross resisted the temptation to bat having had treatment on a minor knee aggravation.

However Delap opened the bowling, using a short run up – but generating pace though his whippy shoulder action.

He was glanced for four from his second ball by Lord Stafford, but recovered to get through four overs of economical and lively medium pace.

The scoreboard was largely irrelevant in an event designed to raise money for good causes.

The Lord's Taverners raises money to help youngsters, particularly those with special needs.

Delap said: "It's a great cause and this is the fun side of helping out.

"There are a few lads at Stoke who like cricket. Ricardo Fuller is a fan and is apparently a decent player.

"I had the odd game at school, but nothing to write home about. But this is all about the cause and it's nice to meet a few different people."

Shawcross meanwhile, was modest about his stint on the cover boundary.

He said: "It's nice to be asked to play by Nick. It's a great cause and is well supported, so hopefully we can help raise plenty of money.

"I wouldn't say I'm a batsman or a bowler – I'm more of a fielder. I'm quite happy to stay out of the way."

Hancock was delighted to have the Stoke players making their second appearance in the annual game.

He said: "We have held this game here for six years and Liam Lawrence has also played.

"The Lord's Taverners helps young kids play cricket, but mostly it raises money for mini-buses for special schools and helps out children with disabilities.

"It's important to have mini-buses with the right access and for the children to be able to get out of the school environment and go on trips.

"This is a different way of raising money and we enjoy it. It's great to have Ryan and Rory here, although we have to be careful because we don't want them to get injured.

"In fact, as a Stoke fan, that's important to me. Even though I'm not captain, I insist on them fielding safely in the deep."