Wolverhampton cricket fan Darshan Patel is off to watch England in action in Sri Lanka after winning the Express & Star’s competition to go to the second Test in Colombo next month.
His name was drawn out of a hat containing more than 600 entrants.
The 45-year-old Dudley Council training officer and a guest will enjoy six nights’ bed and breakfast accommodation in Colombo, tickets to every day of the Test and £750 spending money.
And Mr Patel, from Blakenhall, says he can’t wait to see England heroes Monty Panesar and Paul Collingwood in action.
“I’ve got friends who have followed England with the Barmy Army, and I can’t wait to do it,” he said.
“I’m a big cricket follower and watch a lot of one-day and Twenty 20 games on television and live when I can. I’ve watched cricket when I’ve been abroad before when there’s been a game on but it’s the first time I’ve been abroad to watch England.”
The Express & Star competition was sponsored by West Bromwich Building Society, Edgbaston Cricket Club, Admire Tours and Sri Lankan Tourism.
Mr Patel said: “I just entered on the off chance I might win. It wasn’t necessarily about the location; the appeal was going to watch England.
“I went to see them play India at Edgbaston last summer but it was a dreadful summer weather-wise, and I just wanted to get some tickets to see some cricket.
“I’ve never won anything this big before, and I’d like to thank everyone who has made this possible.
“You only get an experience like this once in a lifetime, and I’m really thankful.”
The father-of-two is yet to decide who will accompany him on the trip, with his father and two sons in the reckoning.
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