Although this is an Argentine town, the English will be English and continue to churn out the crustless cucumber sandwiches. The ex-pat contingent is still strong in Buenos Aires, and the cricketing community, although suffering from transport restrictions when trying to get hold of the necessary kit, still has four teams in the ‘First Division’.

The main two clubs are the Belgrano Athletic Club and the Hurlingham Club, although Lomas is on the up. Call them up to watch a game or challenge one of their XIs to a limited over game. The pitches are dry with plenty of foot holes, ripe for a spinner. The Argentine Cricket Association’s website is www.cricketargentina.com (tel: 4816 3569).

Belgrano Athletic Club, Virrey del Pino 3456, Belgrano
Tel: 4552 2259/2094  www.belgrano-athletic.com.ar
Founded in 1896, the Belgrano Athletic Club is the only cricket club in the centre of Buenos Aires. Although it is surrounded by apartment buildings, the clubhouse itself could not be any more English. Like the Hurlingham Club, it is always open to touring sides, and the tea ladies are perhaps even more efficient than back in Blighty. Given that this is a rugby pitch in the winter, the outfield can be a little bumpy.

Hurlingham Cricket Club, Avenida Julio A. Roca 1411, Hurlingham
Tel: 4662 5510  www.hurlinghamclub.org.ar

Founded in 1888, by whom else but the English, the Hurlingham Club is perhaps the most elite club in Argentina – and they are proud of it. Old Etonian Clem H. Gibson is the club’s most famous medium-paced swing and seam bowler, who graced the field in the 1920s and ’30s. Hurlingham’s pool of players are desperate to play touring sides.