English Heritage is looking for enthusiastic cricketers with a sense of history - and humour - to make up a local side to play visitors in a Georgian cricket match at Portchester Castle on Sunday, July 13.

The match - which will be played in full Georgian costume to 18th century rules - has been showcased as one of the highlights of the English Heritage summer events season and will be played in front of visitors to the property.

The Georgian version of cricket whites includes tight breeches to the knee worn with long stockings, white frilly shirts and often a wide black hat. Real dandies turned up in richly brocaded jackets, which they removed for the game.

Match organiser for English Heritage, historian Julian Humphrys, warns those who volunteer will be in for a very different game to that of today.

"The 'flexible' rules of 18th century cricket were very different to ours. Underarm bowling, curved bats and two stumps instead of three were the norm, there was no lbw rule or boundaries and the wearing of pads was considered unmanly," he said.

Although considered to be a gentleman's sport, betting and bribery was all part of the game and players often used unscrupulous methods to win an advantage. "On one notorious occasion a leading English player turned up with a bat that was wider than the wicket. It was definitely a time when the saying 'it's not cricket' was most appropriate," added Julian.

Anyone who is interested in taking part (costumes will be provided) should leave their details, including a daytime telephone number on which they can be contacted at Portchester Castle (023 9237 8291).