STRETFORD Cricket Club is bowled over after receiving £40,000 to boost its training programme.

The money - a £30,000 grant from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and £10,000 from club sponsor HVPD Ltd - has paid for a three bay practice area

The ECB is partnered by Sport England and the scheme cost £42,000 - the balance of the funding was raised by club members who were sponsored to walk on hot coals in their bare feet.

The club was identified by the Lancashire Cricket Board and the ECB as a club of strategic and developmental importance and especially because of the strength of their junior section.

Louise Renforth, SCC's vice-chairman said: “We were thrilled and delighted to be awarded the grant because we urgently needed to upgrade the practice facilities. The new synthetic practice area is excellent and is in accordance with ECB specifications.

"We have nine ECB qualified coaches and we are now able to offer a much more structured coaching programme for all age groups. The non turf pitches are high quality and provide the ideal safe environment for the development of young cricketers.”

The official opening of the new practice area will take place on August 31 and will be attended by Kate Green, MP for Stretford and Urmdton.

ECB’s national funding and facilities manager, Bruce Cruse, said “The ECB and Sport England are pleased to invest in this project which will give plenty of opportunities for all age groups, seniors and juniors, to play cricket."