NEW training facilities for Sherston’s cricket team are to be unveiled at a youth training session on May 17.

The new nets and synthetic bowling strips cost £23,000 and have been funded by grants from Wiltshire Council, The England and Wales Cricket Trust, the Playing Fields Legacy Fund and local fundraising including Malmesbury Carnival.

Sherston Magna Cricket Club (SMCC) was picked by its backers because of its aim to get more girls and juniors into the game, instructed by their junior team coach, ex-England schoolboy cricketer Andrew Jarvis.

Mr Jarvis said: “We are pleased to be recognised for the work we do at junior level and we consider ourselves fortunate to raise sufficient funds to go ahead with the excellent coaching facility considering the difficult economic climate.”

Club coach and ex-England cricketer Paul Jarvis said “The club has made good progress in recent times and we have two senior sides and approximately 50 junior cricketers who attend for coaching. “This coming season we will field four junior teams and we aim to build relationships with our local schools and villages to encourage more youngsters to join the club. We also hope to increase the number of girls playing the game.”

Club treasurer Caroline Dickenson thanked the groups that backed the club to reach their fundraising goal and said that the money would improve cricket throughout their area.

She added: “The new facility will enable us to have a more structured coaching programme through our ECB qualified coaches and this will benefit all age groups “We regard the grants as an investment in cricket at the Club for the future and they will benefit the wider local community in the long term.”

The new nets and strips will be opened on May 17 with a junior practice session before the official opening at 12pm. That afternoon the club will also be hosting a match against Seagry Cricket Club, starting from 2.30pm.

For more information on SMCC visit sherstonmagnacc.co.uk/