Schools cricket tourney launch

THREE stars of Yorkshire and England cricket are urging primary and junior schools from the Rotherham area to get involved in a popular competition.

Bowling legend Ryan Sidebottom and emerging all-rounder Will Rhodes have been appointed ambassadors for the 2015 Drax Cup and join Ashes-winning fast bowler Katherine Brunt, who has lent her support since its launch in 2007.

Some 50 schools from Rotherham and the Dearne Valley took part in 2014 among a total of 125 from South Yorkshire. Herringthorpe Junior School were South Area champions in 2012.

The Drax Cup is the biggest cricket competition for U9s in the UK and organisers are hoping that even more schools will sign up this year as the sport continues to enjoy a surge in popularity among younger players.

Ryan said: “We're delighted to get involved with the Drax Cup, which is a fantastic introduction to the thrill of playing competitive cricket and a great opportunity for youngsters to practice and improve their skills.”

School Sports Partnerships need to enter by Monday, April 20 by completing the form on the competition website www.thedraxcup.co.uk

The competition runs until July. Teams play in a series of events to produce four area winners. These teams play the 2015 Drax Cup Finals at Headingley on Friday, July 10 , prior to Yorkshire Vikings v Durham Jets in the NatWest T20 Blast.

The Drax Cup is sponsored by Drax and organised by Yorkshire County Cricket Club in conjunction with the Yorkshire Cricket Board, Yorkshire Cricket Foundation and Yorkshire Schools' Cricket Association.