Cricket festival for inner city children

The cricket festival could attract new players

Children from inner city backgrounds are being given the opportunity to brush up on their cricket skills with coaching lessons from top class cricketers.

The Attock Cricket Club in Moseley, Birmingham, is holding a cricket festival to boost the game's image and attract a new generation of players.

South African international cricketer Mike Rindel said: "A lot of youngsters who are deprived really feel that this is the only opportunity they have to get out of the area they are in or the situations they are facing.

"As a result, they have a work ethic."

Enthusiastic and committed

With England's Ashes ambitions already in tatters at the hands of the Australians, it is hoped the festival will have an effect on the future of England's cricket performances.

Naz Kham, chairman of Attock Cricket Club, said that all the youngsters attending the festival so far had been enthusiastic and committed to the sport.

He added: "We hope that by coming here, they are learning some skills that they may not have had before.

"We also hope that their parents are pleased as well because it gives them some respite during the school holidays."

One youngster who took part said: "I have learned how to play proper cricket. I learned how to catch, how to be a batsman and how to bowl properly."

The festival finishes on Friday.