The visit of three cricketing stars ensured a fun day and tournament at Prestwich Cricket Club was a big hit.
Former Test player Angus Fraser and England Ladies star Katherine Brunt attended the NatWest Cricketforce fundraiser at The Heys on Monday, as did England Twenty/20 star Michael Lumb, despite being on crutches while recovering from a broken foot.
The event attracted several hundred spectators throughout the day, and the cricketing celebrities signed autographs and oversaw demonstrations put on by players from the club’s under-11 teams, while a bowling and catching roadshow also kept youngsters entertained. Shaun McRae, head coach of Salford City Reds, also popped down during the afternoon.
Fraser, who is currently managing director of Middlesex CC where he spent his playing career, spoke of the importance of grassroots cricket and the support it needed from local people to keep them running.
He also praised the club’s new-look facilities made possible by the financial support from the England and Wales Cricket Board, who were also key supporters of the event.
Fraser added that many clubs in his home county of Middlesex would be proud to have the facilities Prestwich had to offer.
Unsworth won the twenty/20 tournament after a low-scoring but thrilling final with Prestwich.
Prestwich CC chairman Brian Lorenzini said: ‘To be chosen for this prestigious showcase event was fantastic and to be as successful as it turned out to be is simply wonderful.
“It was a credit to our club members who worked hard both prior to the event and on the day; a challenging project but managed brilliantly.
“Unsworth CC proved worthy winners of the competition, and we thank Stand and Roe Green for being part of the occasion and most importantly offer our sincere thanks to NatWest Bank for selecting us as their ‘Showcase Event in the UK’.”
ECB Event Video: Click Here
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