All Stars savour Ashes crowd with on-field coaching session

Youngsters from the region’s All Stars cricket scheme got a taste of the Ashes and to play in front of a packed Edgbaston after striking lucky in a national competition.

Forty children won an ECB ballot to take part in a coaching session on the outfield during lunch on Day Two of the LV= Insurance Men’s Ashes – and were encouraged to hit sixes into the famous Hollies stand.

They included budding cricketers, all aged five to eight-years-old, from local clubs Leamington Spa CC, Rugby, Earlswood CC and Shenley Fields.

Brothers Sachin (7) and Rohan (5) – named by cricket mad dad Adam Carter after Sachin Tendulkar and Rohan Kanhai – from All Stars in Rugby were among the children taking part.

“It’s like a boyhood dream to be out here on the pitch at Edgbaston during the Ashes,” said Adam. “The boys are living their best lives today, it’s making cricket come alive for them, and it’s a moment they’ll remember for many years to come. 

“Who knows, they may be back here playing cricket one day.”

And mum Bhavna added: “They boys love the All Stars, they play every Sunday, go down with friends to a big open field to play, and there’s a real family feel about the sessions.

“Sachin was having a great time smashing shots towards the Hollies faithful. He said: I hit one into the stands, into the seats!”

All Stars started in 2017 and around 2,300 children now regularly attend coaching sessions at 65 clubs across the country.

All Stars runs across the cricket season from May until September. For more information go to ecb.co.uk/play/all-stars.