Mike gatting helps isle of dogs cricket kids to shine

“It’s part of a whole initiative we’re trying to promote with Chance To Shine to put cricket back into state schools. We want to raise £25million, which the government will match, for a 10-year programme.�

Gatting, with 79 test matches to his name, faced deliveries from Year Four and Five pupils, and after some exemplary forward defensive play, he fished at a wide one and was caught behind – much to the delight of the children.

But for Gatting the real challenge is to increase school participation in the sport.

“It’s improving enormously,� he said. “We’ve had a 27 per cent increase over the last year across the whole of cricket. I know the girls game is improving through Chance To Shine, and they’re sometimes better than the boys.

“It’s really about everybody, and actually giving the kids a chance to play in a game and get rid of a bit of their frustration.�

And he thinks the advent of 20/20 cricket has helped change cricket’s image.

He said: “It’s got people like young children, wives, girlfriends, watching the game. They like the shorter game and it’s been a huge success. It’s had the desired effect we wanted, so we’re very pleased. It’s given a chance for a new era of cricket lovers to flower.

“But it won’t take over the game. If you talk to any cricketer Test cricket is the thing we love.

“The 50-over game is something people always enjoyed and they enjoy 20/20 cricket but there’s no reason why all age groups can’t enjoy all types of cricket.�

The Chance To Shine programme, supported by the MCC and ECB, is organised by the Cricket Foundation.

For more information, visit www.chancetoshine.org

simon.hayes@wharf.co.uk