Former England captain Andrew Strauss believes the next generation of international stars will be coming from cricket clubs like those in west London.
The seven clubs in the borough all work to try and bring in players and Strauss lent a hand at Turnham Green & Polytechnic Cricket Club on Friday as a part of NatWest Cricket Force weekend.
The cricket club have secured a 25-year lease from Hounslow Council to remain on their ground at Dukes Meadow and were able to give their home ground the necessary improvements to make it home.
And Strauss was enthused after hearing Turnham Green are looking to bring kids into the game and believes they, and others, need encouragement from the counties and the ECB themselves.
He told GetWestLondon : “These clubs are of vital importance. 90 odd per cent of state schools aren’t playing any cricket whatsoever so the next generation of England cricketers are going to come from clubs like these.
“It’s great to hear that Turnham Green has got 100 odd kids coming along over the weekend to do practice and training and it’s a pretty lively environment going on.
“It feels as if they’re doing their part and we must encourage these clubs.
“It takes a lot of hard work from a lot of people who aren’t getting paid but are putting their time and effort in and we need to support them.”
Urban areas, such as west London struggle to have the green spaces needed to play cricket so upgrading the facilities available is vital to the game as a whole.
And Strauss believes the need to ensure that the limited resources clubs have, are maintained as it will be vital to keeping the game relevant in London.
He said: “It’s the same story around the country in urban areas as it’s increasingly a challenge.
“It’s one thing having the facilities but it’s another making sure they’re properly maintained at all times so you can start the 2015 season in a very buoyant positive frame of mind.”
If you are interested in playing cricket for Turnham Green & Polytechnic visit www.turnhamgreenandpoly.play-cricket.com and you can find your nearest club on www.play-cricket.com.
