In the West Indies and other cricket-mad countries they tape up a tennis ball and bowl it at each other on the first bit of land that might double as a pitch.

At the Westway Sports Centre this week, they've launched something similar.

The plan for Street 20 Cricket is to give North Kensington kids a taste of the game no matter what time of year - and whatever the weather.

Admittedly, guests of honour Devon Malcolm and Courtney Walsh had warmer climes on the ladder to becoming household names - but rain is never going to stop play at the Westway.

Every Friday between 5-8pm youngsters will be encouraged to turn up and have a bash at west London's version of tape-ball on the five-a-side-pitches under the Westway itself.

The initiative is the brainchild of three sporting agencies under the title Street Chance and incorporates the popular Twenty20 game into a minimal fuss, minimal equipment format.

A taped tennis ball had something of the feel of a real ball without the lethal weight that rattled more than a few batsmen on the way to Walsh's 519 Test wickets.

TV presenter Mike Bushell might not agree.

He had a few Walsh tape-balls whistle past his ear as part of a BBC news programme due to be aired sometime soon, although west London kids fared better as they picked up hints from the bowling pair.

Walsh said: "Cricket changed my life, and it's important children have an easy route into the game."

Fancy a go? See: www.streetchance.co.uk