Cambridgeshire to host a 'Cultural Celebration Day' at Peterborough Town CC when young talent could be spotted by first-class counties
Cambridgeshire will be holding their first-ever ‘Cultural Celebration Day’ next month with the aim of increasing awareness of National Counties cricket and to inspire potential county players of the future.
The ‘Cultural Celebration Day’ will take place on Monday, August 24 at Peterborough Town CC’s Bretton Gate ground on the second day of Cambridgeshire’s NCCA Cluberly Championship match against defending champions Buckinghamshire.
As well as having the opportunity to watch players from the highest level of recreational cricket in action there will be two net sessions during the day, between 1pm and 4pm, which are open to all and will be watched by selectors from Cambridgeshire and their first-class neighbours Essex as well as the Peterborough Town club.
ECB qualified coaches will be present throughout the day and there will also be boys and girls matches during the intervals of the county match.
“The day will highlight how people from all cultures play an important part in our recreational game,” said Ajaz Akhtar, who took more than 500 wickets in a 22-year career with Cambridgeshire and who is now the county’s Chairman.
“It will give everyone the chance to sample the highest level of cricket at recreational level, hopefully inspiring cricketers to play for their counties in the future.
“Peterborough Town Cricket Club has a rich history of players from South Asian backgrounds and there will be some wonderful youth cricket on show, coaching clinics as well as great Indian food available all day.
“The two nets sessions will allow cricketers of all ages, ethnicity, male or female to show their talent in front of selectors from Essex and Cambridgeshire County Cricket clubs.
“It will be a chance for cricketers to get spotted by the higher ends of the English cricketing pyramid.
“More than this, the day will be a celebration of how cricket can bring together people from different backgrounds and cultures. It should be a wonderful day.”
Places in the open net session can be secured by contacting Ajaz Akhtar at: [email protected] or on 07850 152177.
Play in the Cambridgeshire v Buckinghamshire match is scheduled to start at 11am.
The postcode for the Bretton Gate ground is: PE3 9UZ.