Next generation of cricketers pay homage to sporting star
IT WAS a welcome which was fitting for England’s record Test runs scorer, and gave the next generation of cricketers the chance to pay homage to a titan of the modern game.
Former England cricket captain Alastair Cook yesterday helped the national cricket charity Chance to Shine to launch this year’s Yorkshire Tea National Cricket Week, which aims to introduce the sport to more schools and communities.
The launch event saw Cook visit Rusthall Primary School, near Tunbridge Wells, where he was welcomed by a guard of honour, celebrating his recent achievement passing 12,000 Test Match runs.
He is the first Englishman to reach the milestone, and is now sixth on the highest run scorers in Test cricket.
Cook, who was succeeded as England captain by Yorkshire’s Joe Root in February last year, spoke to the pupils about his achievement and answered questions about how he got into the sport and what he has learnt from his career.
He then joined the Year 4 and 5 pupils for a cricket session out on the playground, giving them coaching tips and helping them to develop their cricketing skills.
He said: “It’s been brilliant to be here taking part in a proper celebration of cricket. Throughout my career I have learnt a huge amount from the sport, on and off the field, and I hope that all these children will develop a lifelong love for cricket.
“Chance to Shine is working tirelessly to give many children the opportunity to play the sport and to receive the benefits like teamwork, resilience, communication that will benefit them for life.
“Yorkshire Tea National Cricket Week is a great opportunity for schools to give their pupils a brilliant first experience of cricket.”
Now into its fifth year, the Yorkshire Tea National Cricket Week will run from June 18 to 22. Yorkshire Tea is celebrating its sixth year as an official sponsor of the England cricket team.