England bowler Graham Onions joined Notts players Samit Patel, Paul Franks and Matt Wood and cricketing legends Devon Malcolm and Mike Gatting as local schoolchildren descended on Nottingham Racecourse to set a provisional world record in partnership with npower Urban Cricket.

Evidence gathering will precede a submission to Guinness before the record for the largest number of people playing cricket in the same place at the same time is confirmed.

“It’s been absolutely brilliant to see so many children enjoying a game of cricket in the sunshine and, without exception, everyone has had a great time,” said Onions, who hopes to return to action in September.
 
“The England team are playing very well at the moment and events like this one help to harness the interest of young people and I hope that we will see a big increase in participation as a result.

“This sort of provision didn’t exist when I was growing up but schemes like npower Urban Cricket have helped to provide equipment and facilities to develop the next generation of cricketers.”

The competition format featured 105 pitches across nine zones, each providing a zonal champion after three rounds of keenly contested matches. Candleby Lane, Lowes Wong, Forest Fields, Jesse Gray, St Johns Church of England, Middleton, Coppice Farm, St. Edmund Campion and Bentinck Primary Schools emerged victorious and several players caught the eye of Nottinghamshire all-rounder Paul Franks.

“The level of organisation was remarkable and there was some very impressive talent on show,” said Franks.

“The npower Urban Cricket format is accessible and serves as a perfect entry point for those starting to find their feet in the game.

“Everyone involved in this event should be proud of what they have achieved and I’m looking forward to the world record being officially recognised.”

A provisional head count confirmed that more than 2000 people participated in the event.

England bowler Graham Onions joined Notts players Samit Patel, Paul Franks and Matt Wood and cricketing legends Devon Malcolm and Mike Gatting as local schoolchildren descended on Nottingham Racecourse to set a provisional world record in partnership with npower Urban Cricket.

Evidence gathering will precede a submission to Guinness before the record for the largest number of people playing cricket in the same place at the same time is confirmed.

“It’s been absolutely brilliant to see so many children enjoying a game of cricket in the sunshine and, without exception, everyone has had a great time,” said Onions, who hopes to return to action in September.

 

“The England team are playing very well at the moment and events like this one help to harness the interest of young people and I hope that we will see a big increase in participation as a result.

 

“This sort of provision didn’t exist when I was growing up but schemes like npower Urban Cricket have helped to provide equipment and facilities to develop the next generation of cricketers.”

The competition format featured 105 pitches across nine zones, each providing a zonal champion after three rounds of keenly contested matches. Candleby Lane, Lowes Wong, Forest Fields, Jesse Gray, St Johns Church of England, Middleton, Coppice Farm, St. Edmund Campion and Bentinck Primary Schools emerged victorious and several players caught the eye of Nottinghamshire all-rounder Paul Franks.

“The level of organisation was remarkable and there was some very impressive talent on show,” said Franks.

 

“The npower Urban Cricket format is accessible and serves as a perfect entry point for those starting to find their feet in the game.

 

“Everyone involved in this event should be proud of what they have achieved and I’m looking forward to the world record being officially recognised.”

 

A provisional head count confirmed that more than 2000 people participated in the event.