Yorkshire and England cricketers back Wakefield schools to make 2013 Drax Cup a record

The competition, the biggest cricket cup for under-9s in the country, is targeting record numbers in 2013 and is calling on primary schools from around the district to get involved.

Ossett’s Richard Pyrah, a Yorkshire all-rounder, and England women’s bowler Katherine Brunt are among the region’s cricket stars supporting the competition this year.

The pair took part in a special coaching session with schoolchildren from around Yorkshire at Headingley Indoor Cricket Centre to promote junior cricket and encourage entries into the national cup.

Brunt, an ambassador of the Drax Cup, had just returned from playing in the Women’s World Cup in India. Together with Pyrah they were joined by Steve Foster and Mick Brook, employees of cup sponsor Drax who hold coaching badges from the England and Wales Cricket Board, to provide coaching in bowling, batting and fielding skills.

The cup, organised by Yorkshire CCC in conjunction with Yorkshire Cricket Board and Yorkshire Schools’ Cricket Association, starts after Easter and runs until July.

The finalists will play in the Drax Cup 2013 Finals at Headingley Carnegie Stadium on Tuesday, July 9, before Yorkshire Vikings’ Friends Life Twenty20 match against Leicestershire Foxes.

Teams play in a series of round robin events to produce four area winners, one from each region of Yorkshire, who will progress to Finals Day.

Schools need to enter their teams by Friday, March 22 and can do so online at www.thedraxcup.co.uk or by e-mail to [email protected].

For full details and competition rules visit www.thedraxcup.co.uk.