The people's voice of Greater Manchester
  • The Latest
  • What’s On
    • Things To Do
    • Christmas
    • Gigs & Nightlife
    • Theatre
    • Kids & Family
    • Art & Culture
    • TV & Showbiz
    • The Guides
  • Eats
  • Audio
  • Sport
  • More
    • Places
      • Manchester City Centre
      • Salford
      • Trafford
      • Stockport
      • Cheshire
      • Bolton
      • Bury
      • Oldham
      • Rochdale
      • Tameside
      • Wigan
    • Travel & Tourism
    • Feature
    • Business
    • Property
    • Shopping
Weather Icon
The people's voice of Greater Manchester
X
Search for...
Weather Icon

Sandwich Technician

AJ Handley-Rowe AJ Handley-Rowe - 10th November 2021

Thousands of children in the North West have got involved in the UK’s biggest-ever Schools Cricket Day

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Thousands of children in the North West have got involved in the UK’s biggest-ever Schools Cricket Day

History has been made today, with thousands of children in schools across the North West taking part in a record-breaking Schools Cricket Day. 

The event has coincided with the 50-day countdown to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, which will take over the Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground this summer. 

In Lancashire and Greater Manchester, around 14,500 children from 83 schools picked up a bat and ball as part of the event, the largest single-day cricket participation event in UK history. 

It marks a major milestone on the road to this summer’s tournament, which will kick off at Edgbaston on 12 June before heading to Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground for four fixtures from 13 June. 

There’s been everything from first-time batting and bowling in playgrounds to competitive matches on sports fields, as schools across the country catch the spirit of the game. 

ADVERTISEMENT

And that’s included 130 children from Kings Road Primary School enjoying a dedicated session at Old Trafford’s Indoor Cricket Centre alongside World Cup Winner and former England star, Alex Hartley.

Alongside lessons and activities, all Lancashire Cricket Foundation (LCF) staff supported additional events, from games and activities to assemblies, taking place across the region.

ADVERTISEMENT
School children take part in an ICC Schools Cricket day at Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Manchester. Credit: Dave Thompson/Route One Photography
School children take part in an ICC Schools Cricket day at Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Manchester. Credit: Dave Thompson/Route One Photography
School children take part in an ICC Schools Cricket day at Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Manchester. Credit: Dave Thompson/Route One Photography

Big names from the world of cricket, including Heather Knight OBE, Lydia Greenway OBE and Hampshire captain Georgia Adams also joined school events in ICC Women’s T20 World Cup host cities.

Australian international and current player for Yorkshire women’s, Jess Jonassen, supporting a cricket session at Morley Cricket Club over in Leeds.

Schools Cricket Day is part of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)’s ambitions to use the tournament to inspire the next generation of girls to play cricket. 

This year alone, through various initiatives and programmes, the ECB is aiming to see 500,000 women and girls playing cricket, 300 women taking up key leadership roles within the game’s administration, and 500 Champions of Change created as part of the Young Cricket Collective, which will empower young girls to volunteer and make change at their local cricket clubs. 

The day also featured bespoke resources and games created by the ICC’s global charity partner, UNICEF, through its “Rights in Play” programme. 

2017 World Cup winner and Lancashire Women’s star Alex Hartley said: “It feels like I’ve been waiting all year for the World Cup to arrive, and now we’ve only got 50 days to go! 

“I’m really pleased to support initiatives like Schools Cricket Day today as they’re so important to inspire the next generation of potential cricket players. As an international cricketer I always looked forward to major tournaments, there’s nothing quite like playing on the global stage.

“There was a huge shift after the 2017 World Cup, we all felt it. Having the T20 tournament in England and Wales this summer presents another huge opportunity to continue building a legacy that can be felt by all future generations of cricketers from Lancashire and all across the nation.”

Managing Director of the Lancashire Cricket Foundation, Jen Barden said: “National Schools Cricket Day is a fantastic opportunity for young people in their education settings to get involved in so many aspects of the game! 

School children take part in an ICC Schools Cricket day at Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Manchester, joined by former England star Alex Hartley, to mark 50 days until the star of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Credit: Photo by Dave Thompson/Route One Photography

“We have members of the LCF delivering cricket across the County but also linking in lessons including the history of the game, using maths and science too! 

“We have an amazing opportunity to inspire the next generation of cricketers, volunteers, coaches and officials in all aspects of cricket this summer with the games at Old Trafford, I can’t wait to see lots of young boys and girls giving cricket a go for the first time!”

Gemma Barton, ECB Head of Strategic Growth, said “Moments like this show how the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is shaping the future of the game. Every girl and boy inspired to pick up a bat and ball today can see how inclusive, welcoming and fun cricket is. 

“It’s not just about the summer ahead, it’s about what comes next: more girls playing, more teams growing, and more people feeling like they belong in the game.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Tickets for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 are selling fast – you can get yours HERE.

Read more: The route for the 2027 Tour de France Femmes revealed ahead of Manchester debut 

Featured image: Dave Thompson/Route One Photography | 07711459404 www.routeonephotography.co.uk

A major free styling event is coming to Cheshire Oaks, with big discounts, colour analysis, and styling masterclasses

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson A major free styling event is coming to Cheshire Oaks, with big discounts, colour analysis, and styling masterclasses

Cheshire Oaks will be hosting a major fashion event over the bank holiday weekend, helping us all to get inspired and fall in love with our spring wardrobes. 

The Spring Womenswear Fashion Event will feature everything from styling masterclasses to huge in-store discounts, along with a range of freebies and giveaways. 

Some of the top womenswear brands at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet will be getting involved, along with fashion experts – and it’s all totally free to attend. 

There’ll be live events like colour analysis to help you find your colour profile, plus workshops on styling outfits multiple ways, building capsule wardrobes, and shopping sustainably. 

Whether you’re looking for insider advice or just a bit of inspiration for your shopping trip, you’ll find it here. 

Personal stylists Laura Davies, Rachael Hughes, and Olivia Roseanna will be on hand to lead workshops and fashion showcases across the three-day weekend. 

The Cheshire Oaks Spring Womenswear Fashion Event
The Cheshire Oaks Spring Womenswear Fashion Event
The Cheshire Oaks Spring Womenswear Fashion Event. Credit: The Manc Group

That will include a summer runway experience with JOSEPH, a capsule wardrobe masterclass, and a showcase to help you understand the transformative power of accessories. 

Kate Harrison will also be at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet that day, with colour analysis sessions and a workshop on how the colour we wear can change our moods. 

Then brands including Jigsaw and Whistles will show off the spring summer trends and give tips on how to style them. 

And once you’re suitably inspired, you can hit the shops to pick up some new pieces, with plenty of stores offering major additional discounts.

Credit: Supplied

That includes an extra 20% off at Whistles, Mint Velvet Hobbs, Phase Eight, Jigsaw, Joseph, Calvin Klein, and Monsoon, plus other deals at Abercrombie & Fitch, Paul Smith, and Tommy Hilfiger. 

Dune will be handing out fizz in store, plus giveaways when you spend £100 or more in store, and you can enter a raffle to win a Radley hamper of products when you spend £80. 

The Spring Womenswear Fashion Event will take place at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet between 2 and 4 May – find out more HERE.

Read more

  • Selfridges Manchester to host an out-of-hours dinner in the middle of the shop floor, plus the city’s chicest book club
  • 20 of the best record shops in and around Greater Manchester
  • Hoardings spotted as Uniqlo prepares to open second Manchester store inside Trafford Centre

Featured image: The Manc Group

More

Glamorous new pan-Asian restaurant Zadie's to open at Medlock Square

Eats

Glamorous new pan-Asian restaurant Zadie’s to open at Medlock Square

Cheshire

Wildlife conservationist Steve Backshall to host ‘fascinating’ new stage show at Chester Zoo next month

Stockport's free street festival Stock Party is returning this summer

Stockport

Stockport’s free street festival Stock Party is returning this summer

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Selfridges Manchester will host an evening with the Read Room book club soon

Art & Culture

Selfridges Manchester to host an out-of-hours dinner in the middle of the shop floor, plus the city’s chicest book club

Business

Manchester’s newest hotel launches massive recruitment drive with 100+ jobs available

Art & Culture

Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum announces FREE programme of space-themed activities

Eats Logo
Glamorous new pan-Asian restaurant Zadie's to open at Medlock Square

Glamorous new pan-Asian restaurant Zadie’s to open at Medlock Square

You can now have dinner in the actual dressing rooms at Co-op Live

You can now have dinner in the actual dressing rooms at Co-op Live

Mayya Bakery cinnamon rolls

Salford industrial estate bakery with incredible cinnamon rolls to open new site

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches

The people's voice of Greater Manchester

The people's voice of Greater Manchester.
Our aim? To make sure you’re in the know, entertained and educated on what’s happened, or what’s happening, in our great city.

39 Princess Street, M2 4FN
[email protected]

  • About The Manc
  • Contact Us
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Subscribe to our Newsletter

Copyright © 2026 The Manc