By Jack Miller

Malcolm Brown insists Hayes Cricket Club are hoping to inspire a brand new generation of cricketers during next month’s week-long celebration of the sport.

The festivities will form part of the nationwide ECB club open days initiative, supported by Waitrose, which aims to help boost grassroots cricket participation.

Cricket clubs are being encouraged to open their pavilion doors and welcome guests from their community for a day of cricket taster sessions and activities. 

But 57-year-old club secretary Brown says Hayes are going above and beyond by showcasing the club for the entirety of the last week of July.

And while the official ECB club open day will be happening on Tuesday 28 July, Brown is encouraging anyone and everyone to come down throughout the whole week to check out the club.

He said: “We always have a week of cricket the last week of July, which has been a big success on the cricket side.

“We are trying to publicise it as much as we can as it’s all about putting Hayes’ name on the map a little bit more.

“Anybody is welcome to come down and see what the club has to offer.

“Cricket week is an important week in the club’s social calendar.

“There will be music and karaoke, food on sale, games and quizzes for the kids on that Tuesday, and the club and the bar will be open all day.”

Brown added: “We have games on at the club all week to come and watch, and a big lunch on the Friday.

“We’ve been in half a dozen of the local schools doing taster sessions as well with the club’s coaches so a lot of new members come to the club that way, but cricket week is really important as well.”

With three players currently in the England squad – Lydia Greenway, Laura Marsh and Tash Farrant – Hayes is perhaps better known for its women’s set-up.

Last year Hayes combined their ECB club open day with a women’s match against China’s international side.

And with Tuesday of cricket week being dedicated to the women’s and junior sections, the club is looking to organise something similar this time around.

This summer more than a thousand cricket clubs will host a Club Open Day nationwide and enjoy a £100 food and drink offer from Waitrose to help deliver their event. 

And former England captain turned ECB cricket partnership ambassador Mike Gatting believes as many people as possible should head down to Euxton when their doors are swung open, adamant it will help build a better future for English cricket.

“Club open days has proven to be a fantastic way for cricket clubs to capitalise on the nation’s fervour for cricket during the summer,” said Gatting.

“By opening their pavilion doors and showcasing what they have to offer to their local community, clubs will hopefully be able to inspire newcomers to come and join them.

“We want to inspire more players, volunteers and social members to come together and get into cricket.”

For more information about club open days, supported by Waitrose, including a full list of clubs registered, visit ecb.co.uk/clubopendays

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