Edwards and Bopara in Urban action

England skipper Charlotte Edwards took part in the Urban Cricket match a day after winning the ICC World Twenty20

Just a day after lifting the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 trophy, England captain Charlotte Edwards enjoyed a game of Urban Cricket in Brixton, along with Ravi Bopara.

Edwards and Bopara managed to get some extra batting practice ahead of the Ashes when they joined 40 youngsters at the npower Urban Cricket facility in Wyck Gardens.

It was officially opened in August 2007 as part of the grassroots cricket initiative, Urban Cricket, to pass on tips and advice to a group of local primary school children who use the facility to practise their skills.

The facility, which transformed a disused area of the park, was the first of five purpose-built cricket facilities to be opened across the country as part of the Urban Cricket initiative.

Since its opening, the London Borough of Lambeth, working in partnership with Surrey County Cricket Club, regularly use the facility to run cricket coaching programmes for local primary schools to encourage children to lead more active lifestyles.

It is also open to the local community to use at anytime. Over 1,000 children, young people and adults have benefited from the facility and the associated coaching that goes with the programme.

Bopara said: “It’s great to be in Wyck Gardens to see how npower Urban Cricket is working. Judging by some of the children I’ve seen here today the scheme is really making a difference.

There was lots of energy, not to mention some decent little cricketers who weren’t afraid to bang it in to me. It’s great to see kids getting stuck in and enjoying themselves.”

In-form England and Essex batsman Ravi Bopara praised the energy of the children whom he coached at Wyck Gardens

Edwards added: “It's fantastic to see initiatives such as npower Urban Cricket giving youngsters the chance to learn the game.”

Gerry Sutcliffe MP, Minister for Sport, who also joined the cricketers and children at the park, said: “The Urban Cricket initiative has been a fantastic success story in the last couple of years, taking the sport to young people all over the country and encouraging them to get active.

“On top of that, it has helped kit out thousands of youngsters and built cricket facilities in five major cities that the whole community can use.

“I applaud the ECB and npower for their support and hope Urban Cricket continues to go from strength to strength.”

George Foster, CSR and fundraising manager at Surrey, added: “The npower Urban Cricket facility has really benefited the area since it was opened two years ago.

“We use the facility on a weekly basis to try and introduce local children to cricket and encourage them to get out there and play.

“Facilities like these are a great way of developing a legacy for the game and allowing children in the area to practice their skills in a safe environment.”