Under-18s lend support to charity

The England Under-18 scholars and local children pose for pictures after a day's cricket at the SPT Academy in Bangalore

England’s Under-18 scholarship squad took time away from training to organise and play in a charity Kwik cricket tournament with underprivileged children in Bangalore.

The young cricketers spent a day with the Dream A Dream charity, which seeks to empower children from vulnerable backgrounds across some of the world's poorest countries.

The project, which they have planned over the last four months, reached its conclusion at the SPT Academy, where the 15 ECB scholars hosted a six-a-side Kwik cricket tournament as well as running a mile in aid of Sport Relief.

Dream A Dream co-founder and director Vishal Talreja said: "It has been a great day, one of the most fun and vibrant days the children have ever had. It is obvious the amount of work that went into the planning and preparation."

Michael Vaughan, consultant coach out in Bangalore with the under-18s, believes such experiences are hugely beneficial for the young players as well as those they help.

“This has been a fantastic opportunity for these players to give something back whilst learning life skills that will help them in the future as high performing elite cricketers and people,” he said.

The young cricketers also contributed £4,000, which will be split between Dream A Dream and Sport Relief.