NatWest Speed Stars shine at Lord's

The speedy six and Kabir Ali at Lord's

The NatWest Speed Stars Final at Lord's saw six hopeful future cricket stars claim the title of the UK's Young Fast Bowler of the Year in each of their age categories.

The youngsters had qualified at one of the NatWest Interactive Roadshows that toured the country from April this year.

The winners of The NatWest Speed Stars 2004 are:

U18 Boys
Karl Bellerley (17) Tyne and Wear - 68.8 mph
U18 Girls
Hazel Wilkinson (16) Maidenhead - 53.1 mph
U15 Boys
Christopher Raveney (15) Sevenoaks - 71.1 mph
U15 Girls
Issey Cannon (13) London - 55.2mph
U12 Boys
Ben Raine (12) Durham - 64.1 mph
U12 Girls
Laura Crofts (12) Rugby - 55.2 mph

Kabir Ali, the Worcestershire and England fast bowler was on hand to give advice and encouragement to all the youngsters taking part in The NatWest Speed Stars Final on September 5.

All the competitors spent Saturday and Sunday experiencing the excitement and tension of being a cricket star including being photographed and interviewed by the media.

All 24 finalists had previously undertaken a training day at the ECB Academy at Loughborough with Matthew Hoggard and the winners were awarded with medals and a bat signed by the England team competing in this year's NatWest Challenge.

The NatWest Speed Stars competition, now in its third year, is a nationwide search to find the quickest young bowlers. All 24 finalists qualified at one of over 40 events that formed part of The NatWest Interactive Roadshow that has visited towns, cities, cricket clubs and matches in The NatWest Series and NatWest Women's Series throughout April to August this year.

At each venue kids have had the opportunity to record the speed of their fastest delivery under the guidance of ECB coaches. All the results have been displayed on www.natwest.com/cricket enabling the kids to check their speed and position in the competition. The fastest four in each of the three age categories - U18, U15 and U12, boys and girls qualified for the Final.

Steve Day, Head of Brand Strategy, NatWest said: "Young players are fundamental to the success and future of the game and NatWest are delighted to give them this experience and the opportunity to benefit from the skills of players such as Kabir and Matthew, who play a vital role in promoting the game at both international and grassroots level."

The NatWest Speed Stars competition is part of a major grassroots campaign to encourage and develop children's interest in the sport. Since 2000 NatWest have invested over £1 million into grassroots cricket to help encourage and develop interest in cricket at junior level. The extensive programme focuses on all aspects of grassroots cricket from improving current facilities, developing the game through schools and clubs as well as taking cricket out into the community to give youngsters the opportunity to experience the fun and excitement of the sport.

The NatWest Speed Stars Finalists 2004

U18 – Boys
1st Karl Bellerley 68.8 Boldon Colliery, Tyne & Wear
2nd Christopher Jenn 68.8 Bideford, Devon
3rd David Connolly 68.6 Worsley, Manchester
4th Veryan Brooksby 66.3 Halifax, Yorkshire
U18 – Girls
1st Hazel Wilkinson 53.1 Maidenhead, Berks
2nd Lois Nethersell 53.0 Sittingbourne, Kent
3rd Emma Rawlinson 46.8 Ardingly, West Sussex
4th Natasha Chapman 45.9 Hemel Hempstead, Herts

U15 – Boys
1st Christopher Raveney 71.1 Sevenoaks, Kent
2nd Dave Skillett 62.9 Upminster, Essex
3rd James Miller 47.4 Seaham, Durham
4th Adrian Palmer 47.2 Ilford, Essex

U15 – Girls
1st Issey Cannon 55.2 London, SW15
2nd Emily Grist 54.9 Paddock Wood, Kent
3rd Natalie Miller 53.7 Uckfield, East Sussex
4th Eliza Smith 48.5 Basildon, Essex
5th Emma Gill 42.7 Hove, East Sussex

U12 – Boys
1st Ben Raine 64.1 Houghton le Spring, Durham
2nd Imran Hassan 56.1 Newport, Gwent
3rd John Blackwood 42.8 Camberley, Surrey
U12 – Girls
1st Laura Crofts 55.2 Rugby, Warwickshire
2nd Laura Owen 49.9 Cheshunt, Hertfordshire
3rd Frederika Fisk 41.2 Barnham, West Sussex
4th Emma Perry 38.0 Chatham, Kent