School girls from Merton took part in a coaching session at one of the oldest cricket greens in the world as part of a drive to celebrate greater diversity in the game and sport.  

Students from Ricards Lodge School received a masterclass in cricketing skills this week by former Surrey, and England opening batter, David Smith, at Mitcham Cricket Club.  

They were joined by Cllr Caroline Cooper-Marbiah, Cabinet Member for Sports and Heritage, as part of the authority’s bid to become London’s Borough Of Sport.  

The coaching session comes after a recent damning report by Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket which said there were ‘deeply rooted and widespread forms of structural and institutional racism, sexism and class-based discrimination’ across the game.  

Cllr Cooper-Marbiah said: “It was a pleasure to see the girls get a top-class coaching session at cricket’s oldest continuously used ground.  

“It’s also great to see Mitcham Cricket Club look to the future and encourage more diversity in sport – which is part of our drive to become London’s Borough Of Sport.  

“And you never know what results we will reap? It could even help England to dominate the ashes in years to come!”  

Kate Page, Headteacher at Ricards Lodge said “We have a thriving and winning cricket tradition at our school and a long history of encouraging our students to engage in all sports beyond the school timetable.  

“From September this year we have appointed the school’s first ever Sports Director, Sharon Colligan, with the remit of growing partnerships with professional sporting bodies for our girls. With increased coverage of women’s sport, including cricket, our girls have become inspired and are cheering on the women’s and men’s team during this year’s Ashes!”  

David Smith, Mitcham Cricket Club President, said “Mitcham Cricket Club is strongly committed to enabling girls and boys from diverse ethnic and social backgrounds to enjoy playing cricket and developing their skills. As part of this we’re delighted to welcome the students from Ricards Lodge to our historic ground.”  

Mitcham Cricket Club were awarded £54,000 from the Merton Council’s Civic Pride Fund to enhance their ground including a new scorebox, sight screens and an artificial pitch to enable more junior cricket for girls and boys.