AHEAD of England and Australia locking horns in the Royal London Day International, cricketing stars and Stretford youngsters turned out to try their hand at the sport.

Lancashire’s Gavin Griffiths, former Indian wicket-keeper Farokh Engineer and youngsters aged eight-16 came together to play ‘street’ cricket at Stretford Leisure Centre on Monday, as part of Chance to Shine Street.

With guidance from the cricketing champs, the group played a fast-paced version of the popular game which uses a tapeball – a tennis ball wrapped in electrical tape – where innings last for 20 balls and games for 20 minutes.

The games take place often in hard courts and community centres in urban areas, rather than traditional grass pitches.

Meisam Syed, 16, said: “I was surprised to meet a legend. It was really fun to meet a former Indian wicket-keeper and a Lancashire bowler who has just won the T20 trophy. I learnt a lot from them and they gave me a lot of advice. Normally you wouldn’t get an opportunity like this.

“I meet new people every time I come to Chance to Shine Street. When I’m stressed out I just come here and play and forget about everything.”

Chance to Shine Street is an organisation which brings cricket to young people in urban areas where there are few green spaces and fewer traditional cricket clubs.

The charity is also using the game to promote social cohesion and connect young people from different backgrounds in diverse communities.

Talking about the Stretford session, Farkoh Engineer said: “It’s been a wonderful experience. Chance to Shine Street is a brilliant thing, to see the kids smiling and enjoying themselves. My advice to them was to be happy and to be good citizens.

“Cricket teaches you certain ethics. The very expression that it’s not cricket means that you don’t do something underhanded. It’s a great education to them and hats off to Lycamobile for sponsoring this cause. Chance to Shine is doing a fantastic job.”

For more information or to get involved with Chance to Shine Street, visit chancetoshine.org.