Schools Cricket Day held across Lancashire ahead of Women's T20 World Cup coming to Old Trafford
Over 14,500 children across Lancashire take part in UK's biggest ever Schools Cricket Day ahead of Women's T20 World Cup coming to Old Trafford
With just 50 days to go until the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, over 14,500 children from 83 schools across the region today picked up a bat and ball as part of Schools Cricket Day - the largest single-day cricket participation event in UK history.
The landmark moment marks a major milestone on the road to this summer’s must-see tournament, which gets underway on 12th June at Edgbaston before Old Trafford hosts four fixtures starting from Saturday 13th June, kicking off with Scotland vs Ireland.
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From first-time batters and bowlers in playgrounds, to competitive matches on sports fields, girls and boys across the area came together to play, learn and be inspired, as schools across England and Wales truly catch the spirit of the game.
Lancashire has marked the occasion with over 14,500* children picking up a bat and ball across the county, with 130 children from Kings Road Primary School enjoying a dedicated session at Old Trafford’s Indoor Cricket Centre alongside World Cup Winner and former England star, Alex Hartley. Alongside lessons and activities, all Lancashire Cricket Foundation (LCF) staff supported additional events, from games and activities to assemblies, taking place across the region.
Big names from the world of cricket, including Heather Knight OBE, Lydia Greenway OBE and Hampshire captain Georgia Adams, also joined school events in ICC Women’s T20 World Cup host cities, becoming powerful role models and inspiring girls to believe that cricket is a game for them. Activity across the country included:
- England legend Heather Knight OBE taking part alongside over 200 children at a mass participation Schools Cricket Day event at Raynes Park
- Former England star and 2009 World Cup winner, Lydia Greenway OBE joining over 400 children at host venue, Edgbaston
- England player and current Hampshire Women captain, Georgia Adams helping with a cricket session at a local Hampshire primary school
- Australian international and current player for Yorkshire women's, Jess Jonassen, supporting a cricket session at Morley Cricket Club
Schools Cricket Day is part of the ECB’s ambitions to harness the power of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England and Wales to build a legacy that inspires the next generation of girls to say cricket is a game for them. This year alone, through various initiatives and programmes, the ECB is aiming to see 500,000 women and girls playing cricket, 300 women taking up key leadership roles within the game’s administration, and 500 Champions of Change created as part of the Young Cricket Collective, which will empower young girls to volunteer and make change at their local cricket clubs.
The day also features bespoke resources and games created by the ICC’s global charity partner, UNICEF through its “Rights in Play” programme. The games, which were integrated into the day’s activities, focused on increasing understanding of child rights through play and participation in cricket. These sit alongside a range of cricket activity ideas on a dedicated schools’ resource hub.
2017 World Cup winner and Lancashire Women’s star Alex Hartley, said: “It feels like I've been waiting all year for the World Cup to arrive, and now we've only got 50 days to go! I'm really pleased to support initiatives like Schools Cricket Day today as they're so important to inspire the next generation of potential cricket players. As an international cricketer I always looked forward to major tournaments, there’s nothing quite like playing on the global stage.
“There was a huge shift after the 2017 World Cup, we all felt it. Having the T20 tournament in England and Wales this summer presents another huge opportunity to continue building a legacy that can be felt by all future generations of cricketers from Lancashire and all across the nation.”
Managing Director of the Lancashire Cricket Foundation, Jen Barden said: “National Schools Cricket Day is a fantastic opportunity for young people in their education settings to get involved in so many aspects of the game! We have members of the LCF delivering cricket across the County but also linking in lessons including the history of the game, using maths and science too! We have an amazing opportunity to inspire the next generation of cricketers, volunteers, coaches and officials in all aspects of cricket this summer with the games at Old Trafford, I can’t wait to see lots of young boys and girls giving cricket a go for the first time!”
Gemma Barton, ECB Head of Strategic Growth, said: “Moments like this show how the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is shaping the future of the game. Every girl and boy inspired to pick up a bat and ball today can see how inclusive, welcoming and fun cricket is. It’s not just about the summer ahead, it’s about what comes next: more girls playing, more teams growing, and more people feeling like they belong in the game.”
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