Members of the England women's cricket team have visited schools in North Wales to inspire a new generation of young players.
Kate Cross, Danielle Hazell, and Heather Knight met pupils at St Peter's Primary School, Rossett; Hawarden High School; and Bryn Coch Primary School, Mold.
The visit, which was part of the players' role as Chance to Shine Coaching Ambassadors, involved various cricket activities to help build excitement around the summer's big NatWest International T20 in Wales, when England's women face Australia in Cardiff on August 31.
The final session of the day involved an in-depth question-and-answer session with girls and parents from the North East Wales Girls Hub at Mold Cricket Club.
The girls said chatting to the England players had given them the desire to try harder in the future to succeed at their cricket and hopefully go onto greater things, said Tony Moss, Chairman of the NE Wales Junior Cricket Development Committee.
The England women play Australia at the SWALEC Stadium, Cardiff, on August 31, as part of a double-header with an England-Australia men's international match. Tickets are available from
www.glamorgancricket.com
Role models are very important in inspiring young players, said Peter Hybart, chief executive of Cricket Wales.
This visit by some of England's stars has fired the enthusiasm of pupils who want to play for fun and those who are looking to reach higher levels, and maybe even pursue a career in cricket.
Cricket Wales is the national governing body for junior and recreational senior cricket in Wales. It works closely with Glamorgan County Cricket Club, which governs the men's professional game. For information visit
www.cricketwales.org.uk