IS THE next Ben Stokes or Charlotte Edwards lurking somewhere in west Dorset? A joint project involving the Beaminster and Broadwindsor Cricket Clubs - dubbed BCC2 - is searching for young talent, male and female, to come forward for the 2021 season.

Ross Baker, Chairman of Beaminster, said: “We have a full pathway to test cricket.

“We have All Stars cricket for the 5-8's, Dynamos for the 8-11’s, and then three teams in the Mid-Wessex Youth League for the Under-10’s, the Under-14’s and the Under-16’s. All the cricket – training, matches and kit – comes free, partly subsidised by the England Cricket Board.”

The ECB has made it possible for more than 50 young local players to get free kit – including a shirt and a bat and ball. If the funds run out, BCC2 plans to supply kit to additional people who take part in the league games.

At last Tuesday’s youth training at the Beaminster Memorial Ground, Mr Baker had just been batting in the nets himself with two of the Beaminster senior team. Then he was preparing to coach 18 young players, preparing for the summer campaign.

He said: “We’ve got 34 All Stars and 22 Dynamos all kitted up. But we are still short of players for the league games. We are desperate for young players to come forward.”

Meanwhile, young player Jack Ronan hopes to play a major role in a victorious campaign by the Under-14’s and will play nine league games in addition to the Sunday games he plays for Broadwindsor.

“It was miserable not being able to play much last year,” he said. “So all I want to do is to get out there this season.”

To find out more and get involved contact Ross Baker by email at Chairman.BeaminsterCC@gmail.com