PRIMARY pupils were bowled over when England women’s cricket stars Charlotte Edwards and Danielle Hazell dropped in on a Sportative Girls session at Rainford High School.

Danielle and team captain Charlotte signed autographs, spoke about the Ashes Tour, delivered a coaching session and answered questions from pupils and teachers.

They spoke about the successful coaching sessions delivered by Lancashire Cricket Board’s development co-ordinator Chris Chambers, supported by the council's Sports Development Team and the England Cricket Board's Chance To Shine initiative.

The coaching programme has resulted in several girls being chosen for Lancashire, including Rebecca Cline, Olivia Horsfield and Ellie Threlkeld who has also represented England at under-15 level.

Girls’ cricket in the St Helens area is rapidly going from strength to strength, with the borough having representative teams at under-11, under-13 and under-15 levels, as well as a senior women’s team in the Lancashire mid-week league.

Anyone who fancies giving the sport a try should contact Gemma Webster in Sports Development at gemmawebster@ sthelens.gov.uk.