With The Ashes in full swing, people in Sandwell can enjoy playing cricket in their local community thanks to several cricket pitches that have been refreshed and, in some cases, newly created this summer.

Sandwell Council secured more than £130,000 towards investment in cricket pitches across Sandwell’s six towns, which has been kindly funded by the England and Wales Cricket Board and their partnership with KP Snacks as Official Team Partner of The Hundred.

Staffordshire Cricket is also supporting the project, working with local clubs to encourage participation in cricket.

It is hoped this network of pitches will encourage everyone – especially children and young people – to come along to their local pitch and give cricket a go!

Refurbished pitches are at:

• Bearmore Playing Fields, Cradley Heath
• Jubilee Park,Tipton
• Victoria Park, Smethwick (due to be completed shortly)

Replaced pitches are at:

• Hydes Road, Wednesbury
• Red House Park, Great Barr
• Tividale Park, Oldbury
• Victoria Park, Tipton
• West Smethwick Park, Smethwick

New pitches are at:

• Barnford Park, Oldbury
• Britannia Park, Rowley Regis
• Hill Top Park, West Bromwich
• Lightwoods Park, Bearwood

Councillor Charn Singh Padda, Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture and Tourism, said: “I would like thank the ECB, in association with Staffordshire Cricket, for supporting this project.

“We would invite people to come along and enjoy playing some cricket at these pitches in our wonderful parks.

“With The Ashes in full swing and England right back in it after their win against Australia at Headingley, now is a great time to give cricket a go, even if you’ve never tried it before.”

Over the past year, Sandwell Council has invested more than £4 million in parks, play areas, outdoor sports facilities and nature reserves, supported by a mix of council and external funding.

This included refurbishments and improvements to 41 play areas repairs and improvements to seven BMX and skate parks repairs and improvements to all outdoor gym equipment.