BYFLEET Cricket Club had help preparing its ground for the forthcoming season after being chosen as the Surrey Showcase Club for the 2019 NatWest CricketForce initiative.

Last Friday, up to 80 volunteers from the ECB, Surrey County Cricket Club and the Byfleet club completed a series of projects, including finishing touches to the new clubhouse, which was officially opened in the evening by England and Surrey fast bowler, Jade Dernbach, who lives nearby.

Jade’s England and Surrey team-mate Jason Roy and Tom Harrison, the ECB chief executive, also visited during the day.

The clubhouse, which was nearly 40 years old, has been extensively refurbished with £90,00 raised by club members and £10,000 from the Surrey Cricket Foundation.

The official opening was attended by more than 100 people from across the cricket world, the Woking and county council.

“The whole day was an outstanding success, extremely well supported and massively exceeded our expectations,” said club president Bernie Dodwell.

For the full story get today's 11 April News & Mail