Hussain: "Hopefully this will encourage more youngsters from all over the country to take up the game - Photo © CricInfo

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) today welcomed the Government's decision to invest £750 million in new sports facilities.

Commenting on the decision, England captain Nasser Hussain, said: "I very much welcome the announcement of new Government funding for sports facilities in schools. Cricket in this country needs much greater investment at grass-roots level if we are to produce more top class international players who can compete with the best in the world.

"This initiative will provide money for improving existing, and building new, cricket facilities and, hopefully, it will encourage more youngsters from all over the country to take up the game."

Notes:

1. A recent Mori survey, published by Sport England, showed that, in schools, cricket was the only game in which in the last five years, there had been an increase in the percentage of children participating on a frequent basis. The number of children who play the game in schools and clubs is around 2.5 million. 2. The ECB and the Counties currently spend around £7 million annually on cricket development and the game has a network of around 75 cricket development officers operating in the 38 County Boards.

For further information contact:

Andrew Walpole, ECB Media Relations Manager, 0385 527102

© ECB