A Leamington law firm’s sponsorship of women’s cricket atLeamington has paid dividends with no less than four girls being called up for county duty this summer.

Blythe Liggins, which also sponsors the Two Castles Run, has renewed its support of the women and girls’ sectionat Leamington Cricket Club in Arlington Avenue for a second year.

Kevin Mitchell, chairman of Leamington Cricket Club and a partner and commercial solicitor with Blythe Liggins, said the sponsorship was providing extra coaching and equipment.

He said: “Everyone at the club is very excited about the news that Imogen Lomas, Abi Mitchell and Sabrina Burrows have been selected for Warwickshire and that Laura Bawden has been picked by Worcestershire.

“Women’s cricket is one of the fastest growing sports and Leamington Cricket Club is at its forefront in this area. We were the first club in England to hold a women’s softball festival and we hope to make it an annual event. We also have girls as young as five playing, and a joint venture with Berkswell Ladies which enables them to both train and play their matches here.”

The club’s chairman of cricket Neil Smith, a former England and Warwickshire player and son of legendary England cricket captain and rugby international M.J.K. Smith, said: “These are exciting times for women’s cricket and Blythe Liggins’ generous support is helping us to provide extra equipment and more coaching. For example, we have just been able to secure the additional coaching services offormer Gloucestershire professional Ollie Currill.”

CAPTION: Leamington Cricket Club chairman Kevin Mitchell (left) with chairman of cricket Neil Smith and the club’s county players Sabrina Burrows, Abi Mitchell, Laura Bawden and Imogen Lomas.