DUDLEY people all ages can try out the borough’s first public non-turf cricket pitch, installed thanks to funding through The England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

It’s hoped the new addition at Russells Hall Park will encourage more people to enjoy playing cricket throughout the year.

The ECB with support of the Worcestershire Cricket Foundation selected the park for £10,000 of grant-funded work as part of The Hundred and KP Snacks Community Pitches’ programmes.

Part of the Everyone in Campaign, which aims to get more families active through cricket, the pitch is one of 100 being funded by KP Snacks across the UK between 2023 and 2025.

The pitch will also support cricket playing on Russells Hall Park thanks to an initiative between the friends group and Worcestershire Cricket Foundation, through the All Stars and Dynamo youth summer cricket programmes.

Councillor Damian Corfield, Dudley Council's cabinet member for environment and highways, said: “This new pitch is an exciting addition to Russells Hall Park, where the Friends group has been doing amazing work to enhance the local offer.

“We were honoured that The England & Wales Cricket Board and KP Snacks selected one of our parks to form part of the amazing community pitches programme."

Deb Warren, secretary and event organiser at The Friends of Russells Hall Park, said: “We are so pleased to see the pitch installed and ready for use.

“This is another string to our bow as we work to bring more people from the local community into our wonderful park.”

Alex Woods, Worcestershire Cricket Foundation club development officer, added: “The installation of this non-turf pitch will benefit the local community and provide more opportunities for people in Dudley to play cricket."

Dudley Council has not needed to contribute any funding, but has pledged to maintain the outfield to a playable standard for casual cricket as part of its normal schedule.