MORE than 200 budding Steve Harmisons and Kevin Pietersons took part in a cricket event in Bishop Auckland yesterday.
Twenty-four teams from primary schools across Wear Valley competed in a Kwik Cricket tournament at Bishop Auckland Cricket Club.
Coach Gary Purcell, Wear Valley's school sport co-ordinator, put the eight to 11-year-olds through their paces in the sun and hoped that some of the youngsters could be preparing for The Ashes in a few years.
He said: "There are some very good players. The response from the schools has been good. For some youngsters it's their first step on the ladder, but we hope they'll keep playing."
Kwik Cricket is an eight-a-side version of the game played with plastic bats.
Mr Purcell said: "They loved it and it does help when the weather's like this and nice and hot."
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