England's leading Test run scorer, and former captain, Alastair Cook joined Chance to Shine yesterday (24 April) to celebrate the launch of Yorkshire Tea National Cricket Week 2018.

Cook was welcomed into the school hall by a guard of honour, celebrating his recent achievement passing 12,000 Test Match runs - the first Englishman to reach this milestone, it places him sixth on the highest run scorers in Test cricket. Cook spoke to the pupils about his achievement and answered their questions about how he got into the sport and what he has learnt from his career at the top of the game.

Cook then joined the Year 4 and 5 pupils for a cricket session out on the playground, giving them coaching tips and helping them to develop their cricketing skills.

Speaking at the event Cook said “It’s been brilliant to be here taking part in a proper celebration of cricket. Throughout my career I have learnt a huge amount from the sport, on and off the field, and I hope that all these children will develop a lifelong love for cricket.

“Chance to Shine are working tirelessly to give as many children the opportunity to play the sport and to receive the benefits like teamwork, resilience, communication that will benefit them for life. Yorkshire Tea National Cricket Week is a great opportunity for schools to give their pupils a brilliant first experience of cricket.”

Evie, a pupil at Rusthall Primary, said "It's quite incredible, it's not everyday you get to meet Alastair Cook." Classmate Tilly added "I feel really lucky to meet him, it has just been absolutely amazing."

Students from all year groups joined the England star in launching the cricket week (18-22 June 2018), which sees children up and down the country get involved playing and learning through cricket. It's an opportunity to celebrate the sport, to inspire children to take part in cricketing activities and to showcase the work that Chance to Shine does in bringing the game to hundreds of thousands of children every year.

This year, every school that signs up will receive a pack of digital resources to coach cricket on the playground, to use cricket in curriculum lessons and a specially designed party pack to hold a proper celebration of the sport. As well as a 20% off discount code from the Gray-Nicolls online shop!

Don’t miss out! Sign up now: chancetoshine.org/ncw_signups