England cricketer Sam Billings visited Harlands Primary School in Haywards Heath on Thursday 5 July, to launch the ICC Schools’ World Cup Programme. Billings joined a maths class integrating cricket with numeracy skills – an example of the kind of resources that are available for schools via the Chance to Shine Schools’ Portal.

Billings went into the Year 6 classroom and helped the pupils as they learnt about coordinates using fielding positions. Billings also joined a cricket session out on the schools field, giving the children the benefit of his experience in his usual environment.

The lucky pupils in Haywards Heath also received a special MCC Spirit of Cricket assembly from Sussex Cricket Foundation coaches as well as a special ‘guest’ – the brand new Cricket World Cup trophy! Harlands Primary was the first school in the country to receive a visit from the new trophy.

As part of the build-up to the 2019 Cricket World Cup, Chance to Shine, ICC and ECB are working together to deliver a new set of digital resources for schools to use to enthuse their pupils about the tournament.

The Schools’ World Cup programme will provide a new set of digital resources for teachers each half-term via the Chance to Shine Schools’ Portal. Schools who sign up to the portal will also be eligible for match tickets, trophy tour and mascot opportunities as well as other exciting rewards.

Billings said “I’ve had a brilliant time back in the classroom today. I think a young Sam Billings would have loved a cricket-themed maths lesson and it’s great that Chance to Shine are combining the sport with learning to help children.

“The Cricket World Cup is going to be an incredibly exciting tournament for the players but it’s also so important that we take advantage of that buzz to inspire children across the country and get them involved with cricket. The new resources that Chance to Shine and the ICC are developing are a superb way for teachers to bring the excitement of the Cricket World Cup into the classroom.”

Yoon-Jee, 11, “I found the lesson pretty interesting seeing as it was maths, cause normally maths isn’t that fun and it showed me that maths can be fun! Some people don’t like maths because they think they’re not that good at it, if you put cricket into it you get more interested so you try more. Cricket is a lot of fun and it helps bring people together, you can make a lot of friends by playing together.”

Fleur, 8, “I like cricket because I play with all my friends. It’s not just the boys, we all play together. I’ve captained my local team and you have to make sure that everyone plays fair.”