CHURCH Stretton Cricket Club is to hold a taster session next month for ladies interested in playing the sport.

The club, which is celebrating its centenary season this year, has been exploring the possibility of launching a ladies team as part of the celebrations of the milestone.

Now, it has announced a taster session is being held on Wednesday, May 5 for ladies of all ages and ability who are interested in getting involved.

The session is being hosted by the Shropshire Cricket Board.

Church Stretton Cricket Club chairman Rob Whittall said: "We're very excited to be moving forward with our ambitions to launch a ladies cricket team as part of our centenary celebrations.

"As a club, we want to look at new ways of getting people involved and ladies’ cricket is just one way we're trying to do that.

"There's a growing demand for ladies cricket and we're delighted to be able to offer this opportunity to ladies across the Strettons.

"The taster session will take participants through the basics of batting, bowling and fielding and confirm the rules of the non-competitive festivals that are held throughout the summer months.

"We'd love to see anybody who is interested in finding out more about ladies’ cricket and wants to get involved at the taster session."

The main difference with ladies cricket is the use of a softer ball, but the key elements of the game remain the same.

The taster session will take place at the club's home ground, Russell's Meadow, Lutwyche Road, at 6pm on Wednesday, May 5.

If the taster session proves successful, the club hopes to run regular training sessions on a Thursday evening during the summer, to coincide with the junior All Stars and Dynamos programmes, which caters for those aged between five and eight.

Church Stretton Cricket Club will be competing in Division Five of the Shropshire County Cricket League during the upcoming season.

To find out more about the club, search @StrettonCricket on Facebook or Twitter.

The men’s season in the Shropshire League begins on April 17 in the Premier Division and from April 24 onwards in the divisions below.