Streatham & Marlborough Cricket Club have launched a women’s team as they aim to expand their growing membership.

The team will take part in weekly training sessions with a view to joining a league at some point in the future, with women and girls of all ages and abilities being encouraged to sign up.

The first session took place this week, and club chairman John Greenwood is hoping that the new set-up will really take off.

He said: “We’re very keen to provide wider facilities for the community, and feel that women and girls should be embraced by the club. Because of the success of the England women’s team, there is a strong interest in women’s cricket, but a lot of girls are put off because they’ve never played before.

“We want to encourage girls with a keen interest in cricket, irrespective of their age or ability, to come along and play. We have ambition - this is a long-term thing. We want the word to spread, and for girls to come to training.”

The team trains every Tuesday from 7-8pm at Streatham & Marlborough Cricket Club, on Dulwich Common, with players of all ages and abilities invited to attend.

For further information, contact coach Lisa Stephens at v.stephens@ntlworld.com