It's a case of ‘here come the girls’ for a Luton-based charity cricket project, who are pushing boundaries in their attempt to engage the next generation of women’s cricketers.

Wicketz, a Lord’s Taverners project using cricket as a tool for change, operates 16 regional projects across the UK but the Luton branch was one of the founding hubs in early 2016. 

Its success is encapsulated by expansion – starting in the safe haven of three cricket clubs, it has since grown to operate at five locations including Farley Hill and High Town. 

But project lead Amran Malik is most proud of Wicketz’s work in promoting women’s cricket, particularly among the town’s South Asian population.

“We’re proud to say we’ve engaged lots of girls and in particular two Asian mothers who will now go to do a ECB Level Two coaching badge,” said the Development Officer.

“Samina and Jasia are practising Muslims who have children who are budding cricketers and they come into Wicketz week-in, week-out and help our 25 girls. 

“Nationally as a game we need to engage more women and South Asian women is another challenge – it’s hard to reach them at times.

“It’s phenomenal. Apart from developing in cricket, their etiquette, manners, discipline and character all improve and that’s what we try and promote through the sport.”

Malik has led the programme’s partnership between local bodies like One Stop Advice on Liverpool Road and the Empower Education centre, based on Dallow Road. 

Catering for the sheer diversity of populations in Luton – that sees 19 ethnicities attend sessions – has helped volunteers Abdus Salaam and Uzair Shafiq gain national recognition. 

The programme aims to establish community cricket clubs in hard-to-reach, deprived areas where opportunities to play sport are lower than the national average.

As part of Wicketz, kids from the north-west spent three unforgettable days at its national festival at Repton School from August 6-8.

The event brought together Wicketz participants from across the UK, with the Luton contingent thrown into teams alongside youngsters from Manchester and West Ham. 

Using the Derbyshire school’s world-class facilities, the 8 to 16-year-olds were put through their paces by former England bowler Kabir Ali and coach Peter Moores. 

Malik – who has previously welcomed ex-Worcestershire and Hampshire paceman Ali to their Luton hub – sung the praises of the professionals who worked with his kids.

"I can't say how much the kids enjoyed being coached by Peter and Kabir," he said.

"Peter's fielding drills were amazing and as a coach there's so much I can learn from and take back to Luton for our sessions.

"And Kabir, wow. We've met him before and he's turned our bowlers from chuckers into quick bowlers.

"One of our kids has gone from nowhere to taking 13 wickets in his last three games. I put that down to Kabir's help."

Derbyshire all-rounder Luis Reece – formerly of the Red Rose – was also on hand to share his expertise with bat and ball and enthused by the energy of the young participants.

“Everyone should have the opportunity the game we love and this programme offers that to kids who might not otherwise get the chance,” he said.

“They are talented kids who all came down with a smile on their face and asked me lots of questions, which is very rewarding to see.”

Using cricket as a tool for change, Wicketz is aimed at hard-to-reach youngsters aged 8-16 within areas of high deprivation across the UK, by engaging young people who live in communities where there are few opportunities to play the game regularly.