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Just as Andrew Strauss and the England team hope to beat Australia, an Under 14s Coventry Bears side coached by Karl Bowes are hoping to progress through to the final and pick up some silverware.

The cup, now in its 14th year, is being contested at Arundel Cricket Ground in West Sussex. The competition is being played between 11-13 August 2009, with the final starting play at 9.45am on the Thursday. The heats, which consisted of 24 teams from around the country, have already been played.

Bowes said: “It is great to see so many youngsters being part of this national cricket competition, giving them something wholesome to aim for.�

Having already beaten the likes of Nottingham and Derby to qualify for the play-offs, Coventry still need to overcome Edinburgh, Cardiff and Northampton if they are to reach the final.

Bowes also said: “As a team, we are very excited about going to Arundel to take part in the finals and will strive to fight off the fierce competition we come up against.�

Celebrating success at last year's event

It will be a great experience for Coventry’s U14s team, in what is the first time they have qualified for the national finals, swapping city streets for the historic and leafy Arundel Castle which houses the cricket ground.

As for their chances of winning, Bowes seems confident: “The Coventry side has an excellent bowling attack and a solid batting line up so can we win it? We have a chance.

“Obviously the most exciting thing is for our players to experience such a great event and enjoy the week.�

Lord’s Taverners

The Lord’s Taverners are dedicated to donating money to help young people of any background or ability to enjoy sports. Founded in 1950 they have donated over £30 million in the last decade alone, to schools and clubs in need around the country.

Youth cricket in disadvantaged areas is one of the key areas the charity likes to support, providing non-turf pitches and funding for youth cricket competitions.

Ensuring young people with special needs enjoy sport and recreational activities is another area the charity feels strongly about. Providing special mini-buses and sports wheelchairs are ways of helping people with special needs enjoy sports.