Chance to Shine receive backing from Sir Tim Rice during The Oval Ashes Test

The author and lyricist will donate to the children's charity every time an England player reaches a major landmark against Australia

Children's cricket charity Chance to Shine has joined forces with Sir Tim Rice during the fifth Ashes Test at The Oval.

The author and lyricist will be donating money for every significant landmark reached by an England player during the final clash of the summer against Australia.

Victory at Old Trafford gave Australia a 2-1 lead in the series and ensures they will keep hold of the Ashes - but the concluding Test holds plenty of value both on and off the field.

Rice, who is credited with working alongside Andrew Lloyd Webber on musicals such as Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, will give £15,000 for each century or five-wicket haul taken by the home team.

Each fifty and three-wicket haul will see the 74-year-old give £5,000 to the charity, which since 2005 has helped four million children play, learn and develop through the vehicle of cricket.

Last year, The Rolling Stones singer Sir Mick Jagger supported the charity with a series of donations during the fourth Test against India at the same venue.

"As a passionate cricket fan I can’t think of a more remarkable and inspiring summer for the game in this country" he said.

"We need to capture the opportunity and, therefore, I’m delighted to follow in the footsteps of Sir Mick Jagger, who supported Chance to Shine so generously last year. 

"It is a wonderful organisation that grows the game amongst the young and offers them the chance to develop life skills at the same time."

Chance to Shine chief executive, Laura Cordingley added: "We are overwhelmed by Sir Tim’s generosity and hope that Joe and the team can help to raise an incredible amount of money to allow us to continue in our mission of spreading the power of cricket to many more children and young people. 

"Just £6 will help us to support a child for six weeks coaching and we would be hugely grateful if the members of the great British public would back us too."

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