Club Week: Chris Cowdrey heads fundraiser, an umpire in an induced coma and Newmarket dreams again

The Cricketer rounds up some of the more unusual stories of the past seven days from across the local cricket scene...

Chris Cowdrey heads Shropshire fundraiser

Former England international Chris Cowdrey was master of ceremonies at an annual charity fundraiser for Shropshire County Cricket Club.

The club's Pure Telecom Cricket Challenge at Wrekin College saw just under 700 business people attend, according to The Shropshire Star.

Now in its 13th year, this year's event held last Thursday was sold out in April and raises money for the cricket club, along with local charities.

Visitors were treated to lunch and two T20 matches between Shropshire County Cricket Club and Scottish champions Grange Cricket Club.

Event organiser Toby Shaw said: "It sold out in April so it illustrates the popularity and demand for the day.

"It is an important day, not only for Shropshire cricket but for the business community.

"What's nice is we have got Grange Cricket Club here and they have got three or four Scottish internationals playing. It gives our players a chance to play against international cricketers."

Umpire in coma after being hit in Pembroke match

An umpire had to be airlifted to hospital after being struck by a ball during a match in Pembrokeshire in Wales.

John Williams, 80, was flown to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, after being struck during a match at Pembroke, who were playing Narbeth on Saturday.

He was then placed in an induced coma at the hospital.

I'm sure everyone in Pembrokeshire Cricket would join us in wishing umpire John Williams a speedy recovery

— Pembrokeshire Cricket 🏏 (@PembsCricket) July 14, 2019

A spokesman for Pembroke Country Cricket Club said Mr Williams, secretary of Hundleton County Cricket Club, was hit on the head during the Division 2 match.

The club said the game was stopped due to the medical emergency.

A spokesperson from Wales Air Ambulance said they arrived to treated Mr Williams at the scene before flying to hospital.

Groundbreaking turf for Burnley Cricket Club

Burnley Cricket Club have been boosted by the news that it has secured a partnership with the town's biggest employer, Boohoo.com.

The three-year partnership between the online retailer and the cricket club will see the ground renamed as The boohoo.com Turf Moor, and significant investment will be put into The Boohoo Junior Cricket Academy to help develop both boys and girls cricket.

President of Burnley Cricket Club Michael Brown told The Burnley Express: "We are absolutely delighted to have a partner and sponsor as well-known as Boohoo.

"It is not only a huge company in its own right but is a big part of the Burnley community and it is fantastic it wants to invest in junior and senior cricket and put even more back into the town through Burnley Cricket Club."

Arson attack culprits encouraged to join West Yorkshire side

Bosses at a cricket club that suffered by an arson attack are urging the perpetrators to come to the ground and get involved with the sport.

Cricketers at Mount Cricket Club on Halifax Road in Batley, West Yorkshire, were dejected when they discovered wood set aside to build new fencing had been set alight.

The fire, discovered last Tuesday, damaged the wood and a temporary building.

Club Development Officer Abdul Ravat told The Dewsbury Reporter: "It's just really disheartening and dispiriting.

"What we try to provide is positive opportunities for young people in the community.

"We want these young people to be involved and get them to interact and become role models."

Hopes of restoring cricket in Newmarket

A consortium is hoping to restore cricket in Newmarket, Suffolk, according to The Newmarket Journal.

Newmarket has not been able to boast a cricket team since 2017 and seven years earlier had moved to the purpose-built facility at The Severals in the heart of the town.

The consortium – allegedly made up of local cricket fanatics – has big plans for the future, including the launch of youth teams, ladies' teams and a link with schools in the area.

Their intention, according to the publication, is to enter a senior side into the Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire Premier League, with the club ideally being based in The Severals area.