YOUNGSTERS at Whixley Cricket Club got a real treat when England batsman Jonny Bairstow popped in.

The Yorkshire wicket-keeper provided expert training tips for the club's Under-13s outfit - mentoring the players and even serving the match teas - before their game against Spofforth.

York-based Bairstow was lending support to a scheme to provide funds for grassroots cricket and was checking out refurbishments made at Whixley thanks to the England and Wales Cricket Trust Small Grant scheme.

Whixley Cricket Club, who have senior and junior teams competing in the Nidderdale Cricket League, are one of hundreds of clubs up and down the country that have benefitted from funds distributed by the governing body through county cricket boards to help improve their long term futures and the number of games played.

Waitrose, the England team sponsor, supported this initiative by pledging £100 for every four or six scored across the entire home international summer in 2014.

Whixley, whose pavilion burned down a decade ago, received funds to pay for a new clubhouse kitchen. This newly renovated area, the latest development in their new pavilion that opened last year, will help the club to provide teas to home players and opponents.

Bairstow said: “It’s always lots of fun to get back down to local clubs and see kids' passion for the game. Facilities at these clubs are vital, and schemes like this will allow Whixley to offer proper cricket teas, lunches and other social activities for the local area.”

Mike Gatting, ECB Cricket partnership ambassador, said: “We’re passionate about creating a sustainable future for cricket clubs and their communities across England and Wales. Small grants to clubs across the country make a huge difference to their long term future."