RISING star Jack Ward is playing first team cricket for Malmesbury just three years after he took up the sport.

The 15-year-old eats, sleeps and breathes cricket, training on Wednesdays, playing for the club's U15 side on Thursdays, the first team on Saturdays and the Malmesbury Men's XI on Sundays.

But his mum Jane, 45, a former teacher had to drag her son down to the nets before he showed any interest in the game.

"I knew he'd enjoy it because he's very sporty and of course he loved it and couldn't wait to go back next week," she explained.

"Ever since he was aged two he was always playing with a ball of some kind, whether it was a cricket ball, tennis ball, rugby ball or football.

"If he can he will play two or three times a week and sometimes I have to drag him away from the cricket club.

"It's keeping him quiet and keeping him in that's the problem, he always wants to be doing something."

Jack has started all four of the club's first team games this season at number five in the batting order, but admits it is taking him time to adjust, despite a score of 33 in one game.

He has also hit a 50 for the Malmesbury Men's XI and a 98 not out, two 50s and two 20s for the club's U15s.

Jack also bowls and opened the attack for the club's 2nd XI last season, although he has not bowled as much as he would have liked this season.

Last season he was invited to a coaching session with Gloucestershire, but confusion with the dates and times meant his missed the opportunity.

"I love it and it's probably my best sport," he said.

"It's nice and relaxing and there's great social atmosphere at the club."

Jack plays football and was captain of the Malmesbury SchoolU15s team, which came second in their league and won a cup final and a six-a-side tournament last season.

England's success at the Rugby World Cup also inspired him to take up rugby and he trains at Minety where his father Andy Ward is a coach.

Jack comes from an impressive sporting pedigree with a father who played for Leicestershire 2nd XI, while his mother was a showjumper who competed at Wembley and Hickstead.

His older sister Zoe, 18, is captain of Malmesbury Ladies netball team, and his 16-year-old sister Zara has won her school colours at hockey and netball.

But Jack's favourite sporting memory was when he opened the batting for Malmesbury's 3rd XI against Cirencester last season with his father, who scored 106, while he scored 73.

"It's taking a while to get used to playing at that level, because there's a bit more pressure, but I'm confident I can do it with a bit more practice," the youngster said.

"My dad had to give up cricket when he injured his shoulder, but he's on his way back now so hopefully we'll be able to play together again one day."