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Cricket: On the eve of the new season, former England cricket captain Mike Gatting says Corsham's youth system is one of the best he has ever seen.

The 50-year-old was at the club's Station Road ground on Saturday to officially open their new £35,000 nets, which will be used by the whole club.

And, while the first team prepare for their Premier One opener at Frocester, Gatting was applauding the club's commitment to youth.

"If all clubs are run like this then cricket would be inundated with talent," said Gatting, who is managing director for cricket partnerships for the ECB.

"To see what is here in a small village and what is obviously the hub of the community is tremendous.

"It compares very favourably to anything I have seen. You have got youth and all the young lads coaching and it is a club which cares about youth and its youth policy is tremendous.

"If clubs like this didn't exist then we certainly wouldn't have a first class game."

Gatting, who was the last England captain to win the Ashes in Australia, also urged those who might not play to still get involved.

"If kids come here but they feel are not good enough and don't want to do it, there is always umpiring or scoring," he said.

"You can be one of the volunteers behind the bar or making the tea. There is so much to be done and clubs rely on volunteers."

Corsham academy director Alistair Goddard was delighted at the opening and how, with the youth sides demonstrating their skills, the event advertised the club.

"The day gave us the opportunity to showcase the club," he said.

"We have shown how good the club is, how organised the club is and their money hasn't gone to waste."

The Corsham first XI will benefit from the three new nets and Michael Coles' side travel to Frocester looking to start their campaign with a win.

Former Worcestershire all rounder Roger Sillence has rejoined the Station Road outfit after leaving in 2004, and batsman Pete Turner has joined from Goatacre.

9:53am Thursday 1st May 2008

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