Head coach Andy Bryson is confident there are future cricketing stars in the new Cumbria Under-15 team, having again linked-up with Cumbrian business Sally’s Cottages.

Members of the county’s Under-14 side proudly displayed their new kits last season, featuring the logo of Sally’s Cottages, an award-winning, family-run holiday cottage letting agency, based in Keswick.

With Sally’s Cottages coming into its second year of sponsorship with the county side to help support the development of Cumbrian cricket, which has seen the likes of England international Ben Stokes, Surrey’s Jordan Clark and his brother Graham, of Durham, come through the ranks in recent years, the county youth set-up is continuing to nurture talented players.

Stan Mcalindon, a current member of the squad who plays his club cricket for Carlisle, has been awarded his first Durham Academy contract after impressing over the winter.

Bryson, who plays for Keswick’s first-team, is confident there are many more close behind and says it’s important that backing, such as that received from Sally’s Cottages, can continue to help to grow the game at grassroots level.

He said: “County cricket provides a great pathway for juniors to go from the playground to the Test arena.

"We have Under-11s right up to a development squad and regularly get scouts from the likes of Durham, Lancashire and ECB [England Cricket Board] performance programmes.

"We’re in a position where we’re making a real culture shift in domestic cricket and are proving that we can do just as much as other counties, especially those that don’t necessarily have the same challenges as here in Cumbria.

“Our activities continue through the winter season so it’s important for us to have the right support in place to develop all aspects of cricket and to deliver to as many people as possible across the county.”

Owner and founder of Sally’s Cottages, Sally Fielding, grew-up in Eskdale but now lives in the south of the county.

“As a Cumbria-wide business, in our daily work we thrive on making a positive impact on the local economy and community,” she said.

“I also believe in helping to create the next generation of leaders. It means a lot to be able to support young people from around the county in their chosen sport and to, hopefully, see many of them follow their dreams.”