Future stars compete in NatWest Speed Challenge

England fast bowler Matthew Hoggard will join 19 of the UK's fastest young bowlers who will be battling it out to win this year's NatWest Speed Challenge Final at Lord's on Saturday (12 July).

The young cricket stars, who have also won a day's coaching with an England player, will compete for the title of the Fastest Young Bowler in their age category (Under 18, Under 15 and Under 12, girls and boys).

Now in its second year and with over 5,000 kids taking part this year, The NatWest Speed Challenge is a nationwide competition searching for the fastest young bowlers. The NatWest Speed Challenge competition has formed part of the NatWest Interactive Tour that has visited towns, cities, cricket clubs as well as selective matches in The NatWest Challenge and The NatWest Series between May and July this year.

At each venue kids have had the opportunity to record the speed of their fastest delivery under the guidance of ECB coaches. All the results have been displayed on www.natwest.com/cricket enabling the kids to check their speed and position in the competition. The fastest four kids in each of the three age categories - Under 18, Under 15 and Under 12, boys and girls qualified for The NatWest Speed Challenge Final.

Matthew Hoggard, England and Yorkshire fast bowler, will be joining the finalists on the Nursery ground at Lord's to offer them advice and encouragement in their training on Friday afternoon and before the competition gets underway at 10am on Saturday.

The kids will have three chances to record their fastest delivery to claim the title in their age category. Matthew Hoggard and England Women's Captain, Clare Connor will present the winners with their medal and a bat signed by all three teams competing in this year's NatWest Series.

Steve Day, Head of Brand Strategy, NatWest said: "Grassroots cricket is fundamental to the success and future of the sport and we are delighted that The NatWest Speed Challenge competition has been such a success once again, with over 5,000 kids taking part this year."

The NatWest Speed Challenge is part of a major grassroots campaign to encourage and develop children's interest in the sport. NatWest have invested over £1/2 million over three years in a series of grassroots initiatives including the distribution of 800 flicx pitches and 10,000 skills balls to schools and clubs across the UK and the newly NatWest sponsored Inter Cricket programme.

The NatWest Speed Challenge Finalists 2003 are: