The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is aiming to make cricket more accessible to children from under-served communities.

It aims to reach those less likely to access cricket, including disability and special educational needs schools.

The sessions are free of charge and run by qualified coaches during school hours.

Chance to Shine is a charity dedicated to taking cricket into state schools in England, Wales and Scotland.

Working with the ECB, the charity is aiming to increase its sessions in schools where more than 40% of students qualify for free school meals.

The Lord’s Taverners, a disability sports charity, will take cricket sessions to at least 200 more special educational needs schools.

Clare Connor, interim CEO of the ECB, said: “Helping everyone to be able to say ‘cricket is a game for me’ is essential for our sport’s continued development and growth.

“These programmes are fantastic ways to ensure that young people with the least have the opportunity to gain the most through cricket.

“Schools cricket is vitally important, and we will continue to be an advocate for more cricket in the curriculum in every discussion we have.”