FORMER England seamer Jon Lewis is spearheading an initiative to rejuvenate Swindon Cricket Club’s fortunes after a difficult two years at the County Ground.

Lewis’ former club, whom he left to join Gloucestershire 20 years ago, have fallen on hard times and will start life in the WEPL Wiltshire Division next season after relegation from the Glos/Wilts Division.

The Surrey paceman has watched from afar as his old team have struggled with issues off the pitch as well, and has taken it upon himself to encourage young local talent back to the club.

His first step is to oversee an open net session at the Croft Sports Centre this Sunday, March 17 between 10.30am and 12.30pm.

Lewis is hoping to have the maximum 40 people attend as he tries to revive a club he holds close to his heart.

“I’ve been speaking to the people in charge of the cricket club and I’ve been following the club from afar for a long period of time and it seems pretty obvious to me that the club hasn’t been doing so well. My idea is to go and help my old team, do some coaching and try to attract more people to come along,” he said.

“It’s important for me that Swindon’s got a focal cricket club, a really big cricket club within the town. When I was growing up there was a football club and a cricket club and the cricket club was playing in the top division in the West Country.

“We travelled down to Wales, to Bristol and the south west and it was a really fantastic place to grow up. I went to school but I really learnt about my life and how to handle myself on the cricket field at Swindon and in the bar afterwards.

“I had a fantastic upbringing and I want other people to have that opportunity as well.”

For safety reasons the session will only be open to all cricketers aged 16 or over. Children and guests will be welcome to view from the gallery upstairs for no charge.

The cost of the session is £6. To book a place email Paul Sore at paulsore@btinternet.com.