ASIAN cricketers from across the West Midlands are being encouraged to get involved with Local League Cricket.

Redditch Spartans are among the frontrunners of this league which takes place on a Sunday.

Local League Cricket is currently thriving and already operates six divisions.

Waqas Ali, who is skipper of Redditch CC's Saturday side said: "The Local Cricket League already attracts a number of Birmingham League cricketers.

People like Kadeer Ali, Omar Ali and Shozair Ali already compete, so the standard can be very high.

"We want to get more Asian players involved with cricket and believe there is some considerable talent out there."

Redditch Spartans play their home matches either at Cookhill CC near Astwood Bank or at Redditch CC's Bromsgrove Road ground.

Spartans run three sides in the league, one of which is based at the Old Silhillians. But as Waqas Ali explained: "It can be anywhere we can get a ground."

He added: "Local League Cricket isn't confined to Asian players, anyone can take part. Although the majority of players are Asian, it's not a closed shop and we'd welcome anyone to turn out and take part."

Spartans are presently doing battle in the Premier Division, where they take on sides such as Sutton Coldfield based Slazenger, Calthorpe Tangdeo of Edgbaston, Walsall Gladiators, Lye Warriors of Chaddesley Corbett, Lye-based Dudey CC and Metropolitan of Romsley.

Anyone wanting more details should go to the Local League Cricket website.