West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has offered her help to local cricketers during a visit to Barnards Green cricket club. The MP met with club representatives as part of a Midlands-wide initiative to link clubs with their local MP. Harriett watched Barnards Green second team challenge Birmingham League rivals Eastnor at their Northend Lane ground in Malvern on Saturday (July 6). The team's committee members raised some of the core issues facing them this season including tax rules on paying for umpires and challenges securing funding from sport and heritage bodies. The club’s artificial turf nets were bought with the help of a £5,000 from the Sport England Lottery Fund. Harriett commented: "Cricket is the quintessential English sport and it was nice to see a thriving club in such a beautiful setting. "Clubs like Barnards Green offer sporting facilities to many young people. With the Ashes kicking off this week, we will all be backing England to retain the urn, so it important that as many people as possible know where they can try a sport like cricket locally, if they are inspired by national success. "I was interested to hear of the club's commitment to youth cricket coaching and hear about all the activities that are planned on their ground during the summer holidays. "I was glad to be able to thank these enthusiasts for all their hard work as volunteers.” Photo: Back row (l-r) Colts coach, Robin Longmore, committee member, Keith Middleton, front row (l-r) Harriett Baldwin MP, club president Tony Creese.