ENGLAND paceman Jake Ball had a great day at the Oakley Cricket Club as the guest of honour for the ECB NatWest CricketForce.

As well as talking to the volunteers doing jobs around the ground, he also posed for pictures with cricket fans young and old, as well as signing autographs.

The England and Nottinghamshire fast bowler was also given a tour around the ground by club chairman, Bob Lethaby, and was impressed with what he saw.

Ball, speaking at NatWest CricketForce day at the club, said: “This is a lovely classic village cricket ground and I have to say I have played at a few in my time, when I was younger.

"These clubs are the lifeblood of the sport, getting youngsters into the game."

Ball, who played in the first Test match of the Ashes series during the winter, before injury ended his campaign, is well aware he can inspire others to play the game and said: "We are role models for the future players and my advice to any young player is just go out an enjoy playing cricket."

The fast bowler is looking forward to the new season and hopes taking wickets for Nottinghamshire, will get him back into the England team.

Ball said: "I am now injury free and can't wait for the season to start. Notts are back in Div One and I think we will do well. We also want to win the T20 again and of course I hope I can get back in the England team."

Jake Ball was speaking during NatWest CricketForce at Oakley Cricket Club.

Now in its 18th year, NatWest CricketForce has grown into one of the largest sports volunteering initiatives in the UK, helping to secure the future of cricket as the game for all, with over 2,000 local clubs registering this year. Find out more at natwest.com/cricket.