STAR cricketers are coming to town next week to help launch a female team for Marlow and get more women involved in the game.

England cricket captain Charlotte Edwards and her national team mates will run a taster session for women of all ages at Marlow Cricket Club on Friday, July 18.

The aim is to get more girls and women involved in the sport - first forming a girls team, with a ladies team to follow soon afterwards.

Nigel Ashton of Marlow Cricket Club, who will overseeing the new teams, said: "We are really excited to welcome Charlotte Edwards and some of her England team mates to Marlow Cricket Club next Friday.

We hope lots of girls and ladies turn up to take part in this unique training session with one of England cricket's top players.

"The ultimate aim is to launch both a girls and ladies section under Marlow Cricket Club, fitting with the overall Sports Club policy of providing sports for all in the community.

"Cricket is the fastest growing sport in the UK and it's so great to be based in the centre of the community at Marlow Sports Club - it would be fantastic to get girls and ladies involved too!"

The evening will also launch the fundraising campaign to raise £20,000 to build new outdoor practice nets at the club.

The Pound Lane club are hoping the presence of Edwards, who was awarded a CBE this year for services to cricket, will encourage more women to try their hand at the game.

The 34-year-old became the youngest ever cricketer to play on the international stage when she made her test debut in 1995.

Since then, the batting specialist has piled on a record 2000 T20 international runs and captained England to World Cup glory.

Edwards also went one better than her male counterparts when she led her team to Ashes victory this year - the fourth time she has achieved the feat.