Kimberley Walsh and Adil Rashid play cricket together

Girls Aloud star Kimberley Walsh, originally from Allerton, and Heaton's Adil Rashid feature in the launching of an initiative by KP Snacks, the official team partner of The Hundred, to fund new community cricket pitches.

The singer joined former England Cricket player and TV presenter Isa Guha along with stars from The Hundred such as Rashid, Anya Shrubsole, Reece Topley, and Tammy Beaumont for a cricket session.

The cricket match took place at one of the first pitches to be installed as part of KP Snacks ‘Everyone In’ campaign, Broadwater Farm in Tottenham.

Walsh had never played cricket before (Image: KP Snacks)

Walsh said: “If I’m totally honest, this is the first time I’ve ever played cricket, but I had such a good time.

"I’m always thinking of new, creative ways I can keep me and my family healthy and active, and this is certainly one.

"The introduction of these new pitches across England & Wales is fantastic and I encourage all families to go to a pitch near them and give cricket a try.”

Both Walsh and Rashid come from Bradford (Image: KP Snacks)

Over the next three years and in collaboration with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), 100 non-turf cricket pitches will be installed or refurbished throughout the two countries at sites within proximity of each of the team cities linked to the Hundred.

Suitable areas were identified by assessing against key measures of population reach and bringing cricket to those who may not have had access to facilities previously or whose facilities have degenerated over time.

The pitches will be maintained and run by the respective local council within the borough.

35 pitches will be installed and ready to use and play on this year, with the remaining completed over the next two years.

Walsh is keen to carry on playing cricket with her family (Image: KP Snacks)

The ‘Everyone In’ campaign is part of KP Snacks’ commitment to get people active through cricket over the course of their 5-year partnership with The Hundred. 

Kevin McNair, Marketing Director at KP Snacks said: “At KP Snacks, we recognise we have a responsibility to our consumers and communities, and we are proud to be championing healthier lifestyles for them.

"Throughout our five-year partnership with The Hundred, we’re aiming to help thousands of families become more active and we’re building on this with our new community pitch initiative which invests in local communities and improves access to cricket.”