Members of a thriving cricket club are hopeful an £80,000 pavilion revamp will be ready in time for the new season.

The Olicanian Cricket Club, in Denton Road, Ilkley, decided to extend its facilities in 2005 after a surge of new players, mostly youngsters, joined the club following England’s success in the Ashes under the leadership of Michael Vaughan.

Although the club had only built a pavilion in 2000, money was raised for the extension, which should almost double the amount of space available.

And with the current national side brushing Australia aside Down Under, the club is hoping for another surge of interest on the back of the exploits of Andrew Strauss’ men.

Trustee and junior coach Mark Dexter said: “This year promises to be an exciting year for the club.

“No doubt plenty of people have seen the work going on at the ground as they’ve driven or walked past our ground in recent weeks.

“There’s still plenty to do to complete the work for the start of the new season, but we’re optimistic that we’ll be ready in time.”

The club currently has about 100 junior members, and indoor nets sessions are ready to resume next week.

Mr Dexter is hoping the sight of England beating the Aussies will encourage more youngsters to join the club for the sessions, which will be taken by coaches from within the Yorkshire County Cricket Club set-up.

“English cricket is on something of a high at the moment and we’re hoping to ride a wave of enthusiasm for the game following England’s retention of the Ashes during the tour of Australia,” he said.

Sessions for under-nines start on Friday, January 14, with sessions for under-11s and under-13s starting on Sunday, January 23.

Anyone wishing to join the club’s junior section, either as a player, coach or team manager, should e-mail mark@flatcapmedia.freeserve.co.uk.