Who are Sussex’s community cricket heroes? Stephen Fry wants to know!

Fry was speaking at the launch of MCC’s Community Cricket Heroes which will celebrate grassroots cricket up and down the country. The campaign will invite the public and the cricket community to put forward their nominations for individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the grassroots game and their community.

A team of 11 MCC Community Cricket Heroes will be chosen from the nominations by a special panel including Fry and former England internationals Mike Gatting and Claire Taylor. The winners will be invited to Lord’s as Fry’s special guests to watch the England v Ireland Men’s Test match with him in the President’s Box.

Nominations, open until April 27, are being encouraged from people from all ages and backgrounds – from volunteers who go above and beyond for their cricket club and community, to coaches who are inspiring people on and off the pitch and players who have overcome adversity to play the game. Nominations close next month with the winners announced shortly after.

Said Fry: “We are calling on people to put forward their nominations and say why they should be an MCC Community Cricket Hero. These are the unsung heroes who make cricket what it is and epitomise the values of MCC and everything that’s great about this sport. It’s a great opportunity to recognise them and to celebrate their invaluable contribution to the game.”

Former England international Claire Taylor added: “Cricket is played and supported by so many people from different backgrounds in communities across the country and has such a positive impact on people’s lives in a whole range of ways. It’s important we highlight that part of our game and those individuals who make such a difference.”

To nominate your MCC Community Cricket Hero visit www.lords.org/heroes – nominations close at midnight, Thursday 27