Cricket fans could be bowled over by plans for a new museum in Mitcham celebrating the sport’s heritage.

The idea has been backed by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) - the sport’s governing body, and the founders of the world’s largest cricket museum.

Plans to launch a cricket museum in Mitcham, one of the birthplaces of the sport, were suggested by council leader David Williams last week.

He said a high quality venue could regenerate the area.

“If we were going to do it, we need to do it properly and professionally,” he added.

Coun Williams said the council would not be able to pay for the project - but would act as a “facilitator” to find funding from other sources.

Mitcham Cricket Club is thought to be the country’s oldest, and its players have been batting and bowling on Cricket Green since 1685.

Lord Nelson was a regular spectator when he lived in the area.

MCC spokesman Adam Chadwick said the organisation would be happy to share its expertise with anyone aiming to set up a museum in Mitcham - and encouraged the council to apply to the MCC Foundation, which supports the game in the community, for funding.

He said: We are certainly happy to give advice and time to anybody interested in putting together this kind of scheme. A greater emphasis needs to be put on preserving our cricket heritage.”

He said cricket clubs and local communities should do as much as they could to promote the game’s heritage. “It’s something cricket organisations need to be aware of,” he added.

Coun Williams said if the idea became a reality the new venue would be “complementary” to the All England Club’s tennis museum in Wimbledon.

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