England made a winning start to the Evening Press Cricket World Cup at the University of York.

Sri Lanka's Sarah Knott hits one for six against England

Represented by Knavesmire I, they beat Sri Lanka (St Aelred's) by 32 runs in a repeat of England's victory at Lord's on the same day in the competition proper.

The Evening Press Cricket involves 16 teams from Primary Schools from the York area.

A draw made in the Evening Press offices in Walmgate paired each school team with one taking part in the World Cup proper. Another draw was then made to select the four groups.

England were paired in Group D with Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe (Kingsway) and West Indies A (Knavesmire II).

Top scorers of the day came from Group C where Sri Lanka A hammered 296 against Australia (Bishopthorpe II), who made 195 in reply.

New Zealand (Bishopthorpe) set the pace in Group A making 291 against South Africa (Westfield I) while Pakistan (Copmanthorpe) amassed 261 to beat India (Our Lady's III).Kenya (Poppleton Road) were top scorers in Group B, hitting 247 against Australia A (Our lady's I), who replied with 182.

In the other game in the group, Bangladesh (Woodthorpe) were edged out by West Indies (Our Lady's II).

The rules are based on Kwik Cricket with each team comprising eight players.

The sides have one innings, each 16 overs long with a new pair of batters parting at the end of the fourth, eighth and 12th overs.

Each team starts with a score of 200 runs. Each time a batter is out, five runs are deducted and the other batter of the pair faces the next ball. Each player bowls two overs.

This week's matches

(Friday, May 21)

Group A: India (Our Ladies III) v New Zealand (Bishopthorpe) on pitch 4; Pakistan (Copmanthorpe) v South Africa (Westfield I) on pitch 5

Group B: West Indies (Our Lady's II) v Kenya (Poppleton Road) on pitch 1; Bangladesh (Woodthorpe) v Australia A (Our Lady's I) on pitch 2

Group C: England A (Robert Wilkinson, Strensall) v Sri Lanka A (Appleton Roebuck) on pitch 3; Scotland (Westfield II) v Bishopthorpe II (Australia) on pitch 6

Group D: Zimbabwe (Kingsway) v England (Knavesmire I) on pitch 7; West Indies A (Knavesmire II) v Sri Lanka (St Aelred's) on pitch 8

Pitch maps are being sent to team organisers this week.

Rawcliffes Intersport step in as sponsors

The Evening Press Cricket World Cup have received a big boost with the news that the five-week long tournament is being sponsored by Rawcliffes Intersport.

Stephen Wright, managing director of Rawcliffes Intersport said: "Rawcliffes Intersport is delighted to be sponsoring this competition as part of its ongoing commitment to community development.

"Sport is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, and it is encouraging that the youngsters taking part in the Evening Press Cricket World Cup are being given the chance to develop an interest in sport from an early age.

"I hope the competition will be a success and wish all the schools taking part the best of luck."

Rawcliffes Intersport has nine stores acros the North of England at York, Southport, Bradford, Dewsbury, Leeds, Blackpool, Harrogate, Stockton and Hull. The company is a member of the UK's biggest sports retail organisation, Intersport GB.

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