Mexicans Rave

It may be that cricket fans are currently enjoying their winter break but a man brought up in the north east is starting a new cricket season and taking on a pioneering role promoting the game in Mexico - and the Mexicans are responding with massive enthusiasm.

24 year old Jack Little (pictured above in the back row fourth in from the right), from Cramlington, is manager of the Mexico national cricket team. Not only is Jack the manager of the team but he is also the national secretary and youth coach, and yet he still finds time to support his favourite football team - Blyth Spartans from across the Atlantic.

"Both teams play in green and white which is a nice coincidence!" said Jack.

Surprisingly cricket has been played in Mexico since 1827 but only in the past few years, with Jack and a new team of cricket mad lads at the helm, is it taking to the international stage.

"The national side took part in the ICC Americas Division three tournament in Easter despite one or two disappointments we recorded strong victories over Costa Rica and the Falkland Islands," said Jack. "We're looking to the future now and working hard to get more young Mexican lads involved".

"Our players are excited by the prospect and are increasingly passionate about the game. I've especially seen this in schools where I put on coaching sessions. The senior national squad is made up of ex-pats including an Indian, a Pakistani, a South African and a Dutchman, as well as Mexicans. Half the team speak Hindi - now with a hint of 'Geordie'!" he added.

Jack, a former season ticket holder at Croft Park, is expecting to spend another three years in Mexico even though he misses watching Spartans matches. Fortunately he is able to keep in touch with results through the internet and his dad and his brothers who rarely miss a match.

Jack is always looking out for sponsorship to enable cricket in Mexico to develop further. Anyone interested should contact him at: [email protected]