Colehill Cricket Club given reprieve after neighbours' complaints almost forced them to shut down

A cricket club established more than 100 years ago threatened with eviction after complaints about flying balls from neighbours has won a reprieve following a public outcry that included support from England Test captain Ben Stokes.

Telegraph Sport reported this week that Colehill Cricket Club had been told they had to leave their home after 118 years following complaints from a group of neighbours about damage caused by batsmen hitting sixes into gardens.

A petition attracted more than 27,000 signatures and received support from Stokes and former England captain Michael Vaughan.

Colehill shares the ground with other sports and the committee that runs the venue had told them they would have to move this summer due to the risk of claims for damages by local residents. They said the decision to restrict cricket to under 15s had been made with “a heavy heart and as an absolute last resort”.

After a public campaign, the committee relented on Wednesday and have told the cricket team they can stay as long as they raise £35,000 to pay for netting to protect the neighbouring properties.

Within a few hours on Wednesday night the club had already raised more than £4,000. “Neighbours previously unaware of just how valuable the cricket heritage of the village was to the community were given a clear insight into how much it meant. As a result some have now come forward with sizeable offers to cover a portion of the cost of netting,” said a statement from the Colehill CC.

“With this in mind the committee have reversed their decision to end adult cricket providing the funds be raised and logistics met to erect the netting required to ensure adult cricket at the ground can continue safely.”