Cricket in UK schools 'less elitist and more ethnically diverse than in past': Survey

London, May 20(ANI): A new survey has revealed that cricket in the UK has become less elitist and more ethnically diverse than in the past, with it growing in popularity among kids in state schools.The survey was conducted by the 'Chance to Shine' foundation, which has brought cricket to a million schoolchildren across the UK. The results were based on an online YouGov survey of 993 parents of children aged 8 to 17.

When asked whether 'cricket has become less elitist' than when they were at school, three times as many parents of children at state schools polled strongly agreed (42 percent), compared to those that strongly disagreed with the statement (13 percent).

Twenty-four mums polled said that cricket is now offered as a team sport to girls at their child's school, twice the number that say the "gentleman's game" was an option for them when they were at school (11 percent).

It also showed that a whopping 72 percent of parents believed playing cricket could improve their child's grades.

Meanwhile, England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff explained why he has been backing the foundation.

"Cricket in state schools was in real danger of dying out before Chance to shine launched in 2005," The Sun quoted Flintoff, as saying.

"I believe every child has the right to play competitive cricket at school and to learn skills that they can use throughout their lives," he added. (ANI)