India and Sri Lanka Schools Challenge

4th June 2014 | Mallory Gray

Thursday May 22, 2014 

ECB brings cricket to the classroom with new India and Sri Lanka Schools Challenge 

ECB today launched the India and Sri Lanka Schools Challenge - a cricket-based educational programme which will be aimed at primary and secondary schoolchildren during England's international series against India and Sri Lanka this summer. 

Building on the success of the Ashes School Challenge, which engaged with more than 2,500 primary schools in 2013, the new India and Sri Lanka Schools Challenge is fully integrated with the UK National Curriculum for Key Stages 2 and 3.  

As part of the free interactive programme, teachers will be able to access 13 bespoke lesson plans and activities which will use the rich cricketing history of both countries to help develop literacy skills and a wider understanding of South Asian communities. 

Former England captain and ECB's Managing Director of Cricket Partnerships, Mike Gatting, said: "The inaugural Ashes Schools Challenge last summer resulted in a superb response from thousands of primary schools across the country, and the launch of the new India and Sri Lanka Schools Challenge today provides another exciting opportunity for even more schools to get involved with this innovative classroom initiative.  

"Both India and Sri Lanka are nations with rich cricketing traditions.  Learning how the sport is interwoven with the history and culture of both countries will be fascinating for pupils and is a great way for them to develop literacy skills, cultural awareness - and we trust - a passion for cricket itself." 

Working in partnership with Chance to Shine, in addition to being available online for anyone to access, the India and Sri Lanka Schools Challenge will be adopted as part of the Chance to Shine educational programme in thousands of state schools across the country this summer. To find out more about the programme and to access the online resources, please visit