After seeing the plans for the new clubhouse and pitches on the club’s website, Sir Alastair sent them a video message, which was played to a packed public meeting on Friday, November 12.

The all-time leading test run-scorer said: “It looks absolutely fantastic! A new state of the art clubhouse which will be a great facility for the community and two new cricket pitches so that four teams can play at once, I can’t wait to see it!”

The meeting was arranged by the cricket club to talk about how its new facilities in Janey’s Field, East Budleigh, will be available to local organisations for meetings and events.

Cricket Club director Bill Roper said: “We were thrilled that so many members of the local community came along. It is vital to let the town know what we are trying to achieve with the club and to get their feedback on what they want from it.”