Families in fear of stray balls

Neighbours of a Black Country cricket club today said they were dreading the upcoming season as they face being hit by a downpour of rogue balls.

Families living near to Wednesbury Cricket Club said they had had balls hurtle through their roofs and into their gardens.

Joan Jones, aged 78 of Meryhurst Road, collected 11 balls last season after they came flying over the club's 35ft fence.

Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said he had collected nine balls.

Residents are now asking for more to be done to secure and improve the fencing around the Wednesbury Sports Union ground in Wood Green Road. The new cricket season is due to kick off in April, with games played on Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Mrs Jones's son Glyn, aged 54, said: "The problem has got progressively worse over the years as the players improve and become stronger – even some of the youngsters can clear the fence now," he said.

No-one was available for comment from the Sports Union but Sandwell Council's chief executive Allison Fraser was due to be told of the problem today.