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Fans flock to village cricket club to see Stokes

Nisha Joshi,in Allendaleand
Evie Lake,North East and Cumbria
News imageNisha Joshi/BBC Martin and Poppy sitting on red and white camping chairs and smiling into the camera. Poppy is closest to the camera with light brown hair tied back in a long ponytail. She has sunglasses on top of her head and braces. She is wearing a turquoise jumper with writing on it and has her hands clasped in her lap. Her dad, Martin sits on the right and is hearing a red cap and black bodywarmer on top of a white t-shirt and shorts. There are people sitting around them on the grassy hill.Nisha Joshi/BBC
Father and daughter Martin and Poppy said they were excited to see Ben Stokes up close

Fans have gathered at a village cricket club for the chance to see ex-England captain Ben Stokes play.

About 300 spectators have gathered at Allendale Cricket Club in Northumberland to watch the county take on Durham in a one-day warm-up match.

Stokes announced his abrupt retirement from international cricket during England's third Test against New Zealand last month.

Father and daughter Martin and and Poppy said Allendale was a local ground for them and it was "pretty magical" to see Stokes in the flesh.

On their camping chairs at the edge of the cricket pitch, Martin said: "This ground in particular is just a beautiful cricket ground.

"I mean for an event like today, it's superb I mean the view for everyone is amazing.

"Got a really nice day as well and obviously to see Ben Stokes, that's pretty magical as well."

News imagePA Media Ben Stokes looking to the right with pursed lips. He has short, ginger hair and a ginger beard and is wearing a blue England bodywarmer and matching blue t-shirt. The background is out of focus.PA Media
Ben Stokes retired from international cricket last month

His daughter Poppy is also an avid cricket fan, in particular a Stokes fan.

"I've always looked up to him, he's amazing," she said.

"I love the way he bats, the way he bowls, he's just so determined and that's what I love about him.

"So just a proper inspiration for me."

News imageNisha Joshi/BBC The cricket ground which is large expanse of cut grass with a green, small single-storey building on top of a small hill. A crowd of people can be seen sitting on either side of the building. There are trees surrounding the pitch and the sky looks grey.Nisha Joshi/BBC
Allendale Cricket Club welcomed more fans than usual to see Stokes play

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