England's Pride Side mascots will be in attendence

"So it's important that they have an area they can call their own, and have things to do during the day as well as watching their heroes."

Life-size mascots of the Pride Side - the superhero cartoon characters launched by the ECB last year to boost grass root cricket - will be on hand to entertain the hoards.

Crucially, the activity packs contain educational material, tailored to the needs of the National Curriculum, as the days of a simple school trip to the cricket are past.

"A day out in the Lion's Den will be nboth educational and fun," Blake went on.

"We hope to welcome school classes and junior cricket teams, as well as individual families."

Hussain, leading England all-rounder Sarah Collyer and children's TV presenter Tess Daly were all there to lend their support.

"We've got good things going on at the top of English cricket," said Hussain.

"But that will be of no use in the future if lads are not available to come into the team.

"It's not necessarily important that these kids play the game but its important that they have an avenue to enjoy it."

Collyer was equally enthusiastic, saying, "Offering youngsters a taste of the action may lead to more of them takingup the game."

But she admitted that she had been too busy playing cricket as a child to take the time out as a spectator.