Putting England's cricket stars in the picture is the painterly project Brentwood School art teacher Nancy Bixby is about to tackle.

The gifted painter is bowled over after being selected to jet out to New Zealand at the beginning of March as the England cricket team's official young artist.

It is a thrilling challenge for Nancy who has a long held love of the sport. Mixing with the famous batsmen and bowlers is a dream come true.

Nancy Bixby with a selection of her work

She said: "I will have access to the grounds and team and hope to be able to draw the players practising as well as playing in the matches.

"I will be doing a number of sketches and watercolours during my time in New Zealand and on my return I am aiming to produce about 40 oil paintings, which will be exhibited in the Pavilion at Lords during major matches this summer."

Nancy is no stranger to the limelight having held exhibitions both within this country and Kenya where she taught for four years.

She said: "One of the most important aspects of painting cricket matches is the attention to detail. A true cricket fan will recognise a player from his particular stance, or the sponsorship on his clothes and bat and it is important that all of these details are accurate."

In order to be selected by the MCC as tour's official young artist Nancy had to go through a demanding selection process.

She initially submitted sketches and watercolours based on South Weald, Epping and Loughton. She then had to send examples of her oil paintings - although as the cricket season had finished by this time she had to base her paintings on video footage.

A spokesman for the MCC, Iain Wilton, said: "The scheme demonstrates the MCC's commitment to supporting not only young cricketers, but also young artists and writers who record the game."

Published Thursday, March 7, 2002