JON Lewis's first ever coach believes his Test debut against Sri Lanka at Trent Bridge yesterday could encourage a new wave of budding cricketers around the Town.

Kevin Thompson, coach of Swindon Cricket Club's junior section, was in Nottingham to witness his former student become the town's first ever Test player and is hoping it is a sign of things to come.

Thompson has seen his club lose the likes of Swindon Town's Michael Pook and Manchester City's Matthew Mills to football but, with more money than ever in the sport, he believes cricket has finally become a practical alternative'.

After Andy Flintoff and co gripped the nation with their thrilling Ashes win last summer cricketers are enjoying a higher profile than ever before and now, with Lewis' Test cap, Thompson believes it is time to cash in.

He said: "Hopefully youngsters will look at Jon and think that if he can get to the very top in the sport then why can't they. It is great news for cricket in Swindon.

"At the moment Swindon has not got any players capable of even being picked in the Wiltshire squad. We need to start producing better players.

"It would also be nice to think it is a prime opportunity for the council to fund some facility improvements as Swindon's ground is the only decent one in the town.

"There are new rewards in cricket nowadays. It has finally become a practical alternative to football, which just a couple of years ago would have been an absolute no brainer.

"Michael Pook and Matthew Mills both gave up cricket for football but hopefully we will be able to start keeping our young talent now."