'Play cricket to improve maths'

London, Feb 11: Kids who are weak in maths can improve their skills in the subject by playing cricket, according to a Brit Schools executive.

Schools Secretary, Ed Balls, has said that playing cricket helps develop skills such as managing statistics and working out sums under pressure.

Also, he suggested that with the development of technology such as computerised ball trackers and England's new sweaters that help regulate body temperature, the game could boost children's grasp of science.

Balls made the comments prior to a speech at a school sport conference.

He said competitive sport should be encouraged to raise standards across the curriculum.

His comments come after criticism that around one-in-10 children in England are failing to do the two hours' PE a week, which is the official Government target.

And this was despite the fact that participation had increased over the last six years.

He said the late Bill Frindall who used complex maths and statistics to analyse cricket should inspire pupils.

Cricket can also improve pupils' history skills particularly when studying the Commonwealth.

"Cricket is part of our national identity. Not only does it have obvious health benefits for young people, it also develops them in other ways - co-ordination, balance, team work, tactics, and remaining calm under pressure," The Telegraph quoted Balls as saying.

He added: "Cricket is one of the most popular school sports and I'm convinced it can have benefits across the curriculum too. Cricket is often called an art and a science - it's time for schools to demonstrate that."

ANI