SPECTATORS of a Leigh Cricket Club match were hit for six as they saw something truly unique – a mum playing a competitive senior game in the same side as her son.

Unheard of in competitive cricket, Helen Smith, 47, believes her stand-in appearance alongside her 14-year-old son Luke for Leigh third team’s recent Liverpool and District Cricket Competition Premier Division clash at Highfield was written in the stars.

Helen’s cricket-mad dad Reg, who died last year, used to play for Highfield and it is the only ground close enough to her Orrell home for her to be able to pop back for her cricket equipment in the unlikely event of the team ever being unable to field a full quota of players.

The Leigh women’s team player, who took up the sport two years ago in a bid to be able to help Luke’s development in the sport that he loves, said: “It was meant to be.

“My dad played for Highfield and loved his cricket. I didn’t like it as a child and I only started playing to help Luke. He used to get me to help him practise and I thought it would be wise for me to learn how to play the game myself so that I could be more use to him.

“I was supposed to be playing for the women’s team on the day of Luke’s third team game but I had to sacrifice that as his dad Neil was umpiring for the second team so I had to take Luke.

“It turned out that they were a player short so Luke and captain Phil Edwards asked me to play. Luckily it is close to our home so I was able to pop back to get my cricket gear.

“I never thought I would end up playing alongside Luke in a proper game but a chain of events led to it happening.

“I have never heard of a mother and son playing together in a competitive game before and it seems that no-one else has either.

“It was really good to play with Luke and a very proud day for me. I will always remember it.

“I was actually very emotional on the pitch thinking of my dad. He would have been so proud to see us playing together.

“It’s just a shame he couldn’t be there to watch.”

Not only did Helen play alongside wicketkeeper Luke, she actually scored more runs than him. But she was unable to prevent a strong Highfield side from winning the game against a youthful Leigh line-up.

Leigh Cricket Club head coach Tom McKiernan says he has been involved in cricket for 40 years and has ‘never heard of a mother and son combination’.

He posted on Facebook: “As cricketing careers enter their twilight years, many fathers have taken great pride and pleasure in playing a competitive senior game in the same side as their son…maybe even getting the chance to share a batting partnership or take a catch to secure a victim for their offspring.

“I have even heard of players officially announcing their retirement from playing the game immediately after completing this milestone.

“There is even been the odd, rare occurrence of a grandfather playing in the same side as his grandson (take a bow the Woodcocks at Westleigh CC), but how often has it happened that a mother plays a competitive senior game in the same side as her son?

“Well done Helen (and Luke). Who knows what future cricketing adventures lie in store for you over the next few seasons.”

Opposition player Geoff Higham added: “Well done Helen. I played in the Highfield team and you certainly had a great debut in very hot conditions.

“I am sure Phil won’t have a problem selecting you again.”

So would Helen be happy to play for Luke’s team again?

“Absolutely,” she said. “I am here if the team ever needs me.

“I would like to thank Leigh Cricket Club and all the coaches there for giving the opportunity for Luke and I to play together. I had forgotten how competitive I was.”

The Leigh women’s team that Helen plays for are champions of the women’s Cheshire development league and currently top of the table.