A cricket coach has won a prize for her ‘outstanding’ leadership in helping her team become national champions.

Sadhna Patel, of Harrow St Mary’s Cricket Club won the Jack Petchey Foundation's outstanding leader award for her dedication supporting the club's team of teenagers.

Mrs Patel, one of only two female coaches at the club, helped the under-15s team win the National Championship this summer, the first time a club in Middlesex had done so in more than 30 years.

Club Secretary Lesley Brown said, “Sadhna is incredibly well organised and passionate about cricket and St Mary’s Cricket Club.

“She possesses a range of different skills as well as coaching, and she has been highly influential in bringing success to the club.”

On winning the award she said: “Development of our young cricketers is at the forefront of the club’s development strategy.

“I am chuffed to have won the award, and I look forward to working with the Under 11 side in the coming season.”