Former England and Essex batsman Graham Gooch returned to his former school, Norlington School for Boys in Leyton, to open their newly-installed cricket nets on Monday.

Gooch, 61, was born in Whipps Cross in Leytonstone and scored almost 9,000 Test runs for England and nearly 45,000 first-class runs during a career which saw him play for Essex, the MCC and Western Province.

Norlington has a tradition of cricket success and is recognised as an ‘Inspirational Cricket School’, working in partnership with Essex County Cricket Club and the ‘Chance to Shine’ charity.

The school has used cricket to improve the attainment across the school and was awarded ‘Cross Curricular Programme’ of the year at the 2014 Essex County Cricket Awards.

Assistant headteacher Paul Hobbs said: “We are delighted to be able to provide our students with such an excellent facility and equally delighted that Graham has come back to open it for us.

“The nets will allow our students to continue to compete at the top level of schools cricket and I am sure we will produce more England captains.

“The new cricket nets symbolise the high aspirations we have for our students and our constant drive to be a world class leader in boys education.”

Reflecting on Gooch’s appearance, Hobbs said: “We have high aspirations for our students so to get someone of Graham Gooch’s calibre matched that.

“He spoke very eloquently to them and gave a key and positive message to the students. I think the boys took on board the message he put across.”