A CRICKET-MAD youngster from Taunton is preparing to take on an extraordinary challenge in his brother's memory.

Fin Bendle, 11, is to bat for 100 overs at Wombat CC (Bishops Lydeard) on Saturday and has already raised thousands of pounds for Love Musgrove.

Fin chose the charity because of the care and support the NHS staff at the Musgrove Park Hospital maternity unit offered his family following the loss of his brother, Alfie, who was stillborn at 37 weeks in April 2018.

Explaining how they came up with the 100-over challenge, Fin said: "We thought about various different fundraising ideas, such as bowling for five hours then batting for five hours.

"But after the World Cup final we had the idea of batting for the entire length of a one-day international.

"I have been practising and on Sunday I faced around 150 or 200 balls but it would be nice if the weather cooled down a bit!"

Fin will face a bowling attack comprised of friends and family, with groups of five (four fielders and a bowler) to rotate in 20-over spells.

The challenge originally set out to raise £1,000 but that target was smashed within 24 hours and currently stands at £4,662 - a total boosted by several club sides donating their match fees as part of the #Matchfees4Musgrove campaign.

England legend Kevin Pietersen has thrown his support behind Fin on Twitter and, on Tuesday, the Western Storm squad presented the youngster with a signed shirt to be raffled for further fundraising.

Fin attends Hugh Sexey's Church of England Middle School, whose alumni include Jos Buttler and Sophie Luff, and represents Taunton Deane Under-11s.

His challenge begins at 11am on Saturday and all support on the day is welcome - to donate, see Fin's JustGiving page.