PORT Vale players will be swapping their stripes for whites in the name of charity on Sunday.

Newcomers Tommy Fraser and Doug Loft, both ex-Brighton, will be in the Vale side playing cricket at Norton in aid of the Meningitis Trust.

Vale youth-team coach Mark Grew, who will manage the team, said: "The gaffer (Micky Adams) is keen to promote the game as a public relations exercise so other first-team squad players will also be there. It is for a good cause."

The Vale side will be strengthened by the inclusion of youth goalkeeper Sam Johnson and centre-half Andrew Bratt, opening bowlers who have both played for the county at schools level.

Meanwhile, long serving Vale groundsman Steve Speed will turn out for the Norton XI being organised by Sue Hammond, of the Meningitis Trust, who umpired in both the Stone and District League and North Staffs and District League.

Sue's granddaughter Milli-Sue, who is three, suffered from meningitis two years ago.

Wickets are pitched at 2.30pm and admission is free, although there will be raffle. Norton will make a donation to the trust.

A CRISIS meeting to try to ensure the future of Betley takes place at the club in Church Lane on Tuesday at 7.30pm. Anyone interested in helping the club survive is urged to attend.

LEEK professional Kevin Stoute has been named in the West Indies' 30-man squad for the Champions Trophy in September.

Former Leek pro Tino Best also features, while South Africa's 20-man squad includes Albie and Morne Morkel, who both had spells playing the North Staffs and South Cheshire League, and former Knypersley pro, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

THE Cockspur Cup National Twenty20 qualifying final takes place on Tuesday, with Burslem hosting Little Stoke at 6.15pm.

NANTWICH are staging an Ashes Sporting Evening on Thursday, August 6, at Nantwich Civic Hall, when the guest speaker will be legendary Australian bowler Merv Hughes. Tickets, priced £30, are available from Rob Sproston on 01270 624 638, or at rob@rss.me.uk.

MEIR Heath women's first team play their final game of the season tomorrow when they entertain Leeds at 11am, needing two points to ensure their National Premier Division safety.

The second team play Clifton at Oakamoor at 2pm, knowing victory over the current leaders will land them the West Midland Division Three championship.

STAFFORDSHIRE Under-17s start a two-day game against Notts at Papplewick on Wednesday at 11am. On the same days the under-16s take on Wales at Old Hill. On Wednesday the under-15s play Worcestershire at Malvern. On Friday, the under-17s girls play Wales at Meir Heath at noon.

THIS year's Staffordshire Outstanding Service to Cricket Awards will be presented during the lunch interval of Staffordshire's Minor Counties match against Suffolk at Knypersley tomorrow at 1.20pm.