AN ANGRY parent who claims she was hit on the head with a cricket ball at a junior sports competition is attempting to sue four local clubs.

The woman, from Ilford, says she suffered several injuries, including a fractured jaw, when she was struck on the back of the head with the object during an indoor event at the Peter May Centre in Walthamstow.

It is believed that the parent does not know who struck the ball or which team they played for, so she is suing four clubs, Woodford Wells, Chingford, Old Parkonians in Ilford, and Loughton, on a no-win-no-fee basis instead.

A source at Ilford Cricket Club, where the woman is a member, said: “I believe she wanted to speak to the umpire and went on the field of play inbetween games. That’s when she was hit.

“My view is what was the woman doing on the field? On cricket pitches you should take due care and attention. If you’re going into a pool of sharks you go in a cage.

“The tournament was run by volunteers for the youngsters, they weren’t making money from it. I’m very anti what she’s doing.”

Cliff Greenhill, honorary secretary of the Metropolitan Essex District Cricket Board, which organised the event, said: “There have been letters accusing four under-13 teams who were due to play next of negligence.

“The letters suggest she was hit with a real hard cricket ball which we never use at these (indoor) games.”

The four clubs have met since receiving the legal letters just before Christmas, but remain tight-lipped over how they will respond.

James Bowyer, Welfare Officer at Woodford Wells Cricket Club, said: “We have no comment to make. As far as we are concerned, the matter is in the hands of our insurers.”

The incident is believed to have happened on October 31.