Mike Gatting into bat for Islington pitch

Cricketers will once more play on an Islington pitch after it was shut by a health and safety row.

Islington council stumped up £680 in compensation after a ball from a wayward six smashed a Porsche window on the borough's only cricket pitch.

But following backing for the club by former England cricket captain Mike Gatting, the thwack of leather on willow will once more be heard in Finsbury Park.

This week, the council agreed to pay £2,500 to install netting to keep balls straying into the road. Catherine West, leader of Islington council, said: "We'll keep a close eye on the situation to make sure it's working."