ANDY Timmins needed all his courage when he stepped into the nets at New Road, Worcester, to face a battery of quick bowlers from Worcest-ershire County Cricket Club.

As managing director of the club's main sponsor Apollo 2000 he felt it his duty to experience life in the fast-bowling lane.

He had daringly agreed to face the onslaught of the county bowlers who resembled a firing squad as they bowled at him.

It was a decision that he very soon discovered he had doubts about.

Mr Timmins said: "From the boundary, you just don't fully appreciate the speed of the ball."

He faced the likes of Roger Sillence, Vikram Solanki and Kabir Ali, but the punishment didn't end there.

David Leatherdale, Worcester-shire County Cricket Club's commercial director and a former batsmen and right-arm medium pace bowler, stepped out of retirement to bowl against him.

Mr Timmins said: "The most difficult opposition was definitely Mr Leatherdale.

"He bowled a bouncer at me and it will come as no surprise to people that I never even saw it.

"All of the bowlers were really tough to face, even though I'm sure they were being kind.

"Vikram then introduced the bowling machine programmed at a mere 75mph.

"I never even saw the first three. I then managed to get a bat on one, which will live with me forever.

"I cannot believe what it must be like facing bowling at 90mph and above."

Worcestershire County Cricket Club and Apollo 2000 have been associated in a partnership for the past 13 years.

Mr Timmins said: "We have always sponsored the youth cricket and the last two seasons we have had the privilege to be the main sponsors.

"It is good to see youngsters starting the game as early as they can.

"If our support helps to encourage spectators and get people out playing cricket which is what the game really needs, then we have fulfilled one of our goals of our sponsorship involvement."