THE biggest prize in world cricket is in Bradford today, as college students have been given a rare glimpse of the ICC Cricket World Cup trophy.

The trophy has been brought to Bradford as anticipation for the event, which takes place in England and Wales this summer.

A number of student cricket players from Bradford College will be taking part in the tournament as flag-bearers, and Bradford is also expected to be represented on the field too.

Bradford born Yorkshire duo Jonny Bairstow and Adil Rashid are likely to line up for England, with Bairstow opening the batting and 'Rash' making the wickets tumble with his spin bowling.

The ICC Cricket World Cup trophy, which is currently held by the arch enemy Australia, is on a 100-day tour of the UK ahead of the tournament, which begins at the end of May.

It was brought to Bradford College following a growing participation in England's national sport at the college among students.

Bradford College formed its own cricket club last year and it has proved very popular among students, with a diverse group of young people taking part.

A number of players have been selected to be flag-bearers at the four matches being held at the home of Yorkshire CCC, Headingley Stadium.

England, Pakistan, India, the West Indies, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan will all feature in matches at the ground.

As well as being able to get up close with the trophy and pose for photos, a flash mob dance was held with the help of Punjabi Roots Academy, and a range of other activities also took place at the college.

Breaking Boundaries and Sporting Equals, which champion social cohesion and diversity through sport, were also at the event.

Jasmin Akter, 18, will be one of the 20 students from Bradford College carrying a flag in the matches at Headingley.

She said: "It will be a proud moment for me carrying my country's flag, and a privilege.

"My family are really happy for me, they know my happiness is in sport and have been really supportive of me playing cricket.

"There's only one team I'll be cheering on, England!"

Neel Mistry, 17, has been playing cricket since he was four-years-old, and credits his family for his love of the sport.

He said: "I am really looking forward to the opportunity.

"I know I will be doing at least three of the matches, but I am still waiting to find out which ones. I'll be supporting England and India."

Chris Taylor, enrichment engagement officer at Bradford College, said: “There is great enthusiasm for the sport among our students.

"This was a wonderful opportunity for them to see an iconic sporting trophy up close and celebrate one of the world’s biggest sporting events taking place on their doorstep.”

Yorkshire Cricket Foundation worked with Bradford College and the ICC to bring the trophy to Bradford College on day 51 of the tour, in which the trophy also visited Park Avenue cricket ground and is due at the Karmand Community Centre in Barkerend this evening.

Nasa Hussain, from the charity, added: "It's amazing having the trophy in Bradford, this is a once in 20 years event.

"We started the college cricket club just before Christmas and it has taken off massively.

"On the pitch I think Adil and Jonny will do the city proud, and we want to create a legacy to get the next generation of cricketers from diverse communities playing and loving the sport."