A FENLAND cricket supply company whose public face was former England fast bowler Devon Malcolm has gone into creditors voluntary liquidation.

Mr Malcolm and fellow former England cricketer Jack Birkenshaw were directors of Johnjac Cricket Supplies Ltd, which was based in The Mill, March Road, Welney.

The company manufactured and supplied cricket ground equipment for schools, clubs and groundsmen, at both professional and amateur levels, in the UK and overseas.

The firm has appointed London insolvency firm MacIntyre Hudson.

In a statement yesterday, MacIntyre Hudson’s corporate recovery team, said: “On 10 January, 2012, Johnjac Cricket Supplies Ltd was placed into creditors’ voluntary liquidation. Michael Colin John Sanders and Georgina Marie Eason of MHA MacIntyre Hudson were appointed joint liquidators.”

The firm would not comment further on the reasons for the liquidation.

Devon Malcolm famously took nine wickets in a Test innings at the Oval after telling the South African opposition “you guys are history”.

In 2006, Mr Malcolm and Mr Birkenshaw visited William Marshall Primary School in Welney to launch a new initiative of fold-away cricket cages.

Known as the Devon Malcolm Concertina Cricket Net System, it was described as a “playground based, ideal for schools, innovative space saving cricket net system, that will enable children to play cricket all year round”. The company’s very first cage was donated to the school.

Mr Malcolm said at the time: “Our cages are perfect for schools because they can be used in any weather and folded away when not in use.

“No-one else is making these kind of cages and we are determined to get them out there so that more youngsters can start playing cricket.

“We hope that this will be the start of a nationwide initiative. It can be difficult for schools to provide facilities for children to play cricket but this kind of equipment makes it much easier.”

The cages were used at first-class county cricket grounds in Northants, Leicestershire and Durham. The company also exported equipment to the Caribbean.