By Charles Randall

30 April 2013

Members of the winning team in this year's National Village Cup are to be depicted as players in a video game, an intriguing prize offered by sponsors 505 Games.

The Cricketer magazine, as organisers, announced this novelty in time for the competition's 41st season. The video can be expected to feature recognisable players, though few with the stereotypical quirkiness one might expect. The 2013 final at Lord's on 8 September is unlikely to feature fat, old or burly figures associated with the village green because the standard of athleticism has usually been too high to remind anyone of the match in AG Macdonell's book England Their England.

The film director Sam Mendes, a very good all-rounder in his school days, appeared in the 1997 final for Shipton-under-Wychwood in a defeat by Caldy. He looked more 'villagey' than most at the age of 32 and might even have offered to edit the video game if the offer had existed in his day.

Publishers 505 Games are due to release their official Ashes Cricket 2013 video game this June, and new village faces will be used for the updated version after the winter series in Australia.

Ralph Pitt-Stanley, general export manager for 505 Games, voiced his delight at supporting the competition and said: "Winning this competition and being immortalised into the official Ashes Cricket 2013 video game for any village cricket club is the stuff dreams are made of. We are thrilled to be involved in the National Village Cup this year and to be able to give the winning team a once in a lifetime opportunity is really exciting."

The Cricketer Village Cup attracted 313 clubs, including 66 newcomers. The first round is scheduled for Sunday, 5 May, when Reed, the holders from Hertfordshire, have a home tie against Eaton Bray.