Otago Cricket has been taking the MILO message to schools through its region and last week used CLEAR Black Cap Mark Richardson to spread the word through North Otago.

He spoke to mainly five to seven-year-olds at schools, but invariably older children and staff members took the chance to hear the Test opening batsman talk about cricket and his time in the game.

All participants had the chance to ask him questions, have autographs signed and to enrol in the MILO cricket programme.

Richardson's tour started at Hakataramea Valley School and Kurow Area School 45 minutes drive up the Waitaki River valley from Oamaru.

This year MILO Have-a-go and MILO Kiwi groups will operate from the Kurow Area School.

During the afternoon, Richardson visited the larger schools in Oamaru and he also promoted two MILO Have-a-go centres and the MILO cricket centre that will run in the town this season.

© CricInfo