All-rounder Andrew Flintoff, right-arm fast bowler James Anderson, paceman James Kirtley, all-rounder Ian Blackwell, middle-order batsman Anthony McGrath, left-hander Andrew Strauss and batsman Vikram Solanki were given a hearty welcome by the children when they entered the picturesque compound that was inaugurated former president HM Ershad way back on February 6, 1989.

Presently, the Polli stretching over 16 acres is home to around 600 children who are mostly orphans or destitutes.

For once a monotonous routine, that in essence provides the building blocks for leading a normal life, was put aside for the special guests.

So, instead of the inhabitants of the village attending school and learning all sorts of vocational training, all the children's faces had smiles as the players joined them for a cricket camp that was followed by a fun-filled match lasting five overs.

Later, the English cricketers presented different kinds of sports equipment including cricket bats, balls, pads and footballs, to the Polli children.

Speaking to The Daily Star Sport, star bowler Anderson, who missed the both Tests because of a knee injury, was delighted to be among the disadvantaged children who have been made to suffer during the early part of their lives through no fault of theirs.

"I'm very happy to be here with these boys and girls. I'm really touched by the scene," said the 21-year-old Lancashire fast bowler.

Changing the subject, Anderson said that he watched the Tests on TV and according to him the fourth's day play in the first Test in Dhaka made him very tense after Tigers showed real fighting qualities.

British Deputy High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Gibson and director of the Polli Dr. Mohsin Uddin Ahmed were present during the visit.

The other eight England cricketers were also busy doing charity work when they visited the Islamia Eye Hospital in the city in the afternoon.