The era of jumpers for goalposts and cricket stumps chalked against schoolyard walls could be over, following the launch today of innovative playground markings for primary school sport.

The markings, devised by the England and Wales Cricket Board and due to be unveiled this afternoon by England wicketkeeper James Foster, are intended to encourage children to play more sport in their break times and to help PE teachers.

The board has developed a range of permanent markings that can be painted on to walls or on to the ground, and that can be used for a number of sports such as tennis, netball, and basketball, as well as cricket and football.

The markings, which feature targets and numbers, that are intended to help with numeracy skills, make the games more fun and assist with practice sessions, according to David Leighton, the board's primary school development manager.

"We see this initiative as having a number of benefits, not least helping to tackle the problems of obesity and a lack of physical exercise among children," he said.

"The evidence from the first schools to feature these markings is that, because they are permanent, the kids are coming in to school early to play, and there's much more sport being played during breaks.

"This has a knock-on effect, because it means the kids are much more switched on in lessons, and there are signs that anti-social behaviour and bullying have decreased."

The Department of Culture, Media and Sport recently announced it was releasing £10m to spend on a number of playground improvements, and the board hopes some of this will be spent on its scheme.

Mr Leighton said that, while the markings might encourage the international cricketers of the future to take up the game, the main aim was to interest children in physical exercise.

"It is about engaging kids in physical activity and educating first and foremost. If we get a few cricketers out of the scheme, or even just spark an interest in the game, then that's even better."