Every Cricket Fan – our work within the LGBT community and the Rainbow Laces campaign

As part of the Every Cricket Fan diversity and inclusion initiative, we have formed a Guidance Council which supervises all activity and consists of the best minds and interests within society.

We are so proud that Tracy Brown, Co-Chair of Chelsea Pride, the Official LGBT Supporters Group for Chelsea Football Club and cricket fan is part of Council and to celebrate the work we are doing within the LGBT Community, Tracy has written a short blog about her experiences within sport, why cricket needs to take stock and what we are trying to achieve:

“Currently the Stonewall Rainbow Laces campaign is under way and this year the campaign is celebrating the impact sport has on LGBT people, and the impact that LGBT people have on sport.

We can all play our part in making sport everyone’s game. For me it’s about being my Authentic Self. I come out when I was just 16 years old, wow that seems a world away now, but the world was different back then.

From a young age I always wanted to help others and make a difference. I had a family that supported me when I come out, and most friends remained friends with me but not all. That was hard to face back then and I soon realized that not everyone would support my choice to be open and honest about my sexuality.

In no way was I ever going to go back into the closet and so instead I took the negative feedback and used it to push my desire to want to give back and help others. Back then it was a voluntary role for an Aids Charity. But as I got older, I wanted to take all I had gone through and support others in an even bigger way.

I started doing more voluntary work within the LGBT community, I knew that many needed help and support and this was more often than not just someone to speak to, to support them, to be a friend and an ally. But my love for sport was always there and I wanted to bring those two worlds’ together. So along with a friend who was a Portsmouth FC fan I helped her set up Fratton Fever the official LGBT supporters’ group for the club. It was a way of bringing LGBT fans together for Football.

This was amazing but my true love was Chelsea and so in 2016, I set up Chelsea Pride and this journey has changed my life completely and in such a positive way. My desire to promote Equality Diversity and Inclusion has now something I live by every day. My work with Chelsea Pride, Chelsea Football Club, other Supporters groups and organisations drive me to keep pushing for positive change and my pledge is to keep that work going.

Now let’s go back to why we have the Rainbow Laces campaign at all. It’s because we have Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia in sport. This drives me as an openly gay women who has had homophobic comments said directly to me at football to educate and promote positive change across Society. I know I can’t change that by myself, it takes all of us within the LGBT community and more widely our allies to see real change happen. The power our allies have is massive and that’s why I’ve linked up with the Cricket Supporters’ Association in the work they are doing.

I have never had direct homophobic comments said to me at cricket. But it does exist, from gay comments made to players to songs and chants from the stands. Banter is the word thrown around when it comes to discrimination however it’s not banter. Not even close. Imagining loving a sport so much but not feeling comfortable going to watch it live. Feeling unsure about whether it is a game for you because of what you will hear coming from other fans or from the players?

The Women’s game seems to be strides ahead of the Men’s game. Diversity and inclusion within the women’s game is more visible. We have players who are open about the sexuality and about being part of the LGBT community. There is a power in being out and that then leads to supporters feeling as if they belong.

The Men’s game though is lacking in these same areas. Football, cricket and beyond. We don’t have the same openness in the men’s game. This is where I would love to drive change. That change needs to happen, however I don’t believe in the men’s game it will until we get fans to fight against discrimination, that’s all forms of discrimination. Its’ time to challenge those who are homophobic, bi-phobic, transphobic, racist.

It’s time to push for change, to push to our full potential and be our authentic selves. If we can all do this together it will mean, we open the sporting world up to those who don’t consider it somewhere they can be themselves and somewhere they feel safe.

So together let’s fight against discrimination and promote a world where sport is for all.”

With huge thanks to Tracy for letting us know her thoughts and for joining up with us on Every Cricket Fan. We are already putting together research to find out what the feelings are and experiences had amongst the LGBTQ+ community towards cricket, as well as working with a newly formed LGBT cricket team and are very proud to be supporting the Rainbow Laces campaign.

 

 

 

Launch of the International Cricket Supporters’ Committee

We are super chuffed to announce that the Cricket Supporters’ Association (CSA) in partnership with England’s Barmy Army have launched the International Cricket Supporters’ Committee (ICSC) which will bring together cricket fans from across the globe through the various national fan groups and associations to give a global fan viewpoint and voice in the game as well as sharing best practices and experience.

Aside from the Barmy Army and ourselves, current members of the newly formed ICSC include the Bharat Army, Stani Army, Bangladesh Cricket Supporters’ Association (BCSA), The Riches, Gwijo Squad, Beige Brigade, Gayan Senanayaka Cricket Supporters’ Association (Sri Lanka) and the Caribbean Cricket Podcast community. And we are hoping that this will grow to include more national cricket supporting communities after launch.

The idea behind the International Cricket Supporters’ Committee is a simple one, as Becky of the CSA says, “We believe wholeheartedly that fans have an integral and positive role to play in the game. Fans and their representative organisations can offer their insight, experience, and opinions as to how the game survives and prospers and by coming together ensure cricket is a meaningful part of societies across the world. We know from conversations with other fan groups that they feel the same and so forming a Committee seemed the ideal way for us to start talking together from a global viewpoint. We are so pleased with the number of organisations signed up already and are openly looking for other national fan groups to apply.”

Chris Millard, Managing Director of the Barmy Army continues, “Every fan group has their own experiences and their own issues but many are also shared across the world. At the Barmy Army we have 25 years of touring knowledge across all the cricket playing nations, we wanted to share this with other like-minded organisations. The ICSC will look at everything from ticket prices, to scheduling to best practice in terms of racism, travelling overseas and diversity. We will also be looking at fan experiences and engagement and what works across different communities. By founding this committee, we are excited to be able to share knowledge and expertise and to bring together a community of cricket fans from across the world under one umbrella organisation.”

With the fans organisations involved totalling over 1 million cricket fans across the globe, the International Cricket Supporters’ Committee will through surveys, committee meetings, open forums and the opportunity raise questions and concerns whenever and wherever, be able to act as the conduit between the ICC and other global stakeholders within the game and cricket fans.

Central to the new Committee is the ethos that all fans should have equal rights and that cricket should be accessible, safe, and welcoming for each and every fan of the game.

Sign up to the ICSC is free but member groups do need to qualify and be verified. If interested please email us at info@internationalcricketsupporters.com or go to www.internationalcricketsupporters.com

 

Latest full survey results revealed – what did you say?

With over 2,500 responses, our latest survey has provided insight into not only how you feel about cricket but also your attitudes towards the current ‘hot topics’ surrounding the game and how it moves forward.

The Hundred, Free to Air for ICC Tournaments and Test Cricket and the role fans can play alongside the ECB were all stand out stats.

  • 95% of respondents want to see some element of all ICC Tournaments Free to Air (online or TV)
  • Only 12% of fans surveyed showed an intention to watch The Hundred live and 29% said they would watch it on TV or online
  • 41% of fans are concerned that there will be no meaningful county cricket during the height of the summer
  • 65% of cricket supporters don’t think the ECB considers existing fans when making important decisions
  • 90% of fans agreed that ‘supporters need to be given the opportunity to work with the ECB to assist in keeping the game relevant’
  • 78% have played at least the same amount of cricket this season as last

The independent survey covered a broad range of topics and highlighted the range of opinion amongst cricket fans, however there were some areas where fans generally agree. Perhaps most starkly is the commonly held thought that the ECB needs to develop the opportunities in which they work with cricket fans in keeping the game relevant (90% of fans agreed with this sentiment), whilst 65% of cricket supporters don’t think the ECB considers existing fans when making important decisions. 55% also disagree that the ECB are looking after the best interests of cricket.

There is general agreement amongst fans that cricket needs to evolve for future generations to play and watch the game (56%) and 53% agreed that cricket needs to evolve to remain relevant. How it does this of course is a polarising issue, with The Hundred drawing a broad range of opinions. Only 12% of fans surveyed showed an intention to watch The Hundred at a ground but this rose to 28% for 16-24 year olds. Slightly more intend to watch online or on TV, with the average figure at 29% but this again rose to 53% for 16-24 year olds and fell to 13% for 65-74 year olds.

Fans do have grave concerns around the new tournament, with 52% thinking that it will have a negative impact on the existing county structure and 41% of fans are concerned that there will be no meaningful county cricket at the height of the summer. 47% don’t believe in the rationale behind the competition and anecdotally the research found many felt a general lack of information about The Hundred made them unable to comment.

Another stand out area is the desire for some cricket to be shown Free to Air with 95% of respondents agreeing that all ICC Tournaments should have some element of free to air coverage (online or broadcast). This desire for some elements of Free to Air coverage is felt across all forms of cricket with Test cricket (the favoured form of the game across the survey) the most preferred option at 76%. ODI’s followed at 59%, T20 Internationals at 44% and Vitality T20 Blast at 36%, although with the Blast this did rise to 41% amongst the 16-24 age bracket.

The exclusivity of the game either through Free to Air or the price of tickets is another consideration factor. 45% of fans consider cricket good value for money compared to watching other live sport and only just over half willing to spend over £50 on a single international match ticket (this figure is down to 40% for the 16-24 year old bracket). Domestically 44% are prepared to spend between £20-£50 on a single Vitality Blast Ticket and that percentage figure goes down further with the Royal London One Day Cup (42%) and 32% for the Specsavers County Championship.

It’s clear that there is strong sentiment amongst you all for fans to be part of the consideration process and so working with the stakeholders within the game is key to what we are trying to achieve. We know that you, the cricket fan, has a lot to offer in terms of the prosperity and growth of the game and this passion and enthusiasm should be utilised and not taken for granted.

For us to be successful, we need to continue to grow and grow across all communities, ages and genders. We want to represent cricket fans from across the spectrum and for all fans to get involved – no matter what areas of the game you love or don’t love, if you play or don’t play cricket or what you think about how the game is evolving. We are here for you.”

 

About the Survey:

The 15-minute online survey was created by the Cricket Supporters’ Association in conjunction with the team at Iris Concise, with the results analysed by the team at Sparkler. The survey was open to all cricket fans to complete and designed to understand the current opinion of cricket fans (of all ages) across England and Wales. The survey was accessible via www.cricketsupporters.com and was shared via the CSA’s official social media channels, through the CSA newsletter database, through various media and stakeholder social media channels and through media relations.

With thanks as always to Getty Images.

 

 

 

Can I have some cold turkey?

by Paul Winslow, Cricket fan / addict

So here we are… it’s day one of the fifth Test and while Australia has retained the Ashes there’s everything to play for. After all a World Cup and a drawn Ashes series wouldn’t be a bad summer. I’m so excited I could crush a grape… except. I’m not. I mean I’m looking forward to it, but I feel a bit overloaded.

I haven’t got over the miracle of Headingley yet and there’s been another whole Test since then. I haven’t got over Archer’s Lord’s heroics and there’s been two Tests since then. I’ve almost forgotten Jack Leach’s audition to become an opener against Ireland. I haven’t got over the World Cup final yet and there’s been five Tests since then (I wrote four, then remembered Ireland… says it all.) And the West Indies series… a lifetime ago.

All the aforementioned highlights should stand alone to be inhaled, digested, consumed and appreciated before the next one happens along, but there simply isn’t time.

Can you have too much of a good thing? Well, yes and no. Complaining there’s too much cricket is like complaining there’s too much wine. But fine wine is best enjoyed when you haven’t smashed a couple of bottles down every other day for a couple of months. And so, cricket is best enjoyed when it has a feeling of being special.

It’s a good job that the ECB is mostly aiming its new ‘format that will not be named’ at new fans of cricket because quite frankly those of us who love it haven’t got enough time for anymore. I’m primarily an England fan and as I live overseas that’s what I have the most access to. Am I interested in the County Championship? Yes. Do I want to follow domestic cricket as well? Yes? But where do you find the time? I can’t keep up with what England have done this year.

There’s no wonder the players are burnt out because I am too. I can’t get my level of excitement up to its normal levels because I’ve been asked to do it too many times this year all ready.

One of my favourite parts of Test cricket is that it is one of the few things in this world that doesn’t satisfy the instant gratification needs of the 21st century human. You can’t just binge watch a Test match, you have to watch it unfold over several days. And you used to have to wait a while between Tests to recalibrate. And then you’d have to wait months until the next Test series.

But this year England will play Tests against five different teams… with the World Cup added. It’s every bit the same as binge watching your favourite series. But tell me really – does anyone enjoy binge watching more than they enjoyed waiting a week between episodes? The anticipation is what makes it even more enjoyable.

The caveat to all this is I will watch the whole Test, I this week booked accommodation for the South Africa tour and will probably end up in New Zealand. So, it seems like I’m an addict and maybe they can dilute it as much as they like and I’ll just keep jacking up without ever really appreciating the real highs again. And when you can make that analogy (and I apologise if that’s cheapening the real issues of addiction) it’s hardly a good sign.

What’s the point of all this? I’m not sure. Cricket has had a great summer. It has provided some of its all-time highs. The best World Cup final, possibly the best Test innings, maybe the best Test. I guess a prudent question is what happens next year? Will all those new fans drop away without constant highs? As seemingly everyone goes after the new fans, the last thing it can afford to do is overload the stalwarts so much that it dilutes their passion and dedication.

OK so amongst the madness of The Hundred, potentially not playing 50-over cricket anymore, changing schedules and possibly mucking up the Country Championship so much we can’t unearth Test batsmen (and that’s just in England), it’s hardly a major issue.

It’s just sometimes, less is more. And I always want more. Anyway, got to go – time to continue my binge watching of Day One.

County Representatives needed – could it be you?

We are looking for a Cricket Supporters’ Association (CSA) representative at each county. There is various reasoning behind this but perhaps most importantly it is so that the CSA is as inclusive and diverse as possible. We want to represent and be relevant for fans all ages, demographics and backgrounds from across England and Wales.

The more people we have involved, the easier it will be to achieve this goal.

Your work will also enable us to continue to grow our membership. A growth in membership means increased legitimacy and consequently, power and influence. By working together and offering an independent fully representative voice, we cannot be ignored.

We have plans to get to as many grounds as possible this summer but obviously we can’t and won’t know your county and community as well as you do and so this is where we need your help.

We would look for the County Representative to be involved in the following:

  1. Working with Becky Fairlie-Clarke in spreading the messaging of the CSA to all members / supporters of that county as far and wide as possible. Whether this is through the other supporter groups, working with the Club management or talking in the pub about the CSA. Encouraging sign-up to the CSA either as individuals or through the affiliate programme (please ask for more details of the affiliate programme).
  2. Establishing the role of fans and members at the County and the channels supporters at the Club use to get their views known
  3. Providing the CSA with feedback on the Club and any aspects /news that are particularly impacting the cricket fans of that county
  4. Assisting with the establishment of a fan’s forum at the county (not all counties every season) and handing out leaflets as required

We will look to host at least one event a year to meet with the County Representatives and discuss aspects of the volunteering programme. Of course, we realise that you will be time limited and so are very happy to discuss what the aspects are of the above that you think you will have time for and what the priorities should be.

The ECB’s Strategy For The Future Of Cricket

Cricket Supporters’ Association member and volunteer, Annie Chave, shares her report and reaction following the recent ‘Inspiring Generations’ conference hosted by the Devon Cricket Board and a chat with the ECB’s Tom Harrison.


Billed as ‘Inspiring Generations’, a conference to showcase the ECB’s Five-Year Strategy for Cricket (2020-2024) was hosted by the Devon Cricket Board at Sandy Park Rugby Ground in Exeter on 28 March 2019. The aim was to explain how Devon Cricket will integrate its planning with the ECB’s new strategy. Looking round the room, I could see that there was a good mix of generations, ranging from 16 to 70, around 20% of whom were women. Since Devon is 94.9% white British, the lack of ethnic diversity was no great surprise. Given the demographic, it can be said that there was a good turnout of cricket-loving fans just before the start of a new season, coming together to learn of the ECB’s plans to ensure that cricket continues to thrive and to inspire generations. So why did the occasion feel so insistently corporate? It’s as if the word ‘Conference’ necessitates the overwhelming presence of men in suits handing out glossy brochures. Despite the inevitable power-point presentations, it didn’t feel cutting-edge, and there was no convincing evidence that we were finding new ways of bridging the generation-gap. The ECB’s focus was on children, but there were no children’s voices to be heard.

The whole evening was billed on the premise that, although cricket is healthy in most parts of this country, it needs to adapt to a rapidly changing society. When Tom Harrison, the ECB’s Chief Executive Officer, was introduced as the keynote speaker, one of the first things he did was to quote a favourite motto of gung-ho corporations, ‘You may not like change, but you’ll like irrelevance even less’. This was the guiding principle for the ECB’s introduction of their ‘new competition’, The 100. After extensive research and hundreds of consultations, Tom Harrison was emboldened to claim that the ECBs ‘Five Year Plan to Inspire Generations’ is the only plausible way forward: one thing, he promised, that you’ll never hear him do is ‘apologise for seeking to grow cricket’.  And you won’t, I don’t doubt that at all.

In talking about the state of cricket in our country, Tom Harrison was not only ready to admit, but also keen to stress that currently it’s thriving. There are approximately 2.5 million players and 20.5 million followers annually. And it’s noteworthy that, currently, our Women’s team are world champions and our Men’s ODI team are number one in the world, that we still have huge attendance figures at Test Matches and that we have a strong county network. All this, he said, should be coupled with new broadcast partnerships as well as with commercial partners who share the vision of the power of cricket.  He’s proud of the position we’re in, and he’s keen to capitalise on the impetus of this year’s World Cup and Ashes to retain the present spectator base and to capture yet more. The ECB’s five-year plan aims to do this by balancing the need for the sport to continue to serve its loyal fans with the goal of extending cricket’s appeal (particularly to younger audiences and to women and girls).

I found some of what Tom Harrison said a hard pill to swallow. I’m one of those loyal fans, and I know I am not alone in feeling invisible. Many of my questions remain unanswered and some of my concerns derided.  I was hoping that the answers would be forthcoming and these concerns addressed. But ….

I should be fair. The ECB is targeting some of the real issues in cricket; youth participation, women’s cricket and accessibility in cities, for example. Their strategy is centred on six key priorities, which Tom Harrison listed:

– To grow & nurture the core

– To inspire through elite teams

– To make cricket accessible

– To engage children & young people

– To transform Women’s and Girls’ cricket

– To support our communities.

The plan will see more investment than ever before, with the initial sum of a cool £485 million. There is no doubt that the six nominated priorities are really worthwhile, and, if the money is well spent, we should see real improvements in these areas.  Tom Harrison recognises the need for money to be channelled into schools, and he hopes for an increase in participation in Primary Schools from 22% to 40-50%. He understands the need to make cricket more accessible, with inroads being made in urban centres.  The ECB has been helping the London Cricket Trust to install non-turf pitches in London parks, a great initiative which targets the massive issue of accessibility in cricket. The theory is great, but the details that he shared were, inevitably perhaps, vague, and there was no mention of Secondary Schools, where, surely, there is the greatest need for investment. It is at this level that the gulf between private and state schools is most apparent, and it is over these years that children are learning and developing targeted skills. Chance to Shine has been a fantastic success, and we should build on that by targeting the older age group. It is during the ‘secondary’ years that interest waxes and wanes.

The ECB is not confining itself to new initiatives. As Tom Harrison explained, £55 million will go to the first-class counties over the next five years to help fund the County Championship, the Vitality Blast and the Kia Super League.  He made no mention of the Royal London One Day Cup, but, when I quizzed him afterwards, he said that was just an oversight. Perhaps, then, I risk reading too much into his not mentioning the one-day game, and maybe I place too much importance on the fact that it is being relegated to minor grounds in 2020 and stripped of overseas players. Even so, I remain sceptical about the introduction of a new format in an already over-crowded schedule, and it’s surely pertinent to ask how this can possibly be reconciled with an intention of capitalising on the impetus of the World Cup?

Tom Harrison then talked about The 100. I’ve written a fair bit about this, and I don’t want to go into too much detail here. What was clear is that he is fully committed to it. He introduced it as a competition that ‘will be the most successful thing that English cricket will be involved in’. He has ‘never seen such a positive reaction’ from people involved in its trials, with the players’ feedback hailing it as ‘proper cricket’. Whilst he recognises the popularity of The Blast, attendance at which has grown by 115% since 2012, he criticises T20 for its ball-by-ball slowness. It is, he says, the slowest format of the game. The 100 will address this issue of time. And yes, he has a point. There are occasions on which a T20 over seems to last an eternity. But this, surely, is something that can be addressed within the format itself, and it’s difficult to see how a format like The 100, designed to give each ball maximum weight, is likely to speed up the game. I feel equally ambivalent about another of Tom Harrison’s positives. The 100, he argues, simplifies the game of cricket for new spectators. A counter-argument is that the game’s complexities are what make cricket great. Clearly, though, Tom Harrison and many of the powers that be, fearful of irrelevance, feel the need to provide a competition that people can more easily understand.  And this competition – the final, clinching argument – will be available on Free-to-Air Television. Tom Harrison says that it is only this new competition has made this possible. Thirteen matches in The 100 will be shown on the BBC, and the impact on the population at large, and on young potential cricketers in particular, will be huge.

This, of course, is another contentious issue, and one on which I needed to bite my tongue. It was the ECB which took cricket off free-to-air when they sold it to Sky in 2005. Bringing it back, if not an act of contrition, is a definite U-turn. As Vic Marks has said, ‘now we have an implicit acknowledgment that the decision, taken more than a decade ago, not to insist upon some cricket remaining on F-t-A TV was contrary to the best interests of the game’. An implicit acknowledgement is better than none, and having cricket back on the BBC can only be a good thing.

Tom Harrison’s was a well-rehearsed, cleverly positive speech that aimed to leave no doubt that The 100 was the only avenue.  I can see the reasoning, but I think it’s been clumsily introduced as a concept. It throws up real concerns about the future of the first-class counties. There was some irony in the holding of the Conference in Devon, as The 100 won’t be played here. I was told that I could watch it on TV, but I think that misses the real point of exclusion. Somerset C.C.C., which was well represented at this conference, will not be hosting The 100, Cardiff will be the closest ground. There was nothing in the speech, or in my conversations afterwards, that has helped convince me that the 10 counties that aren’t hosting The 100 will still have first-class status beyond the next few years.  My greatest fear for Somerset – that Taunton will dwindle into a host ground and a venue for bands – is still with me. Those professional cricketers who proclaim that the white-ball game is the ‘only way forward’ do no service to many of their fellow-professionals. And if The 100 takes hold of the nation’s cricket, if it proves as ‘inspirational and successful’ as its advocates believe it will, how bleak will be the outlook for the also-rans?

At the end of the evening Tom Harrison tried to reassure me that I will love The 100, but seeing as it is as far from the County Cricket that I love & it threatens to jeopardise its existence, I have reason to doubt that.  Given the time and money that The ECB are investing into this ‘new competition’ I hope that it is the success they expect it to be and I hope it generates the income to maintain the other formats as it promises it will, otherwise I fear for the future of all cricket in this country.

The need for the Cricket Supporters’ Association

Every so often, English cricket embarks on “a review.”

Invariably, this is described as a consultation with all the “stakeholders” in the game. Which tends to mean the broadcasters, the sponsors, the players and the counties. And, fair enough: all of them are important.

But the group that is overlooked is the spectators. Despite the fact that they indirectly pay the wages of just about everyone involved in the game – the players, the administrators and the media – they are, all too often, taken for granted or even exploited.

Part of the problem is that cricket is run by cricketers. Or at least ex-cricketers. And that means it is run by people who have, all too often, forgotten what it’s like to pay to come into the ground. It’s run by people who have forgotten what it’s like to spend a considerable proportion of their most precious asset – their holiday entitlement – on watching a team that provides no guarantee of success or even entertainment. Hell, there isn’t even a guarantee of play. It’s run – and commented upon – by people who often sit behind glass, benefit from heating or air-con, a free lunch, free parking and free tickets. It’s run by people who have, all too often, forgotten what it’s like to be a spectator.

The tangible aim of the Cricket Supporters’ Association, therefore, is to persuade the ECB to accept a supporters’ representative onto the ECB board to ensure they can be consulted and considered at all times. The less tangible aim is simply to remind everyone – the umpires, the players, the schedulers etc – to think about the spectators a little more. To ensure their views and priorities are at least considered when major decisions are being taken.  It’s meant to be a spectator sport, after all.

In time, the ICC and other national boards should invite similar representation. It won’t weaken them. Instead it will provide them with greater insight into the thoughts of spectators and allow them a relatively straightforward way to canvas views and gain feedback. It should benefit everyone. We are, the vast majority of the time, all on the same side.

For it to work, though, it needs your support. It needs to demonstrate that it fairly represents a meaningful number of spectators and that it has no ulterior motives. Ultimately, it needs you.

I therefore urge you to support it and to get involved. It’s your association.

George Dobell
Senior Correspondent, ESPNcricinfo

Clubbies and fans? The lifeblood of the whole show

Without a thriving amateur game, backed by an engaged and energised army of paying supporters, the game in this country doesn’t mean a bean.

 

It’s the clubbies and fans – so often one and the same – who hold it all together. Who form a body of cricket lovers demanding to feel respected and listened to. Who ensure that all that staged madness at Edgbaston, Cardiff and Leeds has some way of rooting itself in the realities of ordinary people’s lives.

 

Clubbies and fans? The lifeblood of the whole show.

 

And listen closely. You can even hear it, beating in the hearts of all our volunteers, giving their lives to the clubs they love.

 

And listen again. Because it’s there in our oldsters, plonked these days on their favourite benches, looking out on the field of play – be it Lord’s or the local – to reflect on the fruits of their labours. And it’s there in our young ‘uns – running, drinking, laughing, putting money behind the bar and through the turnstiles.

 

It’s there in the parents, taking a punt on a cricket club coaching session before, with a deep breath, shelling out the inevitable tickets to a big game. It’s there in our coaches, striving manfully to debunk the most complex and beguiling game of them all. It’s there in all of us, in our builders and students, our strippers, coppers, nurses, judges and scoundrels, all of us entwined, across age and gender, united in cricket.

 

For too long, English cricket took its greatest assets for granted. When the ECB carried out its own research in 2014, they uncovered some chilling trends. Among children aged between seven and 15, only two per cent ranked cricket as their favourite sport. Even worse, when asked to name ten sports, three in five of those kids made no mention of cricket at all. Those figures, combined with the headline shocker that the number of recognised club players had dropped from 908,000 to 844,000 in one year, caused shockwaves at the ECB.

 

Things are happening. The fight is on. The ECB is now openly serious about growth and participation. Its new entry-level programme, All Stars Cricket, has already been adopted by over 1,750 clubs for 2017. Chance to Shine continues to do incredible work getting some version of cricket into state schools. The MCC Foundation has set up over 40 Hubs across the country, providing high-class free coaching to talented kids from less advantaged backgrounds. The National Cricket Conference continues to represent the interests of over 1,100 clubs.

 

And then there are our supporters’ groups, rolling on, mobilising the troops as best they can, ferrying parties of fans around the country and overseas. Every fan, every player, every vote.

 

The Cricket Supporters’ Association fits perfectly into this landscape. Giving voice to the most important people in the English game. Let’s hear you.

Phil Walker

Editor, All Out Cricket

ECB looking at artificial pitches

According to George Dobell at Cricinfo:

‘The ECB is looking into the possibility of using artificial pitches in its proposed new T20 competition.

Keen to ensure the best-possible surfaces (for batsmen, anyway) for a competition seen as vital in attracting a new audience to the game, the ECB recently held a meeting with county groundsmen where the idea was discussed. ESPNcricinfo understands that Chris Wood, the ECB’s Pitch Consultant, has been charged with researching how to introduce such surfaces ahead of the launch of the competition in 2020.

There are significant pros and cons to the use of such pitches. While it would likely result in a certain homogenisation of conditions and provide even less opportunity for bowlers to extract anything from surfaces, it would also enable grounds to provide the centre-wicket pitches required by broadcasters multiple times without concerns about deterioration. Artificial surfaces might also be considered to provide uniformity of conditions for both teams, which a turf surface will not always offer.

Drop-in surfaces have also been considered but are not thought to be cost effective or provide quite the same uniformity of performance.

While long-term lovers of cricket may have reservations about artificial surfaces, the ECB’s mantra over the new competition is that it is not designed to appeal to those already watching the game: it is designed to appeal to the vast potential audience that is currently immune to its charms. The ECB feels that providing such good-paced surfaces will help create the high-scoring, boundary-filled cricket it believes will attract that new audience. It might also minimise delays after poor weather.

To that end, Wood is looking into the best options and cost implications of laying such pitches close to the middle of squares in all first-class grounds’.

What do you think? Get involved and leave a comment below.

The full article can be read here: http://www.espncricinfo.com/county-cricket-2017/content/story/1083052.html

Ben Stokes: ‘Test Cricket is the pinnacle’

The new England vice-captain can be found on www.ecb.co.uk talking about Test Cricket and the importance of the fan to the game.

“Test cricket is the pinnacle and we need people to fall in love with it again. We need to win but we want to perform in a manner that makes people want to come and watch us.

“We want to be positive, aggressive and always on the front foot. If we do that then we will get those performances. The team we have is full of natural entertainers. We need them to perform like they did for their counties, that’s why they got there in the first place.”

In the interview, Stokes is looking back to the Test against New Zealand at Lord’s in May 2015 – a stonker of a match which saw thousands of fans including lots of kids queuing for a ticket on the final day.

Stokes went onto say, “I’d never seen it like that. There had been runs galore in those first four days, something was always happening – people wanted to see us play exciting cricket.

I will always remember that, we got people to notice Test cricket and we need to do that again”.

Is Test cricket the pinnacle for you? Get involved and let us know what you think.

The full interview can be read here: https://www.ecb.co.uk/news/333399