By Our Local Cricket Correspondent, Pies Morgan … (aka Dan Flanagan). SOMEWHERE IN THE HOME COUNTIES, ENGLAND – An amateur cricketer was left wondering whether he could possibly meet the high standards he sets for himself as a batsman this morning, after the rule of six allowed cricket training to resume in England. The villager, David Hughes, 57, angrily declared that a month’s practice before the start of the season was nowhere near enough for him to keep his average at its almighty 13...
Today Dave Morton remembers an idiosyncratic character that brought colour to club cricket in his area. It’s characters like this that make the amateur game so precious … You have heard this name before, somewhere. Jack Price. Did he play for Middlesex? Or Glamorgan, perhaps? Did he stand in any Tests? He might have, but not this Jack Price. Unless you come from Swinton, a little town at the Manchester end of the East Lancashire Road, or you played your cricket in the old Lancashire...
Yesterday the PM ruled out the imminent return of recreational cricket because the ball is a “natural vector” for coronavirus. This surprised me because I thought that COVID-19 was caused by bats. I’ll get my coat. Whilst this announcement has left many feeling disappointed (not to mention angry) there’s no doubt that the use of saliva to shine the ball is a problem area at all levels of cricket. So what can be done? William Buckingham investigates …. Michael...
Today new writer Will Wright reminds us how important it is for developing cricketers to play club cricket against adults. English cricket would be lost without our amateur game. The first call up I received to my local club’s second XI came as a fresh faced 16 year old. A balmy July morning and a dry summer ensured optimal batting conditions, which meant upon winning the toss I was thrust into the line of fire to open the batting. After a few nervy moments early on, a couple of boundaries...
Today guest writer Tom Jones tell us about his lockdown cricket activities. There are some really good ideas here. I loved his drill for practicing against the short ball (see the video below). Moeen Ali please take note! It’s Mid March 2020. The UK Government announces that social gatherings of all kinds are banned for the foreseeable future. Lockdown commences on March 22nd with the message “stay at home, protect our NHS, save lives”. Cricket – both professional and...
There have been positive noises about international cricket resuming in the not too distant future. However, whilst this is obviously great news, guest writer William Buckingham believes that amateur cricket should be the ECB’s priority. Do you agree? Any return to cricket should be done through a ‘bottom up’ approach. This is a view shared by Public Health Adviser to the World Health Organization, Dr Brian McCloskey, who believes it is much easier and safer for local sport facilities to...
