[PICTURES] The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Discussion thread

[barah_admi]

The Ashes are all but over now and even a win in this test, will not allow the team (should not) to live down the shame of an absolutely disgraceful batting performance on home soil. Repeatedly batsmen have failed to reach 30, let alone 50 and beyond. We all knew the batting would be a problem, but who knew it could reach such lows and look so devoid of attention, skill and endurance?

The questions that will follow selection are now even worse. Who is there to replace the failed batsmen and should Root stick around as captain?

I believe Sibley should now deserve a call to bat in the top 3? Possibly replace Roy as Burns partner in the opening slot.

Root may survive at 3 but what happens below him? Certainly not much to write about regarding the likes of Denly, Butler, Bairstow and co. The likes of Balance and Lyth are tried and tested failures at the highest level yet still post good Div 1 numbers.

Thw bowling looks safe for now and it is crucial that both Archer and Curran are first names on the sheet of a starting eleven.

Woakes and if fit, Jimmy can be used as rotation bowlers while Broad looks set to be the leader of the attack. Stokes can shore up one end but all good test sides need a spinner, now we all know Root is incapable of captaining a leggy and the ECB has not helped Rashid gain confidence with teh red ball, so his return to the side seems impossible. Who then ? Leach is not a long term option, Ali isn't if he doesnt bat well...A dirth of good spin options in the county game is truly worrying.

So where does he ECB go from here?

 

[Markhor]

It all comes down to the domestic system not producing the players with the temperament for Test cricket.

Abolishing The Hundred and restoring the primacy of the County Championship would be a good start.

Stop scheduling so many matches in April and September where mediocre seamers make merry and batsmen can't spend long periods at the crease.

 

[Amjid Javed]

It all comes down to the domestic system not producing the players with the temperament for Test cricket.

Abolishing The Hundred and restoring the primacy of the County Championship would be a good start.

Stop scheduling so many matches in April and September where mediocre seamers make merry and batsmen can't spend long periods at the crease.

Pretty much nailed it on the head with this post, focus in england last 4 years has all been in white ball cricket and thats had a knock on effect on county cricket and test cricket. Sadly counties are pushing to make money and stay afloat with t20 games and the soon starting 100. This is also seen as how to get next generation into game so sadly grass roots are being destroyed.

 

[SLcric123]

Drop Bairstow.

 

[Manunited18]

It all comes down to the domestic system not producing the players with the temperament for Test cricket.

Abolishing The Hundred and restoring the primacy of the County Championship would be a good start.

Stop scheduling so many matches in April and September where mediocre seamers make merry and batsmen can't spend long periods at the crease.

Yes well put together

 

[HitWicket]

Burns
Sibley
Denly
Root
Pope
Stokes
Buttler
Archer
Leach
Broad
Anderson/Curran

The team I'd go for in New Zealand.

 

[Cricketrenew]

The current team has earned a reprieve but if you look over this series they have been outplayed.
Root should be replaced as captain. There is too many batsman that don't make that many.

All in all one super innings from Stokes has saved all their jobs for the time being.

Stokes or Buttler should be Captain.

 

[Robert]

Burns
Sibley
Denly
Root
Pope
Stokes
Buttler
Archer
Leach
Broad
Anderson/Curran

The team I'd go for in New Zealand.

Agreed, but Anderson is done. And he did little in NZ anyway. Pick Curran.

 

[Robert]

The current team has earned a reprieve but if you look over this series they have been outplayed.
Root should be replaced as captain. There is too many batsman that don't make that many.

All in all one super innings from Stokes has saved all their jobs for the time being.

Stokes or Buttler should be Captain.

England had a stroke of bad luck losing their attack leader after four overs in the first test, then were arguably denied by rain in the second. Perhaps that is balanced out by Smith missing matches.

 

[andy0204]

England had a stroke of bad luck losing their attack leader after four overs in the first test, then were arguably denied by rain in the second. Perhaps that is balanced out by Smith missing matches.

Do you think ed Smith will retain his job?

 

[Robert]

[MENTION=146504]barah_admi[/MENTION] Leach is the correct spin option. He has had a very good start to his test career, averaging less than Lyon and about the same as Swann.

 

[Robert]

Do you think ed Smith will retain his job?

Some of his decisions look quixotic. I guess he did his job very well in the WC and didn’t lose the series against Australia so arguably is doing more right than wrong and will continue.

 

[andy0204]

I think Mark Wood should be there in South Africa because of his pace.

 

[silentkiller187]

Do you think ed Smith will retain his job?

Ed Smith tried being too flashy for his own good, bought in Rashid after he retired from red ball cricket domestically, Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Jason Roy et al. These bold moves may work short term, but long term test cricket is called test for a reason, and these batsmen are being found out time and again, if it wasn't for Root, stokes or the tail wagging the scores would be a lot lower. need to go back to the drawing board and re assess the priorities.

 

[Robert]

I think Mark Wood should be there in South Africa because of his pace.

Agreed, trouble is he is Mr Glass.

 

[Amjid Javed]

I think Mark Wood should be there in South Africa because of his pace.

Wood shouldnt play test cricket any more, cant be relied upon to stay fit, should only be used in T20s and ODIs.

 

[shaz619]

Sack Root, first thing I would do

 

[andy0204]

This will be my XI for newzealand tour
Burns
Sibley
Denly
Root(c)
Pope
Stokes
Foakes/Buttler(WK)
Woakes/Sam Curran
Archer
Leach
Broad

If Anderson stays fit then woakes or Sam Curran will have to make place for him.

 

[andy0204]

This will be my XI for newzealand tour
Burns
Sibley
Denly
Root(c)
Pope
Stokes
Foakes/Buttler(WK)
Woakes/Sam Curran
Archer
Leach
Broad

If Anderson stays fit then woakes or Sam Curran will have to make place for him.

Sorry I wrote Root as captain.
Stokes or Broad should be captain for test team.

 

[barah_admi]

It all comes down to the domestic system not producing the players with the temperament for Test cricket.

Abolishing The Hundred and restoring the primacy of the County Championship would be a good start.

Stop scheduling so many matches in April and September where mediocre seamers make merry and batsmen can't spend long periods at the crease.

Agree completely. This has been a major issue for years now and the early starts/late finishes to the season does not help. Conditions being the way they are have led to muggy, wet games with trundlers picking up wickets, at the same time, the English game has to make money away from internationals and there really is no money in the county game. Stadiums sit empty and tv deals are non existent.

The 100 is something I disagree with but better promotion of the t20 game, across a time period which does not coincide with the county game, would help the domestic game financially, which can then be pumped into the county side of things....if anyone had any sense or care for the health of the game.

Burns
Sibley
Denly
Root
Pope
Stokes
Buttler
Archer
Leach
Broad
Anderson/Curran

The team I'd go for in New Zealand.

Curran, Archer and Broad will need to start imo, just because Jimmy is so fragile now. He can be a rotation option alongside Woakes in helpful conditions. Not sure if I agree with Buttler being an instant start, then again, who can there be?

[MENTION=146504]barah_admi[/MENTION] Leach is the correct spin option. He has had a very good start to his test career, averaging less than Lyon and about the same as Swann.

I think Leach is fine for now but I do not see him as a 3-5 year option, which is what good teams look for.

 

[MenInG]

ECB Release:

A memorable summer of international cricket concluded on Sunday with England securing victory in the final Specsavers men’s Ashes Test at the Kia Oval to claim a 2-2 series draw against Australia.

Captain Joe Root’s Test team confirmed their fighting qualities with the 135-run victory after Australia retained the Ashes urn at Emirates Old Trafford.

The drawn men’s Ashes series caps a remarkable summer that will live long in the memory after England’s stunning victory in the men’s ICC World Cup final at Lord’s on July 14.

The unprecedented drama of a Super Over to decide the World Cup final captured the attention of a nation and, with sustained interest during the men’s and women’s Ashes, there is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to inspire future fans and players to grow the game.

ECB Chief Executive Officer, Tom Harrison, said: “This has been an unforgettable summer of cricket that has elevated the profile of our sport to amazing heights.

“The heroes from the last few months have become household names thanks to their World Cup and Ashes exploits, our County Game has enjoyed a strong summer, and we can now capitalise on heightened interest and consideration of cricket.

“It is the ECB’s priority to ensure new fans to cricket convert their interest into a long-term enjoyment of the sport while growing the game’s appeal to core fans.

“Through ‘Inspiring Generations’ we have strategically mapped a course to achieve that ambition which includes doubling participation in primary schools, transforming the women’s and girls’ game and through our plan to improve access – which will give more people the opportunity to engage with cricket across all touchpoints.

“Lastly, I would like to say thank you to our outgoing men’s head coach Trevor Bayliss and women’s head coach Mark Robinson for their dedication over the past four years. They both oversaw 50-over World Cup victories and with that some of the most iconic moments in English cricket’s long history.’’

England reached the final of the Physical Disability World Series at Blackfinch New Road in August while the excitement of the season is set to continue in the domestic game, with a tense finale to the Specsavers County Championship where Somerset lead the table in search of their first-ever County Championship title.

The potentially decisive final-round match between Somerset and Essex in Taunton is set to be available to a national audience thanks to broadcast partners Sky Sports and BBC Test Match Special supporting the domestic game.

The Vitality Blast Finals Day will cap a Blast season in which almost 950,000 fans will have watched our men’s and women’s domestic Twenty20 competitions by the time the final ball is bowled at Edgbaston.

The Vitality Blast has seen a 15% uplift in average group-stage attendances from last year’s record high and set a record for advanced sales of 659,000.

The opening week of the tournament, which began four days after the men’s World Cup final, saw a record 65,000 advanced tickets sold in a single week – eclipsing the previous record of 44,000.

Match attendances at cricket have not been the only areas to see positive uplift this year. More than one million young people aged 5-12 were engaged with the men’s World Cup through initiatives including Cricket World Cup Club Family Days, the Cricket World Cup Schools Programme and fan zone activations.

The World Cup school’s activity, which was delivered in partnership with Chance to Shine, engaged 12,000 teachers, nearly 8,000 schools and over 700,000 children

More than 7,000 children took up free All-Stars taster sessions after the men’s World Cup while it has been a record year for the Kwik Cricket school competition with 203,000 participants, up 13 per cent on 2018.

The men’s ICC World Cup was globally the third most-watched sporting event in history and record international and domestic attendances have followed with sell-out crowds for the first four days of all five men’s Specsavers Ashes Tests.

 

[Cricketrenew]

[MENTION=146504]barah_admi[/MENTION] Leach is the correct spin option. He has had a very good start to his test career, averaging less than Lyon and about the same as Swann.

I think his figures will not stack up against Moeen, if he survives in the team that long.
Maybe Moeen should retire from test cricket and concentrate on T20 as he must be disappointed the way he keeps getting dropped every year in home series without being given the chance to bounce back.

I agree Leach should stay in team he has earned the right but I don't feel he will win any matches on his own.

 

[Rellu_Katta]

take Broad n stokes out and this was the worst ashes eng team i have seen for a long time ...

Jofra provided some action but some1 must be held responsible for not playing CURRAN .... tht was a serious blunder ...

 

[MenInG]

The England and Wales Cricket Board will discuss the possible rescheduling of the domestic season in response to the coronavirus outbreak on Thursday.

Initial talks between counties and the ECB will take place on Tuesday in a telephone conference.

The ECB said last week all options were being looked at including postponements and playing games behind closed doors.

Hampshire chairman Rod Bransgrove said one contingency may be "playing no cricket at all" this season.

The 2020 County Championship is due to begin on 12 April.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson advised on Monday against mass gatherings in the UK amid the coronavirus outbreak - effectively cancelling all remaining sporting events.

Any proposals from the meeting on Thursday would need to be escalated to the ECB board, so no announcement of any concrete proposals is expected until the end of the week at the earliest.

The season is scheduled to run until 25 September but a delayed finish, taking the season into October, is also on the agenda.

Numerous counties have cancelled or cut short pre-season trips in the past few days, including Durham, Sussex, Worcestershire, Surrey and Somerset.

Another of those was Hampshire, who had been due to visit La Manga in Spain.

"It's not fair for me to speculate as an individual, but I think most people acknowledge it's unlikely the season will start in April," chairman Rod Bransgrove told BBC Radio Solent.

"We're in completely uncharted water with an extraordinary series of circumstances that have led us to this position we're in now, confronted with a pandemic the likes we've never seen.

"It's likely to get a lot worse before it will get better and I think our conclusion is we need to have plans for various different contingencies.

"They include no cricket at all during the season, but hopefully that won't be the one that prevails.

"But paramount always will be the health and safety of our staff, members and supporters."

Yorkshire director of cricket Martyn Moxon said his team will have to do the best it can to respond to the fast-changing situation.

"In an ideal world, we want to play the season as it stands," he told BBC West Yorkshire Sport Daily.

"But that may be taken out of our's and the ECB's hands, with how the government and Health England are looking to manage the spread of the virus. Clearly we'll have to be guided by them.

"If there is a disruption in the season, it will have financial implications, there's no doubt about that, but this is part of the discussions that are ongoing at the moment."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/51925677

 

[shaz619]

It all comes down to the domestic system not producing the players with the temperament for Test cricket.

Abolishing The Hundred and restoring the primacy of the County Championship would be a good start.

Stop scheduling so many matches in April and September where mediocre seamers make merry and batsmen can't spend long periods at the crease.

It all comes down to making Moeen Ali a scapegoat when they didn't get to the root of the problem

 

[MenInG]

Six of Surrey's men's squad are self-isolating as a precautionary measure because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The county is not naming the individuals affected, but say not all of them have reported symptoms.

On 11 March, Surrey cancelled their scheduled pre-season trip to Dubai because of concerns over the outbreak.

The County Championship season openers remain scheduled for 12 April and Surrey's own warm-up games are set to begin at Sussex on 2 April.

Surrey said in a statement: "While not all six have reported symptoms, close proximity means that they have all been instructed to stay at home this week.

"The six players will not be named at this point. The rest of the squad will continue to train in the marquee, gym and at The Kia Oval.

"The cancellation of England's tour of Sri Lanka and Jason Roy's return from the Pakistan Super League means Sam Curran, Ben Foakes, Ollie Pope and Roy will rejoin the squad for training from next week."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/51915496

 

[TrentDevil]

The Hundred might die even before it's birth

 

[Robert]

It all comes down to making Moeen Ali a scapegoat when they didn't get to the root of the problem

Not scapegoating if he is scoring no runs, can't land the ball on the cut strip and forgets how to catch. He suffered a complete loss of confidence. He will be back when England go to SLIPB again.

 

[Amjid Javed]

The Hundred might die even before it's birth

Counties make most from T20s or would have made alot of money from the 100. I can see worst scenario the 50 over cup and even 4 day scrapped for one year and just T20s and the 100 Played, if things dont get better.

 

[shaz619]

Not scapegoating if he is scoring no runs, can't land the ball on the cut strip and forgets how to catch. He suffered a complete loss of confidence. He will be back when England go to SLIPB again.

Yes there was because he isn't white, elitist culture still exists. You get forget all the man of the match awards he has, other then Stokes and Root he is England's greatest match winner in recent years. Shameful treatment really.

 

[MenInG]

English cricket will have to prioritise revenue-driving fixtures to limit the likely financial crisis the game will face due to coronavirus, says Michael Atherton.

The England and Wales Cricket Board is meeting with first-class counties on Thursday to make a decision on the viability of the upcoming professional season, due to begin on April 12, after recommending the suspension of recreational cricket.

The start of the County Championship campaign is likely to be delayed, while other competitions could be cut down due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Sky Sports Cricket pundit Atherton says the game's decision-makers have his sympathy ahead of what will be "a tough two or three months for everybody".

"These are unprecedented times so they've got a very tricky time ahead of them," said the former England captain. "It all depends how long this isolation period goes on for.

"But a best-case scenario, I suppose, is that you might get a cricket season starting around mid-season - maybe in late in June or July - and then you've got to work out how you can squeeze the priorities into a three-month period, if indeed you get that.

"The things that would have to be prioritised would be the revenue-driving games because clearly the game is going to face a short-term financial crisis over the next two or three months; everybody will have cash-flow issues - county clubs, recreational clubs, the ECB and so on.

"So they'll have to prioritise the revenue-driving games, which will be the international matches and then the white-ball one-day games after that, whether that be the Blast of The Hundred or whatever - if indeed we get any cricket this summer.

"The two domestic competitions that are most vulnerable would be those that drive revenue least and they are the domestic 50-over competition and the County Championship, which may have to be curtailed."

England were due to begin their Test series in Sri Lanka on Thursday but following its postponement attention now falls on their future schedule, which is due to continue with a home Test series against West Indies in June.

West Indies Cricket Board have already offered to host the three Tests in the Caribbean - possibly in September - and Atherton says that with the international cricketing calendar so cramped, it is important for the game's decision-makers to be innovative and open-minded.

"I guess all options are on the table and you have to be completely flexible," he said.

"I understand that the West Indies Cricket Board have been in conversations with the ECB about maybe taking that series abroad. At the moment coronavirus seems to be less widespread in the warmer countries, like in the Caribbean.

"But there are innovative ways of approaching this, if indeed we get some cricket here in the summer.

"One thing I thought of is that you could split your red-ball and white-ball England teams so you could play two international sides simultaneously.

"If you put the West Indies series back, for example, and played it at the same time that Australia are supposed to be here for some one-day cricket then you could have a situation where an England Test team and an England one-day team are almost playing simultaneously. That's just off the top of my head."

https://www.skysports.com/cricket/n...lessen-financial-crisis-says-michael-atherton

 

[Robert]

Yes there was because he isn't white, elitist culture still exists. You get forget all the man of the match awards he has, other then Stokes and Root he is England's greatest match winner in recent years. Shameful treatment really.

Stokes is white and a bigger matchwinner than Moeen and was dropped when he couldn’t get a run or take a wicket. Gooch and Gower were dropped when they couldn’t get runs. You can’t carry on picking someone whose form has disintegrated.

 

[shaz619]

Stokes is white and a bigger matchwinner than Moeen and was dropped when he couldn’t get a run or take a wicket. Gooch and Gower were dropped when they couldn’t get runs. You can’t carry on picking someone whose form has disintegrated.

Stokes experienced the prejudice to because he didn't come from an elitist background, they looked at him no different to Mo; we've seen how the English treat their match winners unless they fit a specific criteria

 

[Robert]

Stokes experienced the prejudice to because he didn't come from an elitist background, they looked at him no different to Mo; we've seen how the English treat their match winners unless they fit a specific criteria

You mean southern poshos like Cook? He was on the point of being dropped a couple of times but then scored a hundred and the pressure was off. Gower was dropped in 1981 and 1988 and missed the last 20% of his career when he fell out of favour. Chris Cowdrey was dropped after one test despite his dad being President of MCC and his godfather being chairman of selectors.

 

[MenInG]

Former England captain Alastair Cook has suggested the four-day County Championship may have to be curtailed or abandoned completely so officials can salvage “the most profitable parts of the English summer” following the coronavirus outbreak.

Friday saw the England and Wales Cricket Board announced that no professional cricket would be played in England and Wales before May 28.

The County Championship, which comprises four-day first-class matches -- and which Cook helped Essex win last season -- was due to start on April 12.

The Champion County match, the annual curtain-raiser for the year, was to be played between the Marylebone Cricket Club and Essex later this month in Sri Lanka, but had been called off.

County Championship matches do not generate as much money as limited overs fixtures or internationals but are seen as vital as preparing players for five-day Tests, still widely regarded as the pinnacle of the game.

“I could have retired from all cricket when I quit the international stage in 2018 but I stayed on because I loved playing for Essex and that means the County Championship,” wrote Cook, England's all-time leading Test run-scorer in his Sunday Times column.

“I couldn't have asked for a better first season back on the (domestic) circuit than winning the title in the last game of 2019.

“Will we get to defend that title? As things stand, there will be no cricket in England until May 28 at the earliest.

“I can say this because I have no financial interest in the outcome but it strikes me that those proposing that the authorities prioritise the most profitable parts of the English summer -- The Hundred, T20 Blast and the national team -- have a point.”

The 35-year-old left-handed opener went on to ask: “Can we salvage the four-day competition?

“Possibly but that will demand that we all pull in the same direction.

“We may well be looking at an abbreviated tournament, with more back-to-back matches and stretching into early October (sometimes warmer than the second half of April when the season usually starts). We may, as a result, see more floodlit cricket and ticket prices will almost certainly have to be reduced.

“None of this is ideal but we all have to see the bigger picture -- for our sport and the country as a whole,” Cook wrote.

https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cric...-be-curtailed-by-covid-19/article31136230.ece

 

[MenInG]

Despite the early spring chill, English cricketers would normally be turning their thoughts to outdoor practice. Instead, they face a prolonged period in limbo.

The impact of the coronavirus means there will be no sound of leather on willow and no hardy supporters wrapped up in woollies braving the bitter early-season conditions.

Last week the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced that no professional cricket would be played before May 28 at the earliest.

The traditional County Championship, comprising four-day first-class matches, has long had to co-exist with a range of other limited-overs, or white-ball, formats.

And this season the plan was to throw the Hundred into the mix, with a cast of high-profile overseas stars including Australia Test captain Steve Smith.

ECB chiefs were hoping the Hundred - a 100 balls-per-side tournament featuring eight new franchises, all with men's and women's teams - would attract a new audience.

Former England captain Nasser Hussain has suggested the Championship, much less lucrative for the counties than the Twenty20 Blast, could be scrapped in an unprecedented peacetime move in response to the shortened season.

"One thing the ECB will have to do is prioritise the financial decisions in all this - Test match cricket, white-ball cricket," he told Sky Sports.

"Maybe the purist will just have to suck it up this summer with the County Championship. These are the decisions the ECB will have to make with their stakeholders and their partners."

The first-class Championship is the proving ground for the five-day Test format but is often played in front of sparse crowds.

Income from white-ball cricket, plus broadcast and commercial revenues from international matches helps keep the 18 first-class counties afloat.

The immediate focus is on options for cricket in June including the three-Test series against the West Indies, the Twenty20 Blast and the England Women's schedule against India.

Pakistan are also due to play three Tests later in the English summer and Australia have been booked in for several limited-overs matches.

The ECB is modelling a series of options to start the season in June, July or August as it scrabbles for a solution to a shortened summer.

"Alongside our partners in the game, we continue to plan against a number of scenarios for the cricket season," an ECB spokesperson told AFP.

"It is difficult for us to be sure of what outcomes the game might be expected to deal with.

"These could include the possibility of playing matches behind closed doors, or potentially postponing or cancelling further elements of the season."

Durham chief executive Tim Bostock said if the season were reduced to just two months, it would be better to launch the Hundred next year.

"It's pretty clear international cricket comes first then after that it's the (Twenty20) Blast and the Hundred. That's where the revenue is," Bostock told Talksport radio after talks between the counties and the ECB.

"Tom Harrison (ECB chief executive) has been really pragmatic. I certainly get the impression if we get a two-month season the pragmatic view would be what's the point of launching this competition now? Let's launch it properly next year. I think we're all on the same page."

Reigning county champions Essex have suggested regional games between neighbouring teams as a way of keeping first-class cricket going if the usual two-division format has to be abandoned.

"Spectators and members would love that and it would also give us some four-day cricket to support England's Test series in a very tight schedule," Essex chief executive Derek Bowden told Sky Sports

https://www.sport24.co.za/Cricket/c...lish-cricket-facing-uncertain-season-20200325

 

[MenInG]

The England and Wales Cricket Board could install coronavirus checkpoints and isolation units at grounds in order to resume the game behind closed doors.

English cricket has shut down until at least 28 May but the ECB is looking at playing internationals with no fans.

England's Test series with West Indies is due to start at The Oval on 4 June,

"We're mapping out what international matches would look like behind closed doors," ECB director of events Steve Elworthy told the Guardian.

He explained that this would require a sterile "bubble" to ensure the identification of anyone in the vicinity who was carrying the virus.

The government’s initial advice around mass gatherings prior to the current lockdown was 500 people or fewer, and Elworthy is using that as a basis for discussions.

"That was guided by the potential impact on critical services like paramedics and doctors,” he explained.

"You would likely have to work within that number [which would be made up of essential matchday staff]... then you have to think about medical provisions, creating a safe and sterile environment around that venue, so that everyone who comes in is clear.

"So it's how you test them at the gate, the isolation units that you have to put in. These are considerations we are thinking about."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/52063330

 

[MenInG]

Former England captain Alastair Cook says he would prefer this year's County Championship to be scrapped than play a dramatically shortened campaign.

Professional cricket in England is on hold until at least 28 May because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Cook says he would instead rather have "one or two full tournaments" - which could leave the 35-year-old Essex opener without any cricket in 2020.

"In this year the bigger picture is the most important thing," said Cook.

"If we do play any sort of cricket, which hopefully we will, what I hope is that they don't try to have a six-game County Championship or something like that.

"I would rather have one or two full tournaments because it is so much more rewarding to win it.

"If there is not time for a meaningful County Championship - say three or four games - there is probably not much sense us having it."

Surrey director of cricket Alec Stewart has previously suggested that The Hundred and T20 Blast could be the only domestic cricket competitions played this summer.

England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive Tom Harrison has also said the "most financially important forms of the game" will take priority.

That would potentially leave England's all-time record Test run-scorer unemployed this season, having not played any Twenty20 cricket in 2019 and without a team in the inaugural Hundred tournament.

Cook says the uncertainty means he, along with "everyone else", is having to just "sit and wait".

"We are just waiting to see when we are allowed back in the county ground, when we are able to meet up again and hit balls as a group," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"Up until that time we just have to wait."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/52077015

 

[MenInG]

March 29 (Reuters) - England's cricket players must "realise the bigger picture" and will be expected to take a pay cut as the country's cricket governing body (ECB) tries to deal with the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic, The Times here reported on Sunday.

More than 662,700 people have been infected by the novel coronavirus across the world and 30,751 have died, according to a Reuters tally, and the outbreak has brought global sport to a virtual standstill.

England’s tour of Sri Lanka was cancelled earlier this month and the ECB announced no professional cricket will be played until the end of May.

England’s home test series against West Indies and Pakistan and limited overs series with Australia from June to August are also at risk of being postponed or cancelled if the situation does not improve, leading to a further loss of revenue.

“We’re looking at everything about how the game can make savings,” an ECB spokesman was quoted as saying by The Times.

https://www.reuters.com/article/hea...ue-to-coronavirus-crisis-report-idUSL4N2BM0AK

 

[MenInG]

Sussex chief executive Rob Andrew believes English cricket is better placed to cope with the financial impact of the coronavirus than either his old sport of rugby union or football.

This week has seen England's Professional Cricketers' Association announce their members will take “maximum reductions” in their salaries during April and May.

The players have also agreed to waive £1 million ($1.25 million) in prize money as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Australia, just mind your own business!

Cricket's wage bill is significantly lower than that of football with only a handful of England players earning anything like £1 million a year compared to the hundreds of thousands a week banked by Premier League stars.

“Yes, cricket has some challenges but you could argue it's got fewer than maybe football or rugby union,” former England fly-half Andrew told reporters in a conference call on Thursday.

“In those sports the cost bases are driven by TV money and they are driven predominantly in player wages.”

The county championship, comprising four-day matches, was due to start on Sunday but English cricket is shut down until at least May 28, with the expectation of further postponements.

But the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have already distributed an initial £61 million ($76 million) aid package to the 18 first-class counties.

Meanwhile Sussex are one of several clubs taking advantage of the British government's furlough job-retention scheme, although they remain in talks with Australia batsman Travis Head, who had been lined uo as their overseas player,

Andrew, a former senior figure at England's Rugby Football Union, said: “The ECB, have reacted very quickly in this situation.

“Governing bodies often get a lot of stick, and I have personal experience of that in another sport, but the reaction across cricket has been fantastic.

“From what I've seen the ECB reaction is going to give cricket the best chance to survive, even in the worst-case scenario.”

That worst-case scenario is a season without any cricket at all but Gloucestershire insisted Thursday they could still balance their books regardless.

“Our financial projections show that, even on the worst case scenario of no cricket at all this season, the club should be able to break even this year and be ready to face the future in a strong financial position when this crisis has passed,” said a joint statement by Gloucestershire chairman John Hollingdale and chief executive Will Brown.

https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cric...weather-coronavirus-storm/article31306197.ece

 

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The England and Wales Cricket Board is to investigate claims that its chair-elect, Ian Watmore, left his previous job with the English Football League following allegations of misconduct.

Watmore, formerly the chief executive of the Football Association, left his role as an independent non-executive director with the EFL in November 2018, citing poor health. But according to a report in the Daily Mail, a week before his departure, the EFL launched an independent inquiry into claims that Watmore had been involved in talks which led to clubs threatening to launch a breakaway league and jeopardised a £595m broadcast deal with Sky Sports.

Watmore is said to have pursued alternatives to the Sky Sports deal, unpopular with a number of Championships clubs, after talks with Derby owner Mel Morris. In February, the ECB appointed Watmore to replace Colin Graves as chairman in November, though his new role is subject to ratification by the counties next month.

An ECB spokesperson said: “Ian Watmore was appointed following a rigorous search and selection process, led by global executive search firm Odger Berndtson and a dedicated nominations committee chaired by ECB non-executive director Lucy Pearson. The ECB board is aware of the claims made against Ian and will seek to review and understand the situation.”

In a statement to the Daily Mail, Watmore said with the EFL he took action to try to solve an impasse over the TV deal, and reiterated he left the organisation for health reasons. He said: “ I became chair of the EFL commercial committee in 2018 and inherited a difficult contract situation over the new TV deal, which had been developing over the previous year. The League was split down the middle over the deal and I sought discussions with a leading representative to explore ways we could overcome this impasse. That meeting, and conversations within it, were shared with the board and executive colleagues at the time.

“In the event, all work to bring the deal to a successful outcome was delivered on, when it was signed after a unanimous vote by the EFL board on which I sat. My resignation from the EFL role was taken after medical advice in November 2018. Since then, I have willingly participated in reviews by the EFL into the overall rights sale process and my role within it.

“During my short period at the organisation I operated with honesty and integrity and until today I have not heard any reports from the EFL that their view is any different.”

Watmore has held roles with the English Football League, the 2015 Rugby World Cup and the English Institute of Sport, as well as being a senior civil servant. His time at the FA saw the launch of the Women’s Super League and the St George’s Park project.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2...nduct-allegations-against-chair-elect-cricket

 

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The England and Wales Cricket Board should consider temporarily scrapping overseas players in the County Championship to cut costs, says former England captain Michael Vaughan.

There will be no cricket in England or Wales before at least 1 July because of the coronavirus pandemic.

On Monday, a report from a financial advisory firm said counties face a loss of £85m if the entire season is lost.

"You have to look at every area where you can save a few quid," said Vaughan.

"Traditionalists will go mad at this, but these are unprecedented times.

"In the next two years, could you look at not having overseas players for the four-day game?"

Several counties have cancelled deals for overseas players in 2020, or postponed them until 2021.

Vaughan, who captained England in 51 of his 82 Tests, also suggested a temporary reduction in the number of Championship matches played.

Speaking on the Tuffers and Vaughan Show on BBC Radio 5 Live, he said: "Four-day cricket costs the game.

"I'm a die-hard four-day and five-day player. It is a cost to the game that could, just for a couple of years, be worth reducing.

"If you reduced it from 14 to 10 games, you'd miss the games but I don't think it would be a huge problem for a couple of years. You could go back to that in two or three years."

The Championship is set to be reduced this summer and may even be replaced with another first-class competition in what will be a truncated season.

Vaughan said overseas players should still be permitted in the T20 Blast and The Hundred.

The new 100-ball competition was due to launch this year, but is likely to be postponed at an ECB board meeting on Wednesday.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/52449992

 

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Joe Root "the diversity of the England side is a big part of our culture. It’s a big thing in our future, and it's something that we hold very dear. It’s been a big part of our successes as a team, on the field and off it" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://t.co/RpDKgg71l1">pic.twitter.com/RpDKgg71l1</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1268256345897263107?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 3, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

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England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) today welcomes Ian Watmore into the role of Chair as he begins his tenure by announcing a series of Board updates.

Ian was officially confirmed as Chair at the ECB Annual General Meeting (AGM) in June. Following a handover and onboarding process, he begins the role today, succeeding Colin Graves CBE after a successful five-year tenure that saw England lift two ODI ICC Cricket World Cups, as well as securing a record £1.1billion media rights deal.

The Board updates announced by Ian today are the result of a thorough consultation between the Board and Executive Management Team. They are designed to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Lord Kamlesh Patel as Senior Independent Director and Deputy Chair. They will also further enhance the Board’s cricket, finance, governance, and strategic capacity.

The updates to the ECB Board include:

Brenda Trenowden will take over as the Board’s Senior Independent Director. She will also chair the expanded Environmental, Social and Governance sub-committee.
Barry O’Brien will take over as Deputy Chair and will also act as the Alternate Director to represent the ECB on the ICC Board when required.
Alan Dickinson will chair an enhanced Finance, Audit and Risk sub-committee of the Board.
A process to recruit a new Independent Director will commence during September with new appointments being made by 1 November 2020.
Derek Brewer’s term as Board Advisor on Network Stakeholders will be extended to the 2021 AGM.
In addition, Sir Andrew Strauss has accepted an invitation to attend Board meetings in a non-voting capacity. He, along with former England cricketer and Board member, Lucy Pearson, deepen the provision of first-hand top-level cricket input for the men’s and women’s games.

Today also marks an end to Senior Independent Director Lord Kamlesh Patel’s five-year tenure on the Board. During this time, Lord Patel was involved in a number of significant changes, most notably the creation of the 2018 action plan to engage South Asian audiences, the establishment of the ECB’s Governance Committee and his key contributions to the creation of the Inspiring Generations strategy.

Commenting, ECB’s Chair Ian Watmore said:

“I’m delighted to officially start my role as Chair today following a really informative and consultative onboarding process led by Tom Harrison and his team. I am grateful to everyone I have met at the ECB, the First Class Counties and the Recreational Game for their welcome, help and advice. It is a privilege to succeed outgoing Chair, Colin Graves, and I would like to thank him for his tremendous achievements in the role.

“I’m really pleased to announce these updates to the Board structure today, and I look forward to working with those taking on new roles and responsibilities. I am also keen to draw further on the immense skills and experiences of all the Board members as we continue to allocate leadership and sponsorship responsibilities in line with the priority areas for Inspiring Generations.”


Tom Harrison, ECB Chief Executive Officer said:

“We are thrilled to officially welcome Ian to the ECB today. It is not easy to start a new role under the current COVID circumstances but I have no doubt that he will hit the ground running and today’s announcement evidences his dedication to deepening the capacity and strength of the ECB Board.

“Today, also marks the end of Colin Graves’s tenure. Colin’s contributions to cricket have been immense over the course of his career. From significant governance reforms to paving the way for The Hundred, working with Colin has been a huge privilege.

“I’d also like to express my gratitude to Lord Kamlesh Patel who retires from the ECB Board today. His passion for improving diversity in cricket, helping those from disadvantaged communities and bettering the mental health of young people, amongst many other achievements, is unsurpassed by very few. Like Colin, he will be missed by all who worked with him and I wish them both well for the future.”


==


Ian Watmore – Biography

Ian Watmore has a distinguished record in sport, business and public life. Born in Kent in 1958, he has a degree in mathematics and management studies from Cambridge. A lifelong cricket fan, he played the game at school and attended his first match in 1968. His sons played at Lindow Cricket Club in Cheshire.

After beginning his career as a graduate trainee in 1980, he spent 24 years with Andersen Consulting/ Accenture. He rose to become the firm’s youngest ever UK managing partner and helped lead it to become the FT Global 500 business that Accenture is today. Between 2000 and 2004 he served as the CEO of Accenture UK.

He moved into the Civil Service and was Permanent Secretary at 10 Downing Street from 2005 to 2007, the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills between 2007 and 2009, and at the Cabinet Office from 2010 to 2012. In 2016 he was appointed by The Queen to chair the Board of Civil Service Commission, a post he holds until 2021. In this role he ensures the UK team is impartial and that appointments are made openly, fairly and on merit. He has reported to five Prime Ministers.

Mr Watmore was Chief Executive of the Football Association in 2009 to 2010 and during his time there he oversaw the creation of the Women’s Super League. He went on to become a member of the England 2015 Rugby World Cup Board, and the All Schools rugby charity.

 

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Former England all-rounder David Capel has died at the age of 57, Northamptonshire have confirmed.

Capel was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2018 and died at home on Wednesday.

He made 270 first-class appearances for Northamptonshire between 1981 and 1998, as well as playing in 300 List A matches.

He also became the first Northamptonshire-born cricketer to represent England at Test level in 77 years when he was selected to face Pakistan at Headingley in 1987, going on to play 15 Tests and 23 one-day internationals for his country.

Capel joined Northants' staff as an 'apprentice cricketer' in 1980 and remained at Wantage Road for 32 years as player and coach.

In total, he scored 10,869 first-class runs and claimed 467 wickets for the club - making his debut against the touring Sri Lankans in 1981, before Geoffrey Boycott became his first Championship victim the following summer.

Capel also notched up 6,274 runs and 237 wickets in limited-overs cricket, including a knock of 97 off 110 balls as Northants lost to Yorkshire in the Benson and Hedges Cup final at Lord's in 1987.

He was awarded his county cap in 1986, took a benefit in 1994 and remained a key member of the Northamptonshire side up to his retirement from the first-class game in 1998.

Northants batsman Alex Wakely was one of the first to pay tribute to Capel on social media.

Wakely tweeted: "This is devastating news. A brilliant, tough cricketer but more importantly, a lovely man.

"Capes had a huge impact on my career and many other players who came through the system. A true Northamptonshire legend."

https://www.skysports.com/cricket/n...orthants-and-england-all-rounder-dies-aged-57

 

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The COVID-19 pandemic has left cricket facing its most significant challenge of the modern era. The game has already lost more than £100m, and the financial impact is likely to be £200m if there is further disruption next year, which many are expecting.

Getting cricket back on this summer – at a recreational, domestic and international level, for both men and women - has been a remarkable achievement by everyone across the game. It has been the result of true partnership in action; across our first class counties and recreational game, from our broadcast and commercial partners and with Government and local public health agencies.

When the crisis first hit, the ECB put in place a range of measures to save money in the short term including furloughing staff and significant pay reductions across the organisation, in addition to a recruitment freeze. I am very proud of the work that has been done by my colleagues across the business and the sacrifices made at a time when we asked them to work harder than ever before, while managing their own personal experiences of COVID. It is now an irrefutable fact however, that the impact of this pandemic is significant and will be long-lasting. There is also deep uncertainty about the future, and it is vital we take more steps now to ensure the future financial sustainability of cricket in England and Wales.

The entire cricket network has pulled together to get us through this challenge so far and overcoming it will mean continuing to work in partnership and continuing to make tough decisions as we have done this year. We must reduce the cost base across the game - and that requires the ECB to lead the way by reducing its own cost base.
Given this new reality, if we are to safeguard cricket’s long-term future and still deliver on the growth ambitions of our Inspiring Generations strategy, it is clear the ECB will need to become a leaner and more agile organisation.

Over recent weeks we have thoroughly reviewed the ECB’s structures and budgets in order to reduce central costs without compromising on our ambitions. We have now shared with colleagues our Board-approved proposals, which will generate significant savings. Every part of the ECB is affected by these changes, and these savings will only be possible by reducing our headcount.

These proposals include a 20% reduction in our workforce budget, which will equate to the removal of 62 roles from our structure – a number which is largely made up of existing headcount and a small number of vacant positions. Additionally, we are also proposing further cost savings by changing a number of current posts into flexible working roles. ECB staff have been informed and a collective consultation will begin imminently.

Seven months ago, sharing a message of this nature was unthinkable. The position we had created to come together as a game and grow cricket on the back of a remarkable year in 2019 was truly game-changing. Our ambition and energy are unchanged, but how we get there now needs to look significantly different to what we originally planned for.

I am extremely proud of the work everyone at the ECB and the wider county, county board and club network has done this summer. In the most trying of circumstances, with uncertainty the only guarantee, we have come together to deliver a compelling summer of cricket at all levels. When the pressure has been on, our sport has come together and shown cricket in its best light.

Over the coming weeks we will be supporting our colleagues affected by these proposals as we seek to safeguard the future of our sport. We will share more news as this process progresses.

 

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The ECB has today confirmed the award of Central Contracts for England Men's Test and White Ball cricket for 2020/21.

The selectors have awarded 12 Test Central Contracts and 12 White Ball Central Contracts, as well as four Increment Contracts and three Pace Bowling Development Contracts.

Kent’s Zak Crawley, Surrey’s Ollie Pope and Warwickshire’s Dom Sibley all receive Test Central Contracts for the first time off the back of a 12-month period in which all three scored their maiden Test centuries.

Surrey all-rounder Tom Curran has progressed to a White Ball Central Contract, having been in possession of an Increment Contract for 2019/20.

Kent’s Joe Denly misses out on a White Ball Central Contract, and Jonny Bairstow a Test Central Contract.

In addition to Test and White Ball central contracts, selectors can award a limited number of Increment Contracts and Pace Bowling Developmental Contracts

Dom Bess, Chris Jordan, Dawid Malan and Jack Leach receive Increment Contracts, with Saqib Mahmood, Olly Stone and Craig Overton retaining their Pace Bowling Development Contracts.

Recipients of Test Central Contracts and White Ball Central Contracts have their salaries paid in full by the ECB.

Under the structure, players in both formats receive a ‘ranking’ based on their performances on the pitch, as well as a number of other factors, including off-field contribution, fielding and fitness. Those rankings then correlate with the level of remuneration.

In light of the impact of COVID-19 on the finances of the game, the Team England Player Partnership, on behalf of the players, and the ECB are currently finalising the levels of player remuneration for the next 12 months. A further statement will be made once these discussions have concluded.

The contracts, which cover a 12-month period commencing 1 October 2020, have been awarded to the following players:

Test Central Contracts

James Anderson (Lancashire), Jofra Archer (Sussex), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Rory Burns (Surrey), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Zak Crawley (Kent), Sam Curran (Surrey), Ollie Pope (Surrey), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Dom Sibley (Warwickshire), Ben Stokes (Durham), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire).

White Ball Central Contracts

Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Jofra Archer (Sussex), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Tom Curran (Surrey), Eoin Morgan (Middlesex), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jason Roy (Surrey), Ben Stokes (Durham), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Mark Wood (Durham).

Increment Contracts

Dom Bess (Somerset), Chris Jordan (Sussex), Dawid Malan (Yorkshire), Jack Leach (Somerset)
Pace Bowling Development Contracts
Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire), Craig Overton (Somerset), Olly Stone (Warwickshire)

 

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(Reuters) - The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had avoided “financial oblivion” from the COVID-19 pandemic by delivering on its broadcast commitments during the home summer, Chief Executive Officer Tom Harrison said.

England returned to action following the novel coronavirus shutdown in July with three tests against the West Indies in bio-secure venues at Southampton and Manchester.

They also hosted matches against Ireland, Pakistan and Australia in various formats.

“There is some pride at what has been achieved this year but there is also concern for the future,” Harrison told reporters.

“Being able to deliver on those broadcast commitments has frankly saved us from financial oblivion, and obviously not just us but the rest of the game too. It’s as stark as that.”

The ECB said last month it planned to make 62 positions within the organisation redundant due to the economic impact of the pandemic and Harrison said the game sustained severe losses.

“The ECB has lost more than 100 million pounds of revenue and 800 days of live spectators in stadia,” Harrison added.

“The consequences of that are now being felt by people across the game who are losing livelihoods and are going through some very difficult moments in their lives.

“Right now at the ECB we’re going through the painful process of becoming a smaller organisation coming out of this summer.”


https://uk.reuters.com/article/cricketNews/idUKL4N2GX10I?il=0

 

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JOINT STATEMENT: On behalf of England and Wales Cricket Board and Team England Player Partnership

England men’s centrally contracted players agree to revised remuneration

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Team England Player Partnership (TEPP) have reached an agreement on revised remuneration terms for England's men's central contracts for a 12-month period from 1 October 2020.

In view of the substantial shortfall in the ECB's revenue as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the England men's players' have agreed to take a 15% reduction in their remuneration, which is made up of retainers, match fees and win bonuses.

Ashley Giles, Managing Director, England Men's Cricket, said:

"I would like to thank the players and TEPP for their collaboration, which has enabled us to reach this agreement. The relationship with our men's players and their representatives (TEPP) is strong, and we need to recognise that our players, led by captains Joe Root and Eoin Morgan, have conducted themselves with great maturity and responsibility throughout this challenging time.

“We now want to build on this agreement and work together on a number of areas relating to player welfare, particularly mental health, which remains a high priority for all of us, as we continue to navigate a path through this pandemic."

Richard Bevan, Chairman, Team England Player Partnership, said:

"These are unprecedented times and once again the players have shown that they fully appreciate the important role they play in helping cricket emerge from this pandemic in as strong a position as possible. In agreeing to this revised remuneration package, they have shown great responsibility and unity with the wider game.

“TEPP would like to place on record our appreciation to the ECB for their cooperative approach in agreeing a way forward throughout these challenging circumstances.”

 

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England Men's Cricket Operations Manager, Phil Neale OBE, is to leave his post at the end of October.

Neale, who has been in the role since 1999, is to retire after 21 years' service with the England & Wales Cricket Board. During his time with the team, he has served six Head Coaches, 11 Test captains and worked on 257 Test matches, 422 One-Day Internationals and 110 T20 internationals.

Ashley Giles, Managing Director, England Men's Cricket, said:

"I would like to personally thank Phil for his immense contribution to the sport and his incredibly loyal service to the England set-up.

"I have worked alongside him throughout my time in cricket, both as a player and now as an administrator. He has always been dedicated and professional in every aspect of his role and has enjoyed some incredible moments, including Ashes wins home and away and a World Cup victory in 2019.

"He can look back on an outstanding career in professional sport that has spanned four decades. I would like to wish him well in the next chapter of his life."

Phil Neale, added:

“I was not sure that I would ever know when it would be the right time to call it a day, but I am pretty sure that I have got it right when I say that time is now.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in professional sport as a player, coach and finally as an Operations Manager. I consider myself very lucky to have been able to spend all my working life in a dressing room environment.

“It has been a privilege to witness at close quarters the achievements of the many players that have come through the England Teams while I have been involved, and to have been part of some memorable team achievements. The five Ashes Series victories and the T20 World Cup win in 2010 were very special, but the icing on the cake was the World Cup victory in 2019 at Lord’s.

“We have some very talented cricketers coming through now, and I envisage some more exciting times for England cricket in the future. I wish all the players’ and management every success for the future and thank them for their friendship and support over the years.”

The former Worcestershire county cricketer, who led his county to County Championship titles in 1988 and 1989 and the Sunday League crown in 1987 and 1988, played 354 First Class and 339 List A games.

During his 45-year career in professional sport, and alongside captaining Worcestershire for 10 seasons, he made 369 appearances for Lincoln City as a footballer and was the last man to play cricket and football professionally at the same time. In a coaching capacity, the 66-year-old worked at Northamptonshire and Warwickshire as Director of Cricket and coached England A on successful tours to South Africa and India. He then became Team Manager for the successful 1998 Under 19 World Cup campaign before moving up to work in that capacity with the England A Team.

 

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The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has today set out plans to host international series across men’s, women’s and disability cricket in 2021.

Building on this summer’s behind closed door men’s and women’s internationals, the ECB is preparing to stage matches at grounds across England and Wales next year.

A five-Test series against India is planned to headline the men’s international summer, following a Royal London Series against Sri Lanka and a Royal London Series and Vitality IT20 Series against Pakistan.

Current plans see England Women set to play South Africa in a Royal London Series and Vitality IT20 Series before hosting New Zealand in a Royal London Series and Vitality IT20 Series.

The England Visually Impaired team is also planning to host Australia in a limited-overs series in August, subject to Covid-19 restrictions. England hold the Ashes after their resounding success in Adelaide four years ago with fixtures and dates for next summer’s series also yet to be finalised.

Discussions about further series are continuing with the possibility of scheduling additional men’s bilateral cricket in June including Test cricket and a Vitality IT20 Series against Sri Lanka. The ECB will be able to further progress these plans when the detailed scheduling arrangements for the World Test Championship Final, proposed to take place in June 2021, have been finalised by ICC.

Ballots for Men’s Internationals have opened today. The outlook around Covid-19 remains uncertain and so venues and dates are provisional and subject to change.

All ticket purchasers are provided with a Ticket Refund Promise to guard against the potential impact of Covid-19 next summer. This ensures fans will get a refund if their ticket is cancelled due to full crowds not returning to stadiums due to Covid-19, or if they are unable to attend a match they purchased a ticket for because of a change in date or venue for that match.

ECB Chief Executive Officer, Tom Harrison, said: “We had an amazing summer of international cricket this year with some memorable performances, and we know how much enjoyment it brought to people whilst staying at home.

“Next year we’ve got another big international programme to look forward to, with the thrill of a five-Test series against India as the centrepiece, compelling white ball series for our men and women, and an Ashes Series for our Visually Impaired team. It’s an exciting prospect for England fans, and while Covid means there’s still a great deal of uncertainty, we really hope to be able to welcome fans back into the grounds safely next year to bring that unique atmosphere to stadia across the country.”

For most host venues, tickets for the men’s matches are initially available via a ticket ballot, with details on each host venue’s website. General sale tickets are available on 12 January 2021.

Dates and venues for the women’s series will be confirmed and tickets are expected to go on sale next year. Fixtures and dates for the visually impaired series are also yet to be confirmed.

Provisional 2021 England Men’s home internationals

England Men’s Royal London Series against Sri Lanka

The first scheduled series in this initial announcement will see Eoin Morgan’s World Cup-winning team host Sri Lanka in a three-match Royal London Series.

Tue 29 June England v Sri Lanka 1st ODI Emirates Riverside, Durham

Thu 1 July England v Sri Lanka 2nd ODI Kia Oval

Sun 4 July England v Sri Lanka 3rd ODI Bristol County Ground

England Men’s Series against Pakistan

Pakistan are set to return to England for two series after they played matches behind closed doors in England this summer.

Royal London Series

Thu 8 July England v Pakistan 1st ODI Sophia Gardens, Cardiff

Sat 10 July England v Pakistan 2nd ODI Lord’s

Tue 13 July England v Pakistan 3rd ODI Edgbaston

Vitality IT20 Series

Fri 16 July England v Pakistan 1st IT20 Trent Bridge

Sun 18 July England v Pakistan 2nd IT20 Emerald Headingley

Tue 20 July England v Pakistan 3rd IT20 Emirates Old Trafford

England Men’s Test Series against India

The Test series against India is due to conclude the Men’s international summer, with Tests at Trent Bridge, Lord’s, Emerald Headingley, the Kia Oval and Emirates Old Trafford.

Wed 4-8 Aug England v India 1st Test Match Trent Bridge

Thu 12-16 Aug England v India 2nd Test Match Lord’s

Wed 25-29 Aug England v India 3rd Test Match Emerald Headingley

Thu 2-6 Sept England v India 4th Test Match Kia Oval

Fri 10-14 Sept England v India 5th Test Match Emirates Old Trafford

 

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The Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) has imposed a suspended sanction against Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club and its T20 captain Dan Christian following a remote disciplinary hearing held on 19 November. The hearing was triggered following five fixed penalties being reached by Nottinghamshire in a 12 month period. All the breaches happened in a five week period during the Vitality Blast in 2020.

The Club was given suspended points deductions for the 2021 season depending on the future conduct of Nottinghamshire’s players in 2021.

In addition, the Club’s T20 captain, Dan Christian, was handed a suspended one match ban, again dependant on the conduct of Nottinghamshire players in matches in which he is captain in 2021.

As a consequence of the Fixed Penalty breaches, Nottinghamshire CCC were charged with a breach of ECB Directive 3.6.21, as they incurred a total of five fixed penalty breaches within a period of 12 months, and a charge against their T20 captain, Dan Christian under ECB Directive 3.5, as he was captain on each of these five occasions.

The decisions were taken after a Disciplinary Panel chaired by Mike Smith, alongside Paul Parker and Tom Poynton.

Their decision will result in an immediate penalty of 2 points in the Royal London Cup and/or 2 points in the Vitality Blast and/or 16 points in the County Championship, to be imposed if cricketers playing for Nottinghamshire incur a further two Fixed Penalty breaches in any competition within a period of 12 months from the date of the hearing. The precise nature of the points deductions will be decided by the panel depending on the seriousness of any future breaches and the competition in which they occur.

The club captain, Dan Christian, will receive a one match ban (details to be determined by the CDC panel) should any player in a Nottinghamshire team which he is captaining receive a fixed penalty notice in the 12 months from the date of the hearing.

In reaching this decision, the Panel noted Nottinghamshire’s previous good disciplinary record and the honourable way that it had approached the charges but reminded Nottinghamshire that breaches of discipline are a matter of serious concern.

 

[MenInG]

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed that England Men will start their home international summer with a LV= Insurance Test Series against New Zealand.

Joe Root’s team will play two LV= Insurance Test Matches against New Zealand, who are currently top of the ICC Men’s Test Rankings, at Lord’s (2-6 June) and Edgbaston (10-14 June).

England Men will also play a three-match Vitality IT20 Series against Sri Lanka at Sophia Gardens (23 June and 24 June) and The Ageas Bowl (26 June). These matches will precede the already-announced three-match Royal London Series against Sri Lanka.

Planning for the England Visually Impaired team’s Ashes series against Australia remains subject to COVID-19 assessments.

Ticket ballots have now opened for today’s announced fixtures at The Ageas Bowl, Edgbaston and Sophia Gardens before general sale tickets are set to be available across all venues from 22 February. Refund policies are in place should crowds be restricted because of Covid-19.

ECB Chief Executive Officer, Tom Harrison, said: “The prospect of our England Men’s team taking on the world’s two top-ranked Test nations in New Zealand and India this summer is something for us all to savour."

2021 England Men’s home schedule
England Men's LV= Insurance Test Series against New Zealand
Tour match: Somerset v New Zealand, The Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton - 25-28 May
1st LV= Insurance Test, Lord’s – 2-6 June
2nd LV Insurance Test, Edgbaston – 10-14 June
England Men’s Series against Sri Lanka
Tour matches:
Kent v SL 50-over warm-up The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, Canterbury - 18 June
Sussex v SL T20 warm-up 1st Central County Ground, Hove - 20 June

Vitality IT20 Series
1st Vitality IT20, Sophia Gardens – Wednesday 23 June
2nd Vitality IT20, Sophia Gardens – Thursday 24 June
3rd Vitality IT20, The Ageas Bowl – Saturday 26 June
Royal London Series v Sri Lanka
1st Royal London ODI, Emirates Riverside, Tuesday 29 June
2nd Royal London ODI, Kia Oval, Thursday 1 July
3rd Royal London ODI, Bristol County Ground, Sunday 4 July

England Men’s Series against Pakistan

Royal London Series

1st Royal London ODI, Sophia Gardens, Thursday 8 July
2nd Royal London ODI, Lord’s Saturday 10 July
3rd Royal London ODI, Edgbaston, Tuesday 13 July

Vitality IT20 Series
1st Vitality IT20, Trent Bridge, Friday 16 July
2nd Vitality IT20, Emerald Headingley, Sunday 18 July
3rd Vitality IT20, Emirates Old Trafford, Tuesday 20 July

England Men’s LV= Insurance Test Series against India
1st LV= Insurance Test, Trent Bridge, 4-8 August
2nd LV= Insurance Test, Lord’s, 12-16 August
3rd LV= Insurance Test, Emerald Headingley, 25-29 August
4th LV= Insurance Test, Kia Oval, 2-6 September
5th LV= Insurance Test, Emirates Old Trafford, 10-14 September

 

[MenInG]

New England Men's Coaches announced

ECB have today announced a number of new appointments in the England men’s pathway.

In one of three elite coaching appointments, Former England and Somerset batter Marcus Trescothick has been confirmed as Elite Batting Coach. Trescothick has experience working with the group and will take up the new role in the middle of March. He will step down from his role as Assistant Coach at Somerset CCC and ECB would like to place on record their thanks to Somerset for their cooperation during this process.

Current Young Lions Head Coach Jon Lewis has been promoted to the role of Elite Pace Bowling Coach. The former England seamer has held numerous roles within the pathway set up after a successful playing career primarily with Gloucestershire but also including stints at Surrey and Sussex.

In addition, Jeetan Patel has been appointed as permanent Elite Spin Bowling Coach. Patel, the former New Zealand and Warwickshire spinner, joins the group permanently after several short-term spells working with the men’s team.

Talking about the appointments Mo Bobat, ECB Performance Director said: “Over the last couple of years, we’ve been working to grow our pool of players that are ready to play for England. Achieving the type of depth that has enabled us to compete successfully across formats, both home and away. The Elite Coaches will play an important role in enhancing this depth further, helping us to sustain success over time. We want to be renowned and respected for the quality of our coaching.

“Following an extensive recruitment process, I’m really excited about the calibre of the individuals that we’ve appointed into these specialist roles. Marcus, Jon and Jeetan have demonstrated their ability at the highest level and also show huge potential for the future. Working alongside Carl Hopkinson, our current Elite Fielding Coach, we have the makings of a strong specialist coaching team, possessing a diverse range of experience.

“Working in conjunction with counties, they will have responsibility for developing and preparing current and next-in-line England players whilst also adding value to our England and Lions environments. In addition, they will support the development of our best Under 19 players through our Young Lions programme.”

The three roles attracted a high calibre of applicants, and were subject to a rigorous recruitment process. As part of the move, Jon Lewis will vacate his role as Young Lions Head Coach, and this role will be reconfigured into an Elite Pathway Coach role. Given the strength of candidates shortlisted for the three elite roles, the Elite Pathway Coach role has also been filled through this process, with Richard Dawson being appointed.

Dawson takes up the new role in mid-April, having previously been Head Coach at Gloucestershire CCC. ECB would like to thank Gloucestershire for their support in releasing Richard to take up the role.

Speaking about the changes, Mo Bobat added: “Jon has done a fantastic job leading our Young Lions programme and England U19 team over the last couple of years. His change of role has provided the opportunity to look at that position with fresh eyes. Given the strength of applicants that we’ve had through the recruitment process, and the need for us to have an adaptable coaching workforce, I’m absolutely delighted that we’ve been able to appoint Richard Dawson as our Elite Pathway Coach.

“Richard’s coaching pedigree speaks for itself and to have someone of his quality playing a prominent role in the development and preparation of our best young players is a real asset. Richard will lead our Young Lions programme and England U19 team but will also coach across the pathway at both Lions and England level. Richard’s specialist coaching experience with spin bowlers was a further attraction and he will support Jeetan in an area that is a real priority for us.

“With a busy season of cricket fast approaching, I’m grateful to both Somerset and Gloucestershire for releasing Marcus and Richard in a timely manner and I’m looking forward to our new coaching team working together in the build-up to our summer international programme. I’m also appreciative of the support that all counties have provided over the last 16 months, allowing us to engage their coaches whilst our own positions have remained vacant."

 

[MenInG]

CWI and ECB announce expanded England Men's Tour of the West Indies in 2022

Cricket West Indies (CWI) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) today announced the scheduled match dates for England’s next tour of the Caribbean in 2022. It represents an expanded schedule to the original International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Future Tours Programme (FTP).

The January 2022 Tour will now feature five T20 Internationals (T20Is) – increased from three matches – to be followed by England returning to the Caribbean for three Test matches in March – increased from the original two Test matches.

The Test series will be the first in which the two teams compete for the newly commissioned “Richards-Botham Trophy,” named in honour of West Indies’ batting icon Sir Vivian Richards and England’s great all-rounder Lord Botham. The new trophy pays tribute to the two legends whose rivalry and friendship embodies the close relationship and mutual respect between the two sides.

The T20I Series will be the biggest Series to date between the two teams in the shortest form of the game and will be part of the preparations building up to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia in October 2022.

Ricky Skerritt, CWI President said: “This expansion of next year’s England tour to the Caribbean is welcomed news for West Indies Cricket and for the region’s tourism economy. It has come about because of the special relationship that has been developed between our respective boards and we are looking forward to working with ECB Chair Ian Watmore, and CEO Tom Harrison, to expand our partnership even further into new areas of cooperation and support. We have already begun discussions on how the ECB can help us in our development programs and I am pleased that ECB has been showing so much appetite and goodwill to assist.”

Johnny Grave CWI CEO said: “We are delighted that the ECB have agreed to increase the number of matches in their tour to Caribbean next year. An England Tour to the West Indies is a special event, so by adding a third Test match and two T20Is to the original schedule it will enable more fans to watch the teams do battle and afford more of our countries the opportunity to host matches.”

Ian Watmore, England and Wales Cricket Board Chair said: "We hugely appreciated the support of Cricket West Indies, and all its men’s and women’s players, in helping us host a full season of international cricket in the summer of 2020. Following the conclusion of those tours to England we have been in discussions with CWI to understand how we can best support them moving forward and one way was to extend our existing England men’s tours to the Caribbean in 2022.”

Tom Harrison, England and Wales Cricket Board Chief Executive Officer said: "A tour to the Caribbean is one of the most iconic for both England players and fans alike. So, we are delighted to confirm that our England men’s team will play two additional IT20s and one more Test Match as part of their planned tours in January and March respectively.

“The three Test Match series will form part of the next ICC World Test Championship, whilst the additional IT20s will provide our England men’s team with valuable preparation ahead of the ICC World T20, which takes place in Australia later that year."

The venues for the matches are expected to be announce by the end of April.

West Indies and England restarted the international cricket schedule following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic when West Indies toured England in July 2020. The teams played a three-match ICC World Test Championship Series in a bio-secure bubble at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton and Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester.

Full Match Schedule

Friday, January 28: 1st T20 International

Sunday, January 30: 2nd T20 International

Wednesday, February 2: 3rd T20 International

Friday, February 4: 4th T20 International

Saturday, February 5: 5th T20 International

Tuesday, March 1 to Friday, March 4: warm-up match

Tuesday, Mar 8 to Saturday, March 12: 1st Test Match

Wednesday, March 16 to Saturday, March 20: 2nd Test Match

Thursday, March 24 to Monday, March 28: 3rd Test Match


==

Value of England Tour to the Region

Each Test match worth between US$20-25m in economic impact country, or circa US$4m T20I match day (Source: 2016 and 2019 Independent Research from YouGov).

Whole Tour worth nearly US$100m to the region – media value of over US$35m in West Indies tourism promotion around the world.

Closer ties between CWI and ECB

Stemming from the 2020 tour of England which restarted International cricket around the world.

Reinvigorated Test rivalry with the Richards-Botham trophy starting in 2022.

Collaborating on the exciting redevelopment plans of the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua - which will become the Home of West Indies Cricket, including a world-class High-Performance centre.

Aim to establish a long-term strategic partnership.

 

[MenInG]

ECB confirms restructure to selection of England Men's senior teams

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has today announced a restructure of its selection system for men's international teams.

As part of the restructure, the role of National Selector, currently held by Ed Smith, who was appointed in spring 2018, will no longer exist, and Smith will leave the ECB at the end of the month. In those three years England have enjoyed success across all formats, including becoming ICC 50-Over Men's World Champions in 2019 and are currently ranked 1st, 1st and 4th across the three formats.

This new structure, developed by Managing Director, England Men's Cricket, Ashley Giles, will give clear accountability to the England Men's Head Coach, Chris Silverwood, who will have overall responsibility for future squad selections from this point.

The Head Coach and the respective red-ball and white-ball Captains, Joe Root and Eoin Morgan, will continue to work together on selecting the final playing eleven.

Supporting this system will be a resource that will provide intelligence from performance analysis, talent ID, scouting, medical and sports science.

There will be further input from the England Men's Performance Director, Mo Bobat and James Taylor, who will see his job title change from England Selector to Head Scout. Coaches aligned to the men's international teams will all feed into this process.

Ashley Giles, Managing Director, England Men's Cricket, said:

"I would like to personally thank Ed for his contribution to the England men's teams over the past three years. Ed's input has helped deliver successes for all our England Teams, and he has worked with commitment and professionalism throughout his time as National Selector. I wish him well in his future endeavours.

"The current process of selecting England teams has been in place for over 120 years. Even though this system has its merits, with advances in technology and a greater information gathering resource at our disposal than ever before, the restructure is in the best interests of helping England men's teams be successful.

"The new structure also makes lines of accountability much clearer, with Chris Silverwood, as Head Coach, taking ultimate responsibility for picking England senior men's squads."

Ed Smith, said:

"It has been a huge privilege to work with great people trying to help England cricket and I am excited about watching England's continued development.

"I've been very lucky to work with James Taylor, and I'm delighted that he will remain part of the new structure. My thanks to the dedicated team of scouts and to all the coaches, data analysts, medics and members of the ECB Pathway, who are available every day of the year at all hours to help England's decision-makers.

"England's two captains, Joe and Eoin, have already completed remarkable achievements in an England shirt. England has two men dedicated to playing cricket in a way that makes the country proud. The role of National Selector has been enjoyable and rewarding, and that is significantly due to my interaction with all of the England players.

"At such a high point for England cricket, I wish Ashley Giles, the coaches and all support staff good fortune over the coming months. I know how hard Ashley and his team work for England cricket. In particular, I'd like to wish Chris Silverwood good luck and every success going forward."

 

[OMB]

England and Wales Cricket Board announces £16.1m loss as result of pandemic

England men fulfilled their international summer of six Tests, six ODIs and six Twenty20s against West Indies, Pakistan, Australia and Ireland
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced a loss of £16.1m in the past financial year as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

The loss has been transferred to their reserves, which are now £2.2m, down from more than £70m in 2016.

The loss follows a £6.5m profit made in 2019.

Revenue fell by £21m to £207m with the postponed launch of The Hundred cited as one reason, alongside the cost of running bio-secure cricket.

Scott Smith, chief financial officer at the ECB, said: "This has been a challenging year, but by being able to stage international cricket and by taking decisive action early in the pandemic, we have been able to support the network and avoid a far worse financial scenario.

"There remains considerable uncertainty over the year ahead, but we hope that delivering another full summer of cricket - and with crowds beginning to return from next week - we are able to protect the revenue we need to invest in growing our game."

The ECB reduced costs by stopping planned investments, furloughing staff and through redundancy, which has seen staff reduced to 331 from 389.

This enabled them to provide counties and clubs with almost £100m of support.

Meanwhile, Baroness Amos' appointment as an independent non-executive director has been unanimously ratified.

Ian Watmore, ECB chair, said: "Valerie is a true cricket fan who brings with her outstanding experience and expertise, and I'm delighted that she's joined the board. Her insights and challenge on leadership and inclusion will also really help us as a game."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/57077561

 

[MenInG]

The appointment of Baroness Valerie Amos as an Independent Non-Executive Director of the ECB has been unanimously ratified at the Annual General Meeting today.

The ECB’s 41 members also unanimously ratified the reappointment of the other continuing directors - Ian Watmore, Alan Dickinson, Barry O’Brien, Brenda Trenowden, Jim Wood, Katie Bickerstaffe, Lucy Pearson, Martin Darlow, Ron Kalifa, Scott Smith and Tom Harrison.

Ian Watmore, ECB Chair, said: “Valerie is a true cricket fan who brings with her outstanding experience and expertise, and I’m delighted that she’s joined the Board. Her insights and challenge on leadership and inclusion will also really help us as a Game.”

Today the ECB is also publishing its Annual Review and Financial Statements for 2020/21, covering a year of significant disruption but where cricket led the way in being the first sport to stage international team competition after the Pandemic struck.

Across the Game as a whole – including ECB and First Class Counties - revenue losses amount to more than £100m compared to what had been expected to be received in 2020 after a year of matches played behind closed doors.

Staging international cricket and taking swift action to reduce costs meant the ECB avoided the worst-case financial scenarios last year and was able to support the cricket network, although revenue was impacted by the postponement of The Hundred and staging biosecure cricket incurred significant additional costs.

The ECB’s end of year results show thati n the year ended 31 January 2021, a year when revenue had been projected to increase significantly to allow for investment in growing the game, turnover was £207m, a fall of £21m as compared to the previous year. The loss on ordinary activities before taxation was £16m in the year ended 31st January 2021, compared to a profit of £6.5m in the prior year.

With the aim of protecting cricket’s financial sustainability, the ECB took early and decisive action to reduce costs, including stopping some planned investment, staff furlough and pay reductions from April to October, and through a redundancy programme removing posts from the organisation which saw the number of employees on the ECB payroll at the end of January 2021 reduced to 331 from 389 a year earlier. As a result, the ECB was able to provide emergency assistance to the cricket network while avoiding the worst-case impact on our final year-end position.

Last year was also the first year of the new County Partnership Agreement (CPA), with distributions to the cricket network and stakeholders at the highest levels seen in ECB’s history.

Scott Smith, Chief Financial Officer of the ECB, said: “This has been a challenging year, but by being able to stage international cricket and by taking decisive action early in the Pandemic, we have been able to support the network and avoid a far worse financial scenario. There remains considerable uncertainty over the year ahead, but we hope that delivering another full summer of cricket – and with crowds beginning to return from next week - we are able to protect the revenue we need to invest in growing our game.”

 

[MenInG]

England's Indian Premier League players are unlikely to take part in next month's Test against New Zealand.

Those returning from the postponed IPL, including Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Chris Woakes, Sam Curran and Moeen Ali, will not be rushed back after their mandatory 10-day isolation period.

That quarantine period expires this weekend, little over two weeks before the first Test at Lord's.

The first Test against the Black Caps begins on 2 June.

The IPL was suspended earlier in May after an increase in coronavirus cases among players.

The timeline is considered too tight for the returning players, meaning calls up are expected for the likes of Ollie Robinson, Craig Overton and James Bracey.

Meanwhile, head coach Chris Silverwood has stepped back from the one-day side for this summer, leaving Graham Thorpe and Paul Collingwood in charge as England contest seven Tests and 12 white-ball internationals between June and mid-September.

"I'll be passing the reins on for the ODI series. It's not fair on the players if I am operating at less than 100% and it is not fair on myself either," Silverwood said.

"It's just important that we keep our personnel as fresh as possible. You saw that during the winter that we tried to do that with our players, to the best of our ability, and it's equally important that we do that with the staff. It's important we look after each other."


https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/57122801

 

[MenInG]

England Men will begin their 2022 home summer with a three-match LV= Insurance Test Series against world champions New Zealand.

The schedule for next summer’s England men’s internationals has been released today with India and South Africa also set to tour.

Joe Root’s Test team begin their series against the Black Caps at Lord’s on Thursday 2 June before the series heads to Trent Bridge (10-14 June) and Emerald Headingley (23-27 June).

New Zealand won the first-ever World Test Championship final at The Ageas Bowl in June when they defeated India.

England Men then will play all of their home white-ball matches in July.

A three-match Vitality IT20 Series against India will begin at Emirates Old Trafford on 1 July before matches at Trent Bridge (3 July) and The Ageas Bowl (6 July). A three-match Royal London Series follows with matches at Edgbaston (9 July), the Kia Oval (12 July) and Lord’s (14 July).

South Africa’s tour will begin with a three-match Royal London Series in the north of England. The series will be staged at Emirates Riverside (19 July), Emirates Old Trafford (22 July) and Emerald Headingley (24 July).

England will then meet the Proteas in a three-match Vitality IT20 Series at Bristol (27 July), Sophia Gardens (28 July) and The Ageas Bowl (31 July).

A three-Test LV= Insurance Test Series against South Africa will conclude the men’s international summer. Lord’s will host the first LV= Insurance Test (17-21 August) before the series moves to Edgbaston (25-29 August) and The Kia Oval (8-12 September).

ECB Chief Executive Officer, Tom Harrison, said: “It has been a scintillating summer of cricket and so good to see crowds back packing out venues later this summer. For next summer, I am pleased to be able to confirm three high-quality men’s international touring teams for 2022, starting with a three-Test LV= Insurance Series against World Test Champions New Zealand.

“We also look forward to India returning for two white-ball series before we host South Africa for what promises to be hard-fought series across three formats, including three LV= Insurance Test Matches.”

It has also been confirmed that 2022 Vitality Blast Finals Day will be staged at Edgbaston on Saturday 16 July.

The ECB remains in discussions with key stakeholders regarding the 2022 England Women’s home schedule and the structure of the men’s and women’s domestic seasons.

ends



Editor's Notes:

2022 England Men’s home schedule

England Men's LV= Insurance Test Series against New Zealand

1st LV= Insurance Test, Lord’s – 2-6 June

2nd LV= Insurance Test, Trent Bridge – 10-14 June

3rd LV= Insurance Test, Emerald Headingley – 23-27 June



England Men’s Series against India

Vitality IT20 Series

1st Vitality IT20, Emirates Old Trafford – 1 July

2nd Vitality IT20, Trent Bridge – 3 July

3rd Vitality IT20, The Ageas Bowl – 6 July

Royal London Series v India

1st Royal London ODI, Edgbaston – 9 July

2nd Royal London ODI, Kia Oval – 12 July

3rd Royal London ODI, Lord’s – 14 July



England Men’s Series against South Africa

Royal London Series

1st Royal London ODI, Emirates Riverside – 19 July

2nd Royal London ODI, Emirates Old Trafford – 22 July

3rd Royal London ODI, Emerald Headingley – 24 July

Vitality IT20 Series

1st Vitality IT20, Bristol – 27 July

2nd Vitality IT20, Sophia Gardens – 28 July

3rd Vitality IT20, The Ageas Bowl – 31 July

LV= Insurance Test Series

1st LV= Insurance Test, Lord’s – 17-21 August

2nd LV= Insurance Test, Edgbaston – 25-29 August

3rd LV= Insurance Test, Kia Oval – 8-12 September

 

[OMB]

ECB announces new structure for England Men's Central Contracts
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced the award of Central Contracts for England Men's international cricket for 2021-22.

Under the new system, 20 annual contracts have been awarded on a 'single' contract list instead of the previous separation of red ball and white ball contracts introduced in 2016.

The contracts awards panel, Managing Director of Men's England Cricket, Ashley Giles and Head Coach, Chris Silverwood, has also awarded four England Increment Contracts and three England Pace Bowling Development Contracts.

The new system has been developed working in consultation with the players, Team England Player Partnership (TEPP) and the Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA). It is designed to meet England's future needs in what has become a fluid and dynamic landscape.

The system considers the likelihood of players featuring in England teams across formats in the next 12 months, whilst also recognising performances in the preceding year.

Considerations were also agreed against a busy international schedule, made challenging by additional Covid-related constraints, and taking into account the mental wellbeing and welfare of the players.

In addition to the 20 Central Contracts, awards have been made for Increment Contracts and Pace Bowling Development Contracts. This structure recognises players that may feature for England on a less predictable basis and supports developing and managing high potential pace bowlers across all formats.

The contracts, which cover a 12-month period commencing 1 October 2021, have been awarded to the following players:

England Men's Central Contracts

Moeen Ali (Worcestershire)

James Anderson (Lancashire)

Jofra Archer (Sussex)

Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire)

Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)

Rory Burns (Surrey)

Jos Buttler (Lancashire)

Zak Crawley (Kent)

Sam Curran (Surrey)

Jack Leach (Somerset)

Dawid Malan (Yorkshire)

Eoin Morgan (Middlesex)

Ollie Pope (Surrey)

Adil Rashid (Yorkshire)

Ollie Robinson (Sussex)

Joe Root (Yorkshire)

Jason Roy (Surrey)

Ben Stokes (Durham)

Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)

Mark Wood (Durham)

England Increment Contracts

Dom Bess (Yorkshire)

Tom Curran (Surrey)

Chris Jordan (Surrey)

Liam Livingstone (Lancashire)



England Pace Bowling Development Contracts

Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire)

Craig Overton (Somerset)

Olly Stone (Warwickshire)

Somerset spinner Jack Leach, Yorkshire batsman Dawid Malan and Sussex seamer Ollie Robinson all receive Central Contracts for the first time.

Lancashire all-rounder Liam Livingstone is awarded an increment contract for the first time after his excellent campaign during the English summer.

Surrey's Tom Curran returns to an increment contract having had a white-ball contract in 2020/21.

Managing Director of Men's England Cricket, Ashley Giles, said:

"I would like to thank TEPP and the players for all their constructive input through the process of developing this new system, which I believe is the fairest and most transparent way of rewarding players across all formats.

"We have worked well to get to this stage and the refinements made will take into account the amount of cricket we will be playing across formats over the next period of the ICC Future Tours Programme.

"Since the inception of central contracts in 2002, the system has facilitated improved preparation, performance and professionalism of the England team and has ensured that players are well rewarded for representing their country at the elite level.

"The international game continues to evolve, and we have to be mindful that we have to lead the way in player performance across cricket's ever-changing landscape. Our objective remains the same to develop world-class players in all three formats as we strive to become the most respected team in the world.

"I would like to congratulate all the players offered agreements for the coming year, particularly newcomers Jack Leach, Dawid Malan, and Ollie Robinson. Receiving your first central contract is a great moment in any player's career. They will all play a pivotal role in England's fortunes over the next 12 months."

 

[MenInG]

Lions name squad for tour of Australia

A 14-strong squad has been selected for the Lions tour of Australia starting in November.

The touring party will depart on the 4 November along with the Test specialists selected in the Ashes squad.

Selection is subject to passing Lions minimum fitness standards, which will be administered over the coming weeks.

Lions squad to tour Australia

Tom Abell (Somerset)
Josh Bohannon (Lancashire)
James Bracey (Gloucestershire)
Brydon Carse (Durham)
Mason Crane (Hampshire)
Matthew Fisher (Yorkshire)
Ben Foakes (Surrey)
Alex Lees (Durham)
Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire)
Liam Norwell (Warwickshire)
Matt Parkinson (Lancashire)
Dom Sibley (Warwickshire)
Jamie Smith (Surrey)
Rob Yates (Warwickshire)

The squad includes four players, James Bracey, Mason Crane, Ben Foakes and Dom Sibley, who are capped at Test level

Lancashire batter Josh Bohannon, Surrey wicketkeeper Jamie Smith and the Warwickshire pair of seamer Liam Norwell and opening batter Rob Yates are new to the Lions set-up.

The rest of the squad have had Lions experience in the past. Durham opener Alex Lees returns to the Lions for the first time in six years. The 28-year-old left-hander has been in excellent form in the LV= Insurance County Championship and will be looking to make an impression on this tour.

The Lions will be in camp alongside the England Ashes squad and will play two intra-squad matches (1 x 3-day and 1 x 4-day matches) in Queensland. They will also take on Australia A in a four-day match. Dates and venues are still to be confirmed. The party will return home on 16 December.

Coaching appointments will be announced in due course.

 

[MenInG]

The ECB has confirmed that the LV= Insurance County Championship will return to two divisions from next summer following a vote by the First-Class Counties

This decision follows discussions between ECB and First-Class Counties to determine how and when a return to two divisions could be achieved

10 counties will compete in Division One and eight in Division Two with a two-up, two-down promotion-and-relegation system
The LV= Insurance County Championship will return to two divisions next season following a vote by the chairs of the 18 First-Class Counties.

The return to a two-division LV= Insurance County Championship, after two Covid-affected seasons, will see the competition move to the 10:8 structure that was agreed by the First-Class Counties prior to the pandemic.

2022 LV= Insurance County Championship structure:

Counties will play in two divisions. There will be 10 counties in Division One and eight in Division Two with a two-up, two-down promotion-and-relegation system.

Each county is due to play 14 LV= Insurance County Championship matches.

The counties will be placed into the division that they had qualified to compete in had the 2020 LV= Insurance County Championship taken place.
The England and Wales Cricket Board’s role ahead of this week’s vote has been to facilitate discussions between the First-Class Counties and provide the options available to them.

The priority of those discussions has been to determine when and how a return to the two-division structure – featuring 10 counties in Division One and eight in Division Two as agreed by counties following the 2018 Domestic Playing Programme (DPP) - could best be achieved.

The process to transition to that structure had begun during the 2019 LV= Insurance County Championship. At the end of that season three counties were promoted from Division Two (Lancashire, Northamptonshire, Gloucestershire) while the last-placed Division One county (Nottinghamshire) was relegated.

A two-division LV= Insurance County Championship has, however, not taken place since then due to Covid-19.

It has always been the intention of the First-Class Counties and the ECB to return to the two-division structure at the earliest opportunity.

After the First-Class Counties voted to change the format of men’s first-class cricket in 2020 and 2021 to mitigate against the impact of Covid-19, this week’s vote also considered the option to play one further year of the seeded group structure that was successfully staged this summer.

Although there was support from counties to use the 2022 season as a way to step back to a two-divisional structure, there was not the two-thirds majority that was required under the ECB Articles.

The LV= Insurance County Championship will, therefore, be played in the new two-divisional structure from next season.

 

[MenInG]

Young Lions to tour Sri Lanka

The England & Wales Cricket Board and Sri Lanka Cricket have confirmed that the England Men's Young Lions (U19) will tour Sri Lanka later this month in a five-match limited-over series. The tour is part of England's preparation ahead of the ICC Men's Under-19 Cricket World Cup in the Caribbean starting in January.

The England Team will arrive in Sri Lanka on Monday 22 November 2021 and play five ODIs at the Singhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground, Colombo starting on Tuesday 30 November. All matches and practice sessions will be conducted in a bio-secure environment.

The selection panel, headed up by Young Lions Head Coach Richard Dawson, have selected a 19-strong squad for the tour.

Young Lions Squad

Rehan Ahmed (Leicestershire)
Tom Aspinwall (Lancashire)
Josh Baker (Worcestershire)
Sonny Baker (Somerset)
Nathan Barnwell (Surrey)
George Bell (Lancashire)
Jacob Bethell (Warwickshire)
Josh Boyden (Lancashire)
Ben Cliff (Yorkshire)
James Coles (Sussex)
Harry Crawshaw (Durham)
Alex Horton (Glamorgan)
Dan Ibrahim (Sussex)
Will Luxton (Yorkshire)
Tom Prest (Hampshire)
James Rew (Somerset)
James Sales (Northamptonshire)
Fateh Singh (Nottinghamshire)
George Thomas (Somerset)

Commenting on the tour, Young Lions Head Coach, Richard Dawson, said:

"We are looking forward to touring Sri Lanka in what should be a challenging and exciting five-match ODI series. It's a great opportunity for our squad to experience touring the sub-continent. It will give them a chance to play in a pressurised environment against their international peers in unfamiliar conditions.

"This trip is an integral part of their future development and will also provide good preparation leading into the ICC Men's U19s World Cup in the Caribbean starting in January 2022."


TOUR SCHEDULE

1st YODI – Sri Lanka v England, Tuesday 30 November 2021, SSC Ground, Colombo
2nd YODI - Sri Lanka v England, Friday 3 December 2021, SSC Ground, Colombo
3rd YODI - Sri Lanka v England, Sunday 5 December 2021, SSC Ground, Colombo
4th YODI - Sri Lanka v England, Wednesday 8 December 2021, SSC Ground, Colombo
5th YODI – Sri Lanka v England, Friday 10 December 2021, SSC Ground, Colombo

 

[MenInG]

Graham Thorpe has left his position as England Men’s Assistant Coach.

Andrew Strauss, Interim Managing Director, England Men’s Cricket, said: “I’d like to thank Graham for his work over many years on the England coaching staff and wish him the best for the future.”

Graham Thorpe said: “I’ve been very fortunate to have worked with so many good players and coaches who I consider my friends for life.”

Arrangements for the West Indies Tour will be announced in due course.

 

[MenInG]

Tom Harrison says he has no intention of "running away" from his role as chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board despite a chastening time for cricket in the country on and off the field.

The last year has seen a racism scandal at Yorkshire and an Ashes thrashing, with the 4-0 defeat in Australia meaning England's Test side have lost 10 of their last 14 matches.

Harrison, speaking to reporters during a media briefing at Lord's, said he wants to help the rebuild and does not plan to be the next departure after head coach Chris Silverwood, managing director Ashley Giles and assistant coach Graham Thorpe, whose exit was announced by the ECB on Friday.

He said: "When times are really difficult you need people to step into that challenge and I am here to do that. I have never been more determined to do that. I am not running away from the challenge.

"It has been exceptionally difficult but I am not running away because it needs leadership and some consistency in terms of how we build back to a place where the game can recover from an extremely difficult period both on and off the pitch.

"We have a lot of work to do and we need to get the Test team back on track.

"We are building a plan to get the Test team back into a good place and we also need to retain our top-of-of-the-world status in white-ball cricket.

"We clearly have a huge issue with resetting red-ball cricket in our domestic game and setting ourselves up to win at Test level.

Harrison confirmed discussions on whether England would have split red and white-ball coaches going forward would take place - and that the ECB is prepared to spend good money in order to entice the best coaches available.

On split coaches, Harrison said: "I think it is something we need to look at. The challenge of a coach in charge of three formats and selection had some overlapping responsibilities which made it exceptionally difficult.

"We have to make the right decision around coaching budgets but this is coaching England and we need the best coaches available to do that.

"We present very appealing and desirable opportunities for coaches.

"I don't think it's ever been the chase of scrimping and saving on the opportunities we offer. We want it to be an opportunity coaches feel they can give everything to.

"In the coaching environment now, you are competing with a lot of different pressures.

"The England job brings with it an extraordinary level of scrutiny but also a commitment. In some cases, there are easier opportunities elsewhere."

SKY

 

[MenInG]

PRESS RELEASE - 8 FEBRUARY 2022

Cricket Discipline Commission Hearing – Alex Davies

On 3 February, a Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) Panel imposed a five-match ban on Alex Davies in relation to the player’s historic social media posts.

Mr Davies, who had been charged with breaching ECB Directives 3.3 and 3.4, will serve an immediate one-match ban with the other four matches suspended for a two-year period from the date of the Hearing. He was also fined £1,500.

The CDC Panel was chaired by Mark Milliken-Smith QC, alongside Ricky Needham and David Murphy.

Any appeal must be made within 14 days from the date of the decision.

 

[finalfantasy7]

PRESS RELEASE - 8 FEBRUARY 2022

Cricket Discipline Commission Hearing – Alex Davies

On 3 February, a Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) Panel imposed a five-match ban on Alex Davies in relation to the player’s historic social media posts.

Mr Davies, who had been charged with breaching ECB Directives 3.3 and 3.4, will serve an immediate one-match ban with the other four matches suspended for a two-year period from the date of the Hearing. He was also fined £1,500.

The CDC Panel was chaired by Mark Milliken-Smith QC, alongside Ricky Needham and David Murphy.

Any appeal must be made within 14 days from the date of the decision.

what did he do

 

[MenInG]

Earlier this week the long-term partnership between the ECB and Castore was launched with the high-performance training range for all of England’s national teams – including Women, Disability, Pathway and Men. Following on from the training kits, the IT20 kit has been released today. The three lions are at the heart of the bespoke kit design, which will be worn by the England men’s team at the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup this Autumn and the women’s team in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2023..

Key players from the men’s, women’s and disability teams collaborated extensively with Castore to create an IT20 kit that is specific to the needs of an elite-level cricketer, incorporating specially selected fabrics combined with Castore’s unique construction methods. Athletes such as Jofra Archer and Jos Buttler of the men’s team, Katie George of the women’s and Chris Edwards of the learning disability team were integral to the design process, helping designers choose features and fabrics that will elevate player’s performance on the field.

With two T20 World Cup’s coming up and a Disability tour of Australia, this kit was designed to enhance performance and ease of movement with fabrics that Castore have used across the highest level of their sportswear. For the first time ever, England supporters will be able to purchase the Pro Kit that is worn by the players on the pitch. Crafted from a high-stretch and recycled poly elastane blend that allows freedom of movement for athletes that a conventional garment would not. With mesh panelling at the underarms to keep athletes cool and focused throughout play. This kit lays out the aims of Castore and ECB’s joint initiative clearly, by providing England players and supporters with kit that is rooted in sportswear technology and innovation.

Jos Buttler said, “It is a really exciting time for us as a squad with the Men’s T20 World Cup coming up later this year. We’d love to take the trophy home and we’ll be ready to perform at our best thanks to the new Castore IT20 kit.”

Katie George said, “This summer is a once in a generation opportunity for the women’s game with the Birmingham Commonwealth Games showcasing women’s cricket for the first time. We’ll be kitted out in our new IT20 kit for our internationals thanks to Castore and I hope we can inspire a new generation to get involved in the game.”

Chris Edwards said, “It is brilliant that Castore have involved all of the England teams in the process. We have an incredibly exciting summer coming up for us with an Ashes series down under and we can’t wait to take on the Aussies in the new kit.”

Pascal Lafitte, Castore Partnerships Director said, “We at Castore are proud to be providing an innovative IT20 kit for England Cricket, especially with the T20 World Cup this year. The main aim is to elevate performance and give players their technical best on the field, with a bold design that embodies the passion of both England teams and supporters.”

Castore will also launch the Test and ODI collaborations ahead of England Men’s first LV= Insurance Test against New Zealand on 2nd June at Lord’s.

 

[MenInG]

Derbyshire and Northamptonshire will each host a Twenty20 warm-up match against India Men ahead of the Vitality IT20 Series in July.

India will begin their preparations for the three-match Vitality IT20 Series against Derbyshire at the Incora County Ground, Derby on Friday 1 July (7pm start).

The County Ground at Northampton will host the second warm-up match on Sunday 3 July (2.30pm start). England Men begin their three-match Vitality IT20 Series against India at The Ageas Bowl on Thursday 7 July.


T20 Warm-up matches

Derbyshire XI v India XI Incora County Ground, Derby July 1

Northamptonshire XI v India XI County Ground, Northampton July 3


Vitality IT20 Series

1st Vitality IT20 The Ageas Bowl July 7

2nd Vitality IT20 Edgbaston July 9

3rd Vitality IT20 Trent Bridge July 10


Royal London Series

1st Royal London ODI The Kia Oval July 12

2nd Royal London ODI Lord’s July 14

3rd Royal London ODI Emirates Old Trafford, July 17

 

[MenInG]

The ECB Board met last night and has agreed to restart the process for recruiting its next permanent Chair.

Following an ongoing process involving a number of strong candidates undertaking interviews with both the Nominations Committee and a Cricket Panel it was felt that no single candidate was able to fully meet the criteria to become next Chair.

In light of this, the Board decided that the process should now be restarted. A new Nominations Committee will be appointed, chaired by Senior Independent Director Brenda Trenowden, to run the new process.

In light of extending timelines in appointing a new ECB Chair, Barry O’Brien, who has been standing-in as Interim Chair since October, will now step-down from the role due to ill health and hand over to Deputy Chair, Martin Darlow.

 

[MenInG]

According to a report in The Guardian, Tom Harrison is set to step down as ECB Chief Executive.

Clare Connor will take over the role in the interim

 

[Rana]

According to a report in The Guardian, Tom Harrison is set to step down as ECB Chief Executive.

Clare Connor will take over the role in the interim

The most spineless ECB chief to step down.

 

[MenInG]

Tom Harrison has decided to step down as Chief Executive Officer of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) after more than seven years in the role. He will leave the organisation in June.

The ECB Board will now begin a comprehensive search process to identify the next CEO who will lead the ECB and work with stakeholders across cricket to ensure the continued growth and development of the sport. A key part of this role will be taking on leadership of the game-wide programme of action and improvement to make cricket a welcoming and diverse sport, including through the continued implementation of the action plan agreed in November 2021 to drive out discrimination within the game.

Clare Connor, currently Managing Director of England Women’s Cricket, has agreed to become interim CEO when Harrison leaves until a permanent successor is in post.

Since taking up the role of CEO in January 2015, Harrison has overseen record levels of investment across the game at all levels and has led the delivery of the ECB’s ‘Inspiring Generations’ strategy, which aims to make cricket a bigger and more accessible and inclusive sport. He also led the ECB’s response to the Coronavirus pandemic as cricket confronted unprecedented financial challenges and became the first sport to achieve the return of competitive international fixtures in July 2020.

The growth of the game – including the launch of children’s participation programmes All Stars and Dynamos - has been supported by significantly increased investment in the sport, as the ECB’s annual revenue almost trebled during Harrison’s tenure. Support from broadcast and commercial partners has been crucial to this growth, including through a successful long-term partnership with Sky and the return of live cricket to free-to-air TV with the BBC.

Tom Harrison said: “It has been a huge honour to be CEO of the ECB for the past seven years. Cricket is an extraordinary force for good in the world and my goal has been to make the game bigger and ensure more people and more communities in England and Wales feel they have a place in this sport. The long-term health of cricket depends on its ability to grow and remain relevant and be more inclusive in an ever-changing world.

“The past two years have been incredibly challenging, but we have pulled together to get through the pandemic, overcome cricket’s biggest financial crisis, and committed to tackling discrimination and continuing the journey towards becoming the inclusive, welcoming sport we strive to be. I have put everything into this role, but I believe now is the right time to bring in fresh energy to continue this work.”

Martin Darlow, Interim ECB Chair, said: “Tom has been an outstanding CEO and deserves our sincere thanks for all he has achieved in his time at the ECB. Through the Inspiring Generations strategy, he has set the game on a path to growth and to being played and watched by more people from all backgrounds, underpinned by record investment in cricket.

“When the pandemic struck, it was Tom’s leadership that brought the game together and saved us from the worst financial crisis the sport has ever faced. He has always put the interests of the game first and worked to lead important change to make our game more accessible and inclusive, though we all know there is still much more work to do.

“We will now begin the search for his successor who can build on all that he has achieved. I’m pleased that Clare Connor has agreed to step into the role on an interim basis while this process is under way.”

Notes to editors

1. The ECB Board has appointed executive search firm Spencer Stuart to lead the search for a new chief executive. The role will be advertised shortly.

2. Tom Harrison joined ECB as CEO in January 2015 after over 20 years of sports business experience across the world. Before joining the ECB, Tom was Senior Vice President at sports marketing giant, IMG, where he ran the UK’s media business. Prior to that Tom was IMG’s lead in Singapore, with overall responsibility for South and South East Asia. He also spent four years with pan-Asian broadcaster ESPN STAR Sports. Born in England, Tom was brought up in South Africa, returning to the UK aged 14. He is a former First Class cricketer having played for both Northamptonshire and Derbyshire. Away from sport, Tom is on the Board of Patrons for the National Citizen Service (NCS), a national social development programme committed to building stronger local communities for young people. Tom is also a Board Member of ‘Sports United Against Dementia’ (SUAD), which is connected to the Alzheimer’s Society.

 

[Rana]

I will never forget how this guy was trying to defend India when they flew off before the 4th Test in order to make IPL, and how he hid behind ‘mental health’ excuses to not support PCB in their time of need.

 

[MenInG]

The partnership between the ECB and premium sportswear brand Castore goes from strength to strength with the final release of the summer: the Official England Cricket One Day International (ODI) Kit. The ODI collection, designed by Castore in collaboration with England players, features a bespoke design with a geometric print that represents the passion and intensity shared between England players and supporters - the neon pattern is also inspired by the sloped seating of some of the most iconic grounds in England cricket.

As the ECB’s Official Kit Supplier, Castore have collaborated extensively with key players from the men’s, women’s, and disability teams to create an innovative ODI kit that will perform in one of the most testing formats of the game, amplifying players’ voices for them to have a say in how their kit performs on the field. Athletes such as Joe Root and Jos Buttler of the men’s, Fran Wilson of the women’s and Chris Edwards of the learning disability team were fundamental to the design process, helping Castore create a bespoke high-performing product.

With England facing some tough opposition in this year’s ODIs, this kit was designed to enhance performance and ease of movement with fabrics that Castore have used across the highest level of their sportswear. For the first time, England supporters will be able to purchase the Pro Kit that is worn by the players on the pitch. Crafted from a high-stretch, recycled poly elastane blend that allows freedom of movement for athletes in all areas of the game, with mesh panelling at the underarms and laser-cut holes for enhanced ventilation during play. This Kit lays out the aims of Castore and ECB’s joint initiative clearly by providing England players and supporters with pro and replica kits that is rooted in sportswear technology and innovation.

Eoin Morgan said, “Every time we step out onto the pitch we want to express ourselves and entertain our supporters. We’ve got another exciting summer of white ball cricket to look forward to against The Netherlands, India and South Africa and thanks to Castore we are kitted out and ready to go.”

Georgia Elwiss said, “All three kits looks great and it shows what Castore are all about that they’ve brought all of our England teams together to give our thoughts on the kit. It’s an incredibly important summer for women’s cricket and we want to use to show more girls that cricket is a game for them.”

Chris Edwards said, “I love the new ODI kit and we can’t wait to be out on the pitch, wearing it with pride this summer as we represent our country and show everyone what disability cricket is all about.”

Pascal Lafitte, Partnerships Director at Castore said “The main aim of this partnership was to create a range of sportswear driven by innovation to enhance performance on the pitch. This ODI kit is a summation of these efforts. A kit for the players and the fans that represents Castore and ECB’s shared spirit and passion for excellence.”

 

[MenInG]

 

[James]

Harrison has been abysmal in the role for the last 18 months or so. He can’t be gone soon enough.

 

[MenInG]

Matthew Mott appointed England Men's White-Ball Head Coach

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced today that it has appointed Matthew Mott as England Men's White-Ball Head Coach.

Mott, 48, has signed a four-year agreement and is expected to be in place for England's three-match ODI series against The Netherlands in Amsterdam next month.

The ECB's selection panel of Chief Executive Officer Tom Harrison, Managing Director of England's Men's Cricket Rob Key, Strategic Adviser Andrew Strauss and Performance Director Mo Bobat unanimously agreed that he was the standout candidate for the role during the competitive interview process.

Mott has led the Australian Women's Team since 2015 and during his seven years in charge has overseen one of the world's best winning records across international sport. Under his leadership, Australia Women have won consecutive ICC T20 World Cups, this year's ICC Women's 50-Over World Cup and are undefeated in four Ashes series. Mott has also helped Australia win 26 consecutive one-day internationals, a record in either the men's or women's game.

Before taking up his post with Australia women in 2015, Mott worked as Head Coach of New South Wales - leading them to victory in the Champions League T20 tournament in 2009 - and then coached Glamorgan, reaching the final of the Yorkshire Bank 40 in 2013, before working as a consultant for Ireland during the 2015 ICC Men's World Cup.

Commenting on the appointment of Mott, Managing Director of England's Men's Cricket Rob Key, said:

"It is a real privilege to be able to announce Mathew Mott as the Head Coach of our men's white-ball team. He has had an incredible coaching journey with so many varied experiences that have brought him to this point where he was outstanding in the interview process and the perfect fit for our white-ball teams.

"We are lucky to be able to appoint a Head Coach that has not only been involved in international cricket for the last few years but he has also worked in franchise cricket around the world. More importantly, what he has done with the Australian Women's team is what will be asked of him to achieve for our men's white-ball sides.

"I'm confident that in Eoin Morgan and Matthew Mott, we have a formidable partnership that can push for more trophies in the coming years and that Matthew will be able to oversee any transition that team will go through in the future.

"Furthermore, Matthew will also help us invest in English coaches getting them as much experience as possible over the next few years."


England Men's White-Ball Head Coach, Matthew Mott, added:

"I am delighted to accept the opportunity to take this white-ball role with England. Whilst I am Australian, I have deep connections, and several of my closest friends are in the UK, having spent considerable time in Scotland, Wales and England, both as a player and coach.

"When this role became available, I was attracted by the chance to work with such an established and successful team under the astute leadership of Eoin Morgan and now Rob Key, whom I have always admired as an excellent cricket mind.

"The idea of the split roles and the chance to work alongside Brendon McCullum in his red-ball role is an opportunity that I am incredibly enthusiastic about and certainly provides the right balance for my family as we embark on this exciting journey.

"It was always going to take something special to leave the role that I have loved for the past seven years with the Australian Women's team. However, I genuinely believe that the time is right to play a role in helping the England Men's ODI and T20 group continue to evolve as one of the best teams in the world.

"I am fully aware that this team has been functioning well and part of my initial plan is to work with the playing group and support staff on how we can firstly maintain, then enhance, the success they have started to build over the past few years.

"Since the excitement of accepting this role, I, like many people around the world, have been trying to come to terms with the tragic loss of my great mate Andrew Symonds. The support of his beautiful family and close friends in the coming days will be vitally important, so I respectfully request some time to process his passing and the immense loss before making any further comment on the role at this stage."

 

[MenInG]

The ECB has today released its 2021/2022 Annual Report and Financial Statements. Last year saw a record number participating in cricket, with a new high of 14m playing, attending or following cricket, an increase of 3m since 2019.

There was also important progress in delivering both the Inspiring Generations strategy and the game’s action plan to tackle discrimination and drive equity and inclusivity at every level.

Launched in 2019, the ECB’s five-year strategy, Inspiring Generations, aims to inspire a new generation and is being delivered through six priorities. Whilst more work continues to deliver the strategy, the Annual Report shows some of the impact that the investment is having, through the stories of clubs, players, coaches, fans and volunteers across England and Wales.

This year’s Financial Statements show the financial challenges of Covid were less severe than in 2020, with turnover of £303m (up £96m from 2021) and profit before tax of £21.5m, enabling important investment to continue across the game.

£16.6m was distributed in revenue grants across the recreational cricket network last year, and more than £10m was invested into capital projects across the professional and recreational clubs.

The past year has seen:

A new high of 14m people who played, attended or followed cricket, an increase of 3m since 2019
1.4m children who played cricket, with girls’ share the highest ever seen (34%)
105,000 kids taking part in All Stars and Dynamos
20,000 more recreational fixtures in 2021 vs 2019
County Championship live streams up 65% year on year
Vitality Blast having its 2nd best average viewing on record
The launch of The Hundred with over 510,000 tickets sold and issued and 267,000 attending the women’s fixtures – a record for a women’s competition globally
3,000 bursaries provided for Foundation coaches from underrepresented groups
The launch of the Disability Premier League with 4 new teams – the first-of-its-kind elite pan-disability competition
A 33% increase in the total number of women’s and girl’s teams across the country from 2019
1,600 South Asian female volunteers recruited through the Dream Big Desi Women programme, with a target of 2,000 by the end of 2022
160 urban hubs established to offer cricket playing opportunities
In recent months, the whole cricket network has been focused on delivering a wide-ranging action plan agreed in November 2021 to tackle racism and promote inclusion and diversity at all levels of the game.

To underpin the actions taken across the cricket network, the ECB has committed to providing additional resources in support of consistent progress across the game, including £25 million of strategic funding over five years in support of equity, diversity and inclusion actions.

Tom Harrison, Chief Executive Officer, ECB, said: “When we launched Inspiring Generations two and a half years ago, our ambition was to make cricket a game for everyone. It is an ambitious plan to make our game mean more to more people, and the whole game is working in partnership to deliver it.

“With a record 14m playing, attending or following our game, it shows the investment we have been able to make in cricket is working. It is also testament to the hard work of so many people in getting through the Pandemic that we have been able to bounce back so strongly as a sport.

“The last 12 months have underlined the importance of what we are trying to achieve, and also demonstrated how much further we need to go to deliver change more quickly. Meaningful and systemic change takes time, but we are already making progress on that difficult journey. This report shines a light on some of the work that is already making a difference.”

Martin Darlow, Interim Chair, ECB, said: “As this report demonstrates, we are making tangible progress in delivering Inspiring Generations, with record levels of participation in 2021 alongside the launch of The Hundred, which brought so many new fans to cricket and gave such a vital, prominent platform to the women’s game.

“At the core of Inspiring Generations is the desire to make cricket a game for everyone. We are united and determined in this mission. We will continue listening, and learning, and working together to ensure everyone feels welcome and make cricket the inclusive sport we all know it can be.”