It is rare to see a female cricket umpire in men’s cricket so when I heard that Jane Pratt and Jo Ibbotson were to umpire the Crowther Cup Final, it was a chance to talk to them both about their journey with officiating. Jane spoke to me for the Cricket Yorkshire Podcast (see interview below […]
Scarborough Cricket Club: Book Reviews (2021)
You can never tell what the reaction to a cricket book might be, even one that cherishes the much loved annual migration that is the Scarborough Cricket Festival. Thankfully, the reviews so far for Last of the Summer Wickets have been both kind and positive. The book has been out since June and I thought […]
How Chance to Shine Street launched a new cricket club in Sheffield
Shahid Ali’s journey into cricket coaching in Sheffield only began because a friend suffered a heart attack and he offered to help with Chance to Shine Street sessions. He might not have known it then, but it was the start of something incredible. Chance to Shine Street is a fast, frenetic format: free cricket sessions […]
Nick Briggs: 2,000 wickets and counting
In my line of work, I see a lot of seriously impressive performances in recreational cricket. One, well two, that spring to mind of late are Ben Morley’s record-breaking 237 not out off just 143 balls for Rawdon in the Aire-Wharfe Cricket League, followed by 199 the next day in the Waddilove Cup Final. A […]
How cricket clubs can fund a Flicx cricket pitch
Cricket clubs can fund their Flicx pitch in all kinds of ways from grants to crowdfunding campaigns but sponsorship can be very effective. Shadwell Cricket Club teamed up with Harpo’s Pizza to enable them to buy a 2G Flicx pitch. It’s an obvious route for recreational cricket to tread and for clubs to leverage local […]
How Yorkshire’s cricket clubs can learn first aid
For cricket clubs in Yorkshire planning ahead, first aid courses are one of those things not to leave to the last minute. You hope you’ll never need to use it but it’s important to plan ahead. Cricket Yorkshire has teamed up with Direct Action Training to discuss their cricket first aid courses, how clubs can […]
Rob Laycock hits two hundreds in a day as Booth retain T20 trophy
On 18 July, the Halifax Cricket League’s Vocation Brewery T20 Finals Day produced a showstopper. How many cricketers in Yorkshire (or across the world for that matter) have hit two hundreds in a single day? Rob Laycock of Booth Cricket Club did just that as his club retained their T20 title. For those that appreciate […]
Captaining Wrenthorpe Ladies & Girls: Megan Hodkinson
Megan Hodkinson is my latest guest on the Cricket Yorkshire Podcast as we discussed how she got into cricket in the first place, her success with Yorkshire age-groups and a long-term association with Wrenthorpe. Over this half-hour episode, there’s her approach to captaincy as well as the momentum building within the squad as they push […]
Yorkshire Disability Cricket teams enjoy county league return
After a season without league fixtures, Yorkshire Terriers and Yorkshire Tykes are back playing in the National Disabled Cricket League. The ECB National Disabled Cricket League covers the D40 Hardball competition (where Yorkshire Tykes play) and the Super9’s Softball competition (where Yorkshire Terriers play). Cricketers with either a physical disability, learning disability or hearing impairment […]
How do we best support volunteers at cricket clubs?
Volunteering in cricket is something I frequently think about, because it’s so integral to the fortunes of the recreational game. It’s a well-worn truth that club cricket wouldn’t exist without those stalwarts. I was walking with my wife the other day and a gentleman was in a high-vis jacket collecting litter in our neighbourhood. More […]