In this feature for total-play, we’ll look at the refurbishment work done at Burley-in-Wharfedale Cricket Club as their outdoor nets have had a major upgrade. After a scenic train journey and a short walk, I arrive at Burley; its tree-themed club emblem and sponsor Arundel Travel on the signage at the entrance. A number of […]
Aire Wharfe Cricket League
Harry Brook: From Burley to England white-ball captain
Harry Brook is used to breaking batting records and earning plaudits at the dizzying speed at which he plays. He can now add England T20 and ODI (white-ball) captain to an impressive CV. Brook said: “It’s a real honour to be named England’s white-ball captain. Ever since I was a kid playing cricket at Burley […]
Counters and white coats: Cricket umpires courses in Yorkshire
Tim Burnley, Umpire Development Officer for the Aire-Wharfe Cricket League, is telling me about life in the white coat. The experienced umpire has been officiating a few times when there’s been a run out at the non-striker’s end by the bowler which has the potential to get spicy. Usually, a batter leaving their ground early […]
Paying club cricketers: Blurring the lines
Paying cricketers has to be the single most contentious issue in club cricket and is discussed here on Cricket Yorkshire. Editor’s Note: This article has been refreshed for 2025. Do club cricketers get paid? Yes, they do – but not everyone. The majority of amateur cricketers who play in clubs and leagues are not paid. […]
Aire-Wharfe League: Rodley and Follifoot await vote nervously
In the Aire-Wharfe Cricket League, there is an annual vote by all member clubs, revealed at their AGM, as to whether to retain the two lowest ranked clubs – or eject them. For 2024, the two clubs at risk of being without a cricket league to join for 2025 are Rodley and Follifoot. It is […]
Skipton Community Sports Hub opens at Sandylands
The Skipton Community Sports Hub is a welcome new addition at Sandylands. The £1m new facility will be home to Skipton Cricket Club, Skipton Juniors FC and Skipton Ladies AFC, as well as being available for community use – as a bar and for venue hire. Malcolm Birks, chair of the Skipton Community Sports Hub, […]
Aire-Wharfe: Fitting finale at Addingham Cricket Club
A return to Addingham Cricket Club was long overdue; I came close in the National Village Cup until the game with Scottish side, Falkland, was won by the hosts by walkover due to a clash with cup competitions. Beyond Silsden, there’s a pleasing panorama that opens up as Bolton Road affords a long speedy straight […]
Beckwithshaw win promotion to the Aire-Wharfe Premier Division
Looking back to September 2022, Beckwithshaw faced probably their fiercest local rivals, knowing that they had to win to retain their top-flight status. Ultimately, the visitors to The Stag Den, Bilton, dominated the game, relegating Beckwithshaw’s first team to Division Two. I was sitting on the boundary rope that day, covering what had been another […]
Rules vs common sense: Leafblowers and seeing the light
If there’s one thing that club cricket excels at, it’s rules, regulations and calculations, occasionally to its detriment. This is about light, leaf blowers and common sense. Seeing the light It’s not just the recreational game that can sometimes stray into a soap opera. Anyone who watched the third Test match at The Oval where […]
Winners revealed in the Cricket Yorkshire Tea of the Year 2024
The Cricket Yorkshire Tea of the Year for 2024, sponsored by Yorkshire Tea, has been a blast to run again. We have shaken things up with new categories to reflect the cost of cricket teas as well as the diversity in diets, culture and food here in Yorkshire. The standard has been phenomenal again. The […]