The Drakes Huddersfield Cricket League is a marvel in cricket history and continuity. Its first season was way back in 1892 and comprised the ten clubs of Armitage Bridge, Golcar, Holmfirth, Lascelles Hall, Linthwaite, Slaithwaite, Cliffe End, Huddersfield United, Lockwood, Meltham Mills. The first six of those clubs are still around now and will compete […]
Cricket podcast
Yorkshire league cricket and bats with B3 Cricket’s Richard Blakeley
On a visit to the B3 Cricket HQ, General Manager Richard Blakeley talked me through his playing career in Yorkshire league cricket and offered coaching and buying tips on cricket bats. Up for discussion was: Richard’s playing career with Birstall and other Yorkshire clubs Coaching and umpiring at Coal Aston Cricket Club Customisation at B3 […]
Alex Lees on his fresh start, self-belief and batting stance
Yorkshire CCC opening batsman Alex Lees is talking to me as the echo of conversation bounces off the walls in the sports hall under the East Stand. The capricious nature of the weather has brought with it a flurry of snow so the interviews are indoors and we grab a few minutes before the team […]
Barnsley & District Cricket League: 125 not out
The Barnsley Cricket League is enjoying its 125th anniversary in 2018 and so what better time to promote South Yorkshire Sunday league cricket as the Quasquicentennial party kicks off. No, I’m not that clever and yes, I did just google the Latin description for 125 year-landmark! We have all seen historic cricket leagues in Yorkshire merge […]
Jack Brooks on fitness, form and emptying the bars when he’s batting
Yorkshire County Cricket Club seam bowler Jack Brooks must have broken a few mirrors last season such was his bad luck with injury. Sporting what he laughingly refers to as an Oxfordshire tan after catching the sun in the pre-season tour to Potchefstroom, the Headband Warrior is on fine form at the County Media Day. As […]
BME Development Centres give kids a chance at cricket
With funding from the Yorkshire Cricket Board (YCB), there is a programme in place to deliver cricket to those who’ve never tried it, in areas with large BME (black and minority ethnic) populations through development centres. The YCB cover the cost of venues and coaches (these are local to each community) and the 10 development […]
Cricket scoring is set for a revamp across club cricket
It would be an understatement to note that Steve Ward (right) knows a thing or two about cricket scoring. As Regional Scorers Officer (North) for the ECB ACO (Association of Cricket Officials), his role has been to teach and update cricket scorers across the region as technology and the laws change. Ahead of the 2018 […]
Men in white coats: Life as an ECB Premier League cricket umpire
Club cricket has its fair share of those like Jonathan Corcoran who live for their cricket and wear many hats. Secretary at Knaresborough Cricket Club, Yorkshire U15 Development Team Manager, cricket umpire in Yorkshire’s ECB Premier Leagues plus the York Senior League and an ECB tutor teaching and encouraging umpires. Still, Jonathan found time to catch […]
The MCC Foundation Hubs supporting cricketers from state schools
The topic of cricket in state schools – or rather its conspicuous absence – is something that will fire up anyone who cares about the present health and future of cricket. “There is no cricket in state schools” is a comment I hear all the time and compared to the heady days after the 2005 […]
Coach Paul Shaw on developing the art of captaincy and leadership
Former England Women’s Coach Paul Shaw is talking about cricket captaincy and leadership on a tinny line from his car after a few hectic days holding workshops for the ECB and the Premier League. Paul will be touring Yorkshire during March to deliver a series of regional seminars that are aimed at coaches and captains […]