As we look ahead to recreational cricket outdoors in England during 2022, what will be the trends and challenges for the grassroots game?
Coronavirus is still very much with us though we collectively have the experiences of the past 2 years to call upon in managing any future restrictions or setbacks.
I’ve said it before but volunteers involved in recreational cricket did a phenomenal job (over 2020/21) in adapting to all that was thrown at them to get cricket played safely and offer the best possible experience within their means.
In 2022, there are expected to be significant changes brought about by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), as it seeks to address the traumatic past year that shone a light on the many inequalities and divisions that exist.
1. A normal cricket season?
After roadmaps and restrictions, will 2022 be the year that sees a full cricket season played without any restrictions? It would be foolish to make any predictions but it’s a possibility and one that the game desperately needs.
2. Tackling discrimination
The ECB’s 12-point action plan to address racism and promote inclusion will be watched closely, not least by county boards, leagues and cricket clubs who will be required to implement the fine print as it gets announced.
Take this one – ‘Understanding and educating more – training for all those who work in cricket, including all staff, volunteers, recreational club officials, umpires, directors, and coaches.’
What this education will look like, to what degree it will be required and how it can be more than just a box to tick are all questions that need answers in time.
In my own analysis of how racism is showing up in recreational cricket, I saw education as a piece of the puzzle but we have to be wary of not just asking a couple of volunteers at a club to do a one-hour seminar that doesn’t infuse into the behaviour of others.
You’re going to hear a lot of references to EDI (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion) and action plans in 2022. It is a starting point but gestures and statements of solidarity won’t be as meaningful as honest conversations between members in clubhouses.
In my view, two things need to happen in Yorkshire club cricket (and further afield) to see some traction…
1. Reporting – Yorkshire County Cricket Club’s whistleblowing hotline is up and running. My understanding is that it includes grievances in recreational cricket too.
Incidentally, I’m really not a fan of the term whistleblowing. Its correct definition might be the reporting of wrongdoing but, to me at least, it conjures up spilling state secrets and feels like the person reporting is taking a risk which absolutely shouldn’t be the case.
2. Punishment – While cricket leagues are often stuck in the middle, terrified of being sued and find it devilishly difficult to categorically prove racism, someone has to be accountable in future.
Whatever the process is currently, it’s not fit for purpose. There are many more incidents than actually ever get anywhere near to being proven and that has to change somehow.
The onus currently is on volunteers at clubs and leagues who, however well-meaning, have little experience or appetite to be in the centre of the fray, with accusations of racism flying about.
3. Return of cricket teas?
Covid-19 forced cricket clubs to abandon cricket teas in 2020 and then they could theoretically return in mid-2022, subject to more jumping through hoops than a circus act.
By then, many clubs realised they could do without the cost and hassle while players, officials and spectators could bring their own choice of sustenance.
Believe it or not, cricket teas remain a divisive subject but if there are permitted then we should see some clubs returning to heaving plates of cakes and curries and I look forward to a long and exhaustive taste test all summer!
4. Going Green
Will 2022 be the year when the example of Eight Ash Green Cricket Club in Essex in tackling climate change becomes more commonplace?
Enough cricket clubs are hammered by the fickle weather Gods for them to ponder whether it’s time to do their bit. Going plastic-free, offsetting carbon, recycling, you name it but there are schemes and rewards for going green.
5. Upwardly mobile
Last but not least…We will be able to hit the road in 2022, thanks to Mrs CY passing her test, so every cricket club in Yorkshire is potentially in reach in a way that wasn’t previously possible. No more missing the last bus back to Skipton that left at 4pm or needing three train connections to travel 10 miles.
There are adventures to be had and while 2022 will not be without its concerns and challenges, we can all be optimistic that it may yet be the best in years.
What do you think? What do you think are the priorities for 2022? What are you looking forward to? Leave a comment below!
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What about travel to grounds. 12 cars to transport a team (unless from same family or bubble) as per government guidance what a joke
Travel is a major issue for recreational cricket and the point you raise on car-sharing is important. We’ll wait and see what the exact advice from the UK Government is. The ECB will share that guidance to clubs and leagues.
Is there anything currently on training numbers? Can’t seem to find anything specifically related to training
Hi James, no difference between training and matches I believe. 30 participants mentioned from 29 March and initially, no spectators.
Here’s the UK government link: Guidance
Training guidance issued yesterday is not as clear cut as last year.
Provides guidance for juniors, especially netting, but seems to leave senior training or netting down to the club itself, regarding what they think is manageable.
Issuing a 26 page document at 6pm on the Friday before restrictions change on the Monday is a bit poor by the ECB when they have had so much notice of this date.
Thanks Richard, I did notice an absence of obvious advice around senior nets (there was an infographic last year) but as you say, a huge volume of guidance dropped on clubs last-minute.
Will the use of changing rooms be allowed after April 12th, as they will be for football?
Hi Gordan, changing rooms to remain closed under current guidance. Hopefully that changes as we progress through summer.
Any movement on the use of dressing rooms yet. Crazy that football can but cricket cant
That’s coming Andy. New ECB guidance is on its way but we’re heading in the right direction.
Will spectators be allowed to watch local cricket from the 12th April ? if not it seems totally mad that you can sit outside the bar with your pint but cricket watchers won’t be allowed to watch
Hi Andy, Spectators must socially distance, provide contact details and observe legal gathering size limits (Rule of 6 or two households). So yes, they can but it’s open to change and local restrictions, as last year.
So if I’m out walking the dog and happen to stumble on a game of cricket being played and decide to stop and take in the fresh air I’m breaking the law?
But am I really spectating? What constitutes spectating? If I casually walk around the outfield but take no interest in the game am I actually spectating? If I sit around the boundary eating a butty and cast the odd glance toward the action in the middle am I spectating?
Are club officials expected to challenge those on the boundary taking a casual stroll and ask them to move on and stop watching?
Hi Ed, thanks for your comment. Believe me, I’ve had the same questions and discussions with many. If you’re out in a public park watching cricket, that is fine. Equally, if you go to a private cricket club you’re a member of and sit in their designated area then that’s ok. The confusion over no spectators has been unhelpful, whatever the aim. Clubs aren’t expected to intervene or challenge in any way.
it is too difficult to do, junior cricket will suffer along with clubs trying to bring juniors into senior cricket how can you possibly get juniors to an away game which is often used as a baby sitting service not all parents drive. only home fixtures if the club you are playing is able to get to you to play. 1 person per car is not going to work however this is then contradicted by people going in taxis i would not be happy sending 6 juniors individually in taxis it is not sustainable or safe or even practical
Morning Paul, I agree…the practicalities of getting players to and from matches in cars is one of those things that is hard to reconcile. Hopefully it relaxes over time when it’s deemed safe to do so.
what format will Yorks Premier league be this season ? 40 overs was fine as the season started so late but a longer game might be better this year
Hi Andy, believe clubs are increasing the overs again in line with usual playing conditions.
We had an inter club friendly yesterday, snow and freezing temperatures didn’t stop people watching the cricket. Were they spectators or taking their daily exercise around the boundary and stopping for a rest on the benches.
I’m understanding from this bizarre guidance that spectators are not allowed on private cricket grounds unless they buy either food and/or drink from the home club’s catering outlet then consume that food and/or drink at a table within the vicinity of that catering outlet (whilst, presumably, keeping an eye on what’s happening out in the middle). Does this rule out turning up with one’s own seat then buying food and/or drink from the home club before finding a favoured spot, away from the catering outlet, somewhere around the boundary, to consume that food and/or drink – and consuming it slowly, potentially over six hours, until the game is finished? One would expect to be at less risk of infection sitting apart from the bulk of attendees. i.e. those gathered in the vicinity of the home club’s catering outlet. I can see me having to wait until May 17 (at the earliest) to watch cricket!
Just been told by my local cricket club that I am not allowed to watch my son play in senior cricket on saturday . Yet a complete stranger and mates who have booked a table can , who are also allowed to get drunk and maybe verbally abuse my son nicely after a few to many ales all this while I am not allowed in the ground. I’m sorry but this needs a huge rethink . It should be the amount of people they have at the ground that should be controlled not cricket watchers or drinkers. I have backed the GOV through this and done my bit , but you would have to drag me out of the ground before this rule was invoked on me .
If 6 people can meet outside, why can’t 6 people sit together but at a distance from others to watch a match?
Good question…it seems odd you can’t space out round a boundary but can cram into a smaller, designated area to drink a pint.
Surely we are at no risk if we take our own food and drink and seats.
Scarborough member. Found out today that we cannot watch cricket until May 17th. Absolutely ridiculous. I was convinced we were able to watch from this weekend. Average crowd for league game about 50 in a ground with a capacity of 7000+ with all is separate outside facilities! As Mark Arthur said most spectators would have had AT LEAST one jab! Peasholm Park will have hundreds sat around if weather ok, beaches will be heaving as will the shops. Cricket ground will be safest place apart from ones own home! There can be no scientific evidence for this bizarre decision which is more restrictive than last August. How is club cricket not safe yet snooker is next week with 33% capacity rising to full during the championship? Professional football is also getting spectators back before cricket where it will be more difficult to social distance especially getting in & out of the grounds. Why is recreational cricket being treated so harshly? Why is cricket on private land more dangerous than in a park setting; I would have thought it would be easier for 50 to social distance in a ground like Scarborough than in most village grounds or those in a park setting!
Reading some other comments there does seem some confusion as to whether members are allowed to attend. Scarborough think members are not allowed. Do you think if the tea room was open then members/spectators would be allowed if they purchased something?
How can we press for ECB/Government to reconsider this totally unfair & illogical decision?
I agree with your points Peter but it’s hopefully only for a few weeks. It becomes ludicrous in a huge county outground like Scarborough. My understanding is that private clubs, which Scarborough presumably is, is only open to its members if they sit in its designated outdoor seating area. However, Scarborough will be in the know and making its own decisions so check with them.
Local cricket clubs need to designate themselves as a public Park!
Surely in view of the comments, which I suspect a replicated around the country should not the Cricket Authorities be taking up this ridiculous situation with the Government
been to watch some cricket today at 2 grounds which are next to each other, as i live in York i think we all know which clubs i’m talking about. At the first ground which is well known to all cricket watchers a large rowdy crowd was sat outside the bar drinking and shouting all afternoon with not an official word said but when i walked round the ground with a friend we were subjected to a volley of abuse from the score box from some demented individual who i assume was the scorer. The few benches were chained up which was an appalling sight. At the nearby ground we were met with friendly faces and proper cricket people watching the game in a safe manner.. Surely clubs must use common sense or else they’ll alienate their members
Will spectators be allowed to watch county 2nd teams play this season or will it be deemed ” too dangerous” which is madness as the pubs will be heaving with people getting drunk
We’ll have to wait and see Andy. As they often play at club grounds, it should be possible as the restrictions ease. Worth contacting host clubs to check.
Over here in Melbourne this 2021-22 cricket season has seen plenty of isolated games abandoned due to outbreaks, a drop off in not just training but in participation (as players prioritise a return to life) and a significant drop off in the number of umpires. Definitely no teas, remains a BYO, and post game beers and social events virtually non-existent. It’s been a significant change.
Hi James, thanks for the update from Australia. I hope it improves in time, sounds like how we were in the UK at the start of 2021 and certainly in 2020.