As we trundle into a new year and decade, we revisit some of the club cricket themes that have been placed under the microscope in 2019.
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The Club Debate, which kicks off Wisden Cricket Monthly‘s club cricket pages, addresses the key issues affecting grassroots cricket in the UK, canvassing opinion from the people that matter: the players and administrators who give their all for their respective clubs and leagues.
Club mergers, team selection, start times, playing formats and the future of village cricket are just some of the club cricket topics that have been examined during 2019 – vital components in club cricket’s overall feedback loop.
“Well, that’s the way I play”
“It did all sorts”
“How can I take that bowling seriously?”@Rich_Wisden on the many excuses used by club cricketers across the land. https://t.co/NhOyCanIa3
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) 19 December 2019
Grassroots cricket faces uncertain times, but with growing attention from the game’s ruling bodies, it is also a field of opportunity. With The Hundred on the horizon and the potential conversion of All Stars juniors into fully-fledged senior clubmen over the next five years, the game could experience a renaissance.
In addition to the Club Debates, you’ll also find this year’s articles for The Pitch, with each writer proposing their grand idea on how to improve club cricket.
The Club Debate: 2019
When a village cricket league is overthrown
Can grassroots club mergers be a positive thing?
Club cricket’s unsolveable disputes?
Where should we draw the line on player behaviour?
What factors should govern team selection?
How can we replicate the boom in women’s cricket at club level?
What’s the ideal start & end time?
Are players’ voices being heard in the committee room?
Formatting issues – time for short-form to take centre stage?
Should other counties adopt the Surrey Slam model?
Can small village clubs still find their niche?
The Pitch: 2019
“Preparing a cricket pitch must be up there with managing the installation of an iPhone update as one of the most drawn-out, effort-intensive activities in modern life.”@Ed_Wisden has his say in the latest instalment of The Pitch. #clubcrickethttps://t.co/xPhWme3r2k
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) 6 September 2019
CCC: Clubs must play key role in exploiting summer’s legacy
Why every club should have youth on their committee
Why artificial wickets are the way forward
Why the pub must be the post-match hub
