Aug 16

Aug 16 COUNTY CRICKET BLOG: Thompson appointed ECB chair | Special General Meeting forced at Lancashire | Yorks tribunal underway | Flintoff's Field of Dreams considered | Stevens to leave Kent

Rich Clarke

CricketPaper

Last-Wicket Stand: Searching for Redemption, Revival and a Reason to Persevere in English County Cricket

By Clarke, Richard

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Sod it.

Sod it all.

I am going to start with the good news this week.

Do not worry, the usual balance will be more than redressed by the time you get to the bottom of this newsletter. But the appointment of Richard Thompson as ECB chair can only be seen as a huge shot of Prozac for a sport that has been suffering from deep depression for decades.

Let’s look at the recent history of Surrey CCC, where he has been chair since 2011. As the posh, cocky, rich boys from south of the river, I should thoroughly dislike them. And, let’s be honest, I try my best.

But under Thompson and CEO Richard Gould, they have become by far the best-run and most admired county in the country, with a growing membership, healthy balance sheet and excellent fan experience. Given their resources, they have underdelivered on the pitch this century but when they won the 2018 Championship they displayed the trophy proudly in the entrance of their pavilion throughout the following year (see my picture, above). It clearly mattered. They even handed back their furlough money, something more UK companies should have done.

However, the most impressive aspect about Surrey under Thompson is what they have NOT become. They could have been the major beneficiaries from the ECB’s preferred path in recent years but, instead, they have chosen to back the county game. Here’s a primer from the Times ($) in 2019 with the headline Why Surrey and the ECB are at war over The Hundred. Surrey are often called the Manchester United of county cricket but when have the Red Devils ever put their own interests behind of those in bottom half of the Premier League? They tried to leave them behind entirely last year. In contrast, there is conscience and soul at The Oval.

The support for Thompson among those with county cricket hearts has been almost universal, something extremely rare among senior sporting executives.

It all makes the ECB’s renewal with Sky seem increasingly odd and ill-timed. It is not like the crucial free-to-air part with the BBC was included in an overall broadcast deal. A cynic would say its sole purpose was to lock in the future of the tournament-that-shall-not-be-named with the incoming leadership. Normally, you give the new regime the freedom to make their own decisions.

Boris Johnson is using this excuse to continue his personal grift on the public purse until early September even though his inaction could plunge a significant section of the UK in poverty. It is the ultimate example of how this country’s political class has let us down over the past 30 years, spinning our worst instincts against us while locking in the advantages of the privileged. I fear it may come to a head this winter.

The folly of many sports organisations is that they have mimicked the tactics seen in Parliament. As a result, they are led by the few, for the few. The many are merely television eyeballs and marketing metrics.

Extracting the ECB from their current hole will be an enormous challenge for Thompson and difficult decisions may leave the odd blemish on his seemingly stain-free reputation.

But organisations reflect their leadership while their effectiveness rests on trust as much as competence. The ECB have been sorely lacking in both for far too long. One hopes Thompson has the freedom and power to create positive change.

Players, Contracts and Moves

Contracts/Moves: Van Buuren (Gloucs - long-term contract), Bartlett (Somerset - 1 yr), Archer (Sussex - 1 yr), Abbott (Hants - 2 yr contract), Waite (Yorks to Worcs)

Middlesex secure major fillip with Ryan Higgins return (Cricketer)

Higgins’ move back to Middlesex is huge. And, after the departure of Benny Howell last week, Gloucestershire suddenly have a huge hole in their side.

Exclusive: Kent set to release legendary all-rounder Darren Stevens after 17 years at end of season (Standard)

This is like the ravens leaving the Tower of London. However, let's put it this way, he was one of the first players in my Fantasy League team this season even though he was expensive. But I sold him well before his injuries kicked in.

And, at 178-years-old, the room for failure is restricted.

Unlike George Hill, who said his “confidence was shot”. Just wondering, what would you, or more importantly the Kent coaches, think if Stevens said he lacked confidence in his technique or his body?

Hill upbeat again after "technical twitch" (Yorkshire Post)

Boult to be released from NZC contract (NZ Cricket)

So here we go. The start of the end for international cricket with star players backing out to tour the T20 circuit.

OK, Boult is a 33-year-old pace bowler who has suffered injuries. He's done a good 10 years as part of arguably the most overachieving Test team in history. So can he be forgiven for cashing out?

The Future of County Cricket

There’s lots going on at Lancashire, some good, some not so good. This week, the club put out a statement about the Lancashire Action Group, who have been a driving force behind the Save County Cricket campaign (sign up here). But, at a members’ meeting on Wednesday (August 10), their pressure forced a Special General Meeting to formally discuss the issue. A key win.

It does not sound an easy process (see both tweets) but change never is.

Lancs Action Group @lancscccaction

14 days notice must be given on the agenda for this meeting and any motions to be put to the vote. Once the notice is out we will know more about what the club's management and board are seeking to achieve. Our ask is simple. Let members decide the response to the ECB reforms

Lancashire fan group set to force SGM to demand consent on county schedule (Cricketer)

Lancashire fans’ protest aims to prevent cut in County Championship fixtures (Times) ($)

Lancashire members look to force vote opposing any cuts to County Championship schedule (Telegraph) ($)

Somerset supporters sign petition to save county cricket (Somerset Gazette)

For what its worth, my position is that county cricket can not go back to the past. It needs to create a different future based on the realities of the modern game but with important nods to history and tradition. The Championship is unlikely to ever regain its full glory (and much of that is a myth anyway) but it can still thrive in a smaller yet meaningful form. And, having seen how money has ruined so much of sport, why not make cricket a little different. Let those who love it, rather than those who merely profit from it, have a say.

Because, right now, the game seems utterly at odds with itself. See the next few stories.

How advice from Quakers could quell the cricket conversation (Cricketer)

The problem with a call for calm over the tournament-that-shall-not-be-named now is that the power differential is so great. In the last five years, no-one asked county fans about a competition that, in my opinion, will see the destruction of much-loved clubs going back as much as 200 years. Those who did shout about the coming issues were ignored or ridiculed. The attitudes of counties have been far too conservative in the past but they have accused the ECB of ambush tactics, threats and serving NDAs to get their way.

And, while presiding over the rapid demise of the domestic game, they have created a feather-bed for they baby to thrive.

What makes you think quiet diplomacy is going to work now?

And, according to a piece below, Eoin Morgan believes the debate is over anyway. Whatever your standpoint that is plainly untrue and, once again, calls into question the judgement of the former England captain on this matter.

Ben Stokes makes public show of support for campaign against County Championship fixture cuts (Cricketer)

Smaller counties fear growing divide with lucrative Hundred venues will render them second class (Telegraph) ($)

‘The ECB should be disbanded’ – no sign of peace in cricket’s culture war (Times) ($)

"There is no secret to what is going on:...the County Championship is being closed down for five weeks to give the new baby space to grow, while the Blast is quietly starved of TV and marketing resources.

"Moreover, the project continues to receive priority treatment, with the Hundred’s place in the schedule already secured through to 2028 via a new broadcast deal struck by a national body without a full-time chief executive or a chairman, and a board of directors stuffed with people with little practical cricket experience. How did that happen?"

Let me adjust the question a little - how has that been allowed to happen?

NB: If you want to do something about it, start by filling up this survey.

Cricket Supporters @yourcricketsa

Our biggest survey yet is out and you can find out more about it by heading to cricketsupporters.com/news/survey2022 - or to just take the survey go to

News, Views and Interviews

Exclusive: England's World Cup T20 plans face chaos due to Yorkshire racism tribunal (Telegraph) ($)

A strange angle to take. The story argues the racism tribunal, which has been hanging over the game all year, might have a detrimental effect on England's preparation for the T20 World Cup.

It's almost like team performance is more important than ridding the game of racism.

Yorkshire CCC racism scandal not the black and white issue many want – Chris Waters (Yorkshire Post)

Finally, the racism scandal at Yorkshire CCC is reaching the stage when someone will face a formal disciplinary procedure. There is also a war of words taking place over the coverage from the most prominent local paper.

The story above and the tweets below present both sides.

Clare Sanderson @ClareMatic

Cricket is my thing. Yorkshire is my club. We are going through a transition, led by folks who are committed to the club being inclusive & one we are proud of. We are on a journey- onwards and upwards. Back the process. Back @LordKPatel

Cricket Badger / James Buttler 🏏🦡🇺🇦 @cricket_badger

Yorkshire Post's coverage of the Yorkshire CCC racism scandal has consistently backed the wrong side. It's become a mouthpiece for the implicated and shamed. At least the readers are speaking up.

Greek national team cricketer leads charge in English county game (NeosKosmos)

UK sports clubs boost biodiversity by letting nature go wild on their grounds (Guardian)

Why Not Move The Hundred To April? (Being Outside Cricket)

Sibley and Lawrence handed Lions chance in South Africa tour match (Cricinfo)

The legacy of the great British bowler (Reaction)

Cricket shortlisted for review by the Olympic committee (Cricinfo)

Dave Allen: Hampshire On The Island (Ageas Bowl)

Hampshire’s peerless historian on playing on the Isle of Wight. It looked gorgeous this week.

LAWRENCE BOOTH: New ECB chair Richard Thompson CANNOT afford to drop the ball when it comes to juggling the Hundred, County Championship and T20 Blast... the incoming chief has a tough job on his hands to unite a sport which is more divided than ever (Mail)

Cricket is being SWAMPED with the IPL and its offspring wanting to become to the sport what the Premier League is to global football: Wisden Editor LAWRENCE BOOTH on the existential threat to 50-over game AND Tests (Mail)

Northants continue to strengthen their network (Northampton Chronicle)

Positive signs here for Northamptonshire, who needed council loans to stay afloat a few years ago. This article said they had good Blast crowds and, on the commercial front, have bounced back well from the pandemic.

And this guy has been a hell of a signing…

Ryan Rickelton's County cricket form is just what the Proteas need ahead of Lords Test, says Dean Elgar (Mail)

Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams

Freddie Flintoff protege Adnan set for Lancashire berth after being granted asylum (Mirror)

‘Cricket is everything’: Adnan Miakhel’s England dreams alive as asylum granted (Guardian)

Do You Have To Be Rich To Play Cricket? (Being Outside Cricket)

When I was growing up I wanted to be Marty McFly.

Back to the Future sparked a love of all things American that lasts to this day. A few years ago, I fulfilled my ambition of living and working there. Alas, family and financial pressure forced me home. When Marty was flooring his DeLorean to 88 mph and screeching out guitar solos at the prom, his story neglected to tell us about the financial precipice upon which you live due to the health care system over there. It kinda kills the mood.

Likewise, Freddie Flintoff's Field of Dreams is a television show, not a documentary. Don't get me wrong, anyway we can get cricket to the masses without killing the counties is a winner with me. Also, highlighting the deprivation of forgotten youngsters on ‘council estates’ is laudable.

But the very fact that we need a show like this is telling. Inside the first three minutes, a boxing trainer was telling Flintoff cricket was "posh, whites and pavilions". The game was alien and unknown to the boys who had to Google their mentor to find out his background. And he is probably the most recent superstar of the English game.

Quickly, Flintoff saw this disconnect and, to coin a phrase, ‘levelled down’. "I might have to adjust what I think a win is," he said ruefully. "A win is just the confidence to go and play."

Within the realms of a television show, the former England all-rounder achieved his aim. He bonded with the boys as their background were similar, developed their sense of self-worth and even uncovered a talent in Adnan, an asylum-seeker.

The end was suitably warm and fuzzy for prime-time with the boys battling hard before losing to a public school and an England select XI but raising funds for a clubhouse along the way. Adnan even got picked up by the Lancashire pathway.

However, the show left me with so many questions. Privilege and class were at the heart of it but, as ever, no one was truly angry about it. Cricket was invisible and irrelevant to these working class, council estate kids. Clearly, their school never played the game or they would have had at least some exposure.

Their match at a public school saw the home side, all high elbows and strong front arms, clearly take their foot off the gas once they saw the agricultural swipes from the visitors. Just look at the way the standard of bowling from the public school dips as the game goes on.

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Despite being from a similar background, Flintoff's sporting prowess has made him privileged without being posh. The camera crews helped recruitment and after getting £175,000 from the council (and it would have been a vote-loser to turn it down with the cameras in), he asked for an extra £25,000 if he ‘found’ £50,000 more - £25,000 from his own pocket and £25,000 from a fund-raising game.

That saw the likes of Monty Panesar, Ryan Sidebottom, Michael Vaughan and Rob Key turn out in front of a strong crowd drawn from the bosom of the community. All praised the positive, wholesome nature of game and Flintoff himself (plus presumably a production team and television channel) for making it happen. This is a cast-iron truth. It is this sort of belief in the positive power of sport and the particular value of cricket that have led so many of us patronage the county game through Covid and with retain membership that offers ever decreasing value for money.

However Vaughan and, in particular, Key are part of an establishment that are set to weaken the county structure even further. The past powers-that-be prevented Flintoff's team from being exposed to the game before now. The current powers-that-be have labelled what is left of the system as outdated and irrelevant (go figure) so they are looking to a franchised future. One of the knock-on effects may be less space for boys like Adnan in the Lancashire system.

Flintoff's Field of Dreams will have warmed a few hearts among the indifferents but, for the die-hards, it was a soft-focus re-enforcement of the issues that have left the game in such a state.

And, of course, it hammered home the cold, hard truth we must all accept now.

English cricket is a charity case.