Sarim Akhtar’s silent, stony glare had started something. Memes were already flooding onto social media by the time he was interviewed in the stands by television presenter Zainab Abbas an hour after the drop. Crucially, they put his name in the caption. That night, he had to mute his phone as it ‘pinged’ every few seconds as thousands of new friend requests poured in.
Cricket participation in the UK has been falling for decades. The number of people turning out regularly has halved since the Millennium and only a third of state schools even play it these days. The ECB has recognised the problem by making “supporting and connecting communities and improving lives” a pillar of its Inspiring Generations plan running from 2020 to 2024. It could be the motto for the new Alfrick CC.
As a youngster, Derek Randall was by far my favourite non-Essex player. OK, he was one of the best fielders in the world but there were far more consistent players with the bat. However, it was his sheer joy in playing the game that shone through.
If the mainstream will not satisfy the demands of the county cricket-supporting public then, these days, the fans will clearly look to entertain themselves.
My piece for The Cricket Paper on the growth, popularity and threats to Robelinda2, the sport's best YouTube channel
“If you want to find a video of Nasser Hussain bowling in Test cricket, Devon Malcolm’s 12 not out against Australia in 1997 or the “shittest players of spin ever” then you are in the right place.”
