Cricket's hidden agenda

Posted by Tony Hutton

John Winn's recent blog 'Not long now?' certainly rang a few bells. His mention of cricket's hidden agenda in use ten years ago is without doubt still most relevant today as we tentatively approach the start of another season shrouded in more mystery than usual. For those of us proud of the soubriquet of 'professional cricket watchers' it is always annoying not to find the endless fixtures at all sorts of level that we require to plan our daily fix throughout the season. Good to hear from John that the Leeds and Wetherby League plan to start as early as 10th April. Most Yorkshire Leagues start the following week, with the exception of Yorkshire Premier League North which is scheduled for 24th April.

I am also happy to endorse Mike Latham's recommendation to watch cricket at Bamburgh Castle for those brave enough to venture so far north. Certainly one not to miss. I also welcome his story of Manderston cricket club, even further north. I set off to go there one Sunday some years ago, while staying in Northumberland, only to be met by torrential rain of serious proportions as I crossed the border into Scotland at Coldstream. So that one is still on my wanted list.

While obviously appreciating the difficulties which all involved in cricket administration face in these unpredictable times, early season planning is somewhat like trying to navigate an unfathomable maze. However, I will endeavour to give a few clues. It has been publicly stated by the management of both Durham and Yorkshire county clubs that there will be a full programme of second eleven matches of four days duration during the coming season. It seems unlikely that any of these will happen during 'The Hundred' which will take place at the same time as the First eleven one day Royal London Cup.

Fixtures for Nottinghamshire seconds did suddenly appear last week and we are promised that Durham and Yorkshire fixtures will be published shortly. Hot news just in, with thanks to Keith Fenton. The Lancashire second eleven fixtures are now on the club website. They include a four day game with Yorkshire at Scarborough starting on Monday 10th May. One problem is that of venues, which must obviously be capable of coping with Covid restrictions, in particular large or multiple dressing room facilities will be required. In addition a full list of Yorkshire Academy fixtures have been published in the Yorkshire Premier League North and one assumes that the multiple dressing rooms available at Weetwood, the home of Leeds University will be satisfactory for purpose.

Early season cricket at Weetwood, Leeds.

This leads on to another mystery - that of University cricket. The ECB have now taken over sponsorship of the University cricket programme from MCC. So all the leading Universities, previously known as MCCUs, have now reverted to being UCCEs, which stands for University Centres of Cricketing Excellence. What that actually means in terms of the continuation of two day or even three day cricket is still unclear. I have discovered that Cambridge University have announced a full list of fixtures for 2021 in which most inter varsity games seem to be one day affairs, starting at 12 noon, in something called a 'National League'. Not much room for excellence there I would think. This seems to echo the fact that the Minor Counties have now become the National Counties and are now facing a programme with very few three day fixtures.

However, all is not lost. Internet trawling this week has revealed a treasure trove of fixtures on the MCC website, with an almost endless list of MCC out matches against schools and club sides throughout the season. So just to whet the appetite of all those in urgent search of cricket at whatever level, here are just a few fixtures scheduled for the north of England in April. One hopefully assumes that these may be classed as recreational cricket and not subject to spectator restrictions.

Sedbergh School cricket ground.

24th April - Sedbergh School v MCC.

26th April - St Aidan's and John Fisher School v MCC (at Harrogate CC).

28th April - Austin Friars School v MCC (at Carlisle CC).

28th April - Bradford Grammar School v MCC.

30th April - Ermystead's School v MCC (Bolton Abbey CC).

Obviously, like a packet of cigarettes, all these fixtures come with a Government Health Warning and it would seem advisable to make a telephone call to check before travelling any distance.