Trying to look ahead

 Posted by Tony Hutton

Many cricket enthusiasts throughout the country are greatly puzzled with what is currently going on with the game in England. Most are waiting patiently for the county cricket fixtures for 2022 to be released. What had become a moveable feast has already dragged on far too long and yesterday's dribble of information suggested they will be published either after the forthcoming Test Match in Hobart finishes or during the following week. No chance whatsoever of a simple definite date.

When will we see this again? Headingley Test Match 2016.

However another glimmer for Yorkshire followers was the tucked away statement that the long delay has not been caused by the Yorkshire situation and that Yorkshire will start the forthcoming season in Division One. What does that mean? When the expected two further heavy penalties awaited from both the Parliamentary Committee and the ECB actually arrive will they be relegated part way through the season or perhaps transferred to the Bradford league?

Really this whole thing has been blown up out of all proportion and sadly the former regime were not able to defend themselves against this overwhelming tide of condemnation. Bold words again from Lord Patel in today's Yorkshire Post but in no way, in my humble opinion, can he justify his 'sack the lot' policy.

However some fixtures for the coming season have already been published including a full programme of Yorkshire League North games for the Yorkshire Academy, who we assume will continue to operate once they have found a replacement for the previous admirable coaches. In addition the National Counties fixtures (still the Minor Counties to my mind) are also available, complete with venues as well. Of course in that each county now only plays four three day championship matches, 'proper cricket'  is still very thin on the ground.

Trying hard to be positive, I can supply you with a few actual dates. Most local leagues such as Bradford League, Huddersfield League, Yorkshire League South and Aire/Wharfe will start on Saturday 16th April. Yorkshire League North start a week later on Saturday 23rd April when the Yorkshire Academy entertain Harrogate, who will include two former Academy players, batsman Arjun Ramkumar and opening bowler Ed Booth.

Harrogate cricket club.

Various cup competitions get underway on Sunday 1st May, including the Huddersfield League's Sykes Cup and the Bradford League's Priestley Cup, whereas the Viking Cup (for Yorkshire Leagues North and South) is split between Monday 2nd May and Sunday 8th May. By then the National Counties endless T20 competition will be well under way, but who but the local followers would travel all the way to Carlisle to see Cumbia play Staffordshire.

More likely on that date (8th May) most people will follow their local clubs in such competitions as the Worsley Cup (Lancashire), Heavy Woollen Cup second round, Waddilove Cup (Aire Wharfe) or Jack Hampshire Cup (lower reaches of the Bradford League). In addition another tranche of fixtures is available on the county over 50s play-cricket website starting on Wednesday 18th May. However here a familiar problem raises it's head in that no venues are available. In most cases, with the regular exception of Yorkshire, these will eventually appear, but Yorkshire's whereabouts usually remains a well guarded secret.

By the time the National Counties T20 competition has reached it's conclusion (Final on 22nd May) the 50 over competition takes over with such delights as Lincolnshire v Cumbria at Scunthorpe Town on 29th May, Cumbria v Hereford at Cockermouth on 5th June and Cheshire v Norfolk at Boughton Hall on 12th June. The first three day championship matches do not appear until Sunday 3rd July when Cheshire take on Oxfordshire at Alderley Edge, a week later Lincolnshire play Staffordshire at Cleethorpes and Cumbria entertain Cambridgeshire at Barrow in Furness cricket club.

Cricket at Alderley Edge.

So a few things to whet the appetite, with hopefully more to follow sooner rather than later, but when the county second eleven fixtures will finally appear is anybody's guess.