More Cricket Balls

The salivation in anticipation of a popularity dividend following England’s remarkable victory in the final of the Cricket World Cup may be premature.  Those hoping that the exploits of England’s tiny elite group of players will inspire crowds to come and watch and youngsters to come and play the World Cup 50-over form of the game should keep an eye on what is happening to the cricket calendar next season.  The introduction of the city based “Hundred” competition, specifically designed, we were told, for “people who don’t like cricket,” may have some unintended consequences.  In particular, it will quarantine a large group of established county and international players for a substantial and attractive part of the season, the school summer holidays.  Each of the eight teams will pick a “boundary smashing” squad of 15 players ready to play cricket at its “wildest fastest best,” hardly the most realistic training environment for the more nuanced World Cup format of the game.  Neither does that leave much talent left over to play in the county-based 50-over competition. Thus, paradoxically, the Hundred Competition will asphyxiate the County 50 Over game which is the very training environment for the international competition upon which the cricket authorities seek to capitalise.  By neglect, the County 50 Over game will be relegated to second eleven quality. With the greatest respect to aspiring cricketers in county second elevens, how many fans will pay to watch them?  And, more importantly, how will young talent progress to England’s elite 50-over squad if they are denied the opportunity of playing and competing with the best in their formative years?