Our cricket appeals to those players who aspire to play competitive representative cricket for pleasure at the highest amateur levels or those who may have focussed on their academic studies or a non cricketing career but are now seeking a pathway into the professional game.
Member clubs are invited to nominate playing candidates on the downloadable nomination form which should be completed and sent to Stan Nicholson.
In recent years the Conference has broadened substantially the opportunities afforded to players within its Member clubs. A major expansion in the CCC match programme now provides a wider range of opportunities for men and women. An Under 21 XI , which from time to time may include U25 players to suit our oppposition, plays most of its matches during the university summer holidays and provides the opportunity to progress to the full Conference Representative XI. A President’s XI fulfils some of the Conference’s historic fixtures and those honouring clubs’ major milestones such as 100th and 150th anniversaries.
The standard of Conference cricket has never been higher, with the men’s Representative XI gathering an increasing number fixtures against County 2nd XIs. The Women’s fixture list is also being expanded, and arguably offers an even higher standard of cricket, with the MCC fielding several England internationals in our 2012 fixture against them.
Amongst the many fixtures which have been confirmed so far for 2013 are those against Essex, Middlesex and Kent 2nd XIs, Midlands Club Cricket Conference, League Cricket Conference, the France National XI, Hyderbad U-25s,men's and women's fixtures against MCC and Combined Services, British Police, Australian Crusaders, Jersey, a Combined Services Development XI, and the Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire academy XIs. Other fixtures await confirmation including one against New South Wales U-19s and Essex Women.
To play for the men's or women's Representative XIs of the Club Cricket Conference is to play amongst the pre-eminent club cricketers of the era. Selection is highly competitive with a field of choice of some 30,000 players within the Member clubs of the Conference. A further substantial number are represented by the Midlands Club Cricket Conference and League Cricket Conference who also contribute to the touring squads.
We are fortunate to have the services of Min Patel (Kent and England) as our Coach and Cricket Development Manager. Min has been instrumental in overseeing our growing fixture list and assessing player’s capabilities.
The Conference fields 5 distinct XIs.
Representative Men's and Women's XIs: These are the strongest sides the Conference can field against powerful opposition. Both Men's and Women's XIs have a growing fixture list.
President's XI: This is an XI which honours traditional and goodwill fixtures and often provides the opportunity for new players to show their worth.
U21 XI: This has a growing fixture list and provides a pathway for young players to the full Representative XI. The U21 age limit is flexible and is varied according to the nature of the opposition.
Touring XIs: Tourists are selected from the players who have demonstrated their skills and commitment to the Conference.