By Charles Randall

6 June 2015


The ECB launched their third National Cricket Playing Survey this week in a season notable for widespread change in league cricket.

The 2014 survey – attracting more than 37,000 respondents – produced opinion that inspired important 2015 adjustments, and nearly 100 leagues revised their structure or formats for this season, based largely on player feedback.

The ECB reported that 14 leagues had reduced travel time by localising a league or division and that 44 leagues had changed the timing of games for an earlier finish, leaving time for other activities on Saturday nights. On this theme 35 leagues reduced the number of overs for shorter games.

Several leagues, including the Middlesex County League this season, have followed the trend of splitting the season's schedule into time and limited overs format, but according to the ECB, 44 leagues have gone further by introducing new ideas such as mid-season T20 and end of season six-a-side. So far 100 leagues have signed up to the ECB's Get the Game On campaign to look at ways of ensuring games are played, including flexible rules and provision in the case of wet weather

The ECB's 2015 survey forms part of a concerted effort to retain existing players and increase take-up of the sport – very much the mantra of the National Cricket Conference and associated bodies. Every player, from Premier League cricketers to the occasional Sunday player, is being urged to have their say on all aspects of the recreational game. 

Simon Prodger, the National Cricket Conference chief executive, said that the 2014 ECB survey had given administrators unprecedented insight into the recreational game. “The volume of response was superb,” he said. “The views in the survey allowed changes to be made with confidence. As always, our goal is to increase cricket's participation in all areas and we hope, for example, that more ethnic leagues will be drawn into cricket's mainstream.”

Leagues across the country have been going with the flow by considering a raft of playing changes, including greater opportunities for women, girls and disability cricketers.

The ECB would like another strong response to the survey. Gordon Hollins, the chief operating officer, said: “We’re open to all ideas which will help boost participation and we would urge every player to have their say and help shape the future of grassroots cricket.”

www.ecb.co.uk/survey