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[ProCricketer1982]

The quality of my local league is shocking compared to 20 years ago

I don't really get why the level is lower though. I mean in theory, equipment is far better, grounds are far better, training facilities are better, there is more money in teh game than ever, more 'coaches' (both crap ones and ex players in the game than ever)...... That should really mean the standard is better

However, is it purely down to less people playing? limited overs? win lose? limiting bowlers to set overs? etc etc..  Is it purely because people aren't interested in say batting 'properly' and just want to biff it at 100+ Strike rates.. meaning less skills develop both on the batting and bowling sides??

[Seniorplayer]

With regard to big clubs having all the juniors there are 4 clubs Within 15 miles of where i  live who have them and put out five or six teams There are two more ex works clubs backed financially  by social clubs that have around three or four juniors but are struggling to put two sides out.
All the other works teams and one team clubs around twenty five  clubs in the area along  with there grounds  sadly no longer exist.

[ProCricketer1982]

With regard to big clubs having all the juniors there are 4 clubs Within 15 miles of where i  live who have them and put out five or six teams There are two more ex works clubs backed financially  by social clubs that have around three or four juniors but are struggling to put two sides out.
All the other works teams and one team clubs around twenty five  clubs in the area along  with there grounds  sadly no longer exist.

This is what the ECB have promoted with clubmark though, a few 'big' clubs.. Rather than lots of smaller ones. It's not all their fault but they are massively to blame. Villages struggle as their age demographics are older now, it's too expensive for normal people to live so only oldies tend to be there.. They don't tend to make overly good communities or anything sport related..

[GarrettJ]

I was off all summer. I often walked around the estate to get some fresh air, it's where I was brought up. It was like a ghost town. 25/30 years ago there would have been at least 20/30 lads ranging from say 6 to 15 years old playing a full in football match starting at 10am on the dot. If someone was missing we would go and call on them. Once the footy finished we'd play a game of cricket.

My 18 year old step son has been playing his play station, xbox. Listening to iPods and fannying around on the internet all summer.

That's the reason.

As well as youngsters having everything on demand, they don't have to wait or work at something to get it these days. If they do have to work at it or aren't getting what they want they move onto the next thing.

The very few that aren't like this stick at it, but there are very few of them

[Northern monkey]

Harsh
But unfortunately all too true

[Gingerbusiness]

I was off all summer. I often walked around the estate to get some fresh air, it's where I was brought up. It was like a ghost town. 25/30 years ago there would have been at least 20/30 lads ranging from say 6 to 15 years old playing a full in football match starting at 10am on the dot. If someone was missing we would go and call on them. Once the footy finished we'd play a game of cricket.

My 18 year old step son has been playing his play station, xbox. Listening to iPods and fannying around on the internet all summer.

That's the reason.

As well as youngsters having everything on demand, they don't have to wait or work at something to get it these days. If they do have to work at it or aren't getting what they want they move onto the next thing.

The very few that aren't like this stick at it, but there are very few of them

Everything you say about kids here is true.

One of them had to explain to me what a 'FIFA Legends Team' is and what 'Prestige' is in Call of Duty... I'm 30 - not collecting a pension!

Try teaching them when computer games, and society, tells them to seek instant gratification from what they do.

[GarrettJ]

I don't think I could teach teenagers, reckon id end up smacking them across the head with a wooden one metre ruler  .... Do they still use them or is it all electronic these days?

Do teenagers actually have conversations or is it all by text now?

[WalkingWicket37]

I don't think I could teach teenagers, reckon id end up smacking them across the head with a wooden one metre ruler  .... Do they still use them or is it all electronic these days?

Do teenagers actually have conversations or is it all by text now?

As I was a teenager not long ago myself I can say I still have conversations.
Love going down the pub and actually talking to people, my mates don't all feel the same about real life conversation though!

[Gurujames]

At my club we have experienced an increase in numbers and I think there are a few reasons; the pitch is well maintained, we have nets twice a week, people convince their friends to come and play, we are friendly people and largely want to have a laugh and not take it too seriously. Out subs are 25 quid a year and 5 quid match fee. We don't have covers or sight screens but the opposition are always complimentary on the quality of the pitch.
however, a club nearby, who played in a different league, folded at the beginning of last season due to a lack of players and we were grateful to pick up a few of their players. Many Sunday friendliest were cancelled as the opposition couldn't field a side. There are some answers to this. Firstly, there are clubs with 'spare' players, why don't they loan them out. Secondly, why doesn't someone set up a local database where clubs that have been let down by their opposition be put in contact with teams looking for a game.
As for kids. We are looking to set up,a youth team/practice. The issues of CRB checks, insurance etc. mean it may be too much hassle. I know that sounds bad but we struggle to stay in the black each season and we would not use them to prop up the finances.
In my experience, many kids would like to play and don't because: they don't get to bat/bowl, are intimidated as they have not played much, want to join with their friends so they know someone and parents have concerns about playing with men. So when you get young lads in the club be nice and give them a chance.

[beaver5]

No cricket on terrestrial TV is also a major reason for the decline in participation over the last 10 years. The ECB sold their sole to the devil and don't care because they are now rich men. I'm a PE teacher and very few pupils I asked know who Alistair Cook is, which I find shocking for what is supposed to be our number 1 summer sport. Without seeing cricket and being inspired by players how are they going to get into loving the sport. I was 11 when I watched Botham's Ashes in awe and have been hooked on cricket ever since. Who are the youths cricket heroes now?

[Gurujames]

Good call on the TV rights. However, The IPL seems to have encouraged more interest in at least one aspect of the sport. However, I was considering taking the kids to watch Somerset play, I looked up the prices then thought again. In Wellington, New Zealand we could walk into the 4 day games for free, a 1 day game was about 10 quid and a day at the test 15 quid. Some grounds look empty, would cheaper tickets help fill them and them encourage more interest in the sport. I remember seeing Botham, Garner, Richards play for Somerset and although I was a bit young to fully appreciate what was going on, collecting autographs, learning how to score and eating iced cream resulted in a great day out and an appreciation of the sport.

[ProCricketer1982]

before we go too much on individual reasons why cricket is dying, it's safe to say it's a mix of a lot of reasons, each as valid as another. Is the IPL really that big a deal in the UK? I know a lot of very keen cricketers and very few take the IPL seriously and barely watch any.. IPL is for indian fans only tbh

[Alvaro]

It was the only live cricket left on the television that you didn't have to pay for, which counts for something. That's gone now too.

Cricket will be gone to all intents and purposes in the real word in the next thirty years. Itll become like polo or WWE.

[ppccopener]

All the above points are all valid but don't underestimate the point raised by beaver,two thirds LESS people watched England's ashes victory in 2009 than in 2005 because of TV rights
I'm afraid as much as some of us-myself included-slam the BCCI, the English cricket board sold out and now they are in the 'big three exclusive club ' that means they back each other up because that's where the dollars are.So we(england) hold the nail while the indian board hammers cricket in the West Indies
Incidentally,I ran home to watch the ashes of 81 after school and was inspired,that's with me to this day
Luckily my PE teachers started a team and some of us got places at a local club thru them.
For which I will be forever grateful
Keep up the good work.

[beaver5]

I'll watch the IPL sometimes but I don't get drawn into the tension. It's the same with football, La Liga maybe offering higher standard football than we have but I don't watch it as it has no meaning to me. I don't actually care who wins. We want to support teams local to us or at least in our leagues. There is still plenty of football on freeview TV so it helps to sell itself, while cricket has nothing to promote it.