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[Seniorplayer]

Also local councils have allowed  council grounds to be sold off and no longer maintain parks pitches.
Where I live there used  to be 40 works teams  the  factorys etc have now  all shut down  and the grounds sold.

[uknsaunders]

Beg to differ on the comment that no one party is responsible, the ECB reduced awareness when they took the sky money. Even ploughing some of it back in, it clearly hasn't worked. They, as the governing body are responsible. Propping up an 18 county system when 12 would do the job is another example of their self interest and money going in the wrong place. If independent consultants were brought in I shudder to think what they would make of it.

[ppccopener]

Beg to differ, but the ECB reduced awareness when they took the sky money. Even ploughing some of it back in, it clearly hasn't worked. They, as the governing body are responsible. Propping up an 18 county system when 12 would do the job is another example of their self interest and money going in the wrong place. If independent consultants were brought in I shudder to think what they would make of it.

well said.

[edge]

Cricket clubs work best when they have a local community feel for me, a lot of which depends on facilities. Think a nice clubhouse and atmosphere plays a big part in attracting people to a club, particularly outside cities.

I'd bring in a rule that any club that pays domestic players won't get ECB funding. Overseas pros raising standards and helping with coaching etc, ok that can be a sensible move, but paying local players who'd be playing anyway doesn't make sense. Reinvest the money in facilities and cutting the cost of playing the game.

Get normal clubs and schools teaming up, and not just the big clubs. As many clubs with a good enough standard ground as possible should be in partnership with local schools who don't have their own pitches. Would make playing cricket easier for the schools and getting kids into youth teams easier for the clubs.

[Vitas Cricket]

Also local councils have allowed  council grounds to be sold off and no longer maintain parks pitches.
Where I live there used  to be 40 works teams  the  factorys etc have now  all shut down  and the grounds sold.

There isn't a single council/park grass wicket that can be hired out in Peterborough any more. There are (i think) two cricket pitches with astros.

Even school pitches are mostly astro.