6th June
A column once again largely devoid of results due to half term and the exam period.
Some schools have taken the initiative and played some cricket over half term, such as Bedford and Tonbridge, who played a two-day game at the beginning of half term. Merchant Taylors’, Northwood, and Eton played a T20 game as a warmup for Middlesex’s T20 game at Sandy Lodge last Wednesday. Scottish schools, who traditionally break up earlier than their English counterparts, didn’t have the luxury of a week’s half term and feature as well. In Scotland, T20 cricket appears to be the default now, even on Saturdays!
In the survey carried out in November 2022 by the Schools Cricket Committee looking at the state of cricket in senior schools, it was evident that the shorter format was rising in popularity. The survey was shared with around 500 schools on the Schools Cricket Committee mailing list including HMC, other independent schools (including GSA and GDST,) state grammar schools, state academies and sixth form/FE colleges. It was also shared with ESCA who distributed the survey to county boards, while HMC shared the survey with its members. In all, 262 replies were received though 16 were discounted due to multiple entries and non-senior schools replying.
Questions included basic information such as School name, post code, contact information, type of school, age range, number of pupils playing. Questions were also asked on the availability of cricket facilities such indoor and outdoor training places and outside hire of facilities. The type of cricket being played was surveyed such as the number of teams at each group, format of cricket, type of cricket played i.e., league, cup etc. Additional questions such as current challenges, popularity since Covid, scoring and reporting of matches along with a chance for schools to register other comments
My recent observations in previous weeks of more T20 cricket being played by schools this year was borne out by the survey as it revealed that 22% of 1st XI’s who responded are now playing mainly T20 cricket, though it was heartening to see that 42% were still playing longer formats such as 50 overs. However, just 2% of schools were playing declaration games s their main type of cricket.
In terms of any declaration cricket, 41% played none whatsoever, while a further 26% played only a handful of declaration games at best, normally against the likes of the MCC or XL Club and other wandering adult sides.
In younger age groups, T20 cricket dominates with 70% of Under 12 cricket playing this format. Girl’s cricket is also dominated by the shorter format with 81% of 1st XIs playing either T20 or the Hundred format.
All in all, for the purists amongst us, this makes depressing reading. I know my predecessor as compiler of this column and Wisden Schools editor, Douglas Henderson, felt there was always a place for the shorter format though he yearned for a return of declaration cricket rather than the 50 over win/lose format that many schools now play. Goodness only knows what one of my more illustrious forebears as Wisden Schools editor, E.M. Wellings, would have made of it all. His vitriolic pen would have furiously berated headmasters and masters in charge alike for allowing this adulterated version of the noble game to be allowed to be played at all.
In terms of the National Schools Boys Under 18 T20, regional competitions are drawing to a close. In the South West, King’s Taunton are almost confirmed as regional winners and only a freak result will see Taunton over take them. While in North London, Merchant Taylors’ are once again confirmed as winners and take on the South London winners. In the East, Stowe have qualified for the semi-final as have Shrewsbury in the West Midlands. As announced last week, the North West Final will take place this week between Manchester GS and last year’s runner up Myerscough College, while on the other side of the Pennines, St. Peter’s take on Worksop in the regional final this Friday with the winners of each regional playing off for the right to represent the North at Arundel on 2nd July.
Scores:
Bedford 297-6 dec. and 238, Tonbridge 355 and 60-2
Old Amplefordians 260–4 dec., Ampleforth 261–0
Merchant Taylors’ Northwood 173–3 (20), Eton 154–5
Edinburgh Academy 141–5 (20), ESMS 120–5
MCC 220–9 declared, *Strathallan 112–9
George Watson’s 120–8, Merchiston Castle 118–5
MCC 213 – 7 dec., *High School of Glasgow 159-6
Gresham’s 213, XL 158–8
Bede’s 183–7 (20), Charterhouse 166–5
Old Swinford Hospital 112–4 (100 ball), Bishop Veysey’s 113–7
National Schools Boys Under T20
South East
Hurstpierpoint 160–5, Brighton 162–5
Cranleigh 159–7, Bede’s 156-8
South West Tier 1
Kings Taunton 176–4, Wellington 120–5
The Cricket Paper Boys Under 17
Stowe 195–4 Bradfield 196–9
Girls
Bradfield 138–4, Clifton 116–8