The Teesra

Category: cricket

  • Running out the non-striker — how was it that the only people in the ground who noticed were the fielding team?

    Peter Della Penna’s forensic analysis of the now infamous run out † of Charlie Dean at Lord’s was pretty conclusive. Dean had left her crease early on more than 70 occasions prior to being dismissed, several times being 2’ out of her ground before the ball was released by the bowler.

    But were any of the England coaches and analysts and support staff actually watching the game?

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  • Belonging — at the very heart of “inclusion” and “diversity”, surely?

    Cricket in England* is facing an existential crisis of a series of racism scandals and widespread criticism for the lack of diversity across the game.

    There has been a lot wrong with the game, but hopefully some good will come out of the reviews and Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives.

    But there surely needs to be more to EDI than statements of intent, and training, and disciplinary sanctions. A former coaching colleague, Ollie Rae, made what I thought was a very perceptive observation.

    You can not have inclusion and diversity without people feeling like they belong.

    https://twitter.com/ollierae14/status/1504752485218590722?s=21&t=CHGvpdo14rHnC4Rmsauqow

    What does “belonging” mean? What could a cricket club (the wider game) do to encourage those “outside cricket” to come inside?

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  • A season with the Seniors — playing for the over 60s

    I am just about to embark on my second season of Seniors (60+) cricket with Essex in the National 60+/70+ County Cricket Championship.

    We were winners of the 4th XI competition in 2021. Possibly stretching it a bit to claim we are “national champions”, as only 6 Counties field a 4th XI in the “national” comp (compared with 36 that are represented at 1st XI level).

    But we were in it, and we won it!

    Winners of the 4th XI trophy…Essex takes the title from “COVID”!
    The trophy, with ruler for scale
    National 60+/70+ County Cricket Championship, 4th XI trophy

    The 4th XI section will be competitive again in 2022, with Kent looking to regain their title. COVID has not been invited for 2022…

    And the 3rd XI competition has expanded to include 14 teams, in West & East sections, so there is the prospect of post-season play-off rounds in 2022, and trips to new locations beyond the South East Home Counties.

    Lots to look forward to!

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