The Cricketer Good Gear Guide 2017 by The Cricketer

2017

Staff Chief executive Guy Evans-Tipping Editor Simon Hughes Managing editor Huw Turbervill Art director James Bunce Assistant editor James Coyne Art editor Jessica Hutchinson Business development manager Tom Gibbs Head of marketing Jess Davidson Finance and subscriptions manager Chris Smith CricketArchive managing director Jim Hindson Social media manager Owen Riley Customer service executive Jamie Crawley Editorial assistants Will Jennings and Shamir Patel

TO SUBSCRIBE or for any subscription enquiries call 0203 198 1359 Online Our website www.thecricketer.com contains live scores, competitions, blogs, podcasts, details and updates on The Cricketer Village Cup. Stay up to date with us our Twitter and Facebook channels. Where to find us Editorial, advertising and administration The Cricketer, 120 New Cavendish Street, London W1W 6XX. tel 020 3198 1360 email magazine@thecricketer.com To advertise in The Cricketer please contact: Tom Gibbs tel 0203 198 1354 email tom.gibbs@thecricketer.com Subscriptions The Cricketer, 120 New Cavendish Street, London W1W 6XX tel 0203 198 1359 email subscriptions@thecricketer.com Please note Views expressed are those of the writer and may not be shared by the editor. Unsolicited articles are welcome but cannot be returned. Copyright © 2017 The Cricketer Publishing Ltd. The Cricketer is published by The Cricketer Publishing Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of TestMatchExtra.com Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recorded or otherwise, without prior permission. Printing and distribution Newstrade distribution Marketforce UK Ltd, The Blue Fin Building, 110 Southwark Street, London SE1 OSU tel 020 3148 3300 Printing William Gibbons & Sons Ltd. ISSN 2049-3363 Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulations

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Our Good Gear Guide will help you focus on organising your game There are two characteristics that distinguish the top run-makers from the rest. It is not talent. The first is focus, the ability to concentrate for long periods of time and channel that concentration into clearly calculated objectives. It is a certain single-mindedness – some would call it selfishness – that enables them to achieve monumental feats of application and accumulation. They never seem to get bored. The second thing that marks them out is organisation. Their practice and preparation is carefully structured and controlled, they are usually very punctual and their kit is invariably meticulously packed and arranged. Many are slightly OCD. Gloves and bats are numbered in order of preference, pads stored with the Velcro straps neatly tucked in, bat tape and inner gloves, and spare bat rubbers, and helmet screws all packed into Tupperware boxes for easy access. They like to sit in the same place and do the same things and they treasure their kit and are fiercely protective of anyone touching it. (Jonathan Trott used to put his No.1 bat in the middle of a line leaning against the wall rather than on the end as the one on the end was always the one colleagues picked up

and played about with). “You could never have been a batsman,” Andrew Strauss said to me once, “you’re too disorganised.” Top batsmen are always scrupulous about choosing their bats, invariably visiting the actual factory and fiddling about with numerous pieces of willow before settling on their selection, and then having backs and edges shaped to their precise specification. (Alastair Cook likes his bat shoulder to be sloped so the corner doesn’t press into his leg in his stance.) Most normal people (including bowlers, of course) don’t have the time or the inclination for this (bowlers tend to use what they’re given). That’s why the Good Gear Guide is invaluable. It saves you a lot of time. And hopefully money. There is a lot of bewildering choice out there. But we have been testing kit now at The Cricketer for a long time. Our team – joined this year by Alex Tudor – know exactly what they are looking for. They are highly experienced and there is a really good range of ability and age (right down to my 16-year-old daughter) meaning they can cater for all comers. We will separate the wood from the chaff, if you get my drift. So you can get on with enjoying the game.

SIMON HUGHES Editor @theanalyst

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Contents

SAM BOWLES

5 Introduction: How we tested/the testers 6-7 Merchant Taylors’ School 8-9 Kit brings out the inner geek! 11 The love of bats 12-14 Bats up to £200 16-19 Bats £200–£280 21-25 Bats £280–£350 26-27 Bats £350+ 30-32 Boutique bats 35 Protective equipment 37 Sidearm review 38-39 Gloves and pads

41-42 Gunn & Moore 45 Bags 46-47 Wicketkeeping 49 Keepers’ kit 50 Women’s bat 51 Women’s cricket 56 Teamwear 60-61 Shoes 66 Club cricket 74 Club notice board 75 Stockists 76 Acknowledgements

Gavin Young from leading cricket retailer Owzat-Cricket, who supplied the equipment tested in this guide. Below: Merchant Taylors’ School, Northwood hosted the 2017 Good Gear Guide testing day.

Stand the test of time How did our testing day work?

Merchant Taylors’ School allowed us access to their world-class facilities to test these bats. Each of the 33 bats were first given a series of throw downs from the school’s 1st XI ranging from short-pitch deliveries to half-volleys and full tosses. Premium quality Grade A balls were used, with ball ages ranging from 10 to 80 overs old. Our journalists then recorded the testers’ pithy and informed observations. They were also put on the spot to be asked, “if the bat was a celebrity, who would it be?” Sometimes the explanation is obvious, sometimes it isn’t; sometimes the testers had a long think, sometimes it was the first thing that came into their heads. It was just a bit of fun, though, so if you are a Belieber, do not get offended! A couple of thank yous. Firstly to Owzat-Cricket. One of the leading cricket retailers in the UK, the bats were handpicked off the shelf, with £10,000 of equipment handed to us. Gavin Young and your team – brilliant stuff! Likewise to Merchant Taylors’ School. Your facilities were perfect and your pupils a credit to your school – we are very

Who were our testers?

Alex Tudor Played 10 Tests for England, and enjoyed a long first-class career with Surrey and Essex. His high spots for England were taking 4 for 89 on debut at Perth on the 1998/99 Ashes tour, and 5 for 44, also against Australia, at Trent Bridge in 2001; and scoring 99 not out as nightwatchman against New Zealand at Edgbaston in 1999. He is cricket professional at Kimbolton School, and runs Alex Tudor Coaching. He always has a smile on his face and provided some great coaching tips and advice to the pupils, as well as relaying tales of being floored horribly by Brett Lee at Perth (1998/99 Ashes tour), and being stranded by Graham Thorpe a run short at Edgbaston against New Zealand in 1999. Jim Hindson Is managing director of CricketArchive, which is owned by The Cricketer. He had a professional career with Nottinghamshire for six seasons, taking 93 first-class wickets at 32.74 with his slow left-arm. He also played in New Zealand, and now plays in the Nottinghamshire Premier League.

Guy Evans-Tipping Is chief executive of The Cricketer. He was an attacking middle-order batsman and shrewd captain of his own wandering side, The Philistines, a few years back. Joe Regan Is 1st XI captain of Merchant Taylors’ School on the Middlesex/Herts border. He opens the batting. He also plays for Herts Under-17s. Nancy Hughes Plays for Emanuel School in Clapham, Middlesex Under-19s and also represented England Under-15s. She is an opening batsman and outswing bowler. She made 107 not out for Middlesex Under-15s against Sussex and 93 not out in a T20 women’s match last season. Sinan Mahmud Captained Emanuel Under-15s and opened the batting with Nancy. He is an elegant left-handed batsman who also bowls leg spin, and has played for Surrey District. He made a stylish 71 for his club, Old Rutlishians.

Terrific testing day at Merchant Taylors’ Alex Tudor and The Cricketer team head to the Herts school to try out bats and equipment By Huw Turbervill

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It sure beat lessons any day. Pupils at Merchant Taylors’ School, Northwood, asked the right questions as former England star Alex Tudor and The Cricketer team tested out kit for the 2017 Good Gear Guide. Tudor, who won 10 Test caps and also played for Surrey and Essex, was one of six bat testers, along with the school’s firstteam captain, Joe Regan. Other members of the school’s cricket sides threw balls and another – Middlesex Under-12s skipper Rishi Thapar – was also on hand to fling himself at anything that came his way. The school in Hertfordshire is making a real name for itself in cricket. Middlesex CCC have hosted games there since 2014, including Championship matches against Sussex and Hampshire (Dawid Malan, Adam Voges and John Simpson all enjoying themselves there with centuries last summer), and T20 Blast games versus Hampshire and Gloucestershire. The scheduled 2015 Championship game against Sussex was washed out. The school is also officially ‘the home of Middlesex youth cricket’, with a large number of Middlesex home fixtures being played on one of the 12 squares. Amid 250 acres of splendid grounds, the school also played host to the Australian cricket team in 2013 and 2015 for pre-Ashes training camps. Australia’s captain, Michael Clarke, called the school’s cricketing facilities “world class”, and they were quick to book their training in before the next Ashes series in England in 2019. It is only 30 minutes from Baker Street on the Metropolitan Line, nearest stop Moor Park. It is hard to believe that you reach the countryside (or Metroland, as John Betjeman called it) so quickly. Gear testing took place indoors, of course, on an early January day. The facilities were excellent. Three bowling lanes, with true, good bounce, and immaculate netting. Tudor found the surfaces to his liking as he and the team tested out 33 bats. He then took a question-and-answer session with pupils, talking about his successful debut at Perth on the

1998/99 Ashes tour; his famous 99 not out as England nightwatchman against New Zealand at Edgbaston in 1999 (appropriately); and being hit by Australia’s Brett Lee at Perth on the 2002/03 tour. The school was founded by the Merchant Taylors’ Company in 1561. “The grammar school, founded in the Parish of St. Lawrence Pountney in London in the yere of our Lord God one thousand fyve hundred, sixty-one by this worshipfull company of the Merchant-Taylors of the Cytty of London, in the honor of Christ Jesu”. In 1933, it moved from central London to its present site. The school has 12 grass cricket squares, indoor and outdoor (all-weather) nets, grass nets, and three bowling machines. There are 872 students attending between the ages of three and 18, and 17 competitive cricket sides are run. The school competes in the under-14 County Cup, the National Schools T20 Competition and the Lord’s Taverners and T20 under-15 competitions. In 2015, the school’s under-15s were regional champions and national finalists. There have been recent tours to Sri Lanka, South Africa, Grenada and Barbados. On hand to supervise his charges was Tom Webley, the school’s director of cricket. He was with Somerset from 1997–2005, and also played for British Universities, and captained Cambridge UCCE. He scored his maiden first-class century against Northants in 2003 at Fenner’s, making 104, before being dismissed by Monty Panesar. He played in the County Championship for Somerset in 2003, with some handy scores against Hampshire – 59, his best – and Northamptonshire (41 not out and 32). He faced Shoaib Akhtar on debut (then at Durham), Yorkshire’s Darren Gough and Matthew Hoggard, and Hampshire’s Dominic Cork. Webley recalls his debut against Shoaib as “a baptism of fire”, and as “the fastest spell of bowling” he has seen. He is now passing his knowledge on to the next generation, and with 31 county cricketers on the roll at Merchant Taylors’, the future is certainly bright.

Playing their shots: Alex Tudor and The Cricketer bat-testing team enjoyed the splendid facilities at Merchant Taylorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; School

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THE LOVE OF KIT | FEATURE

Cricketers will talk for hours about bats, pads, gloves and holdalls, writes Huw Turbervill

It was like a box of chocolates... you never knew what you were going to get (as Forrest Gump once said). Every spring in the 1980s, about the time the clocks went forward, The Cricketer would be opened up, and Dad and I would look at the manufacturers’ adverts. It was time to get kitted up. There was the likes of Romida and Morrant and Vee-Kay, with a page each of long lists – I do not recall many pictures – and prices. For bats, pads, gloves – all sorts. The curious thing was that I would never dream of buying a bat now without lifting it up (I like a light one, about 2lbs 9ozs) but different criteria were used back then, and perhaps we lived in less discerning times. My best mate loved Ian Botham, so he bought the imitation blade of His Beefiness, the Duncan Fearnley ‘Attack’. I thought I would opt for DF as well, but not wanting to appear a stalker, went for the ‘Magnum’. It had the additional attraction of sounding like the Clint Eastwood film (but not the ice cream – I had not discovered that yet – I was more of a Fab boy). The Magnum looked pretty cool. It had the striking DF three-stump logo, and some natty lettering. ‘The’ in a handwritten font, then MAGNUM in green capitals. The trouble was it was completely the wrong bat for me. Far too heavy. Graham Gooch used it before he opted for the SS Turbo, which explains a lot. At various stages I used bats of every major manufacture. Gray-Nicolls’ models looked lovely. The Dynadrive (with its thin twin ‘scoops’), and The Scoop itself... although as a friend pointed out to me when I opened a discussion on cricket kit on Facebook, “was it really a good idea to take out the entire middle of a bat and paint the carcass a reddy orange?” I also liked the green and blue livery of Gunn & Moore, but I have to confess Slazenger was probably my favourite. Allan Lamb’s V12 – has there ever been a more simple yet striking-looking bat? After the Magnum, I had more luck with the pads. They were real beauties. They were made of buckskin (though my animal-adoring sensibilities would preclude me from purchasing that now,

probably), with metal buckles at the back (my, how Velcro has changed the world). I have also swapped back and forth between coffins and holdalls, but must confess to preferring the former, although they are quite difficult to get hold of these days. They are also fairly impractical. I have dragged mine from south London to Suffolk too many times, the leather handle cutting into my hand until it throbs; then inconveniencing passengers on the train by trying to slot it into the luggage rack at the end of the carriage, only for it to protrude as they go through the sliding doors. I really should opt for a lovely big holdall on wheels, but there is something traditional about the coffin – and when you tell the uninitiated its name, it is always good for a cheap laugh. The Facebook discussion with my cricket pals, and The Cricketer’s day of bat and gear testing at Merchant Taylors’ School down the Metropolitan Line into Hertfordshire, threw up a number of quirky observations. To hear my friends discuss wheels on cricket bags and ‘the all-in-onethigh-pad-and-inner-thigh-pad’ felt like listening to NASA scientists hail the marvel of X-15 rocket planes and reusable low-Earth-orbital spacecraft. Headwear manufacturers must despair sometimes, judging by the loyalty shown to old favourite caps (à la Steve Waugh). There was similar loyalty shown to ‘sausage’ or ‘double-sausage’ gloves, sweatbands (white or ‘Rasta’ seemed to be the favourites), Bob Willis-style baggy tanktop sweaters and David Gower-style wide-brim sunhats. There are also plenty of must-include items in people’s bags. Talc. Two of everything (just in case). Towels (washed once a year on April 15, the night before the opening match of the season). Spare spikes. Umpire counters. A notebook to record career scores (oh, that might just be me: 9,612 runs at 34.45 now you ask). I was troubled by one team-mate who suggested that I adorn pre-World War Two kit and face a bowling machine operating at (Harold) Larwood pace… maybe he wants to usurp me as captain of our wandering team. I will pass. The exercise proved one thing if we did not know it already, though – cricket kit brings out the inner geek in all of us.

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EXCLUSIVE TO US Be the envy of the dressing room with our collection of exclusive bats, designed in collaboration with the biggest brands in world cricket. PRICES FROM Â£54

Love of bats The Cricketer puts 33 new blades through their paces

Bats

Upto £200

GUNN & MOORE Kaha 606 RRP £140

TON Power Blaster Classic RRP £160

Nottingham’s finest continue to produce exceptional value – at all ends of the market, too. Our testers could scarcely believe this came in under £150. Jim was particularly enthused about the “exceptional finish”, and rated it as high as any of this year’s entrants. Although the younger brigade marked it down for pick-up and build – Sinan felt it was bottomheavy – it’s a bankable star – like the actor below.

A flashy, chunky blade clearly designed with the modern thrusting batsman in mind. Sinan felt the quite heavy build slightly restricted his options off the back foot. “You get better results with this once you just look to time it,” advised Alex. Others felt that for a certain kind of player, it was a bargain (like the Spurs midfielder, below). There was a general feeling that it looked good, with Guy praising the “attractive distribution of grains”.

2nd

Weight 2lb 10oz Edge 35mm

Weight: 2lb 10oz Edge: 37mm

If it was a celebrity... Ewan McGregor

If it was a celebrity... Victor Wanyama

8.7

7.7

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KOOKABURRA Blade 500 RRP £175

NEW BALANCE DC 580 RRP £175

The famous Australian batmakers have produced a futuristic, convex blade which earned star reviews for its results on the front-foot drive. “It proves you don’t have to go top of the range to get a good bat,” said Joe. Alex reported a little more trouble finding the middle, feeling it could have just needed a little more knocking in, but did praise its sweet spot. “An absolute bargain,” concluded Jim.

Alex is a confessed tragic when it comes to two-tone wood on a bat face, and the grains on this one had him purring. All our testers said this felt great in their hands, although more than one said the ping off the bat did not quite live up to the feel and look. It was Nancy’s favourite design. She loved the twotone wood, said it was quite light and said the pick-up allowed her hands to come through easily when she was playing her shots.

Weight: 2lb 10oz Edge: 31mm

Weight: 2lb 9oz Edge: 35mm

If it was a celebrity... Rick Astley

If it was a celebrity... Justin Bieber

8.3

8.4

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...up to £200 KOOKABURRA Kahuna Xtreme RRP £200

SLAZENGER 1000 G3 RRP £200

Designed for the day prop forwards can once again spare the time to play cricket in the summer. Our testers were pleasantly surprised they were able to still play a full range of shots, and for the stronger men the results were phenomenal. Alex could scarcely dare to think what a big man on a flat track would do with this bat. “In the old days this would have been a niche bat,” says Jim, “But not anymore. If you’re big enough, go for it.”

A slightly unusual bat – with a thin handle and squareish toe. The clunky look did not appeal to our more slender testers, and the blue and yellow stickers split opinion right down the middle. “I quite like the blue/yellow,” said Nancy. “I’m not a fan of the blue/yellow,” said Sinan! But the clean design and grain structure was to the aficionados’ liking; Alex was taken with the butterfly knot effect in the grain. It went well, too, like his pal (below).

Weight: 2lb 14oz Edge: 44mm

Weight: 2lb 10oz Edge: 40mm

If it was a celebrity... Baron Silas Greenback

If it was a celebrity... Owais Shah

7.8

8.1

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Bats

between £200 and £280

NEWBERY Triumph 5* RRP £230

ADIDAS Libro CX11 RRP £230

Newbery have produced a bat that possesses the brand’s usual class, impressing Guy with its appearance, though splitting opinion among the younger generation. While Nancy rated the colour scheme, Joe was more sceptical towards the design, but both nevertheless enjoyed it. Although Alex noted the bat’s bottom-heavy nature and Jim felt the handle needed an additional grip, it generally went down well.

Adidas have designed an overtly modern product. Nancy said it was “futuristic”, while Alex and Guy both praised its appearance. In terms of performance, Nancy and Sinan both wanted a bit more from the middle while Joe’s expectations were similarly not fulfilled. Nancy also said it was a bit bottom-heavy. Overall, not the judges’ favourite, but not bad. “A bit Colin Bland,” Alex concluded.

Weight: 2lb 9oz Edge width: 36mm

Weight: 2lb 9oz Edge width: 39mm

If it was a celebrity... Denzel Washington

If it was a celebrity... Tilda Swinton

8.2

7.6

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NEWBERY Infinity 5* RRP: £230

TON Legacy Classic RRP: £240

Another successful design by the popular Newbery, producing a bat that Guy felt combined “classic and modern” features. Jim also said it had “fantastic build quality”. Sinan and Nancy rated the pick-up and the low middle – and felt it enhanced a young player’s driving. Although Alex was less convinced (“it needs to be knocked in a bit”), the bat generally got the thumbs up from the testers.

Alex reckoned this is a bat that a David Willey or Ravi Jadeja would adore, with plenty of bang for big-hitting middle-lowerorder batsmen. The middle was universally popular, and Guy rated the bat as both “showy” and “glittery”. Nancy found it “a bit clunky on first impression” but the ball comes off much nicer than she expected. Sinan’s analysis that it was a better bat to use on the front foot was also interesting to note.

Weight: 2lb 12oz Edge width: 38mm

Weight: 2lb 6oz Edge width: 36mm

If it was a celebrity... Peter Andre

If it was a celebrity... Joey Essex

8.0

7.6

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... between £200 and £280 KOOKABURRA Ghost Lite RRP: £250

CHASE Vortex RRP: £250

This rated very highly. Guy and Jim both loved the design and light blade, while Alex praised both its performance and value. The student testers were also won over by Kookaburra’s new design, with Nancy enjoying the simplicity of the stickers and Sinan commenting positively on the big edges and light pick-up. A real winner that possesses both subtle – hence the name – and powerful features.

Another hugely popular bat with our testers, from the now world-recognised brand from Hampshire. Jim and Guy were united in their praise, and Sinan was full of praise. “The middle was everywhere, with big edges,” he said. Although Joe questioned the bat’s heaviness, Nancy loved the simple design and said the ball “flies like a bullet”. That completed an almost uniformly outstanding set of reviews.

Weight: 2lb 8oz Edge width: 34mm

Weight: 2lb 12oz Edge width: 36mm

If it was a celebrity... Taylor Swift

If it was a celebrity... Al Pacino

8.7

9.0

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SF Sword Classic RRP: £260

GRAY-NICOLLS Velocity 5* RRP: £275

Another bat from a lesserknown manufacturer, but one now endorsed by England white-ball captain Eoin Morgan. Sinan’s concern was around its effectiveness off the back foot, but Nancy said it “went like a bullet” when she found the middle. Alex endorsed this view, calling the sweet spot “gorgeous”. One criticism was appearance: Guy felt it should have been more imposing and Alex argued it was too plain.

One-hundred-and-sixty-two years after their founding, Gray-Nicolls continue to produce excellent bats. Their latest model impressed some judges but not others. Guy praised its “futuristic” stickers, but Nancy did not like the look of it. Jim was impressed with the “hammerblow power” it produced, while Alex was taken by its “rounded toe”. Nancy liked the middle, but found less value in the surrounding areas.

Weight: 2lb 9oz Edge width: 40mm

Weight: 2lb 9oz Edge width: 29mm

If it was a celebrity... Wayne Rooney

If it was a celebrity... Keanu Reeves

8.0

7.7

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Bats

between £280 and £350

PUMA Evo Speed 2 RRP: £280

GUNN & MOORE Neon 909 RRP: £300

Puma – the modern batmaker endorsed by the incomparable Brendon McCullum – continue to produce colourful and effective designs, achieving further success with their latest Evo Speed 2. Possessing performance that more than satisfied our testers, Jim commented positively on the bat’s timing, while Sinan and Joe rated its pick up and powerful contact. A real hit.

It is 132 years since William Gunn first sourced the finest Nottinghamshire willow to instigate production of the now eminent brand, and GM’s success and market popularity endures. Their new Neon 909 received notable compliments from our judges, particularly Guy, who liked its simple design and stellar performance. Although not the company’s top-range bat, the 909’s potency meant it proved popular with the testers.

Weight: 2lb 11oz Edge width: 36mm

Weight: 2lb 11oz Edge width: 37mm

If it was a celebrity... Hugh Jackman

If it was a celebrity... Sean Connery

8.1

8.4

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... between £280 and £350 GRAY-NICOLLS Prestige RRP: £300

KOOKABURRA Blaze 900 RRP: £315

Once again Gray-Nicolls continue to combine rich heritage with modern dynamism to produce another excellent piece of willow. Although Alex remained reluctant to rank the bat among his favourites, he felt the light pick-up would suit opening batsmen. The bat did please Nancy and Guy, however, who rated its performance highly. Guy said it was “a good-looking, modern classic” (see below).

With its “exceptional pick-up” and “even feel”, Kookaburra’s latest invention received positive reviews. Sinan was won over “instantly” and its modern feel impressed Guy. He said “it was good-looking in an old-fashioned way” (he nominated the celebrity, below). While not ranking as one of our out-and-out favourites, the Blaze 900 did not disappoint anyone. “Nice!” said Alex. “A touchbatsman’s dream...”

Weight: 2lb 8oz Edge width: 33mm

Weight: 2lb 8oz Edge width: 35mm

If it was a celebrity... Olly Murs

If it was a celebrity... Ryan Gosling

8.5

8.1

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NEWBERY Kudos Players RRP: £320

TON Platinum Players RRP: £320

Once again, our panel were united in their praise for Newbery’s quintessentially classic design, commenting on its impressive performance and easiness to use. Joe, Nancy and Alex all liked the aquamarine and silver colour scheme, while Guy said it was “a thing of beauty”. As always with Newbery, you know you are getting quality when you you are prepared to invest. “Classy,” said Sinan.

Branded as Ton’s most exclusive product, this bat failed to meet our judges’ lofty expectations. Sinan was not wholly impressed with the bat’s middle and Nancy provided a scathing judgment on its value for money. Nevertheless, still a good solid bit of willow. “It’s a lot of money to invest in,” said Jim, “but you could be rewarded with premium performance.” Guy concluded: “A decent all-round bat.”

Weight: 2lb 10oz Edge width: 34mm

Weight: 2lb 8oz Edge width: 35mm

If it was a celebrity... Brigitte Bardot

If it was a celebrity... Mark Wright (TOWIE)

8.2

7.2

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... between £280 and £350 SF Maximum Elite RRP: £320

SLAZENGER V12 Ultimate 5 Star RRP: £325

The jury remains out on SF’s premium product. Although Nancy stated that it came off the middle nicely, Sinan was critical of the bat’s bottom-heavy nature, while Jim thought it could have benefited from greater attention to detail. Guy liked the stickers and the bat’s clean lines, though, and likened it to a “modern royal”. Not a bad bat but one that – with such massive edges – lacked the performance we anticipated.

Good from Slazenger. Although the bat’s pickup failed to impress Jim, both Sinan and Nancy rated the design. Sinan said it had “even weight and a middle everywhere!” Likewise, Alex and Joe praised its retro appearance, also commenting on its considerable power. “It’s slightly old-school, but I like that!” said Alex. “You almost don’t need the blue, the crimson is so striking!”

Weight: 2lb 9oz Edge width: 40mm If it was a celebrity... Prince Harry

7.5

Weight: 2lb 11oz Edge width: 35mm If it was a celebrity... Meryl Streep

8.0

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NEW BALANCE TC 860 RRP: £325

NEWBERY Quantum Players RRP: £330

With endorsers including Joe Root and (appropriately) Gary Ballance, New Balance represent an emerging force in the batmaking world. This new product certainly won over our testers, with its “exciting colouring.” Jim and Nancy branded the performance “unbelievable.” Unanimously rated highly during testing, New Balance’s rise looks set to continue. “Amazing, unbelievable,” said Nancy. “One of my favourites!”

With its typically striking Newbery design, this bat once again fulfilled our high expectations of a company who rarely produce a bad piece of willow. Alex branded it “tasty” and Sinan corroborated his judgment, while Joe loved the “powerful” middle. Although not a real showstopper, this is another one of Newbery’s successful designs. Alex said: “It’s simple and classy,” while Jim said: “It’s classy with a real punch.”

3rd

Weight: 2lb 9oz Edge width: 37mm

Weight: 2lb 10oz Edge width: 38mm

If it was a celebrity... Ant or Dec

If it was a celebrity... Gary Lineker

8.7

8.0

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Bats

£350+

GUNN & MOORE Chrome Original LE RRP £429.99

GRAY-NICOLLS Predator LE RRP £475

This is an elegant bat, with classy stickers. Like a dark knight, perhaps. It is at the top end of the price range, of course, but you get what you pay for. Alex Tudor was a fan. “It looks beautiful, right up there with the Chase,” he said. Guy also enjoyed hitting with it. “It looks great, with its dark, clean stickers, and has a lovely sweet spot. In summary, Jim said: “It’s a serious investment for a serious piece of willow.”

A really striking-looking bat, with only one of our reviewers not liking the red sidewings. When asked to think of a celebrity, the names flowed, with Petr Cech and Taylor Swift rejected in favour of the star below. Nancy said the ball absolutely flew out of the middle, and it had a lovely pickup. “You get what you pay for,” observed Jim. “Reliable, no real weaknesses,” concluded Alex. “A lot of money, but price reflected by quality of the blade,” said Joe in summary.

Weight 2lb 11oz Edge 37mm If it was a celebrity... Mark Rylance

Weight 2lb 8oz Edge 36mm If it was a celebrity... Tom Hiddleston

8.5

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GUNN & MOORE Mana Original RRP £395

NEWBERY Merlin Players RRP £365

Alex was the biggest fan of this one. “Very good, and worth the money,” was his summary. He called it a “bankable star” and nominated the celebrity below. Jim said it was “a big bat, with a big sweetspot, but a bit weighty,” a view concurred with by Nancy, who said she felt it was “a bit bottomheavy” – although “she really liked the neon design.” Sinan said it was “nice-looking, although the middle was a bit high, and was not as good off the back foot as the front.”

This bat has a lovely colour scheme: it does for the colours sky and navy what Gray-Nicolls does for red and black. “The classic Newbury look,” says Jim. “A premium bat delivering exceptional performance.” Sinan noticed its lightness, and was the only one of the six reviewers who didn’t gel with it. Others praised the pick-up, and Joe stated “it absolutely flew out of the middle.” He concluded: “It is an impressive all-round bat.”

Weight 2lb 11oz Edge 34mm

Weight 2lbs 9oz Edge 35mm

If it was a celebrity... Jack Nicholson

If it was a celebrity... Kate Moss

7.6

7.7

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PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

Chase Cricket – Traditional bat-making techniques creating modern, high-performance cricket bats The Cricketer met Daniel Swaine, the owner and inspiration behind Chase Cricket at his workshop on Dummer Down Farm in the heart of the Hampshire countryside. As you walk into the workshop, you are surrounded by the traditional tools of the bat-maker, the aroma of machined willow and hundreds of cricket bats in varying stages of the manufacturing process. It is like walking into Aladdin’s cave, were he a bat-maker. Following a seven-year apprenticeship with the MOD, Dan qualified as a precision engineer, and has built most of the equipment and machinery in the workshop himself. His keen eye for detail and precision is also apparent in the quality and design of his bats. “Because our bats are all handmade each one is unique,” explains Dan. “Yet we always maintain a consistent style, shape and uniformity that our customers expect.” Founded in 1996 by former Hampshire and England international Robin Smith, Dan joined as manager in 2005 and bought the company with his wife Julie in October 2007. “We seized the opportunity to buy the business and in doing so we have ensured that a traditional bat-maker continues to make English willow cricket bats in the UK in an everdeclining industry.” “There is of course the temptation to source finished bats from overseas, but we prefer to remain true to our core values and produce handmade products supporting British manufacturing, guaranteeing quality and customer satisfaction.” As you enter the farm, the first thing you notice is the

willow tree-lined driveway. “We planted our own willow in 2005 and in 2016 we felled our first two trees which were up to the correct diameter,” Dan explains. “It is brilliant that we are able to offer our customers a product that was grown and manufactured right here where we stand.” Dan is very positive about the future of Chase and UK manufacturing. “Our company has seen steady growth year on year. As sales have increased we have been able to expand the business to keep up with demand and I am extremely positive about our future. “Because we make our bats, we are in the fortunate position to be able to make bespoke designs for our customers, giving us an edge over many competitors. We understand that not everybody can find an ‘off the shelf’ bat that suits their playing style and other customers just enjoy that custom experience. “We constantly re-grade and refine our bats through every stage of manufacture ensuring that we get the best from each cleft. This is a time-consuming process but one I believe is essential if our customers are going to own the perfect cricket bat.” Dan was also keen to show a selection of bats which were in the process of being repaired and refurbished. “We offer a comprehensive repairs service and we receive a lot of other manufacturers bats to repair or refurbish.” Chase welcomes anybody who wishes to visit and see the process first-hand to book an appointment with the workshop – you may end up walking out with a bat under your arm.

Boutique Bats WOODWORM Test Elite RRP: £149.99 Looks aren’t everything, but everyone agreed this one was stunning – and is eminently affordable. “A beautiful piece of wood,” said Jim. Sinan “really liked the stickers and grain.” Nancy admired the “simplicity of its look.” Performance was impressive with testers drawn to a real ping out of the middle. Sinan said it hit well and Nancy admired its light pick-up. Weight: 2lb 10oz Edge width: 39mm If it was a celebrity... Emma Stone

8 10 WHAT ARE BOUTIQUE BATS?

The wider cricket bat marketplace is becoming an increasingly competitive environment and the smaller manufacturers are now able to produce blades that will go toe to toe with the bigger boys. This year’s crop feature familiar names and some lesser-knowns but what is obvious is that the attention to detail with all of these bats is second to none. This test celebrates the smaller manufacturers and allows both us and you, the readers, to see these credible brands in full view. 30 | thecricketer.com

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OPTIMAX Pyro RRP: £350

MACER Platinum RRP: £300

“Belter!” declared Jim. “Very clean-looking but with a genuine ping off the sweet spot.” This one was universally loved. “Really nice grains,” said Sinan, “and the middle is absolutely everywhere!” Nancy says she also loved it. “Amazing – it went off like a bullet. It was light too, with a wide middle.” Guy also commented on the “classic design, with uncluttered stickering.” Alex summarised succintly: “Nice!”

Relative unknown Macer have produced a genuine beauty, gaining the rare approval of Alex who needed only two hits to discover the bat’s excellence. “Worth every penny” according to our most rigorous tester, Macer’s design similarly impressed the duo of Jim and Joe, who both noted its aesthetic design and strong performance. A great find, and one that would both surprise and impress your team-mates.

Weight: 2lb 8oz Edge width: 42mm If it was a celebrity... Ed Sheeran

Weight: 2lb 10oz Edge width: 38mm If it was a celebrity... Robert Redford

8.3 10

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WOODSTOCK Classic Players LE RRP: £310

KIPPAX Colossus RRP: £300

Wow. Weighing in at 2lb 10oz and sporting a simple yet classy design, Woodstock have emerged from the depths of the batmaking world to produce an absolute stormer. Our testers fell in love: Guy labelled it a “sexy beast”, Alex called it “beautiful”, and the younger generation were universally complimentary. Receiving some stratospheric ratings, this bat was unambiguously the judges’ favourite.

A big bat for strong boys (and girls). Jim said: “It’s a chunky blade and quite heavy, but picks up remarkably well.” He also noted its superb sweet spot.” Joe felt “it was an English take on an Indian bat” and “offered really good value when you connect”. Alex thought it was: “A good all-round bat for T20 brutes and Last Man Stands.”

Best in class

Weight: 2lb 10oz Edge width: 39mm

Weight: 2lb 11oz Edge width: 43mm If it was a celebrity... Kanye West

If it was a celebrity... Kiera Knightley

7 10

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Kippax Willow Limited Melwood House Farm Methley Lane, Methley Leeds, LS26 9HA. Telephone: 01977 550303

www.kippaxcricket.co.uk

Handcrafted Professional Bats

Woodstock Cricket Company are makers of the finest hand crafted professional cricket bats and kit. We bring traditional cricketing qualities and professional craftsmanship to today’s modern, competitive game. • • • • •

Made in Shropshire, England, from the finest English willow Bats are fitted with the highest quality 12-piece sarawak cane handles Bespoke service for those who are after a custom fit Full gear for all ages including luggage, pads, gloves and balls Used by pro & amateur cricketers around the world

Woodstock Cricket Co. Red Furlongs, Clee St Margaret, Nr Ludlow Shropshire, SY7 9EB Mobile 01584 823575 Email john@woodstockcricket.co.uk Website www.woodstockcricket.co.uk

Woodstock-HalfPage 14.1.16.indd 1

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Protection

This essential kit looks stylish but – pivotally – allows batsmen to feel safe at the crease so they can concentrate on scoring runs

MASURI Original Series Steel RRP: £105.99 For those who prefer the old-style, traditional Masuri-helmet design, they have produced a new excellent value single-shell helmet. It is lighter than ever but without compromising on quality. It is also compatible with the Masuri StemGuard.

TON Classic Dual Short RRP: £25 A great value thigh-pad system that offers plenty of protection and quality. Extremely lightweight, it does not compromise on comfort either, with a towelling waistband for added comfort and sweat absorption.

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Cricket Helmet Neck Guard

BUY 1 GET 1

FREE BUY NOW

Â£9.99 Worldwide Shipping Included.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX | FEATURE

Training

A simple, far less expensive alternative to bowling machines, Graham Gooch promotes the Sidearm as a way to coach Ashes winners

SIDEARM RRP: £25.99 or £28.99 Since its emergence in 2010, the rise of the Sidearm has been inexorable. Pioneered by innovative club cricketer Frank Thorogood and later appropriated by England batting coach Graham Gooch, the invention’s success has been considerable, providing an original method of practice for batsmen, fielders and wicketkeepers and constituting a novel deviation from more traditional means such as nets and bowling machines. The sidearm provides something for everyone. Its adaptability facilitates both batting and fielding practice, while the existence of two models – the Sidearm Club (£25.99) and Sidearm Pro (£28.99) – means that a range of different speeds can be generated. Gooch employed it on England’s successful Ashes tour down under in 2010/11, and Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott’s prolific tours suggest it was a success. Club cricketers – if used correctly – can gain similar benefits. The concept is simple. Resembling what many feel looks like a dog ball-thrower, the Sidearm is capable of propelling a ball at pace. The Pro model can produce speeds of up to 80mph, with the less-advanced Club design still generating deliveries of around 50 mph. It is a rudimentary yet remarkable invention. Gooch – the company’s principal endorser – is an enormous fan. He states the way the product can produce swing and movement if pitched up to a batsman, provides a unique form of practice that reflects facing a bowler in a match. It removes the need to face tiring and often apathetic bowlers at the end of a net session. Equally, its ability to pick out fielders from 70 yards means it can also be used to give both high and flat catches. Produced in a variety of colours, the Sidearm’s handle fosters comfort and its minimal size enables easy transportation. Gooch stresses the importance of its correct use, encouraging batsman to treat facing it like a match and to take their time in between deliveries. An affordable and appealing product, the Sidearm can be of great use to any cricketer. While traditionalists may dismiss such a modern concept and instead stick to more orthodox methods of practice, effective use of the design possesses the potential to enhance any player’s game.

Softs

Gloves and pads need to offer decent protection, feel comfortable and look stylish. These models fit the bill, with West Indies’ Kieran Powell even on board to help with one item

GRAY-NICOLLS Predator 3 1000 RRP: £70

NEWBERY Triumph RRP: £50

The Predator 3 range perfectly combines traditional style and modern technology. The square-looking gloves are smartly presented, with a particularly nice way of presenting the GrayNicolls logo on the little finger. The finish is excellent. They feel roomy when on without feeling loose, and the protection is well above adequate.

This range has been designed in conjunction with West Indian international Kieran Powell, bringing his own twist to Newbery. The design features a half-split half-sausage design, adding protection on the bowling fingers with polymesh vents in the palm and a gusset for improved airflow and sweat control. The padding is substantial, Nasser Hussain might even feel safe in these.

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KOOKABURRA Ghost 600 RRP: ÂŁ50

NEW BALANCE DC 1080 RRP: ÂŁ105

This classic, traditional Kookaburra pad will have you feeling like a pro and hopefully batting like one. The classic white finish will be admired by all, with a comfortable fit. The insert for the knee is well thought out but taller batsmen might find it is placed nearer the top of the shin. Regardless they are an excellent choice for any cricketer. Half-split half-sausage design.

Endorsed and worn by world stars Ben Stokes and Steve Smith, you will be seen from a mile off in the middle wearing these smart green and blue pads. You can see the how well protected your shins will be, the padding around the knee is particularly reassuring, providing you get the padding in the correct place. An extremely smart pair of pads.

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What the Professionals say!

Big changes at Sidearm in 2016 mean that the company are hitting the ground running for the coming 2017 cricket season. Bringing manufacturing back to the UK has meant full control over the quality and development of their products. This gain conﬁdence has led to the decision to move forward with the much improved Sidearm club and the Sidearm elite saying good buy to the pro.

The latest models are reliable, durable and have excellent performance levels. Without them the players would not get appropriate speed to practice as they should in preparation for First Class Cricket. I would be lost without one!’ Steve Rhodes

THE FACTS

Now capable of a larger range of speeds, the previously under-appreciated CLUB is now the weapon of choice for a wide range of players!! Finally, The Sidearm club has come into its own! Changes in the material mean that the Sidearm club is now the preferred Sidearm for the majority of amateur players. Quicker than ever before but still easy to use and capable of throwing accurate slow deliveries, the Sidearm club offers outstanding batting practice for players who spend their weekends at the crease playing for the local village team or in the local leagues. It’s our most versatile Sidearm to date, still capable of slow ‘ﬂick of the wrist’ throw-downs, but now comfortable producing medium-fast swinging and seaming deliveries too.

Delivery Speed: Up to 65mph Suitable for: Village and 2nd / 3rd XI club players & good level colts Improvements: New plastic, faster, wider range of speeds, still easy to master 2017 RRP: £26.99

THE FACTS

The weapon of choice for the professional bat and their coach. Our fastest most durable Sidearm yet! Sidearm elite is the product for quality practice for cricketers of high standard. In the right hands, the Sidearm elite can reach upwards of 85mph. Higher level players can provide hours of fast paced, exciting and unparalleled practice with the elite. The elite is harder to master and is speciﬁcally aimed at players accustomed to facing quick bowling. Following feedback from professional users who found it difﬁcult to sight a white ball from the white sidearm, The Sidearm elite is coloured pink to provide good sighting for both red and white balls

www.sidearm-cricket.com/stockists

Delivery Speed: Above 55mph Suitable for: Higher level club players and professionals Improvements: Tougher, stiffer materials allowing faster deliveries 2017 RRP: £28.99

is delighted to invite you to an evening with Graham Gooch THURSDAY 16TH MARCH – THE INDIAN YMCA, LONDON, W1T 6AQ DOORS OPEN 6PM

Listen to host Simon Hughes interview Graham Gooch, who will be discussing: • His career playing for England and Essex • His life in cricket, how it has changed over the years and what the future holds • Reflections on his time coaching England Please do join us for what should be a wonderful evening, remembering the ‘81 Ashes, facing Alderman and Hadlee and the West Indies’ ‘fab four’ Please note tickets are strictly limited - book now to avoid disappointment

book now

w w w.thecr ick e ter .c om

125 years of skill, expertise and heritage For a team sport, cricket may be the most individualistic of them all. It is batsman versus bowler. When being stared down by a 6ft 6ins quick, the bat is a cricketer’s only companion, it is crucial that your blade is one you can trust. Gunn and Moore have been in the business for more than 125 years. With such heritage and expertise you can be sure you are getting a premium product. From their Nottingham-based factory GM continue to produce top-class bats crafted from the finest English willow. GM’s enduring quality and appeal continues to attract world-class players such as South Africa’s Quinton de Kock, New Zealand’s Ross Taylor, and closer to home, England and Surrey allrounder, Zafar Ansari. Ansari has been using GM from a young age, and it is testament to their product that he has continued

to do so throughout his professional career. “I was very lucky to join GM when I was young they always offered the best bats and as a kid growing up that was thing I cared about, and ever since they have continued to do that. “I have always valued the kit they have given me, the bats have always been the best in the changing room. And then you combine that with the service, it is a great brand. “GM have showed a lot of loyalty to me as a player and they have always provided me with exactly what I need. I’ve always enjoyed using their kit. I am a cricketer and what I want is the best cricket equipment, I’m not too fussed with what goes on around it, GM have been great with me in that sense. “I’ve known Richard Harris (GM executive) for a long time so we have developed a relationship that really helps, they know the equipment that

I want, the type of bats that I use. You develop that relationship over time, that is something you can’t fake.” When faced with the daunting task of touring India and facing the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ansari needs equipment that he can rely on. With GM that is exactly what he gets. “People probably underestimate how important it is to form a relationship with your bat. Generally the longer I use a bat the nicer it feels. If you can use the same bat for half a season that is a situation you want, and that has been the case with GM. I always look around the changing room and people envy the bats that I have and that is testament to GM.” Managing director Peter Wright says that one thing above all else is essential to GM. “Performance is key. The first thing that sets GM apart from the rest is

CHROME

Talking cricket: Zafar Ansari in the GM factory

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

the performance of the bat. I don’t think anybody’s bats perform better than ours. No matter how nice a bat looks, if it doesn’t strike the ball well then you’re not going to be happy with it. “By nature, the willow used for cricket bats only grows in England. Although willow from elsewhere is

CHROME

KAHA

used for bats, it tends to be Kashmir willow, which is used for cheaper bats. Kashmir is heavier and more inconsistent than English willow, hence why you’ll never see a top player using Kashmir. “About 25 per cent of our throughput is from trees that we buy in the locality, while the remaining 75

NEON

MANA

per cent is bought from a merchant in Essex who supplies around 80 per cent of the world’s English willow.” The most striking thing when visiting the GM factory is the skill and passion of the bat makers. Their thorough attention to detail in every minutiae of every bat ensures that the final product is flawless. Decades of bat making expertise embellished by modern-day technology forms an elite combination. “We are consistent in our manufacturing process,” says Peter. “Each bat of a certain shape is consistent within the range, so whatever level you buy at you are going to get the same shape and the same look. “It’s a combination of heritage, experience and cutting-edge technology. Gunn and Moore want to help all players become the best player they can be, and by investing in us, players are investing in their game.”

ST30

PARAGON TM CHROME TM OFFICIAL CRICKET BRAND NATIONAL VILLAGE CUP

555mm

MANA TM NEON TM ST30 TM 540mm

KAHA TM 525mm

THE NEW GM 2017 BAT RANGE MADE BY ENGLAND’S BEST GM #LSWEET DELIVERS: • THREE DISTINCT BLADE LENGTHS • OPTIMISED PROFILES FOR SPECIFIC BLADE LENGTHS • SUPREME BALANCE WITH ENGINEERED POWER • GREATER CHOICE FOR YOU TO FIND YOUR PERFECT BAT VISIT YOUR PREFERRED GM DEALER

Bags

Traditional horizontal, or brand-new vertical – these bags provide the best of both worlds. Like the TARDIS, it is amazing how much you can fit in. They are essential buys for 2017

GRAY-NICOLLS Legend duffle bag RRP: £85 The Gray-Nicolls duffle bag is the perfect modern cricket bag. Built for comfort, the bag has ‘H’-shaped carry straps and a buckle waistband for extra support while still providing great space and protection for all your gear. The design comes with enough storage for three bats with added padding for comfort and security and has additional storage space in the lid, as well as shoe and pad compartments. Furthermore, the bag possesses a stand-up design with a hard structured lower section for a secure base. With a traditional GrayNicolls finish this bag is ideal for the new season – a Swiss Army knife of a bag.

KOOKABURRA Pro 3000 RRP: £90 This black and lime design is a top-of-the-range bag for any person playing regular cricket. Made from resilient carbon PVC and braided fabric the bag also has a tapered design for better stability in use and offers huge equipment capacity with internal pockets, two external pad pockets and external pockets for two bats. Complete with a heavy-duty pull handle, heavy-duty wheels and fulllength protective runners this bag with its classic Kookaburra design ticks all the boxes.

WICKETKEEPING T he strangest job of all

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WICKETKEEPING | FEATURE

Wi cket ke e p e rs – m is u n de rsto o d a r t ists, o r g r umbl i n g we ird o s ? Ja me s C oy n e , T he C r i cke ter’s o f fice stop p e r, t a l ks t hro u g h a g l ove m an ’s e quipm e n t con s ide ra ti o n s

Gloves

Wicketkeeping starts and ends here. Find a glove that feels comfortable and natural – although give the gloves the chance to soften through some catching practice. The old-style gauntlets used by Bob Taylor and the like can seem a little stiff now, so think carefully about your preferred feel, and how much genuinely fast bowling you are likely to keep to. Some keepers get a thrill from the thud on the glove; others like the maximum cushioning. The thickness of the inners you’ll wear come down to much the same preferences and whether they’ll stay on in hot weather and with constant removal of the gloves.

How long do gloves last?

I had a pair of £40 Hunts County mid-range mitts which lasted through almost 10 years of regular club cricket, albeit with two refacings. In hindsight this is in the Jack Russell school of eccentricity. I clung on to them for probably two or three years too long, mostly for sentimental reasons. After the second refacing, the gloves went floppy and it was starting to hurt to take the ball in the palm, and I started dropping catches. By all means nurture your gloves, but if they’re starting to affect how you take the ball, it’s time to bid a happy farewell.

Pads

Pads should be the least of your worries. Only two things truly matter: comfort and movement. Unless you’re playing on a real sticky dog, with the ball shooting through at your ankles, a standard-priced pad should do the job. But if a well-protected pair helps your confidence when catching and taking the ball, then all the better.

Bo ots

Those one-handed, outstretched flying catches look great on YouTube, but they can be deceptive. What about the keeper who manages to catch or take a similar ball on the dive or halfdive? Answer: it means he’s been twinkle-toed enough to move across to turn a tough chance into a regulation one. Standing back is all about reaction, agility but most of all feet movement. So shun any heavy bowling boots and go for something light with ample grip.

Helmets – yes or no?

These are the Brexit of wicketkeeping – the issue splits the electorate right down the middle, mainly between young and old. ECB regulations introduced in November 2015 now demand

that all wicketkeepers at professional level wear ECB-approved helmets when standing up to the stumps. Spare a thought for Jonny Bairstow, who was required to keep his sweat-filled helmet on for every ball of spin on the tours of Bangladesh and India this winter. Recreational keepers are not bound by the same rules, although they are also recommended to wear helmets too, and the ECB have issued a list of approved head protection: www.ecb.co.uk/concussion-in-cricket/helmets These include certain face masks too, but do check. And, looking at the high-profile cases of Paul Downton, Saba Karim and Mark Boucher – not to mention countless unreported incidents in the recreational game – who can blame the ECB? Both Downton and Boucher were wearing a hat at the time of their injury. In Downton’s day, no self-respecting keeper wore a helmet. “Getting used to the weight of a helmet would have been a problem for me,” Downton has said. “But protecting your head, eyes and teeth must make sense. Maybe we were a bit cavalier to ignore them for such a long time.” For most cricketers under 35, wearing a helmet is second nature when batting, since the ECB’s helmet ruling for junior cricketers made years ago. John Murray, a sumptuous wicketkeeper for Middlesex and England in the 1960s, could hardly bear the thought of wearing one behind the stumps. And most keepers will agree that helmets certainly do not aid visibility; skiers are a nightmare. From personal experience, you can lose the path of a ball spearing down legside. A keeper’s natural inclination might be to wear a helmet when standing up to a seamer, and go back to the cap when the slow bowlers come on. But it’s a false pretence – both the Downton and Boucher injuries happened with a spinner bowling, with the bail sent spinning up towards their eye. And what about the pitch? On a wicket of variable bounce – one climbing high then shooting low – it might seem sensible to don a lid. On a flat’un where you can generally predict the bounce, less so. The pace of the wicket is another factor. But these are all down to subjective readings of the pitch. And the Downton and Boucher incidents suggest you’re probably more likely to get hit by a flying bail from a ball aimed at the base of the stumps. Ultimately, if you decide to stand up to the stumps without wearing head protection, you have to accept you are taking a risk.

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Wicketkeeping

Stumpers are spoilt for choice these days – it’s a far cry from the days of steaks in gloves and buckles

NEW BALANCE 1260 Keeping Glove RRP £90 An eye-catching scarlet and orange design for this top-of-the-range glove – the kind of design and build the pros might choose for those long days in the field. There’s a classy matt finish on the exterior and – crucially – a soft feel and excellent shape inside. Buy Saturday morning, use Saturday afternoon.

PUMA Power FX Pad RRP £50 Puma’s newest offering in their range of pads. An extremely lightweight pad with Puma’s now signature flexible hinge-knee design for performance and comfort when squatting down up to the stumps or further back.

48 | thecricketer.com

KOOKABURRA 500L Keeping Glove RRP £50 Though an indelibly Australian brand, this is a good-looking but traditional English long cut of glove, favoured by Jos Buttler and other wicketkeepers the world over, with a mid-range price tag. An excellent value glove, benefiting from Kookaburra’s renowned expertise in the wicketkeeping department.

ST30

540mm

OFFICIAL CRICKET BRAND NATIONAL VILLAGE CUP

THE NEW GM 2017 WOMEN’S RANGE DEVELOPED IN CONJUNCTION WITH LEADING WOMEN’S CRICKETER, SARAH TAYLOR GM ST30 RANGE DELIVERS A RANGE OF EQUIPMENT TAILORED TO THE DEMANDS OF WOMEN CRICKETERS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION VISIT YOUR PREFERRED GM DEALER

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX | FEATURE

Women’s bat GM ST30 WOMEN’S BAT RRP: £400 On the surface it did not look any different to a man’s Gunn & Moore bat. It had the same slick design, with GM in big letters, and a modern colour scheme - black with a natty lime. The bat is made out of superior, unbleached, seasoned Grade 1 English Willow. It is predominantly straight-grained, with a hint of colour, and minor cosmetic blemishes. Fitted with a top-quality treble-spring multi-piece cane handle for outstanding feel, flex and control, there was nothing to give the game away. So when we gave the bat to Sinan and Nancy to road-test, we did not tell them its unique selling point.... “Wow!” said Nancy. Gratifyingly for Gunn & Moore, she thought it was “brilliant”. “I really like the design. It has loads of grains. It really suits me. It’s a lot lighter and smaller.” When I broke the news to her, it all added up. Sinan also liked the look of it. And although he said there was not much wood on it, “the ball really flew off”. A big thumbs up then...

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Nancy Hughes was not told she was using a women’s bat... and as it happened, she loved it

WOMEN’S CRICKET | FEATURE

GIRL POWER!

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Women’s cricket is thriving by building on the progress of its pioneers, writes Shamir Patel The history of women’s cricket is littered with pioneers and trailblazers from Charlotte Edwards, to the late greats Margaret Hughes and Rachael Heyhoe Flint, and the many others in between. On and off the field, these great women were the embodiment of grace under pressure, having to prove their worth by doing what their male counterparts could do only much better in a bid for equality. It is a challenge they rose to time and time again. It is testament to the groundwork they put in, and the difficulties these tenacious and skilful women endured, that women’s cricket continues to rise in popularity. It is perhaps too easy to forget in the age of professional women’s cricket that women were not admitted to the MCC until 1999, and it was not until 2008 that England’s women first had a kit they could call their own, and it was only in 2014 that the first central contracts were awarded. But now the professional era has well and truly arrived and, alongside T20 cricket,

has provided a turbo boost to the sport’s popularity and reach. Increased global competition has also played a big role. The pre-eminence of England and Australia are being challenged on a constant basis by an exciting West Indies team and a New Zealand side led by 2016’s WODI and WT20I Player of the Year Suzie Bates. Tournaments like the Women’s Big Bash League in Australia and the Women’s Cricket Super League in England have helped to draw sponsors and thrown a larger spotlight on the game’s leading lights including the likes of Hayley Matthews who starred in last year’s T20 World Cup final, allrounder extraordinaire Ellyse Perry and the ever consistent Meg Lanning. As young girls see role models they wish to emulate in these women as well as the rewards the sport can now bring, the pool of talent in the game should only grow and with that more people will come to the sport. Nor is the rise of women in cricket limited strictly to on-field activities. Alison Mitchell

has her foot in the door at Test Match Special while former England quick Isa Guha is making huge strides in her own media career. Their talent, insight and differing experiences to their male colleagues add another layer to the rich tapestry of the global game. A word of caution, however, that for all the progress made there are still battles to be fought. Although 12 Big Bash matches were televised on free-to-air in Australia, none of the 2016 matches in England’s equivalent were, with coverage limited to Test Match Special. Things are looking brighter this summer, though, with Sky showing eight Kia Super League games. This year the world’s best female cricketers will also be showcasing their talents on the biggest stage as the World Cup returns to England for the first time since 1993. Fittingly, the final will again be at Lord’s. Back in 1993, 4,500 turned up to see England beat New Zealand. Expect that number to be dramatically eclipsed this time around.

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Sarah Taylor/GM Women’s range With the Women’s Big Bash League, Kia Super League and a World Cup in England this summer, women’s cricket is reaching new heights. GM are staying ahead of the curve by introducing a specific women’s range which is championed by Sarah Taylor. Sussex and England’s Taylor was part of the process which helped GM bring the first full range of women’s gear to market. “I’ve been using Gunn and Moore equipment for roughly the last four years. I think every player’s got their own specific needs, and GM have always been so welcoming towards me. In terms of the bat that I use, obviously pickup-up, grain and the wood are very important, and all of that has always been absolutely excellent here. I’ve had sponsorships in the past where I have had that odd bad bat, but I’ve never had a bad bat when it comes to GM, and that quality of service is what’s kept me coming back. You need the best gear – the best of the best – and GM have always provided that.” GM taking the time engage with and analyse the needs of women cricketers is testament to GM’s desire to move with the times. As far as a women’s range goes, GM are ahead of the game. “The fact that GM have brought a women’s range out now just shows that despite their heritage, they’re still adapting. We’ve had meetings upon meetings for hours and hours just going through what’s best for women’s cricket. “GM’s collection is the first in this country to have a full range of women’s gear. GM have been at the forefront of that and it’s so nice to be a part of. With the way women’s cricket is growing, this was the perfect time to develop a women’s range. “In terms of what is actually different in the women’s range, we’re obviously not as big as guys – our hands are smaller, our wrists are smaller – so on gloves, we didn’t necessarily need all that Velcro on them. I was using quite heavy bats

with really long handles, so it was just tweaking those little things really. “I debuted over ten years ago and I’ve had so many chats with how far the game’s come. A women’s range was unheard of at the time! We’re also professional now and no one could have dreamed that would have happened! The status that women’s cricket has grown. The introduction of the Kia Super League in England and the Women’s Big Bash League in Australia has been fantastic.” The jewel in the crown of the range is the GM ST30, Sarah’s bat of choice. “I’m not the strongest girl so I wanted

something that looked and felt as big as a men’s bat but had a lighter pick-up. We are talking about minor details but at the end the benefits are a lot greater so luckily the ST30 does those things.” The ST30 ranked highly in testing. GM’s bold, timelessly classic livery won many fans. More importantly the bat came through on GM’s number one priority, performance. One tester proclaimed: “It’s such a nice bat, really light, the ball flies off the middle.” As the women’s game goes from strength to strength. GM are making sure they are keeping pace stride for stride.

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SERIOUS CRICKET SHIRT This smart-looking shirt from Serious Cricket pairs modern-day technology without compromising a classical design. The pipeless design looks ultra-sleek and boasts a comfortable modern fit. The well-ventilated, breathable material will keep you cool in the field and avoids clinging to your body after an hour of running around like some whites do. Serious Cricket is a popular choice for teamwear up and down the country, and the shirts also proved popular with students from Merchant Taylorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; who participated on testing day. The medium this tester wore hit the spot in terms of fit, finding the perfect balance between the extremes of a 1990s football jersey and a pair of 1980s shorts.

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Serious Cricket are the UK’s Number One Cricket Specialist Based at our own indoor cricket centre in Hampshire we are “Specialists in Cricket” with a full time staff of 18 people who are passionate players, coaches, administrators and volunteers within the game. For 11 years we have delivered unrivalled service when it comes to all things cricket. Personalised Teamwear

Since 2005 we have developed a high quality range of Cricket Teamwear delivered via our online team stores, with personalised orders arriving at your door within 5 days, all year round - solving the annual headaches of many when it comes to purchasing team kit! We are proud that our clothing range is now used by over 750 cricket clubs in the UK, 5 County Sides and this year’s Kia Super League Champions the Southern Vipers. In 2016 we became the Approved Kit Supplier for the ECB’s recreational T20 club cricket, further cementing our position in the cricket clothing market. With a heritage in the game but a dynamic approach to future kit supply, design and delivery – we are your one stop shop for all cricketing teamwear requirements.

Cricket Equipment

On site at our cricket centre is the busiest cricket retail outlet in the South of England. Servicing over 20,000 visitors a year, we stock the largest range of cricket equipment at the cheapest prices from all the biggest manufacturers including Kookaburra, GM, Gray Nicolls, Puma and New Balance. We also stock the specialists in British Hand Made bats including Chase, Garrard & Flack and Salix giving you the optimum choice in willow! If you cannot experience making it to our store don’t panic – we have our complete range available online at seriouscricket.co.uk and with a next day delivery option you can have your new kit delivered in time for the next match.

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Being based at our own cricket centre has natural advantages – we employ the best ECB Level 3 Coaches in the country who are on hand all year round to help you improve your game. We offer coaching courses, 1 2 1’s, specialist workshops and each year we have high profile International players and coaches delivering quality coaching experiences. 2016 saw visits from Mark Ramprakash (England’s Batting Coach), Julian Wood (England’s T20 Power Hitting Coach), Charlotte Edwards (Southern Vipers Captain) and Toby Radford (West Indies Batting Coach). If you just simply need a net lane or playing arena to practice with your friends or club, then you can book all our facilities online, all year round.

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ON THE FRONT FOOT Dominate the game at the crease and in the field with our huge selection of shoes for every type of cricketer. PRICES FROM Â£30

Shoes

If it is shock absorption from yorkers, giving your feet support during a long spell or staying nimble in the field, we have just the boot for you KOOKABURRA 780 Rubber RRP: £43 Designed primarily for indoor use, Kookaburra’s latest design has slickness and style. Providing superb protection around the toe, designed to protect batsmen from missed yorkers, it is also suited for umpires and coaches. Constructed using the very latest breathable mesh, it ensures your feet stay well ventilated and sweat and moisture is wicked away. Kookaburra’s cage technology also offers essential ankle support. A lightweight boot which can be used for both indoor and outdoor nets.

NEW BALANCE 40/40 Blue RRP: £95 With the season approaching and fast bowlers still frantically searching for their optimum bowling boot, New Balance may well have found the answer. Their offering comes complete with a mid-foot strap to provide additional support, as well as a central spike on the bottom to enhance stability. This footwear has both comfort and aesthetic appeal while the inside provides exceptional reinforcement and cushioning.

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ASICS Gel Gully RRP: £105 Aimed mainly at batsmen, spinners and fielders, Asics’ latest product is closely based on their wellrenowned running shoes and honed with their traditional expertise. Although not wildly deviating from their historic design, this new shoe has enhanced comfort and snugness, suiting batsman who enjoy occupying the crease for long periods. This boot comes with a removable sockliner and Asics’ renowned Rearfoot Cushioning System for added comfort and shock absorption.

PAYNTR X EP Classic White RRP £94.99 This is a new boot launched by former Northamptonshire batsman David Paynter. Designed primarily with batsmen in mind, it is incredibly light to allow free and quick movement at the crease while it combines the lightweight comfort of running spikes with moulded supports for on-field durability. Boasts a classic all-white design and thanks to a sock style upper, a reinforced toe and speedtie laces is unique in the marketplace.

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T he ex- c ric kete r pu tt i n g h i s b e st fo ot fo rwa rd The new Payntr X cricket shoe, designed by former Northants allrounder, David Paynter, is being hailed as a ‘game changer’ What do you do once your career as a professional sportsman comes to an end? Some go into coaching, some go into punditry; David Paynter has founded a business that is already making the cricketing world sit up and take notice. Having spent two years on development and design, the ex-Northants cricketer has now launched the revolutionary Payntr X cricket shoe, and it ‘s going down a storm with current and former international stars. Paynter, the great grandson of cricketing legend Eddie Paynter who achieved stardom on the ‘Bodyline’ tour, was continually dissatisfied with the footwear options available to professionals during his playing career. “If you’re fielding for long periods of time, you need to be comfortable, with your mind focused entirely on the game, not thinking about how much your feet hurt,” he said. “So you need the perfect fit of a trainer. But you also need to be able to provide bursts of speed, often instinctive lateral movements, without stumbling. So that comfort needs to be combined with the powerful grip of spikes. “Nobody was offering this,” he added. “When I retired from first-class cricket, I thought, well, why don’t I do something about it? I decided I would design a shoe that specifically would improve the performance of the individual, and thus the game itself, for current players, and all the young ones coming up behind them.”

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The response to the Payntr X shows that it is the innovation that the game has been crying out for. As well as numerous international players queuing up to try out the new shoes, former England star Graeme Swann has given them his seal of approval, calling them a ‘game changer’. Fusing the grip of a performance cricket spike with the lightweight body of a running shoe, the Payntr X also has a knitted, sock-like upper, which eliminates the need for chunky cricket socks and introduces the more slimline sports profile for an improved, snug fit. Additional features include fast-tie laces and a re-enforced toe cap for protection. The result is a shoe that excels not only in performance, but also in style. David said: “I wanted to give cricketers something to wear that looked cool and 21st century; the actual appearance of cricket kit is pretty traditional, and that’s great, so it’s been a question of balancing the respected style with an innovative new performance product. The feedback we’ve received from our customers, pros and amateurs alike, has been fantastic.” The Payntr X Shoe retails for £94.99 and is currently available at various retailers across the UK in sizes 4UK – 13UK, in three colourways, rebel red, classic white and steel blue. For more information please visit www.Payntr.com

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Marsh’s CricketMaster provides cover for the specialist risks typically faced by cricket clubs. From cover for the square, score boards and sightscreens, to your pavilion and contents including trophies. CricketMaster also provides public liability insurance, including incidents arising whilst playing or practicing, employers liability, including casual employees and can be extended to cover the personal liability of the officers, directors, and committee members. We can also cover items such as bowling machines, covers and practice nets, and extend the policy to include personal accident cover for players and officials. Our expert advisers will continue to manage your ongoing insurance programme, so you can rest assured that they will help to get your club up and running again should the unfortunate happen. Contact us quoting CR–02 for a no obligation quote. (

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Marsh Ltd is registered in England and Wales Number: 1507274. Registered Office: 1 Tower Place West, Tower Place, London EC3R 5BU. Marsh Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. © Copyright 2017 Marsh Ltd All rights reserved.

Club paradise Nothing beats playing cricket with your mates, writes Huw Turbervill As the sun desperately tried to poke out of the clouds this week, I had a thought that was doubtless shared by the many thousands who play our wonderful game up and down the land. It will soon be time for cricket! It was probably just wishful-thinking. No doubt there will be a load more snow and rain on the way before we actually take the field in April, or whenever you start. Plenty more overs to bowl in dimly lit sports halls. More balls to face too. Short, rearing at your head – bearing no resemblance to anything we will face on the low, slow surfaces of the spring. I don’t know about you, however, but just the thought of playing cricket again cheers me up. The seven months of hibernation seem painfully long, although as I get older I keep vowing not to wish my life away. I deal with the vital issue of buying and preparing kit elsewhere in this online

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supplement, but the thought of spending long afternoons (and evenings in the pub) with mates is another huge attraction of cricket. This quote from one of the Flashman books sums up the recreational game’s appeal to me. ‘The Green Man was a famous haunt of cricketers, and it was the sight of bats and stumps and other paraphernalia of the game in the window that suddenly brought back memories, and awoke a strange hunger – not to play, you understand, but just to smell the atmosphere again, and hear the talk of batters and bowlers, and the jargon and gossip.’ Until my mid-20s, it was all about: 1) if we won; 2) how many runs I made; 3) how many wickets I took (not necessarily in that order, I admit. Then my journalism career took over, and I fitted in the odd game here and there, for a number of sides. That was until a few years ago, when I suddenly had a craving to be taken into the bosom of a club once more.

It is the camaraderie, and the banter, that makes playing for a team, and a club, so special, isn’t it? Being with my club in Suffolk, from 18–26, gave me some of the happiest days of my life. Playing the game itself. Learning how to adapt from schools’ to men’s cricket. Being taught how to eat curry and drink beer afterwards. Having the adage, “what goes on tour, stays on tour”, being drummed into me! By my school teachers, an engineer, a traffic policeman, a BT scientist, an orchard owner, the local bank manager. Listening to their jokes (some repeatable, some not). As a schoolboy or student, learning about the meaning of life. As Flashman says… ‘the atmosphere, the talk of batters and bowlers, the jargon and the gossip’. Unbeatable.

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The cricket pitch experts For more than 15 years, total-play Ltd has been a market leader in the development of cricket pitch products and the provision of both natural and non-turf pitch construction and maintenance services. Not ones to rest on their laurels, the team recently announced some exciting new developments to the range … Not one – but three – ECB approved artificial cricket pitch designs As the first non-turf pitch supplier to pass the ECB’s Code of Practice for non-turf pitch installers and having developed its flagship tp365 ECB approved pitch system in 2007, total-play Ltd has designed and installed literally hundreds of artificial cricket pitches at clubs from grass roots to first class. With a strong portfolio of both artificial cricket practice nets facilities and non-turf match pitches, its systems can be found at county cricket grounds, leading independent schools and league clubs across the country. Over the years, tp365 has undergone several specification updates, each thoroughly re-tested by the ECB to retain its classification, but it remains a market-leading choice; featuring a premiere wilton woven carpet, exclusively designed ‘HD Protection Tunnel’ netting system and a dynamic base which has been designed to offer a balanced game between bat and ball and encourage turn. Due to market demand, in 2016 the company launched tp5t; a system that shares tp365’s dynamic base, netting designs and all of the playing characteristics but with a less inexpensive – tufted – carpet. 2017 brings the launch of tpB1 – the latest addition to the range, which features a bound (Asphalt) base. It comes with a

premiere wilton woven carpet and the netting system used with the tp365 system, whilst its bound – or engineered – base design offers greater stability in flood risk areas and, initially, lower maintenance requirements in high-use sites. Natural turf expertise While total-play may be best known for its non-turf cricket expertise, its natural turf pedigree is enviable. MD David Bates is a former firstclass groundsman, chairman of the first-class grounds committee and a trainer and pitch advisor for the IoG. He draws on this expertise to offer advice and guidance on the construction, maintenance and restoration of fine turf cricket tables. This, backed by an in-house team of experienced ground operatives with access to the company’s own laser-guided equipment, makes total-play Ltd an ideal partner in natural cricket pitch management clubs and schools. 15 years of proven pitch protection 2017 marks the 15th anniversary of another classic total-play Ltd product – the Climate Cover System™. The strongest, lightest and only truly breathable flat sheet ground cover on the market, its clientele speaks for itself – it is in use at every UK Test match venue as well as county grounds, league clubs and Independent Schools countrywide. While the Climate Cover System™ hasn’t changed from its original design (if it ain’t broke…) – the Climate Cover range’s budget flat sheet – Rain Cover – has seen a number of improvements for 2017. So confident is total-play that it is the best value cover in its class that they will beat the price of any sheet of similar specification.

For more details on all total-play’s cricket ground products and services head to www.total-play.co.uk

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CRICKET CLUB INSURANCE FROM EXPERTS WHO UNDERSTAND YOU

At Marsh, we have a long track record of arranging insurance for cricket clubs around the country. We understand the specific risks faced by sports clubs, making us the perfect choice to look after the insurance needs of your club. Our experienced team will consider your unique requirements and help to manage and minimise your risks, by securing the right cover for you and your cricket club. Our CricketMaster cover has been designed based on years of insight and experience, so you can have peace of mind that should the unfortunate happen, we’ll help to get you back up and running. Speak with one of our insurance experts to find out more, and see how we can help. Contact us quoting CR–01 for a no obligation quote. (

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Don’t be Caught Out: Rethink Your Insurance Cover March is upon us and another season of cricket is around the corner. By now, pre-season preparations will be well under way. The rollers will be a regular sight on the square, with preparations away from the pitch well under way too - no doubt including clubhouse repairs, renovations and, of course, stocking the bar. There is one pre-season preparation that is often overlooked however – insurance. It’s easy to forget that having the right insurance in place can be vital to the health of a cricket club. It’s the safety net that protects against the worst consequences should the unforeseen happen. Be that accidents leading to personal injury; break-ins and thefts; or a fire affecting the clubhouse. DON’T JUST RENEW The temptation, when renewal time comes around, is to settle for “the same as last year” – the same selection of insurance covers and the same level of cover. That may save time in the short-term, but it also leaves the potential for problems down the line. For instance, failure to take into account changing circumstances – anything from a clubhouse extension and a growth in membership to the increased value of trophies – could leave your club underinsured. In turn that could mean a reduced pay-out in the event of a claim. On top of that, it is always sensible to check that you have all the covers in place that you really need. What if the club is planning to supplement its income by hosting third party events, for example? Will they be covered by existing insurance?

Then there is the obvious question of cost – especially since some insurance providers have increased their premiums in the last 12 months. In that context, it’s worth questioning whether your renewal premium really represents value for money. With all this in mind, maybe this year it is worth not just renewing your cricket club’s insurance arrangements, but rethinking them… ASSESS YOUR NEEDS Cricket clubs are commonly subject to risks – those which apply across the board and those which are specific to the sport – and, of course, your club will face its own specific risks. However, in general terms, most clubs need to protect against: • Damage to clubhouses, outbuildings, changing rooms, pitches, scoreboards, squares, and stands. • Theft of belongings, equipment and stock. • Accidents affecting players, members, and the general public. GET THE RIGHT COVER These risks translate into a requirement for specific insurance protection - cover that is tailored to the exact needs of the club. Covers you may want to consider include: - Public Liability Cover As part of England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) Clubmark accreditation, clubs are required to hold £5 million public liability. - Employers Liability Insurance It’s your legal duty to hold adequate employers liability insurance should one of

your employees suffer injury, illness, death or damage to their property as a result of working for you. - Personal Accident Cover In any sport accidents can happen. Personal accident cover protects you in the event that a player, coach, referee or official is injured while participating in a game. - Buildings and Equipment Cover Your buildings and all associated equipment – from clubhouse contents to the team kit need adequate cover in case of fire, theft, storm damage or vandalism. - Insured Activities Cricket clubs often host events such as firework displays, charity events, weddings, birthday and anniversary celebrations, all of which need to be covered by insurance. - Additional Covers Think about whether you are adequately covered for issues like damage to playing surfaces, business interruption, and theft of money or goods by employees. You may need specialist covers to protect against these risks. GET EXPERT HELP Looking at your insurance with fresh eyes need not be an onerous task - a specialist broker like Marsh can guide you every step of the way, to help make it a simple, painless process. What’s more, a broker will constantly review your cover to ensure it continues to meet the needs of your cricket club, provide risk management advice, and support you through any claims process. With all that in mind, don’t just renew your insurance this year. Rethink it.

CONTACT MARSH FOR MORE INFORMATION ON 0207 760 8969.

Build Your Team, Guide Them to Glory and Raise Cash for Your Club Raising funds is often one of the biggest challenges faced by cricket clubs big and small. It conjures up images of winter club days in the snow, poorly attended quiz nights and pleading with sponsors. We at Fantasy Club Cricket think there’s a better way. Founded in 2014, Fantasy Club Cricket allows any club in the world to set up their very own online fantasy cricket league featuring all the players from that club. Once your club is signed up, your admin can share the website link allowing anyone to create a team – we recommend charging a small fee for each team entered. Each team can then choose 6 or 11 players per team (depending on which option the club has taken) and teams score points depending on how those players perform in the real world. What’s more, thanks to our partnership with Play-Cricket, all player data can be updated automatically so the whole process is hassle free. We can even collect and store entry fee money for you meaning a player cannot enter a team until they’ve paid up. No more chasing for cash! Last year almost 10,000 teams were created between hundreds of clubs using the Fantasy Club Cricket platform worldwide, raising an average of £234 per club. That’s a quarter of a bowling machine! It’s also a great way of building a bit of club spirit – suddenly people become very interested in how that promising youngster in the thirds got on!

We’re constantly improving the Fantasy Club Cricket platform, based on our users’ feedback. Here’s a taste of what’s new for the 2017 season: Admins:

Total control over points structure. We suggest points for runs, wickets, catches etc. but you can change it if you wish.

Players:

Choose a captain each week who will score you double points

In addition to automatic points updates you can manually import individual scorecards from PlayCricket (for example if one was added late). Exclude/Include matches that were imported from Play-Cricket, giving you the freedom to manually select which matches are included in the fantasy league. Choose the 6-player package (x2 batsmen, x2 bowlers, x1 all-rounder x1 wicket keeper) or 11-player package (x4 batsmen, x4 bowlers, x4 all-rounders x1 wicket keeper).

See detailed statistics of any player

View league standings by week, month or overall total Make transfers and earn money if your players have increased in value The Fantasy Club Cricket Platform: Automate the collection of team entry fee money (15% fee applies)

Prices start from just £14.99 a year for the basic package with the following upgrades available: - Automatic points update (Integration with Play-Cricket) +£8.99 (UK only) - 11 Players per team + £5.99 - Team entry fee collection (15% fee)

Fantasy Club Cricket is currently offering a bundle discount:

you get the basic package plus all the upgrades for just £24.99 (usually £29.97)

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Twelve issues of our print and digital bundle is available for £49.99 or 12 issues of the print edition is £44.99 by Direct Debit. A great addition to any cricket-lover’s collection. www.thecricketer.com/subscribe or call 0203 1981 359

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Stockists 3D Sports 3 Brakey Road Weldon North Industrial Estate Corby NN17 5LU www.3dsports.co.uk AJ Sports 61 Broomwood Road London SW11 6HU www.ajsportsglobal.com Allrounder Cricket 39 St Michaels Lane Headingley Leeds LS6 3BR Units 2-5 Penistone Road Trading Estate Hillsborough Sheffield S6 2FL www.allrounder cricket.com Aswani Cricket SSE SWALEC Stadium Sophia Gardens CARDIFF CF11 9XR www.aswanicricket.co.uk Barrington Sports Northgame House Haig Road Parkgate Industrial Estate Knutsford WA16 8DX www.barrington sports.com Batting 46 78 Carolgate Retford Nottinghamshire DN22 6EF Beckenham Cricket Specialists 181 High Street Beckenham BR3 1AH www.beckenham cricketspec.com Boundary Sports 206 Station Road Kings Heath Birmingham B14 7TE www.boundary sports.co.uk Broadwater Sports 37 Broadwater Street West Worthing BN14 9BY www.broadwater sports.co.uk Cicada Sports Unit 2 Pikehelve Street West Bromwich B70 0TU www.cicadasports.co.uk

Cook & Matthews Sport 68A High Street Chislehurst BR7 5AQ www.cookandmatthews sport.co.uk Cricket Box 123 Woodville Road Hartshorne Swadlincote Derbyshire DE11 7EX www.cricket-box.co.uk Cricket Direct 5 Metro Centre Ronsons Way St Albans Rd St Albans Hertfordshire AL4 9QT www.cricketdirect.co.uk Cricket Sales at Mapperley Sports Mapperley Sports Centre Ltd 91a Front Street Arnold Nottingham NG5 7EB www.cricketsales.co.uk Cricket Supplies www.cricketsupplies.com Cricket-Hockey Unit 25 Parkers Close Downton Business Centre Salisbury SP5 3RB www.cricket-hockey.com CricMall www.cricmall.com Discount Cricket Outlet www.discountcricket outlet.com Duck & Run Devon County Sports 141-143 Winner Street Paignton TQ3 3BP www.duckandrun.co.uk Fenton Sports 60 High Street Brentwood CM14 4AN www.fentonsports online.com Fordham Sports 81 & 85 Robin Hood Way Kingston Vale London SW15 3PW www.fordhamsports. co.uk Game Set & Match Unit 1 Beaver Trade Park Quarry Lane Chichester PO19 8NY www.gsam.co.uk

Get Padded Up 11 Courtland Road Wellington TA21 8ND www.getpaddedup.co.uk Hobbs Sports 36 Sidney St Cambridge CB2 3HX www.hobbssports.co.uk Holt & Hoskell 387 Shirley Rd Southampton SO15 3TS www.holtandhaskell. co.uk Intersport John Henry Sport 207 Wellingborough Road Northampton NN1 4ED www.johnhenry sports.co.uk Intersport- Gyles Brothers 188 Whiteladies Road Clifton Bristol BS8 2XU www.gylesbros.co.uk It’s Just Cricket Units 12 & 14 289 Kennington Lane Kennington London SE11 5QY www.itsjustcricket.co.uk Kent Cricket Direct 150 London Road Southborough Kent TN4 0PJ kentcricketdirect.co.uk

Martin Berrill Sports Unit 9-10 Morelands Trading Estate Bristol Road Gloucester GL1 5RZ www.martinberrill sports.com MB Malik 236 Farnham Road Slough SL1 4XE www.maliksports.co.uk Millet Sports www.milletsports.co.uk Morrant Unit 5 Station Estate Eastwood Close South Woodford London E18 1BY www.morrant.com Mr. Cricket The Old Blacksmiths Yard Newnham Lane Burwell Cambridge CB25 0EA www.mrcricketshop.co.uk NHMA Sports www.nhmasport.co.uk Nick Rivett Sport 64 Church Road Hove BN3 2FP www.nickrivettsport. co.uk Owzat-Cricket 72 Mansfield Road Derbyshire DE55 2ER

Robert Pack Cricket 103 High Street Irthlinborough NN9 5PU www.robertpack cricket.co.uk

Talent Cricket Unit 2 31 Bakewell Road Loughborough LE11 5QY www.talentcricket.co.uk

Romida 11 Avebury Court Mark Road Hemel Hempstead HP2 7TA

The Cricket Company Cotley Barn Woodhayes Lane EX5 2QR www.thecricket company.co.uk

Unit 3 West Vale Buildings Wakefield Road Brighouse HD6 1PE 18 Shaw Rd Newhey Rochdale OL16 4LT 70 Kingston Rd Leatherhead Surrey KT22 7BW www.romida.co.uk R&S Sports 3 Headley Rd Woodley Reading Berkshire RG5 4JB www.rssports.co.uk Serious Cricket The Dummer Cricket Centre Dummer Basingstoke RG25 2AR www.seriouscricket.co.uk Solly Sports 66 Savile Road Dewsbury West Yorkshire WF12 9PJ www.solly-sports.com

Kick Back Sports www.kickbacksports. co.uk/cricket

Scarborough Cricket Club Ground 118 North Marine Road YO12 7TJ www.owzat-cricket.co.uk

Lord’s International Bradford St Caerphilly CF83 1GA www.lords international.co.uk

PC Sports 67 High Street Yeadon Leeds LS19 7SP www.pcsports.co.uk

Lord’s Online Store Lord’s Cricket Ground St John’s Wood Rd London NW8 8QN shop.lords.org

Pro-Direct cricket www.prodirectcricket. com

Somerset County Sports The Cooper Associates County Ground St James Street Taunton TA1 1JT www.somersetcounty sports.com

Ram Cricket Unit D2 Send Business Centre Tannery Lane Send Surrey GU23 7EF www.ramcricket.co.uk

Sporting Billy Unit 10 Bumpers Farm Enterprise Centre Vincients Road Chippenham SN14 6QA www.sportingbilly.com

Rhino Cricket 8 Commercial Square Freemens Common Leicester LE2 7SR www.citycricketacademy. co.uk/rhino-cricket

Super Sports 39 New Hall Lane Preston Lancashire PR1 5NX www.supersports.co.uk

Lorimers 108 Newgate Street Bishop Auckland County Durham DL14 7EQ www.lorimers4cricket. co.uk Lukeys Sports 75 Meadow Street Preston PR1 1TS www.lukeyssports.co.uk

Thompson Sports Total Cricket Oxford Street East Ashton Under Lyne OL7 0RE www.totalcricket centre.co.uk Try Sports 26 Deans Court Bicester OX26 6RD www.trysportsonline. co.uk Uzi Sports Unit 109 Basepoint Business Centre Rivermead Drive Swindon SN5 7EX www.uzisports.com V Sports Unit 4 Amphion Business Park Silverstone Drive Coventry CV6 6PD www.vsports.co.uk Vitas Cricket Unit 8 Vitas Business Centre Dodson Way Fengate Peterborough PE1 5XJ www.vitascricket.co.uk VKS 31 Bond Street Ealing London W5 5AS www.vks.com Whitchurch Sports 11A Watergate Street Whitchurch Shropshire SY13 1DP www.whitchurchsports.co.uk World Cricket Store www.worldcricket store.com Wyvern Cricket Supplies Riverside House 42 Coldharbour Lane Harpenden AL5 4UN www.wyverncricket.co.uk

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