This book is a really good read, but it’s a shame I had to write it.
This is effectively a ‘state of the nation’ speech for English cricket in 2024. It is not only a lament for times gone by, but also a warning about what could happen in the future and what is actually happening now.
But while the author recognizes the challenges faced by those who play the game and the concerns of those who have watched the game for decades, he also recognizes that the game has had to change and diversify.
In fact, as Derbyshire CEO Ryan Duckett says on the page, Derbyshire raised $500,000 through membership and ticket sales in the 2022/23 financial year, but an additional $1 million through conferences and events.
Whether regular supporters like concerts in their county or not, they are here to stay. The improvement in match staff seen in Derbyshire this winter is largely down to the excellent work done off the field, piling event suites and hosting spectacular fireworks displays.
The book looks at the development of one-day cricket in this country, including The Hundred, while lamenting that the one-day final, the showpiece of the summer, has become much less grandiose in recent years. In some cases, they compete against second teams on the county circuit.
The book is a fascinating read and the author does a great job of talking to the people involved in the game, players, administrators and supporters.
It’s another excellent book from Pitch Publishing and they will be commended for forgetting about this ‘over there’ thing.
Author Ben Bloom wishes the book well. It’s well worth the money and will occupy you through the typical downtime of a British summer.
Batting for Time – The fight to save English cricket Written by Ben Bloom and published by Pitch Publishing
