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Cricket interest soars in record year for the game

Cricket interest soars in record year for the game

As the game gathers in Cardiff today for the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) Annual General Meeting, new data shows that the number of people playing, attending or following cricket surged by 2m last year as nailbiting Men’s and Women’s Ashes series captured the nation’s imagination.
Bumper ticket sales and viewing for both series saw the total jump to 14.7m – up from 12.5m the previous

There will be 10 Tier 1 teams from 2027. Photo: Getty Images

Eight Tier 1 Counties confirmed for 2025 and plans unveiled for four more women’s professional domestic teams by 2029

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed the eight First Class Counties who have been successful in their bid to be awarded Tier 1 women’s team status from 2025.

As a further outcome of the Tier 1 invitation to tender process, the ECB has also today announced the selection of two additional First Class Counties to expand Tier 1 from eight to ten teams by 2027, and an intent t

County captains predict Surrey hat-trick in annual survey

County captains predict Surrey hat-trick in annual survey

Surrey have been emphatically backed to win a hat-trick of Vitality County Championship titles by the 18 first-class county captains.

Ahead of the domestic summer starting tomorrow the ECB has released the results of the annual captains' survey.
The leaders of all men’s county teams were asked to provide their predictions for the red-ball season with 12 of the 18 captains anticipating th

Story and Witney honoured at Domestic Cricket Journalism Awards

Story and Witney honoured at Domestic Cricket Journalism Awards

Melissa Story and Katya Witney have won the two individual honours at the 2023 ECB Domestic Cricket Journalism Awards, which were presented in partnership with the Cricket Writers’ Club at The Kia Oval today.

Story won the coveted Christopher Martin-Jenkins Broadcaster of the Year with a CWC judging panel labelling the BBC Test Match Special commentator as a “terrific young broadcaster with

England Men's all-rounder Ben Stokes (Getty Images)

Ben Stokes Opts Out of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Selection

England men’s cricketer Ben Stokes has confirmed today that he does not wish to be considered for selection ahead of this summer’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which will take place in June in the West Indies and USA.
The England Test captain’s primary focus is to get fully fit to bowl not only for the summer of Test cricket, which includes two three-match Test series’ against West Indies and Sri L

Vitality and ECB extend partnership with new, three-year deal

Vitality and ECB extend partnership with new, three-year deal

The partnership will see Vitality continue to be the title sponsor of the Vitality Blast and England Men’s and Women’s Vitality IT20s until December 2026. Vitality has also extended its sponsorship as the ECB’s Official Wellness Partner across The Hundred and Test cricket. In addition, Vitality will become the official title sponsor of the Vitality County Championship for the 2024 season.
The

ECB announces increased investment, evolved ownership model and expanded competition structure for women’s professional game

ECB announces increased investment, evolved ownership model and expanded competition structure for women’s professional game

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is today announcing the next stage in the evolution of women’s cricket with the creation of a three-tiered domestic competition structure and a shift in the ownership model underpinning the women’s professional game.

In addition, the ECB has also confirmed that it will invest a further £4m-£5m per year into the women’s professional game from 2025-20

ECB statement on Yorkshire County Cricket Club

ECB statement on Yorkshire County Cricket Club

Following Yorkshire CCC's announcement of its proposed refinancing agreement with a consortium led by Colin Graves, the ECB has issued the following statement:

“The ECB notes today’s announcement by Yorkshire County Cricket Club. We have been in regular contact with the club’s leadership as it has sought to address significant financial challenges, and understand they concluded that this pr

England Men’s Elite Pace Bowling Coach Neil Killeen (right) will lead the Lions in India this month (Getty Images)

England Lions finalise coaching team for Tour of India

England Men’s Elite Pace Bowling Coach Neil Killeen is set to lead the England Lions on their upcoming tour of India, beginning later this week. The month-long series will feature three four-day matches against India A in Ahmedabad.
Killeen will head up a coaching team that includes local knowledge and experience, to support the playing group's needs. Notable additions to the coaching staff inc

ECB announce 2024 domestic schedule

ECB announce 2024 domestic schedule

Five domestic trophies are set to be decided in September while the Vitality Blast will be staged almost entirely on Thursday nights, Friday nights and at weekends following the release of the 2024 domestic schedule.

The ECB has confirmed the men’s county and women’s regional domestic fixtures for next summer, which also includes 22 men’s and women’s T20 double headers, while the Charlotte

 Chris Liddle appointed England Women Performance Pace Bowling Coach

Chris Liddle appointed England Women Performance Pace Bowling Coach

Chris Liddle has been appointed as England Women Performance Pace Bowling Coach.
Liddle arrives from Northamptonshire where he was assistant head coach and lead fast bowling coach.
The 39-year-old worked with the London Spirit women’s coaching team for the past two years and has worked with the Sunrisers team during the off season as part of his role with Northamptonshire CCC.
After a

2023 Business of Cricket Awards highlight the best of county cricket

2023 Business of Cricket Awards highlight the best of county cricket

Eighteen awards were presented at the annual Business of Cricket Awards (BOCAs) at a ceremony at the Seat Unique Stadium in Bristol on Thursday, 9 November.

The BOCAs provide an opportunity to reward the innovation and best practice of the First-Class Counties and Marylebone Cricket Club, as well as well as highlighting the work of unsung heroes over the past year.
Somerset County Cricke

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