PLAYERS IN LOCKDOWN - Diversity In Cricket - Professional Cricketers' Association
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Diversity
In Cricket
THE NEED FOR CHANGE
MEMBERS TAKE LEAD
Issue no.27
PLAYERS IN
LOCKDOWN
WHAT THE PROS DID WHEN
THE GAME PRESSED PAUSE
Plus…
HEATHER KNIGHT
ALAN JONES
ADAM LYTH
Love Beer With CRICKET?
Welcome
Beyond the Boundaries is published by
the Professional Cricketers’ Association,
however the views expressed in
contributed articles are not necessarily
those of the PCA, its members, officers,
employees or group companies.
RL
EDITOR
ANDY AFFORD
andy@stencil-agency.co.uk
EDITOR FOR PCA
LUKE REYNOLDS
luke.reynolds@thepca.co.uk
LEAD CONTRIBUTOR
PETER CLARK
peter.clark@thepca.co.uk Champions At Every Turn
PCA CO-ORDINATOR
Despite a difficult summer for the sport, new PCA CEO
ALI PROSSER Rob Lynch sees lots of positives now benefitting the game
alison.prosser@thepca.co.uk
ART DIRECTOR
SAM BOWLES
sam@stencil-agency.co.uk Welcome to issue 27 of your membership magazine, bubble, and you can hear some of their views on living
CONTRIBUTORS
Beyond the Boundaries. Since you received the 26th at their workplace, as well as a Team England Player
TOM BIRTWISTLE edition of this publication, the world, our sport and Partnership update on page 14.
MARTIN CROPPER the PCA have changed considerably due to the As you will see on page 27, the PCA’s work on
NICK DENNING
VICKY ELWICK
Covid-19 pandemic. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) has been a
STUART JONES The thought of a virus completely decimating our priority throughout the summer and will continue to be
TOM JONES summer of cricket seemed inconceivable at the start of so. A working group led by members is making great
ALEX MIGDA
CHARLIE MULRAINE
this year, but it did, and cricket collectively fought progress to make sure we are doing all we can to make
DAISY NEWMAN back and delivered a season to be proud of, led by professional cricket a game free from discrimination.
KENNETH SHENTON groundbreaking work from the ECB. A big step forward with making cricket accessible to
LYNSEY WILLIAMS
MATT WOOD
The challenges we have faced at the PCA have been all is the professionalisation of women’s domestic cricket.
unique and constant. We have been ensuring our To have new female members below the centrally
PHOTOGRAPHY members’ health and job security are our priorities contracted England players joining the Association this
GETTY IMAGES
PAUL CARROLL
and that will continue as we move forward. autumn is an historic moment for the PCA as we
PORTRAITCOLLECTIVE I am writing this column having recently been welcome them into our organisation. Heather Knight
appointed the permanent Chief Executive of the PCA, discusses the importance of this on page 23.
DESIGN
a position I was honoured to accept. With the NatWest PCA Awards unable to go ahead in
It was with great sadness that things did not work its usual guise, we joined forces with the ECB, NatWest
out for Tony Irish and his young family in settling in and Sky Sports to deliver a successful NatWest Cricket
the UK. However, his short spell in leading your Awards and I must congratulate all the worthy winners.
players’ association was very influential in setting a As we progress, a collaborative approach will be vital
blueprint to work through this crisis. Many of Tony’s in delivering commercial rights and creating new revenue
initial ideas and concepts are being implemented now streams to support the work of the PCA, as well as
PCA LEAD SPONSORS:
and I thank him on behalf of the PCA and its members. assisting in the recovery of the sport that binds us together.
On the field, cricket has brought joy to the nation at Enjoy your magazine.
a time when everyone needed a lift. Our international Best wishes,
and domestic players should be very proud in playing
their part, not just to entertain the public but to secure
vital funding from our broadcasters. ROB LYNCH
The England players led the way in the bio-secure PCA Chief Executive
THEPCA.CO.UK / 3
Contents
P16
P15 P18
Opening Up On The Cover
–– ––
P09 AN OVER AT… P37 LOCKDOWN LOWDOWN
Glamorgan & England’s What the pros did when
Alan Jones the game pressed pause
P15 NEVER FORGET
Adam Lyth is this issue’s
guest columnist
P18 BEAR BRILLIANCE
Your NatWest Cricket Awards
winners for 2020
4 / THEPCA.CO.UK
Contents
P31
P23 P27
Features Education & Wellbeing
–– ––
P23 FORWARD THINKING P31 MEET THE REP
Heather Knight makes sense Essex pace bowler Jamie Porter
of the past 12 months
P40 MAKING CONNECTIONS
P27 SPORT FOR ALL? Building even better business partnerships
The PCA investigates
P48 GETTING NOTICED
P34 SUMMER DAZE All your important names and numbers
The season in pictures
P42
THEPCA.CO.UK / 5
Insert Slug 6 / THEPCA.CO.UK
Opening Up
DM
Doing Our Bit
In his final column for BtB, read the departing
Chairman's takeaways from his time at the helm
With just four months remaining of my four-year tenure as process in moving all players across to the new version of the
PCA Chairman and in what is my last column for Beyond the standard contract, securing the contract expiry payments until
Boundaries, I just wanted to take this opportunity to say thank the end of December in the process. The measures players
you to the membership for the faith shown in myself, and the have put in place, including but not limited to salary cuts,
magnificent support I have received during this time. It has reduction in minimum wages and the endorsing of short-term Protecting
been an enjoyable period with many big challenges, none contracts has gone a long way to reducing the amount of job the most
greater than the last six months in navigating our way through losses for our members. vulnerable
the Covid-19 pandemic. As players returned for ‘pre-season’ in July, 134 players were members
What the game has achieved over the period is nothing due to be out of contract in October, our decisive action means was always
short of incredible. Cricket as a whole has come together to currently at the time of writing only 56 players remain without front and
deliver a full men’s international programme, a successful a contract for 2021. We are hopeful this number will reduce centre of the
series for England Women against the West Indies and three further over the next month. Based on the previous five years, decision-
fantastic domestic competitions. This has effectively kept the 45 players leave the game every year. With the current financial making
lights on in regards to the finances of our game. I believe this crisis in cricket as well as the wider economy, to have the process.
united front reflects well on cricket and the collaboration of all number as low as 56 in 2020 is a good achievement and, as a Daryl
stakeholders, in which the PCA has and will continue to play a player group, we can be proud of our efforts in this area. Mitchell
major role, will see cricket come out the other side of Looking forward, cricket is certainly not out of the woods
Covid-19 in a position to flourish. yet and I expect a difficult winter ahead, but hopefully a
The players have demonstrated the power of sticking brighter spring with crowds allowed to return to sporting
together and supporting each other through a crisis. events. I am delighted that we have secured the services of
The importance of knowledgeable, strong player reps cannot Rob Lynch as our new permanent CEO. What the
be understated and I would like to thank them all for their organisation needs more than anything is stability and strong
efforts and mature, considered actions throughout the leadership, Rob certainly gives us both.
unprecedented recent events. Winter well,
Protecting the most vulnerable PCA members was always
front and centre of the decision-making process of the Players’
Committee. As shown in the securing of the finance for the DARYL MITCHELL
Futures Fund through the player prize money and the swift PCA Chairman
THEPCA.CO.UK / 7
New CEO
Announced
Rob Lynch has been appointed Chief Executive of the PCA
Two On FULL LIST OF MVP WINNERS
as of October 2020, having previously been promoted to
Interim CEO upon Tony Irish’s departure in June.
The Spin n Overall MVP: Simon Harmer (Essex)
Lynch originally joined the PCA as Commercial Director For the second year in n Bob Willis Trophy MVP: Craig Overton
in January 2020, and has been focussing on creating new succession, Essex talisman (Somerset)
revenue streams for the Association, following his arrival from Simon Harmer was identified n Vitality Blast MVP: Will Jacks (Surrey)
Middlesex where he held the position of Chief Operating Officer. by the PCA MVP Rankings as n Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy MVP:
The former New Zealand under-19 international has also the outstanding performer in Georgia Adams (Southern Vipers)
been a coach, administrator and registered agent and will men’s domestic cricket. Harmer
n England Overall MVP: Chris Woakes
continue in leading the PCA’s commercial operation in his new earned a huge 268.2 MVP points
n Test MVP: Stuart Broad
role of representing professional players in England and Wales. at an average of 16.76 points-per-
Everyone at the PCA sends their best wishes to Tony, who game throughout the shortened n ODI MVP: David Willey
returned to his native South Africa after six months in the job 2020 season, picking up the n IT20 MVP: Dawid Malan
due to family reasons. Irish was appointed in September 2019 £5,000 winner’s cheque upon the n England Women IT20 MVP:
and started his role in January 2020 after 17 years with the conclusion of Vitality Blast Finals Sarah Glenn
South African Cricketers’ Association. He remains Executive Day on 4 October.
Chairman of the Federation of International Cricketers’
Associations, a position he has held since 2014.
WILLIS REMEMBERED
Bob Willis: A Cricketer and a Gentleman
launched this summer, the biography celebrates the
VICE CHAIRS NAMED life and times of one of the giants of English cricket.
England skipper Heather Knight and Middlesex’s James Written by Mike Dickson and edited by Bob’s
Harris have been appointed to two new Vice Chair positions brother David, with a foreword from Sir Ian Botham,
on the PCA Players’ Committee, supporting Chairman Daryl the 304-page hardback book is filled with both
Mitchell in ensuring the voices of dressing rooms across the on-field and off-field anecdotes from a unique
country are heard at an executive level. lifetime in cricket.
The duo have already been supporting Mitchell through ––
what has been an incredibly busy period, attending their first Purchase ‘Bob Willis: A Cricketer and a
board meeting in July 2020 and helping to shape the game’s Gentleman’ from amazon.co.uk or your
response to current challenges. local bookshop.
8 / THEPCA.CO.UK
Opening Up
AN OVER AT... Memories of that
Alan Jones
famous England
appearance?
It was different in those
days. There was no squad
Glamorgan great and training the day before, we just went
one-Test England opener straight out there and played. Of course,
it remained a huge occasion for me, it’s
just a shame that I couldn’t perform
Where did because I knew I was a much better
cricket player than that.
begin for
you?
I lived in a Having your
little village cap taken away
outside Swansea where we had in 1972...
no cricket facilities at all. I used Before the series, the
to play with my brothers outside selectors said that
the family home on the meadow. anyone chosen to play
We never had a proper cricket would receive their full England cap. I
bat, so I used my father’s was presented with my cap and blazer
homemade one until I was 14. before the game so to have it taken
away two years later was a huge
disappointment. It’s tough to describe
You had a spell the feeling of that happening.
doing National
Service...
Glamorgan offered me a
summer contract in 1954 at the age of ...and finally
15, which my father wasn’t too keen on receiving it
because it meant I had to go and do in 2020 from
National Service. But my brothers Tony Lewis
talked him round and so I took two and Joe Root.
years out of my professional career to It was very satisfying
do my bit, before starting in 1957. to receive cap number 696 at home,
because it’s been a long 50-year wait
since that Test at Lord’s. I very much
If you could appreciate being recognised as a full
pick one England player, even if it took 50 years.
highlight from It’s what you dream of as a youngster.
over 20 years in
South Wales?
Winning the County
Championship in 1969 was definitely
the highlight. We hadn’t won it since
1948 and it was very special for the
Welsh public. I was also captain in
1977 when we went to the final of the
Gillette Cup at Lord’s, which was a
wonderful occasion for me personally.
THEPCA.CO.UK / 9
Opening Up
RIKKI CLARKE
PAUL COLLINGWOOD
DAVID WILLEY
Added Flexibility
With a Master’s degree in Sports Therapy already in the
bag, Western Storm’s Fi Morris, who finished eighth in this
year’s Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy MVP, has enjoyed working
as a Sports Massage Therapist alongside playing cricket.
Turning pro in autumn 2020, she plans to continue her second
career for the foreseeable future.
Coaching From The Stars
“I’ve been able to strike a really good balance,” Morris said,
“and feel glad and lucky that I am able to have a focus
outside of cricket.” Three of the most dependable all-rounders in modern English cricket have
branched out to open their own coaching businesses with Rikki Clarke, Paul
Collingwood and David Willey looking to produce the next England star.
Clarke is offering one-to-one sessions and school camps, as well as
masterclasses with the man himself while Collingwood and Willey aim to make
world-class coaching accessible to all by providing a virtual service.
––
Visit rikkiclarkecricketacademy.co.uk, @collyscricketcoaching on Instagram
and davidwilleycoaching.com to find out more.
CHARITY CALL-UP
England opener Dom Sibley has
become a Patron of Challengers - a
charity which provides inclusive play
and leisure opportunities to disabled
children across the South East.
WHAT A CATCH! Upon announcement of the news,
Essex bowler Aaron Beard has reignited his passion for Sibley, who has a personal connection to
course fishing, something that he says was great for the mind the charity, expressed his excitement at
during what has been a stressful year for everyone. “being involved with an organisation that
“I find fishing really relaxing and it’s a great way to spend a has such a crucial mission.”
period of time being mindful and enjoying your surroundings. ––
I managed to recently break my personal best with this 30lb Visit disability-challengers.org to
Mirror Carp!” find out more.
10 / THEPCA.CO.UKOpening Up
What I’m Doing This Winter
AFTER A DIFFICULT SUMMER, OUR MEMBERS
AIM TO MAKE THE MOST OF THE OFF-SEASON
Luke Wright
SUSSEX
“I am moving into the
second year of a Masters
Degree in Sport Directorship
at Manchester Metropolitan
University, which so far has
been a great experience. I
am also scheduled to play
the T10 tournament in the
UAE this winter and have
been asked to take on the
head batting coach role
for the Melbourne Stars in
the BBL.
Heather Knight Simon Harmer
ENGLAND WOMEN ESSEX
“I am still enjoying playing + WESTERN STORM “My Law degree at the Open
but, with one eye on the “During lockdown, I had a think University will take six years in
future, the opportunity to about life post-cricket and decided total, but I think it will set me up
develop myself as a coach to enrol for a Masters Degree in nicely for when my cricketing days
and learning to understand Leadership in Sport at Buckingham are behind me. The workload will
the business of sport will University. It’s an area I’m really be tough, but I feel this will give me
hopefully enable me to take interested in and I’m excited to balance in what can be a relentless
up any number of roles once learn a bit more about the sports cricket schedule.”
my career is over.” industry behind the scenes.”
Ben Green Luke Procter Keaton Jennings Luke Fletcher
SOMERSET NORTHAMPTONSHIRE LANCASHIRE NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
“The property market is something “I’m currently focusing on “I am doing a flexible Master of “This winter I’m excited to be
that really interests me and I’ve developing my online estate Business Administration (MBA) joining Nottinghamshire’s club
decided that I want to learn how agency franchise through course at the Alliance Manchester sponsor John Pye Auctions for work
properties are renovated. I’m going easyProperty, which is part of the Business School, which I hope experience within their company.
to learn some trade skills so that I EasyGroup. I’ve a real interest to complete in June 2022. I look It’s a bit outside of my comfort
can do work myself, and am keen in property and this is a great forward to blending the academic zone but I have developed great
to look into the areas of carpentry, opportunity to develop a business learning with some real work relationships with owners Sheldon
landscape gardening and building alongside my cricket career.” experience at Lancashire alongside Miller and Adam Pye so I can’t wait
work in particular.” our CEO Daniel Gidney this winter.” to get stuck in.”
THEPCA.CO.UK / 11Opening Up
COOKING WITH HOGGY
Ashes hero Matthew Hoggard has reignited his passion for
BBQ cuisine in setting up Hoggy’s Grill, situated in the scenic
Rutland countryside.
Hoggard and his team offer bespoke cooking courses based
on his lifetime hobby, which all started during a stint living
in South Africa in 1995. Also on offer are ‘Virtual Grill-Along’
sessions, giving you the opportunity to learn ‘Hoggy’s’ trade
from the comfort of your own home!
––
Visit hoggysgrill.com to find out more.
More PCA Masters In 2021
From 2021, local cricket clubs will be able to choose between three different
options when it comes to hosting a PCA England Masters event, meaning there will
now be something to suit all requirements.
On top of the traditional format, which involves a coaching session and
fundraising lunch followed by a T20 or Hundred match, there will also be the new
options of a tournament or player visits available.
The former will involve eight Masters players split across four teams competing
in a short tournament throughout the day, enabling hosts to get more of their
membership involved, or to invite other local clubs to participate. The latter will see
Fun & Games two players head to the ground for four
hours to get involved with a whole host of
In Tales from the Front Line, Nottinghamshire’s PCA rep activities upon the hosts’ request.
Luke Fletcher has provided a candid account of his playing The PCA England Masters is aiming
career at Trent Bridge to date. for a successful return in 2021 after all
The giant seamer’s self-deprecating humour belies of the 2020 schedule was wiped out due
what has been a hugely successful professional career in to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Nottingham - Fletcher’s vast experience in the domestic ––
game providing anecdotes aplenty to keep you entertained Please do encourage your club or
throughout his book. school to consider hosting the Masters
–– and for more information email
Purchase ‘Tales from the Front Line’ via amazon.co.uk. pcamasters@thepca.co.uk
12 / THEPCA.CO.UKMICHAEL HOGAN
ADAM LYTH
EOIN MORGAN
STEPHEN PARRY
ALEX WAKELY
RIKKI CLARKE
Testimonials
Michael Hogan, Adam Lyth, Eoin Morgan, Stephen Parry and Alex Wakely
A SPINNER’S ART will all now celebrate their Testimonial Years in 2021, rather than in 2020 as
Max Waller joins a growing list of cricketers who use their originally planned due to the coronavirus.
time away from the pitch to dabble in some art. Somerset’s Surrey have also awarded long-serving all-rounder Rikki Clarke a Testimonial,
PCA rep has been doing commissioned drawings with a meaning six PCA members will be recognised for their achievements in domestic
growing portfolio. Max has realised that doing something that cricket during the coming year.
he genuinely enjoys provides balance from playing, as well as
a potential future revenue stream.
–– MIXING THINGS UP
Head to Max’s Instagram (@m10tcw) and Twitter (@ This summer Glamorgan rookie
MaxTCWaller) pages to keep up-to-date with his artistic Prem Sisodiya turned his focus to
exploits. learning how to DJ, mixing some of
his favourite R&B classics with a
Grangetown influence.
“Towards the beginning of
lockdown I bought the Roland DJ-202
controller. I can’t see myself headlining
a beach party in Marbella any time
soon, but it’s very satisfying when you THE FEMALE CRICKET STORE
nail a transition!” Former England international
Lydia Greenway, who was a 2019 PCA
Futures Awards winner after setting
up coaching business Cricket for Girls,
has now launched The Female Cricket
Store, an online retailer which provides
tailored equipment for female cricketers.
“When I was a young girl playing
cricket I never really questioned if the
equipment I was using or the clothing
KEEP THE CAR RUNNING I was wearing was right. This is why I
Worcestershire’s Mitchell Stanley had envisaged doing a developed The Female Cricket Store - to
welding course until Covid-19 put his plans on hold. Instead, be a place where female cricketers know
he has been working with his farther to restore a kit car that that they will get the best hand-picked
had been off the road since 2007. equipment just for them.”
“It was hard work, frustrating at times and took over 120 ––
hours to do but we eventually managed to get it running which Visit thefemalecricketstore.com
was brilliant!” to find out more.
THEPCA.CO.UK / 13Opening Up
England Central
Contracts
2020-2021
TEST & WHITE BALL
CENTRAL CONTRACTS
Jofra Archer (Sussex)
Jos Buttler (Lancashire)
Joe Root (Yorkshire)
Ben Stokes (Durham)
Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)
TEST CONTRACTS
James Anderson (Lancashire)
Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)
Rory Burns (Surrey)
Zak Crawley (Kent)
Sam Curran (Surrey)
Ollie Pope (Surrey)
Dom Sibley (Warwickshire)
WHITE BALL
CENTRAL CONTRACTS
A summer successfully navigated, Moeen Ali (Worcestershire)
but not without significant CHRIS WOAKES Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire)
challenges. England men Woakes Tom Curran (Surrey)
and Broad offer up what it meant “It was tough being in the bubble. I worry Eoin Morgan (Middlesex)
about saying how hard it was because there Adil Rashid (Yorkshire)
to the players. are so many more people that struggled Jason Roy (Surrey)
more than we did as players. Being away Mark Wood (Durham)
STUART BROAD from friends and family was tough. We are
used to touring and being away from family INCREMENT
“Having gone through the bubble for 10 weeks, I have but the fact we were in our own country CONTRACTS
a huge amount of respect for what the West Indies and made it difficult to get used to. Dom Bess (Yorkshire)
the other teams did for English cricket and the sport in “The bubble life of keeping socially Chris Jordan (Sussex)
general. I have no doubt that we as a team would do distanced in hotels - eventually it gets to Dawid Malan (Yorkshire)
similar as we are cricket lovers, so long as our safety you. Everyone got stuck in, got on with it Jack Leach (Somerset)
was at an acceptable level. and the main thing is that when we got to
“It was strange, there was no way of getting away play cricket, we were focussed to get our PACE BOWLING
from it being bizarre. Eating on a single table away job done on the field. Credit to everyone at DEVELOPMENT
from your mates who you are sharing a field with, but the ECB and PCA for making sure we got CONTRACTS
it had to be done. The players embraced that and it cricket on but also the lads for putting in a Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire)
was made so secure and safe that we never felt in any shift and performing so well. Craig Overton (Somerset)
danger of catching Covid-19. Once you got your mind “We had a duty to help get cricket back Olly Stone (Warwickshire)
around that, we were doing it for the best in that it playing. There were large numbers of
enabled us to play, and enabled fans to watch at home. potential losses within the game, the only
“We knew that there would be more interest in way we could limit that was by getting out
cricket. It was nerve-wracking as players as we were there and playing so a huge thanks has to
undercooked, we hadn’t had many first-class games to go to all the touring teams during what was
get going and here we were trying to go and win for a very difficult time.” England's Joe Root
our country.” and West Indies'
Jason Holder bump
elbows.
14 / THEPCA.CO.UKOpening Up
AL
Career-Defining Moments
Five years on, Adam Lyth reflects on his
journey in and out of the England set-up
‘I
t was a summer that I will never forget. To win my first look back, I wish I didn’t play. Things are magnified in
Championship for Yorkshire in 2014 was incredible and international cricket but I was disappointed personally with
that was the year I needed to push my case forward for the way I went. If I had a couple of scores I would potentially
international honours. have gone on the UAE tour where the wickets were a little
The cricket that the whole squad played was the best I friendlier to bat on and then you never know, I may never England batsman
Adam Lyth
have ever seen. Personally, I scored six hundreds, including have looked back. celebrates after
two doubles in just short of 1,500 Championship runs and Alastair Cook called me to say I had been left out but I reaching his
went onto win the NatWest PCA Men’s Player of the Year. didn’t receive any calls from the selectors. I knew if I didn’t century during
day two of the 2nd
That was a springboard to my lifetime ambition of score runs at the Oval I’d be struggling. I just had a vibe that Investec Test Match
opening the batting for England. I made my debut against I wouldn’t be going. between England
New Zealand at Lord’s in the opening Test of the summer in At the highest level you generally don’t get that phone and New Zealand
at Headingley on
2015 and followed that up with my maiden Test century at call or arm around the shoulder that often. Maybe it May 30, 2015 in
Headingley one week later. would have been nice to have a call to say where I needed Leeds, England.
I brought three figures up with a slog sweep for four and to improve but I knew what
the roar from the Western Terrace made the hairs on the back I needed to do. I needed to
of my neck stand up. It still does, even now. go back to Yorkshire and
What followed in the Ashes was a little bit of a blur, I wish score big runs.
I would have taken it in a bit more than I probably did. What I would love to wear the
an unbelievable summer. Three Lions on my chest
Stuart Broad’s spell of 8-15 at Trent Bridge has to be the again, but if not I can always
standout moment. To be walking out before Lunch on day say I scored a hundred facing
one with the bat in my hand was just surreal. two of the best opening
That set the platform for us to regain the Ashes. bowlers in the world at the
Mark Wood took the last wicket at Trent Bridge and time which proved to myself
it was just party time. I was good enough, and I
Looking back now, I just wish I’d have made a couple of went on to win the Ashes.
scores. It was frustrating but Australia bowled outstandingly Nobody can ever take that
well at me and I played three or four shots which, when you away from me.
THEPCA.CO.UK / 15Where Are
They Now?
––
Hampshire faced Kent in the 1992 Benson and Hedges Cup
final, with the county’s team of superstars proving too much
over what turned out to be a two-day stand at Lord’s.
H
ampshire’s second (and It was Player of the Match Robin former side to another major honour ABOVE Pictured are
final) Benson and Hedges Smith’s swashbuckling 90 on day one, as Club Manager with the C&G (back row): Rajesh
Maru and Adrian
Cup victory owed much to and the skill of a 34-year-old Malcolm Trophy in 2005, and he now lives in Aymes; (middle):
its star-studded line-up that Marshall on day two that proved Perth, WA, where he runs his own Tony Middleton
included the likes of Malcolm Marshall, decisive. The West Indies all-time great cricket academy. and Kevan James;
(standing, from 2nd
Robin Smith and David Gower - the finishing with figures of 3-33, seeing left): Shaun Udal,
latter enjoying county success in what Kent dismissed for 212 from 52.3 TONY MIDDLETON Cardigan Connor,
was the ex-England captain’s overs. Here’s a look at what the XI are Middleton was named the Hampshire Bobby Parks, Jon
Ayling, Paul Terry,
penultimate professional season. doing these days… Cricket Society’s Player of the Year Malcolm Marshall
The Lord’s showpiece was a two-day shortly after his side’s Lord’s victory. and Robin Smith;
affair, owing to a torrential downpour PAUL TERRY He has stayed with the club since (front, sitting):
David Gower and
that arrived just 1.2 overs into Kent’s Almost eight years to the day after his retiring in 1995, first as a Cricket Tim Tremlett.
reply to Hampshire’s 253-5. A higher England Test debut, Vivian Paul Terry Development Officer, then Second XI
total had never previously been surpassed made 41 opening up for Hampshire in Coach, then Academy Director and
in the final, and so it eventuated when that 1992 cup final. In retirement, the finally Batting Coach - a position he
Kent returned on the reserve day. German-born right-hander helped his holds to this day.
16 / THEPCA.CO.UKWhere Are They Now?
ROBIN SMITH and recently
Player of the Match Smith has joined working for SuperSport
Terry in relocating to Western in South Africa.
Australia in retirement. Smith sells
MASURI cricket helmets and RS MALCOLM
Cricket Clothing in the region, where MARSHALL
he also coaches young players. Fearsome fast bowler
Finishing his career with 133 England Marshall immediately
appearances, the 57-year-old has also became coach of both
been a beacon for mental health Hampshire and the West
awareness in recent years. Indies upon retirement in
1996. The cricketing
DAVID GOWER legend tragically contracted
Already an established England great colon cancer three years
by 1992, ex-Test captain Gower has later, passing away in his
become equally well known for his native Barbados at the age
broadcasting skill. The Tanzania-born of just 41. The entrance
batsman was the main presenter of Sky road to Hampshire’s Ageas Bowl is manager shortly after the 1992 B&H ABOVE: ‘Judge’ Robin
Sports’ international cricket coverage named Marshall Drive in memory of Cup victory. Sixteen years later he Smith on his way
to 90, watched by
until 2019 and is the recently elected the West Indian and fellow ex- returned to the county, working as Kent wicketkeeper
President of the Lord’s Taverners. Hampshire man Roy Marshall. Academy Director, Southern Vipers Steve Marsh and
GM and Hampshire Women and Girls slow left-armer,
Richard Davies
MARK NICHOLAS KEVAN JAMES Head of Performance before a second
(CAPTAIN) James is perhaps best remembered for retirement in 2018. BELOW LEFT:
Like Gower, Hampshire’s 1992 skipper removing Vikram Rathour, Sachin An imperious
turn to leg from
Nicholas has remained on our screens Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Sanjay SHAUN UDAL ‘Lord Gower’
following the conclusion of his playing Manjrekar in consecutive deliveries Shaun ‘Shaggy’ Udal retired from the
career. The Bruce Springsteen-loving before hitting a century during a match professional game in 2010 following a
former middle-order batsman has against the touring Indians in 1996. He career which saw him claim over 1,300
become an instantly recognisable face, now enjoys his cricket from behind the wickets in all formats, playing four
having fronted international cricket microphone, delivering coverage of Tests and 11 ODIs for England. Udal
coverage for Channel 4 and Channel 5 Hampshire games on behalf of BBC has remained in Hampshire as
in the UK, Australia’s Nine Network Radio Solent. Managing Director of the Cotton
Graphics embroidery company, based
JON AYLING in Basingstoke. He announced he was
Portsmouth-born Ayling is a battling Parkinson’s, a progressive
Hampshire man through and through. neurological disease, in 2019.
Since an injury-enforced retirement in
1993, the all-rounder became cricket CARDIGAN CONNOR
professional at Winchester College Having returned to his home country in
before returning to his former county 1998 to work as a personal trainer for
as Assistant Coach. He is now the Head numerous Hollywood stars, the skiddy
of Cricket at Dauntsey’s School, seam bowler became Anguilla’s chef de
Wiltshire, a role he has held since 2012. mission at the 2002 Commonwealth
Games in Manchester, carrying the
BOBBY PARKS country’s flag at the opening ceremony.
(WICKETKEEPER) In 2015 he was elected to the Anguillan
Hampshire legend Parks claimed 700 government, representing the Anguilla
dismissals for the county between United Front in the West End district of
1980-92. He became a finance the tiny island nation.
THEPCA.CO.UK / 17NATWEST PCA MEN’S
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
n Often considered England’s unsung
hero, all-rounder Chris Woakes
stepped into the limelight to succeed
teammate Ben Stokes in picking up
the Reg Hayter Cup.
Woakes held off fellow nominees
Zak Crawley, Simon Harmer and
Craig Overton to win the coveted prize.
Admitting the news came “as a bit of
a shock,” Woakes was keen to praise
those who pulled together to make
cricket happen this summer.
NATWEST PCA WOMEN’S
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
n For the first time, the main
PCA women’s award reflected
performances over a period of 12
NatWest
months, rather than the course of the
preceding summer. Leg-spinner Sarah
Glenn was voted her side’s outstanding
performer, having only made her
Cricket Awards
debut in December 2019.
“I loved every moment of it”, Glenn
said, “I’m just trying not to look too far
ahead at the moment.”
In what was an unusual year, there was VITALITY PCA YOUNG
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
still some great cricket played. Here are
n 22-year-old Zak Crawley beat
the men and women that stood out. Will Jacks and Tom Lammonby
W
to the Vitality PCA Young Player
With the annual As usual, the players themselves of the Year award, stating that he
NatWest PCA Awards voted for the three main prizes, with “didn’t think he was capable”
unable to take place in the NatWest PCA Men’s Player of the of scoring a Test double
2020, the virtual Year, NatWest PCA Women’s Player hundred, and that it
NatWest Cricket Awards instead rounded of the Year and Vitality PCA was “very special” to
off a year which saw all aspects of the Young Player of the Year being join a list of previous
cricket community co-operating to decided by the current playing winners including
navigate the game through Covid-19. membership based on performances the likes of
The event, which took place during over the truncated 2020 season. Michael Atherton,
Vitality Blast Finals Day on the weekend There were also three awards Ian Bell and
of 3-4 October, saw the NatWest PCA each for international and domestic Joe Root.
Awards combine with the ECB’s NatWest men’s cricket, including the Greene
Outstanding Service to Cricket Awards King Team of the Year, as well as
(OSCAs) to honour all of those who made a domestic women’s award for the
the summer of 2020 one to remember. very first time.
18 / THEPCA.CO.UKNatWest Cricket Awards
Greene King
Team Of
The Year
ALASTAIR COOK JAKE LIBBY
Essex Worcestershire
INTERNATIONAL
MEN’S AWARDS
TOM LAMMONBY BEN DUCKETT
n In the season when he joined the Somerset Nottinghamshire
prestigious ‘500 club’ after removing
Kraigg Brathwaite in the third Test at
Emirates Old Trafford, Stuart Broad
was identified as the Test Player of the
Summer by the PCA MVP Rankings for
the second time in succession. WILL JACKS CHRIS COOKE
Surrey Glamorgan [wk]
n The MVP also rewarded David Willey DOMESTIC AWARDS
in naming him the Royal London ODI
Player of the Summer - the all-rounder n Somerset’s Craig Overton and Surrey’s
earned 92 MVP points against Ireland Will Jacks were named the Bob Willis
after scoring 98 runs while only being Trophy and Vitality Blast Players of the Year
dismissed once and claiming eight respectively after guiding their sides all the RYAN HIGGINS CRAIG OVERTON
series wickets at 18.5. way to the final of this year’s two domestic Gloucestershire Somerset
men’s tournaments.
n Ending the summer as the ICC’s
number one ranked IT20 n Southern Vipers skipper Georgia Adams
batsman, Dawid Malan was the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy Player of
was a worthy winner of the Year, having inspired her team to a perfect
the Vitality IT20 Player six wins from six whilst scoring 500 runs. SIMON HARMER DARREN STEVENS
of the Summer, earning Essex [c] Kent
51 MVP points across
three-match
series against Head to thepca.co.uk where
Pakistan and you can find more information
Australia. about the NatWest Cricket
Awards as well as full-length JOSH DAVEY
interviews with the main Somerset
award winners.
THEPCA.CO.UK / 19Professional
Cricketers’
Trust
You never know when you might need to call upon the
Professional Cricketers’ Trust. In 2020, three PCA members
with an average age of 29 revealed their very personal
stories of receiving support from the players’ charity...
CHRIS WOOD
During lockdown, Chris Wood made it
public knowledge that he had been receiving
treatment for an 11-year gambling addiction.
The former England U19s man spoke to Tony
Adams, founder of the Sporting Chance Clinic,
in a podcast to reveal how he had developed a
dependence on betting as a mechanism to sedate
DOM BESS his anxious thoughts.
In May 2020, at only 22 years “I was overwhelmed with the support I
of age, Dom Bess bravely spoke out received,” reflected Wood, “and as an important
about his ongoing mental health step in my recovery it could not have gone better.
battles in conversation with long-time As part of my continued rehabilitation I have since DAVID GRIFFITHS
friend and mentor Marcus Trescothick. been asked by EPIC Risk Management, the PCA’s On the eve of Vitality Blast Finals Day in
Bess spoke candidly with gambling awareness partner, to provide some support of the Professional Cricketers’ Trust,
Trescothick, whose mental health awareness delivery for schools.” former Hampshire and Kent man David Griffiths
issues have been well documented, provided a timely reminder of why the charity’s
over the course of 40 minutes to reveal work is so important for PCA members and their
the origins of his own anxiety, the immediate families.
preventative steps he has taken to date Griffiths, who is now a coach at a school in
and how he hopes others will follow his South Africa, flew across the world to Australia
lead to open up with more confidence. with support from the Trust to donate one of his
“I think it’s really important to open kidneys to save the life of sister Emma.
up about mental health,” said Bess. “A “The fact that the Professional Cricketers’ Trust
big step for me was understanding that could get me through that situation and to where I
it’s OK not to be OK. When I understood am today was such an amazing thing. Without the
that I finally felt able to open up.” Trust, I don’t think we’d be here today.”
20 / CONFIDENTIAL HELPLINE NUMBER: 07780 008 877Professional Cricketers’ Trust News
FUNDRAISERS
ON FOOT
n Former Surrey man
James Knott joined
the 33 first-class
umpires in putting on
his walking boots in
aid of the Trust in 2020.
Knott walked during
every minute of play
Fundraising
in the first England
VITALITY BLAST vs West Indies Test in
FINALS DAY IN July, whilst the umpires
For The Future
SUPPORT OF covered the equivalent
THE TRUST distance of Manchester
Vitality Blast Finals Day to Karachi and back
2020 was held in support of ahead of the beginning
It’s been a busy 2020 for the the Trust, with a text to donate of the domestic season.
Professional Cricketers’ Trust service, raffle, auction and
in a year when professional online merchandise store all n Former Northants
cricket’s leading charity has in place over the weekend of bowler Patrick Foster
faced a fundraising shortfall of 3-4 October at Edgbaston. ran 100 miles during
over £200,000. Despite the rain, over the first 100 days
Spearheaded by the £16,000 was raised for the of lockdown, whilst
#Charity10for10 campaign, players’ charity, with ex-Gloucestershire
the cricket family has rallied to Trust Director Ian Thomas man Jack Davey
support the Trust through these thanking Vitality, the made a generous
turbulent times. ECB and Sky Cricket for donation of £500
collaborating to raise both after completing his
#CHARITY10FOR10 funds and awareness own #Charity10for10
Complete 10km. Donate £10. ANDY MOLES for the charity. challenge.
Nominate three more to do the same. Joining in with the #Charity10for10,
The message to PCA members Warwickshire legend Andy Moles
could not have been simpler as the managed to complete 10km on his GET INVOLVED
Trust launched its #Charity10for10 new prosthetic leg in the space of Even with the recent efforts of our incredible
campaign at the beginning of June. one month, finishing on the waterfront fundraisers, there’s still plenty of work to be
Kick-started by Marcus Trescothick, in Cape Town surrounded by friends done to get the Professional Cricketers’ Trust
Eoin Morgan and Kate Cross, and family. back on its feet.
the campaign saw professional Inspiring the cricket community as ––
cricketers past and present run, walk, he went, the former Bear raised an Visit bit.ly/CricketersTrustDonate to make a small
cycle and swim their way to 10km, incredible £13,000 for the Trust, and contribution or thepca.co.uk/trust/get-involved/
before collectively donating over everyone at the charity would like to to see what else you can do for the players’ charity.
£24,000 to the Trust. thank Andy for his incredible efforts!
We provide support for
PCA members and their
immediate families
when they need it most.
REGISTERED CHARITY NO. 1120088 / PROFESSIONALCRICKETERSTRUST.ORG / 21Gloucestershire’s left-arm spinner Tom Smith and his
two daughters received support from the Professional
Cricketers’ Trust after the tragic passing of his wife, Laura.
“The Trust has given us so much, both financially and mentally. Without them,
I wouldn’t have been able to play cricket as much as I have done, and I’m also so Text
grateful for the precious moments and family time in the last year of Laura’s life.” CRICKET
professionalcricketerstrust.org
to 70085
to donate
£10Heather Knight Q&A
Heather Knight,
during the 5th
Vitality IT20 match
between England
and West Indies.
Adding
Value
England star Heather Knight
has had quite a year.
On and off the field.
F
ew - if any - individuals In her new role as Vice Chair of Women’s Player Advisory Group
have made a greater the PCA Players’ Committee, working within the Federation of International
impact on English alongside fellow Vice Chair James Cricketers’ Associations (FICA),
women’s cricket in Harris and Chairman Daryl Mitchell, meaning she helps to ensure that
recent times than Knight has been an influential voice collective players’ views are heard from
Heather Knight. at the table when it has come to a worldwide point of view.
Not content with her playing negotiating key issues such as Hundred The PCA’s Communications Executive
achievements, having famously led contracts, the formation of the eight Peter Clark sat down with Heather to
England to ICC Cricket World Cup glory new regional centres and the induction discuss her vision for the future of
in front of a roaring crowd of 24,000 of a new cohort of female members international women’s cricket, a unique
at Lord’s in 2017, the all-rounder has into the PCA in 2020. summer with England in the bio-secure
also been blazing a trail when it comes On a global level, Knight is bubble, the success of the Rachael
to progressing the game off the pitch. England’s representative on the Heyhoe Flint Trophy and more…
THEPCA.CO.UK / 23There are
some boards
that are really
pushing the
women’s game
forward. But
you want to
see that all
over the world.
we wanted to implement pay cuts at things has definitely given me some
the peak of the pandemic, those skills to take on in general life, and
discussions were unique and hopefully when I’ve finished cricket the
challenging in a positive way. experience of being on a board will
stand me in good stead for what I
Q: Have you enjoyed taking on choose to do next.
the extra responsibility?
A: It’s been really nice to be involved. I Q: Your thoughts on the
think it’s great that there are now Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy,
women’s voices in that space, which from its inception to being
will hopefully keep on pushing the involved on the pitch?
game forward. It’s been an unusual A: Even just being able to start the
Q: Fair to say it’s been a busy start, having board meetings on Zoom summer was incredible. With the
year for you for a number of with big issues to discuss and decisions pandemic and everything else that’s
reasons? to be made, but I feel I’ve really learned been going on, things have obviously
A: It certainly has! In terms of a lot from it and I’m just looking been slightly thrown together at the
Covid-19, I’ve been involved in many forward to continuing to be involved. last minute, so it’s a credit to the ECB
conversations with the ECB and the and everyone else involved. Originally,
England team, and as cricketers we’ve Q: How is the Vice Chair the England squad weren’t even going
had to be very adaptable and think role setting you up for life to play the first two games, so it was
quite positively when things have been after cricket? really nice to have been involved in
cancelled or are constantly changing. A: It’s just a different experience. that and be a part of the tournament.
I’ve really enjoyed being a part of When you’re playing cricket, you’re in It’s put domestic cricket in a great
those discussions in my role as such a bubble, sometimes literally! place in this country to continue to
Vice Chair of the PCA. Especially when Being involved in a different side of keep on growing.
24 / THEPCA.CO.UKHeather Knight Q&A
Q: Did it feel to see where the game’s come from and forward, putting in the extra money and
particularly important ultimately where it could end up. effort that’s required at the moment, but
given the postponement Professionalism throughout the game, you want to see that all over the world.
of the Hundred? not just at the top, is going to be The series against the West Indies in
A: I think it was really important that massively important moving forward. September 2020 was the first
the same treatment was given to both opportunity to get back playing, and you
the men’s and the women’s game. The Q: How important is it to hope that that happens all over the
clubs were in a tough situation because develop that talent pool world and the game continues to keep
everything was put on hold and a lot of below international level? recovering with the momentum that it’s
people were put on furlough. The A: It really helps. It won’t happen built up during the past few World Cups.
competition was brand new so to turn it straight away, but over the next few
around at the very last minute with eight years it’s going to really aid the Q: How do you push the
new teams was seriously impressive. international team and help more women’s game forward in
people to continue developing as parts of the world that seem
Q: Did any names in cricketers. Putting in strong reluctant to do so?
particular jump out at you performances is really going to get you A: There’s definitely a discrepancy
during the Rachael Heyhoe noticed, which is a great thing. People between different women’s teams.
Flint Trophy? who are on the fringes of the England FICA are a good part of that in
A: There were a lot of very good squad will have a chance to push their supporting the women’s game and
performances. Sophie Luff was an case for selection, which will ultimately player rights all over the world. We
absolute run machine down in Bristol make English cricket that bit stronger. need to keep pushing that hard,
for Western Storm, and the MVP especially now when it’s in a much
Georgia Adams did very well to Q: What are your thoughts tougher environment to get cricket on.
captain the winning side with the on the future of international We need to keep hearing voices that
Vipers. There were some good women’s cricket? are supporting the women’s game on
ABOVE: Inbowling performances from youngsters as well A: It’s still quite uncertain, to be honest. boards and in players’ committees.
action during the - Charlie Dean and Hannah Baker Obviously, the World Cup we had There aren’t a huge amount of voices
Rachael Heyhoe
Flint Trophy stand out in particular. These young planned in March 2021 has been there at the moment and you want to
match between girls are getting great opportunities to cancelled. There are some boards that keep it on the table and have people
Western Storm and push on to the next level. are really pushing the women’s game fighting for the game as a whole.
Southern Vipers.
RIGHT: Heather
Knight bats during Q: And how much of a
the 1st Vitality boost was it to see the
IT20 between
England v West winner of the MVP receiving
Indies at the Incora a £1,000 cash prize?
County Ground on A: I love the MVP! I know the
September 21, 2020
in Derby. domestic girls enjoyed competing with
each other to win the cash prize, and a
few of them were gunning to win it, so
congratulations to Georgia Adams
who was the obvious player of the
tournament, all things considered.
Q: How will the new
female members joining
the PCA take women’s cricket
to the next level?
A: It’s a landmark moment, isn’t it? To
be honest, it’s something I didn’t think
I’d see for a long time, so it’s exciting
THEPCA.CO.UK / 25“
Argentex has saved
me some serious
Specialists money on my currency
transactions...
in Currency Whenever I need to do a transfer
– I just message my Trader and
Exchange
it’s sorted immediately. I trust
their advice and the service is
always top notch. I wouldn’t
hesitate in recommending
for Sport
them to anyone.”
ARGENTEX CLIENT
TYMAL MILLS- ENGLAND AND SUSSEX
Managing Risk,
Delivering Service
Argentex provides bespoke, cost effective currency
solutions to cricketers earning internationally.
With your dedicated relationship manager, we
work to reduce the cost and risks associated with
transferring currency by delivering an efficient,
secure and straightforward service.
Saving Time, Saving Money: “Since my first overseas T20 contract
Players have the advantage of competitive Argentex have helped me in moving
exchange rates, skilled risk management foreign currency around the world.
The global nature of tournament
and round-the-clock service.
cricket means that as a player you
need support and assistance around
Contact
Why Argentex:
the clock. Having the expertise of JON GOSS
• Unique expertise Argentex means that I’m free to JON.GOSS@ARGENTEX.COM
• Timely transactions concentrate on my cricket, whilst they +44 (0) 798 346 2196
• Competitive exchange rates work in the background to ensure
• Flexible service that my foreign currency earnings are
managed quickly and effectively."
ARGENTEX CLIENT
JOFRA ARCHER – ENGLAND AND SUSSEX W W W. A R G E N T E X .C O M
All PCA members can receive a free,
Disclaimer: This material has been prepared by Argentex
personal currency consultation with LLP, a firm authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct
Authority FRN: 781077. This material is published for
Argentex to discuss all aspects of information purposes only. Views expressed herein are not
their FX requirement. intended to be and should not be viewed as advice or as a
recommendation. This material does not constitute an offer to
buy or sell any investment.On The Cover
Peter Clark looks
at the developing
work of the
PCA in its role
of supporting
players in the
area of equality,
diversity and
inclusion.
I
n the wake of the tragic
killing of George Floyd
in Minneapolis on 25 May
2020, the issue of
societal racism was once
again brought into focus
at a global level, but this time
it felt different.
With large-scale demonstrations
taking place in support of the Black
Lives Matter (BLM) movement in
London and other UK cities
throughout May and June, sports
A GAME
people in England and Wales
displayed their solidarity with Black
communities by taking the knee
ahead of fixtures. Professional
cricketers were no different, with
both the England men’s and
women’s sides also sporting the
BLM emblem on the shirts during
the summer.
FIT FOR ALL
Diversity has been key to the
success of English cricket in recent
times – World Cup-winning captain
Eoin Morgan reflected on having
“Allah with us” on the field at
Lord’s in July 2019 after his side’s
historic victory. However, this
does not tell the full story as the
statistics show that Morgan’s
England are not representative of
English cricket in 2020.
THEPCA.CO.UK / 27On The Cover
understand and feel better educated
around the issue of racism.
“Therefore, current and former
players took it upon ourselves to ask
the PCA for their stance on that matter,
The number
of black players and undoubtedly the PCA was fully
competing in supportive of it.”
English county On the back of concerns raised by the
cricket has fallen
from 33 in 1995 likes of Dal, with former Sussex bowler
to nine in 2019 Abidine Sakande also a leading voice,
the PCA made a statement in support of
the BLM movement in mid-June, before
announcing its intention to effect
1995 2019
change alongside the ECB on 7 July.
Research carried out by Leeds The PCA’s first port of call was to
Beckett University and published by contact all current Black players for
Telegraph Sport in 2019 shows that their thoughts and views on the issue,
over the last 25 years, the number of before expanding research to the current
Black players competing in English playing Black, Asian and minority
county cricket has fallen by 75 per ethnic (BAME) PCA membership.
cent, from 33 in 1995 to just nine in Ongoing conversations then led to Nottinghamshire
2019. In addition, out of the 118 the formation of the PCA’s Equality, opening batsmen Chris
Nash and Haseeb
support staff employed by the 18 Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Working Hameed take the knee
first-class counties, only two are Black. Group, made up of key stakeholders in support of Black
These numbers, as well as covering the PCA, ECB, current and Lives Matter along
with the Derbyshire
impassioned accounts of racism in former players and the PFA, and chaired team at Trent Bridge
English cricket from the likes of by PCA Chief Executive Rob Lynch. on August 1, 2020
Michael Holding and Ebony Rainford- The group first met on 17 July to
Brent during the first Test of the discuss key issues such as awareness
summer against the West Indies, have and acknowledgement of the issue of “It’s been very, very positive
led to players asking what more both racism in the sport, as well as so far. I’m pretty strong in my feelings
the Association and the ECB can do to broadening the conversation to include of how the game can go about
increase racial equality within the academy and recreational cricket. eradicating these type of situations, I wanted to
professional game. “When I was approached about and the group has been moving put myself
joining the EDI group, it was a forward since day one. I believe it’s in a position
A POSITIVE REACTION no-brainer for me,” says Dal. capable of doing really good things.” where I could
Derbyshire all-rounder and PCA help people
Players’ Committee representative understand
Anuj Dal says it has never been more and feel better
vital to hold the cricketing authorities educated
to account when it comes to an issue as around the
important as racism in sport. issue of racism.
“Events in the USA were powerful. Anuj Dal
You can understand why the BLM
movement is so strong and why people
feel the way that they do.
“With the way racism is often
disguised, there are grey areas around
it not just in cricket, but also in sport
more generally. I wanted to put myself Out of the 118 support staff employed by the
in a position where I could help people 18 first-class counties, only two are black.
28 / THEPCA.CO.UKYou can also read
