Following the ECB’s latest announcement in May regarding a further delay to the domestic cricket season until 1 August, the Club can now announce that all tickets purchased for Vitality Blast, Royal London Cup and County Championship will be refunded.
Essex Cricket Chief Executive, Derek Bowden said: “We’re committed to making the refund policy as simple as possible for supporters during these difficult times.
“It’s been a mightily frustrating period for us all to see the scheduled beginning of the season come and go, with no cricket scheduled until at least the beginning of August.
“The support we’ve received through ticket sales has been very pleasing and we are grateful. Although we’re unable to fulfil our title defence in front of full houses at The Cloudfm County Ground, there will still be opportunities to watch the team in action should we be able to host games behind closed doors.
“There will be a time when we can reopen our gates once again but safety will continue to be paramount and on the advice of Government and the ECB.”
Ticket Refund Information
All domestic matchday tickets and Vitality Blast Season Tickets will be refunded to the original purchaser automatically, you do not need to contact us. We are not offering the option to roll over tickets to future games or refund to ‘On Account’ for future purchase of tickets or Membership.
Where possible, refunds will be processed back to the credit/debit card used for purchase. This will cover all online and phone sales. For tickets purchased by any other payment method (chip & pin/contactless, cash, cheque, ‘On Account’, invoice etc.) or where the original purchase has been amended, the Club will be in contact with you to make the necessary arrangements.
Refunds will be processed chronologically by game and not by purchase. If you have purchased a Vitality Blast Season Ticket then you will receive a separate pro-rate refund on each of the x7 home group stage games, totalling 100% of your season ticket price. Supporters who have purchased tickets for multiple games will receive a refund for each game purchased.
Once processed you will receive an email from the Club and see the funds back on your credit/debit card within 3 – 5 working days.
This process will be applied for ALL tickets purchased whether by Members, Over & Out! e-news subscribers or general public and covers domestic fixtures only.
We will be working diligently through refunds and appreciate your patience and support whilst we undertake this large undertaking Please note that the Membership & Ticketing Office is currently closed for enquiries in person and by phone.
If you require additional information that is not listed here or via the FAQ page please contact [email protected] and we will reply as soon as possible.
We hope to see you back at The Cloudfm County Ground next season when it is safe to do so.
Hospitality Bookings
All Hospitality guests have now been contacted with the proposed options to defer their booking to the 2021 season or receive a full refund. On further clarification of the season, all hospitality guests will be contacted to discuss the status of their booking.
If you have any questions regarding your hospitality booking then please contact the Commercial Team on 01245 254120 or [email protected].
England Women’s Tickets
We are kindly asking supporters who also purchased tickets for the two scheduled England Women’s fixtures at The Cloudfm County Ground this year to please be patients once plans for these games are confirmed.
Following this decision by the ECB then our plans will be communicated by email and via other digital channels.
The Hundred Tickets
The Hundred competition has now been deferred to the 2021 season. Supporters who purchased London Spirit tickets for the planned competition in 2020 can receive a refund by visiting the competition website.
Following the most recent announcement by the ECB stating that domestic cricket is delayed until at least 1 August the Club can now announce that all tickets purchased for Vitality Blast, Royal London Cup, and County Championship will be refunded.
• When will I receive my refund?
Once your refund is processed, we will send you an email to confirm, the funds will appear within 3 – 5 working days of being processed.
• Do I need to contact you?
You do not need to make any contact with the Club. All tickets will be refunded. If needed the Club will make contact with you.
• I bought tickets for different games what happens with that?
You will receive a refund per game, ie if you purchased for Surrey and Kent T20 and Middlesex in the One-Day Cup you would receive three separate refunds.
• I purchased a season ticket, what happens with that?
T20 season ticket purchase will be refunded on a pro-rate basis of 14.29% per game. You will receive x7 separate refunds. This is due to the way the refund process works.
• I am a Member, why are you refunding tickets but nothing on Membership?
We are awaiting clarity from the ECB on how the rescheduled season will look before plans for Membership are released. The intention is for a blanket policy on Membership from the ECB in discussion with all First Class Counties.
• The card I paid with is now expired/destroyed/lost what happens?
If for any reason we cannot make the refund automatically the Club will make contact to make alternative arrangements.
• I paid by cash/cheque/in person/BACS what should I do?
The Club will make contact with you to arrange a refund.
• My tickets for this year were rolled over from the rain-affected games in 2019, what happens?
The Club will be in contact to make alternative arrangements.
• I amended my booking, what happens?
The Club will make contact with you to arrange a refund.
• What about the England Women’s fixtures?
Currently we are only refunding for domestic cricket. We are awaiting guidance from the ECB covering the England Women’s International games due to be staged at The Cloudfm County Ground.
• What about the Women’s Hundred tickets I purchased?
You should have been contacted directly by The Hundred. Please check your emails and make contact directly with The Hundred by visiting thehundred.com.
• Will I get postage fee refunded?
All tickets have been posted out and so no refund for postage will be made.
• Can I roll my tickets over to next season?
No. All tickets will be refunded.
• Can I donate the ticket price to the Club?
There will be opportunities to support the Club during these difficult times in the near future. The Club also have Coronavirus Appeal which is helping to raise funds for the Supporting Humanity charity and the Essex Community Foundation. These charities are working tirelessly to help the NHS and local charities in our community. Further information can be found – Here.
If you have any other queries please email [email protected] and we will reply as soon as possible. Please note that Membership & Ticketing Office is closed for phone calls and in person at the ground.
Essex Cricket’s Club Photographer Nick Wood probably saw as much county cricket as anyone last year. He follows the team up and down the country, sitting in the stands capturing every moment. Last year was a special year for Essex, with Anthony McGrath’s side reclaiming the County Championship title, and Nick was there for it all. So with the 2020 season delayed, Nick thought it would be nice to open up his camera and show everyone some of his favourite photos from a wonderful campaign.
Through The Lens (Part One):
As I sat frustrated inside pining for the 2020 season, I reflected on last year’s Championship season and so decided to dig out some of my favourite images. Being in the most privileged of positions as the Club Photographer for the past 10 years means that I get a unique insight not only of the matches but also a view behind the scenes for which I am truly thankful to the players and staff for. The images I have selected are not all technically perfect but remind me of specific instances in the last season that I vividly remember and left an impact on me. I have tried to write a short description of each, to give you a better insight as to why I selected the image.
Description: 9th January 2019 – Anthony McGrath holds a team talk during pre-season training.
It’s a great feeling when the players return in the new year and I get to take a few images of them in pre-season training. I try to stay well out of the way as I guess it is not everyone’s idea of a great time sprinting up and down and being tested so soon after Christmas and the new year – on top of that no-one wants a camera in their face so I put a longer lens onto my camera and sit further back out of the way. Strangely enough, the guys are normally pleased to see me and everyone comes over and says hello which is great. Cricket seems a long way away at this point.
The Allen Ford Graham Gooch Cricket Centre has had a bit of work done over the years and the improved lighting helps my photography no end being so much brighter. I chose the image as the players lined up nicely framing Anthony McGrath – there is a lot going on in the picture which we try to avoid normally but it comes across as pretty clean.
Description: 26th March 2019 – Sir Alastair Cook of Essex in batting action during Cambridge University vs Essex – MCC University match at Fenner’s.
Not a Championship image as such but by the time the traditional university match comes around it feels like the start of the cricket season to me. Getting to see Alastair Cook batting for Essex is something special and I feel especially optimistic that it will be a good year as we have him available for the whole season.
When shooting sports, we try to find a background that is clear of distractions which can be tricky at so many grounds as there can be cars, buildings and other objects dotted around. When all else fails we will try and find some high vantage point so that we can shoot against a plain grass background. Fortunately when we go to Cambridge, one of the stewards in the closest college is a keen Southend United fan and after a brief catch up regarding the form of the Shrimpers every year he sneaks me in and lets me sit on a balcony overlooking the pitch. The problem with shooting from so high up is that you end up with a collection of images that could have been shot anywhere in the world as the grass gives no clues as to where you are so I try to shoot from a lower vantage point whenever I can.
Earlier in the season, we try to shoot as many frames as we can so that the marketing team have plenty of images to use. With ever-changing strips and sponsors, last year’s images are of little use so we shoot plenty to build up ‘library stock’. As the season wears on we become more selective of the frames we take and process.
This was actually a typically tricky cricket shot to take as the bright sun results in dark shadows over the face and excessively bright cricket whites that can bleach out to become little more than a bright white blob. Fortunately, Cooky lifted his head high enough so we could see his eyes in the shot and a little Photoshop helped with the highlights and shadows.
Description: 13th April 2019 – A fan soaks up the rays during Surrey vs Essex – County Championship at the Kia Oval.
Being a cricket photographer sounds like a great job and most of the time it is, however, every year without fail I forget just how cold it is in March and early April if you sit for days on end in the shady part of the ground. You can pretty much guarantee though that the best viewing angle for photography that gives you a clean background and the best selection of action images will result in you sitting in the shade. I can clearly remember having lost most of the feeling in my fingers catching sight of the fan on the opposite side of the ground sunning himself in beautiful isolation.
On a normal cricket day, I will turn up two to three hours prior to the match so I can tell the story of the day. This normally starts with some shots around the ground for the marketing team to use on social media and build some excitement for the days play. As a sports photographer, you also want to get in early with the papers and agencies and try to earn a few extra pounds. Having taken some ground shots, I will try to identify the best position to shoot for the day and set up camp. We carry so much heavy kit that you really don’t want to be moving around too much and you want to be within sprinting distance of the media lounge to get back for lunch before the journalists polish it all off.
As the match rolls along we try to capture not only action shots but also any interesting observations that we can find, normally this will involve the crowd – this guy stood out as he found a spot as far from anyone else that he could, I can remember feeling colder just looking at him with jealousy.
Description: 14th April 2019 – Essex team huddle during Surrey vs Essex – County Championship match at the Kia Oval.
I’m not sure if I like shooting at the Oval or not – it’s a bit of a trek with all the kit, I can’t stand driving so prefer the train but then again with so much kit it is a pain. I generally end up driving for the county matches – I get there early to grab the best spot but most importantly to get a parking space. The Media Centre is fabulous, good food and great coffee which helps but I get there normally too early so I have to walk and grab something locally.
After grabbing the obligatory ‘general views’ of the ground I am itching to get some early player shots to wire to the marketing team and press. As it is so early in the season, I blast away at anything and everything which only adds to the workload. I am hoping to get a couple of ‘iconic’ shots that the marketing team will like and want to start using – fortunately the Oval lends itself well to that type of thing and we have the added luxury of endless good shooting locations and freedom to roam.
I love to get hold of a decent team huddle shot as early as possible but I always feel torn between giving the lads the needed privacy by standing back whilst trying to get as close as I can to get the best shot. I see loads of photographers who have no issue with invading the player’s space and practically join in the huddle – I like the lads a lot and value the access they give me so I tend to stand back a little, let them focus on each other and keep their concentration (I also don’t fancy Tendo giving me an earful, so I take the cowards approach).
When I took the huddle shot there was a cracking blue sky and the lads stood in just the right space to shoot the gasholder in the background. I actually gave the shot a bit of a boost in editing to ensure the sky looked rich but nothing too much – we keep processing to an absolute minimum for use with the papers – normally we select images, give them a crop and straighten and a fine tune of the brightness.
Description: 16th June 2019 – Ryan ten Doeschate takes the catch of Sam Northeast during Essex vs Hampshire – County Championship match at The Cloudfm County Ground.
The Essex fans are a great bunch, always ready with a friendly greeting and eager for a chat. Having said that there are only so many times in a day that you liked being asked ‘did you get that?’ mainly because most of the time we don’t! The reason for not getting the shots is that the ridiculously long lenses zoom in to such a small area that it is very hard to follow the ball and unless you start by focusing on a specific player and hope the ball comes to them, then chances are you have missed that shot – it is much safer to focus on a bowler and follow them as they run in and then just sit on them and hope for a reaction should a wicket be taken.
I am always impressed by the way Ryan leads by example and puts himself in harm’s way, fielding in close. Capturing a close in catch on a photograph is a nigh on impossible task yet on this particular day Ryan has been close on a couple of occasions so I decided to point the camera at him and hope for the best. This is a risky strategy as chances are, I would be missing so much more action and could in fact spend a couple of hours without capturing a decent frame. Fortunately, the ball came to him once again and I had kept my concentration. It is by no means a perfect shot, in the ideal world he would have the ball on his fingertips and his eyes would be visible but it’s just about close enough. I can remember feeling relieved that my patience paid off and also delighted as it was against Hampshire, a team I never feel totally comfortable playing against until we are well on top.
About Unshaken Photography:
Nick runs courses across the region for people with a range of ability, so book your place and get more from your cameras when taking photos. Locations for the courses include The Cloudfm County Ground in Chelmsford, Cambridge, Maidstone or St Albans.
Courses cover the basics for beginners, portraits, landscapes and even sport, so if you fancy improving your photography get in touch with Nick at [email protected], by phone on 01245 494258 or visit the website – click here.
A message from Dan Feist, Head of Cricket Operations, Essex Cricket
“In these unprecedented times it is fundamental that we first acknowledge the role we can all play in supporting each other to be safe, but once some form of normality starts to return, the role of Clubs as a Community Hub to spark excitement and engagement for all is going to be more important than ever before.
“Throughout history, Cricket Clubs have provided a united and reliable place for the community to come together and it has been great to see and hear so many positive stories about how this is continuing, despite the current situation. The news this week about the financial support that will be available for Clubs alongside other government initiatives comes at a welcome time for all.
“We will be now working with Clubs across the County to make sure they have all the support they need to ensure that they can continue to support their local community and remain a vital part of the wider Essex Cricket family.”
Latest ECB Update
On Friday 05 June, the ECB released further practical guidance to players and clubs on the steps they should take whilst undertaking recreational cricket activity and informal cricket activity in an outdoor environment given the current restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The key update in the guidance is the allowance of small group sizes (now up to six individuals), however a number of other subtle but important changes are listed throughout the document.
The ECB has launched ‘Together Through This Test’, a nationwide campaign shining a light on the work undertaken by the game in response to COVID-19 and highlighting resources available to the public – Here.
Raise the Bat for Cricket’s Key Workers:
Essex Cricket have joined the ECB’s #raisethebat campaign, which highlights key workers from the world of cricket who have helped to support their local community during COVID-19 – Here
Google’s Digital Garage Workshops:
Cricket clubs across England and Wales can benefit from digital skills webinars as part of a new partnership between the ECB and Google Digital Garage – Here
Umpiring Inter League Challenge Launches:
Essex Cricket in the Community have been working closely with the ECB and Essex Association of Cricket Official (ACO) to create a brand new recruitment drive for budding umpires across the region – Here
Information on the ECB’s Leagues Loan is now available: Here
If clubs/leagues are not eligible for either Local Authority or Sport England funding and still require financial assistance or simply to update us on their current circumstances to touch base with Graham Pryke or Arfan Akram.
Further to ECB’s announcement on 31 March, today the ECB announced its Loan and Grant Scheme.
The Grant has been launched as the final resort so we would, therefore, encourage all Clubs and Leagues to ensure they have applied for the following first:
ECiC has put together the following guidance that member clubs are recommended to act on.
Call to the Cricket Community:
We have been asked by ECB to encourage individuals in your club to register for Play Cricket if they are not already. The ECB want to start reaching as many individuals as possible and this is a great additional method.
We hope you enjoyed the first series of webinars and plans are now in place for a second series of useful resource sessions. Please find the list of new zoom webinars below and if there are any additional topics you would like to be covered then please get in touch!
Latest Webinars:
Tuesday 2 June, 12pm – Developing players in Nets and Engaging the transition between Teens to Adults
Former Essex & England Captain and Coach Graham Gooch, Cambridge University Cricket Head Coach Chris Scott and Global T20 Franchise & Chance to Shine Street Coach Donovan Miller shared insight, knowledge and information in how best to assist developing young players from the teenage age group in to adulthood. The Webinar was joined by 40 people via Zoom
• Thursday 4 June, 12pm – Writing an Article for Website and Local Papers
30 people logged in the Daily Mail Cricket Correspondent, Paul Newman and Local Paper, Recorder Newspapers Sports Editor, Lee Power webinar on how clubs can grow their media presence by writing reports for websites and the local press.
• Thursday 11 June (5pm) – Creating a Club Development Plan
• Tuesday 16 June (12pm) – Wider Community Engagement
• Thursday 18 June (5pm) – Women and Girls
• Tuesday 23 June (12pm) – Ability Cricket
• Thursday 25 June (5pm) – Grounds Update
• Tuesday 30 June (12pm) – Tape Ball Cricket, Crickets New Opportunity
Past Webinars:
• Thursday 23 April, 5pm – Club Development and Funding
48 members of clubs and leagues across Essex, Cambridgeshire, Huntingdonshire and Bedfordshire logged in to the first virtual presentation on Club Development and Funding which was delivered by ECB’s Duncan Jenkinson and Essex Cricket’s Graham Pryke.
Listen to the Webinar:
• Tuesday 28 April 12pm – Volunteering and Safeguarding
46 members of clubs and leagues across Essex, Cambridgeshire, Huntingdonshire and Bedfordshire logged in to the first virtual presentation on Volunteering and Safeguarding which was delivered by Essex Cricket’s County Welfare Officer and Director of Cricket Operations.
Listen to the Webinar:
• Thursday 30 April, 5pm – Grounds Maintenance
Essex Cricket’s Head Groundsman, Stuart Kerrison and Grounds Management Associations Regional Pitch Advisor, Phil Jeggo shared insight and good practices as well as answering questions on Grounds Maintenance, 66 members of clubs and leagues across Essex, Cambridgeshire, Huntingdonshire and Bedfordshire logged in.
Listen to the Webinar:
• Tuesday 5 May, 12pm – Women and Girls
33 members of clubs and leagues across Essex, Cambridgeshire, Huntingdonshire and Bedfordshire logged in to the webinar on Women and Girls cricket delivered by Essex Cricket’s Head of Women and Girls Cricket, Natalie Samaranayake and Families Co-ordinator, Claire Smith.
Listen to the Webinar:
• Thursday 7 May, 5pm -Youth Cricket and Player Pathway
79 members of clubs and leagues across Essex, Cambridgeshire, Huntingdonshire and Bedfordshire were giving insight on the strategy and process in place when it comes to Youth Cricket and Pathway. Cricket Operations Director, Dan Feist shared the framework, Academy Director Barry Hyam explained in detail of how the programmes are developed and players are progressed and Men’s Head Coach Anthony McGrath bought the whole journey, pathway and philosophy together in sharing the clubs values what it takes to be a first XI professional cricketer.
Listen to the Webinar:
• Tuesday 12 May, 12pm Scoring and Umpiring
Essex born and professional umpire Neil Bainton was joined by Essex ACO Chair Paul Brice with 41 logged in to the call. Neil share his journey from playing Junior and Recreational Cricket to working his way into the professional umpiring, one of the first non-first class cricketers to do so. Paul shared the structure in place for anyone wishing to become an umpire or scorer.
Listen to the Webinar:
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• Thursday 14 May, 5pm – Marketing and Commercial activation
Essex Cricket’s Marketing and Communication Manager Ashley Neave, Commercial Manager Darrell Fox were joined by Queenie Porter who was representing one of the club sponsors (and webinar partner) WOW Hydrate. 26 people logged-in to understand how the Club works collaboratively internally and with sponsors to not only identify but to activate a partnership. Ashley and Darrell shared good practices, tips and advice in what community cricket clubs can do to engage with new and existing sponsors as well as maximising digital and media platforms to have a good presence. Wow Hydrate also shared an incredible offer, but you will have to watch the webinar to find out more…
Listen to the Webinar:
• Tuesday 19 May, 12pm – Coach Education
Head of Cricket Development at Cambridgeshire Cricket, Ben Wallis was joined by Upminster Cricket Clubs Lead Club Coach, Scott Simmons and Essex Cricket’s Director of Cricket Operations Dan Feist who shared an update on the current situation with Coached Education, future plans on Coaching Courses. Scott shared an insight on what he is doing with Juniors at Upminster to keep them members active through Virtual Coaching. 41 Logged in to the call.
• Thursday 21 May, 5pm – ECB Guidelines on Net Usage
After ECB’s Guidance on net usage on 15 May, ECiC arranged this webinar to guide clubs and parks with net. The capacity of 100 people was snapped up seconds into it going live. Essex Cricket’s Director of Cricket Operations Dan Feist was joined by ECB’s Interim Regional Head of Operations, Essex Crickets County Welfare Officer, Phil Knappett and Wanstead & Snaresbrook Cricket Club Chairman, Martin Pluck. Matt set the tone with a run through the guidance, Phil shared good safeguarding practices and Martin shared the work his cricket have did over the weekend to open their nets up for their members.
• Tuesday 26 May, 12pm – Applying for Funding Usage
With Leagues, Clubs & Community partners constantly reviewing their cash flows and funding opportunities, Essex Cricket’s Claire Smith and Active Essex’s Lee Monk were joined by 29 people via zoom to give insight on key tips, advice, guidance when applying for funding.
Good News
ECB Funding:
To date over £1.5M has been received from Governments Small Business Grant, Sport England Grant, ECB Grants and Loans to date. If your club or league is applicable and have not applied for any of the funding pots then please find links on the Funding and Financial Support section.
Alternative Cricket Tea:
Good luck to Rainham CC who are doing their Alternative Cricket Team this weekend.
A big thanks to the following clubs who already hosted an event, plus those continuing to help their local Foodbanks through the Alternative Cricket Teas.
If you would like some assistance on hosting your own Alternative Cricket Tea, then please feel to get in touch with us.
Call to the Cricket Community:
Have you, or any one in your cricket community represented Essex at age-group level? If so, you may have noticed that Cliff Greenhill has been uploading historic scorecards on to the www.essex.play-cricket.com
Cliff is seeking any old scoresheets or scorebooks you may have so he can insert them to the Play-Cricket database.
Since we last communicated, a number of clubs have registered or even ran an Alternative Cricket Tea. Fantastic effort. Good luck to all running one over the weekend.
Recreational Cricket Update
‘APG 6 Balls to Help Restart Cricket’
As agreed at the Essex Cricket in the Community Adult Participation Group (“APG”) Meeting on 29 April 2020.
All leagues understand the challenges facing recreational cricket at this time.
Although many of the concerns that all leagues, clubs and players are facing at the moment cannot yet be answered, the APG has agreed on the following points to help clubs plan for the future and to give cricket the best chance to return when/if possible in 2020.
1. All leagues agree that their number one priority is to help reactivate play at their member clubs. Be that through their standard league set-up or helping to support creative ways of getting games played.
2. All leagues agree that there will be a period of time between the current lockdown being relaxed and the league season beginning: this is to ensure that grounds and facilities can be got ready for appropriate use. Recommended between 2-5 weeks: leagues to consult their clubs.
3. All leagues agree that there will be no league cricket before July 01 2020.
4. League fixtures and length of season:
• Leagues will try to use the fixtures already produced for their leagues.
• League games to be played on the usual day for that league e.g. Saturday League games not being played on Sundays and vice versa.
• Leagues to consider extending the season deeper into September and October by organising games/competitions at these times with clubs that are able to field teams and at grounds that are available.
5. All leagues agree that there will be no promotion or relegation between divisions for the 2020 season.
6. Penalties: All leagues agree that clubs will not face financial or points penalties for failing to fulfill fixtures, pulling out of divisions or other such offences that are due to the current Covid-19 Pandemic.
The APG will also continue to work with Essex Cricket in the Community, the ECB and Government to update leagues and their member clubs on any announcements or decisions around risk, hygiene and social distancing concerning the playing and organising of cricket.
Kind Regards from:
THE ECiC Adult Participation Group, Made up off all leagues across Essex.
SNEL, EAPL, H&EBL, ECCL, T Rippon, Two Counties, North Essex, Essex Sunday, NCL, EDCL, BSL, GMCL, LCL, LSL, E&MCL, BCL, GLCL, BTCL, LUCL, Warsop Sunday League, Indoor Cricket, Women Cricket Leagues.
• To apply for a DBS
Anyone who needs a DBS they should email: [email protected]
• Renewal of DBS
If you have received an email to say you need to renew your application please complete all the stages in the email you receive.
• Verification
Each Tuesday from 2:30 until 3:30 pm or Friday between 11am and 12pm. Please ring on 07717728725 via Face Time. If you have all your documents ready it will only take a minute or two.
If you work for the NHS /Caring professions/ vital worker under this present lockdown situation and you cannot make these times please contact Phil to arrange an alternative one.
Club Welfare Officer Training:
The ECB Safeguarding Team will from next week start to send out invitations to online Safe Hands webinars to be run in place of face to face courses. Courses will use Zoom which works best through a desktop computer or a laptop, rather than a mobile phone.
• Existing CWO’s
Registered Club Welfare Officers will receive instructions via email from the ECB Safeguarding Team. Various dates and times will be released on a rolling basis. When you receive your invitation from the ECB, please forward your confirmation for our records. If you were booked onto our Safe Hands course at Chelmsford on 29 April, you will hopefully receive your invitation soon.
There are two versions of the course…
For registered Club Welfare Officers whose qualification expires between March and August 2020 and have not attended a Safe Hands course for three years, the ECB Safeguarding Team will use their database to send out an invitation by email.
• New CWO’s
Clubs should email me the following details of newly appointed Club Welfare Officers who have never been booked onto a Safe Hands course.
Subject of email — Request for CWO Safe Hands training:
1. Club Welfare Officer name
2. Club Welfare Officer email address
3. Club
Phil Knappett will forward to the ECB and this will generate an invitation to the online Safe Hands webinar.
Club Welfare Officers who have not completed a Safeguarding and Protecting Children course in the last three years should complete the online Safeguarding Young Cricketers course. The ECB will send out an access email to complete this course. If you have a UK Coaching Safeguarding and Protecting certificate or the ECB online course as part of a Coach Education course that will suffice.
The qualification will be valid for 12 months, as this is an interim measure while no face-to-face courses are able to run. After 12 months, Club Welfare Officers will need to attend a face-to-face Safe Hands course as they usually would.
When newly qualified CWO’s have completed the required courses, they should log on to at least one of the Essex Cricket Safeguarding weekly Zoom meetings.
Zoom Welfare Officers Support Meeting each Tuesday at 4pm to get further updates and ask any questions.
Club Development Plan
With the updates announced by Sport England and the ECB, we advise that clubs and leagues to work up contingency plans covering various eventualities. We also suggest that they should develop, or where appropriate update, their development plans – including a way forward – and perhaps include a financial assessment of the club’s current and estimated future position, with a comparison to the past three seasons. Projected cash flow will be particularly crucial.
Please do consider how your club can stay relevant and in people’s minds in the local community through online games/videos, members webinars…
Affiliation
Through consultation with a number of stakeholders, ECiC has taken the decision to amend the affiliation fee for ALL clubs to a £20 deposit which will be reviewed again at the end of September. As in previous years a percentage of this amount will be retained by the local Cricket Participation Group to support junior cricket development. Please inform clubs in your league and it will be communicated and processed up the chain.
Affiliation fees ensure the provision of support for clubs from ECiC and the ECB. If your league or club has not affiliated in the past and you wish to do so, then please make contact with your regional/district contact in the first instance.
Invoices
During Tuesday evenings APG meeting, a number of leagues will not be invoicing clubs until they have a clearer picture of the season. We ask all our leagues to consider if this is a workable option for them, too. If you have other suppliers who have invoiced you for supplies, kit etc it would be sensible to contact them to discuss the situation.
Councils & Landlords
We recommend that each club in your league makes contact with their landlords and discusses the possibility of a rent holiday and/or reduction. We are keen for updates to be shared with your respective Essex Cricket contact.
Grounds Maintenance
On Friday 29 May, the Grounds Maintenance Associaiton (GMS) released the following guidance on Recreational and grassroots playing facilities – Here
The Institute of Groundsmen (IOG) on 02 April provided the latest guidelines and specifications for cricket grounds maintenance, respecting the Governments current guidelines – Here
Indoor/Outdoor Nets
In line with the ECB statement on 15 May, the ECB maintains the position that all recreational cricket remains suspended until further notice, with the sole exception of the use of outdoor cricket facilities (nets and pitches) for the purpose of undertaking exercise as set out in the detailed guidance document, available – Here
Overseas Players
Do contact them and their agents as the situation obviously will alter their plans.
Ground Management Association (GMA): An online course is available with the GMA and you can find out more – Here
All Stars Cricket/Dynamos
The ECB have suspended All Stars Cricket and Dynamo Cricket until further notice. However as recently communicated by the ECB, ASC Packs and games at home will be posted out shortly to all that have registered. – more information
The ECB has launched its new Dynamos Cricket app, launching in iOS and Android stores.
This brand new app is part of the ECB’s Dynamos Cricket programme aimed at inspiring 8-11 year olds to play cricket, learn new skills and fall in love with the game. The app is the perfect platform for children to do just this at home and has been tailored to suit all children aged 8+ years.
Packed full of features, it is designed both for children who have never played cricket before, as well as those looking to build on what they already know.
The 18 different skills videos and interactive quizzes provide lots of ways for children to get active at home, even with minimal space and equipment.
Download the free Dynamos Cricket app today and share with your friends and family too!
Spike in Vandalism
Despite the crisis, certain people out there are still adding to the misery by breaking into clubs and stealing.
We have been made aware that one club has had non-turf matting stolen, twice from their outdoor nets. Two other Clubs have had their Gator and Tractor stolen. If members are visiting their club as part of their daily exercise then please try to be as vigilant as possible.
Active Essex Webinar
Organised by Active Essex, Essex Cricket amongst a number of NGB’s shared, discussed and debated a number of factors. The group will meet again in a few weeks’ time to ensure a cross-sport discussion with the focus of keeping our communities as active as possible and supporting young people.
The group also discussed funding and the following two links were signposted as a guide outside of the Sport England, ECB and Government funding.
Most importantly it is clear that we want everyone to look after their own health and that of their members; this is the main priority of all.
Contact
In line with Government guidance, Essex Cricket in the Community staff as of Wednesday 18 March are working from home. Wherever possible, the team will continue to give support and will continue to provide updates as often as necessary.
It’s that time of the week when you have the chance to test your Essex knowledge!
In recent weeks we’ve focused on T20 cricket, and this time we’re asking you to name out top 25 T20 appearance makers.
Make sure you share your score with us afterwards via our social media channels on Twitter and Facebook.
Look out for our latest quiz each week, as well as a choice of new content available soon across the Essex Cricket platforms, including classic matches, interviews and competitions.
The Club hosted a first virtual Forum on Thursday 28 May in what was an opportunity to hear from our panel of Committee Members, which included John Faragher, Derek Bowden and Ronnie Irani.
This event was exclusively for 2020 Members with 300 attendees logging on to hear the discussion on a range of different areas, including finances, the current domestic cricket landscape for 2020 and the First Team squad.
We pride ourselves on being a Members’ Club and will continue to provide opportunities to engage with the Committee, coaching staff and players in the weeks ahead.
The Committee Panel for our first Forum of the year included:
• John Faragher, Chairman
• Peter Northfield, Deputy Chairman
• Derek Bowden, Chief Executive
• Ian Patterson, Treasurer
• Ronnie Irani, Chairman of the Cricket Advisory Board
• Philip George, Essex Cricket in the Community Chair
Essex Chairman John Faragher welcomed Essex Members to the virtual Forum and introduced Executive Board Member Mike Smith as host and moderator for the evening. After a substantial financial update from Treasurer Ian Patterson, the meeting continued with questions to the panellists that were submitted by Members…
Information on further virtual events will be available soon and please let us know any feedback by email – [email protected].
In case you missed it…
Due to the exceptional circumstances which prevail as a result of COVID-19, the Club has taken the decision to defer its AGM this year.
The AGM is normally held prior to 31 May in any given year. Currently, the Club feels it is appropriate to defer until July.
No fixed date has yet been identified but it is hoped within the next three to four weeks that we should be in a position to specify a date and time.
Leicestershire v Essex Eagles Friends Provident Trophy (Quarter-Final) Wednesday 4 June 2008 Grace Road
On this day in 2008, a certain Ravi Bopara struck an awesome and flawless unbeaten 201 that carried his side into the last four of the Friends Provident Trophy, just one match away from another Lord’s Final. To put his effort into perspective, it was only the second time in the competition that a batsman had recorded a double-century against first-class opposition.
Bopara rewrote the Essex record books beating the previous one-day best achieved by Graham Gooch of 198 against Sussex in 1982. His innings spanned 138 deliveries, of which he despatched 28 to the boundary including 10 which cleared the boards in a display of startling power and aggression.
When learning that he had broken Gooch’s record, Bopara was genuinely upset and said: “Oh no, I haven’t have I? It’s not nice to beat his record because he is Mr Essex, a great man and legend and he’s done a lot for me. If it were not for him, I don’t think I’d be getting a double century.”
Essex reached a colossal 350-5 with James Foster contributing 61 in a fifth-wicket partnership of 190 in 28 overs with Bopara, as the Essex duo ran the bowlers and fielders ragged. Leicestershire were never in the hunt losing three wickets for 53 inside the first 10 overs, and they were finally dismissed for 232 to leave Essex winners by 118 runs.
Bopara said: “It was just one of those days when everything came off. I’ve got some really sweet bats at the moment because I seem to be hitting the ball a lot harder and further this year. Maybe it’s also something to do with the gym work I’ve been doing but whatever, I’m feeling good about my game. It was just a freakish day and I hope a lot more are around the corner.
“But the pitch seemed to play really well and when Fozzie (James Foster) came in, he played really well for his half-century and I said to him at one stage, “Look you and me have to bat through until 40 or 45 overs because if we do that, we are going to get a decent score,” and he batted really well. We got to around 45 overs and when he went to a good catch, I hung around re-assessing the situation for an over and then went for the slog and everything came off really nicely.”
Bopara reached his double-century with a six off the penultimate ball of the innings when he stepped back to launch a delivery from paceman Nadeem Malik over the ropes at deep extra cover.
“I didn’t even know I’d got to my double hundred. I hit a six over extra-cover and everyone was shouting and cheering and I looked around and thought, ‘Oh that’s good, we’ve got 350. That’s brilliant.’ Then I looked up at the scoreboard again and saw the figures 200 and realised what I’d achieved.
“It was nice to get a double-hundred, it’s a good feeling.”
The extended period of lockdown has provided a time to look back on special games, players and moments that have lit up Chelmsford from years gone by.
One person who falls into that category is Scott Styris, who joined the Club in 2010 for two seasons as our Overseas star.
Following the coverage of his memorable game against Surrey Lions in the 2010 Friends Provident competition, watch Part Two of the extended interview with the former New Zealand international to hear about the rest of his time at the Club.
Hear about more exciting Man of the Match displays, his injuries issues which hampered his second stint, and also missed opportunities of a Finals Day appearance for the Eagles.
Part One is still available to watch as Scott looks back on the game against Surrey Lions at Chelmsford, which announced himself to the Essex fans in 2010 – Watch Here.
Our lockdown Essex Interviews are supported by Platinum Club Partners, Weston Homes.
Essex Cricket in the Community have been working closely with the ECB and Essex Association of Cricket Official (ACO) to create a brand new recruitment drive for budding umpires across the region.
Following the free online version of the Stage 1 Umpiring course, which was recently released by the ECB, Essex Cricket in the Community have set a challenge for leagues in Essex and surrounding areas to encourage as many people as possible to complete the online course.
There have already been well over 2,000 people who have completed the course so far across England and Wales, and we are keen to continue this growth for the good of the game in Essex.
One positive of lockdown so far has been the opportunities for personal development and new ways to engage with your sport. Umpiring may be something that you haven’t thought about taking up but here is your chance to give it a go.
First-class Umpire, Neil Bainton is supporting the new opportunities for becoming an umpire and said: “I’m sure there’s many players who have thought that they’ve been on the end of a rough decision. The opportunities for people to take the first stage of the ECB’s umpiring course is fantastic and I’m sure it will be chance to come and see if the umpire was actually correct!”
“The online umpires course is open to anyone who would like to take an interest in the role on whatever level, and you never know what it may lead to in the future.”
Other reasons for getting involved include:
• Chance for players, volunteers and parents to engage and develop a new skill during the coming weeks
• Upskill those players who may usually be expected to stand in games with no official umpires
• Create a better understanding of on-field decisions whilst playing and mutual respect for those who already umpire
• Generate more interest for people considering umpiring as a pathway in the future
A league table will run throughout the duration of the challenge and will be available to view across the Essex Cricket in the Community social media channels!
You and your league can get involved right away by:
3. You will automatically receive a link to access the e-learning portal. This does normally take 3-4 hours, but you can complete within your own time with an option to spread over a number of sessions if you wish.
4. Spread the word! Get your fellow teammates and Club members to represent your league and take up the umpiring challenge!
Don’t forget you can also watch our recent Webinar on umpiring the game that features first-class cricket umpire, Neil Bainton. This is part of our Essex Cricket in the Community Webinar series looking at helping you develop knowledge and understanding from professionals in the game.l
Essex Cricket have joined the #raisethebat campaign, which highlights key workers from the world of cricket who have helped to support their local community during COVID-19.
Key workers who have been nominated by their cricket clubs will be featured on over 300 billboards across England and Wales. Meanwhile, the whole cricket family has been asked to shine a light on the many more key workers who deserve recognition by using #raisethebat on social media.
The campaign features billboards with England cricketers, including World Cup winners Heather Knight and Moeen Ali, raising their bat in recognition of these amazing people. The players have also paid tribute with personalised video messages to nominated key workers who are local to them.
Essex Cricket and the ECB are asking people to use social media, and the hashtag #raisethebat, to share stories of other key workers within the cricket family who deserve recognition.
Unsung heroes that feature include Holly Buxton, Club Secretary at Calder Grove Cricket Club in Yorkshire, who has formed a COVID-19 Workforce to support the vulnerable in her community and Dr Nasir Ali, who is an Emergency Medicine Consultant at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Event Doctor at Edgbaston Stadium.
#raisethebat is part of the game-wide Together Through This Test initiative which was launched to support and celebrate the cricket family during Covid-19.
Clare Connor, ECB Managing Director of Women’s Cricket, who is leading the campaign said: “It has truly been humbling to read the nominations which have shone a light on the tireless work of nurses, teachers, care workers and supermarket staff who have responded to this crisis without hesitation.
“We know there are many more unsung heroes out there so we’re encouraging people to highlight the contribution of anyone from their cricket club or community who they feel deserves recognition.”
The #raisethebat campaign is set to run until July 8.
Visit ecb.co.uk/covid-19 to find out more about resources available to you and how you can get involved in cricket-led community initiatives in your region.
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