Sky and the ECB teamed up during the second Test begin England and Pakistan to shine the spotlight on a range of grassroots initiatives designed to help grow the game.
Each day throughout the match, our coverage took a closer look at what is being done to make cricket participation as diverse and inclusive as possible.
Hopefully you have been inspired to find out more and get involved! You can find a lot more information at www.ecb.co.uk/play as well as in our features listed here. Enjoy!
There's never been a better time to try All Stars Cricket or Women's Soft Ball! Find out more…
On day one of the Test, we focused on the All Stars Cricket programme and the work done across the country to help cricket clubs continue to be open and inclusive thanks to initiatives such as Women’s Soft Ball Cricket Festivals and NatWest CricketForce. Read the full story here.
Ian Ward and Nasser Hussain take part in a very special All Stars session!
There was a special treat for some enthusiastic All Stars as they joined Nasser Hussain and Ian Ward in the Zone for a very special session, with the emphasis firmly on having fun!
Matt Dwyer, director of participation and growth at the ECB, then joined Isa Guha and Nasser to discuss the initiatives in more depth – and explain what is being done to ensure that teenagers do not drift away from the game.
Matt Dwyer, ECB's Director of Participation and Growth, talks about grassrooots initiatives.
During day two, presenter Matt Floyd, with the help of Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid and Nasser Hussain, investigated why Asians are turning their backs on cricket and how that could change under new initiatives set up by the ECB. Read the full story here.
A comprehensive South Asian Action Plan has been created to remove barriers and boost opportunities for Asian communities, which ECB chief executive Tom Harrison says will include developing 20 urban cricket centres and potential travel and kit bursaries. Read the full story here.
Why are only four per cent of county cricketers of South Asian descent?
ECB non-executive board director Lord Kamlesh Patel and Yorkshire off-spinner Azeem Rafiq joined David Gower in the studio to offer their insights into how the ECB’s South Asian Action Plan is shaping up, with Sky Sports pundit Isa Guha explaining her route into the game and underlining that progress has to be a two-way street between the ECB and communities.
Lord Patel and Azeem Rafiq dissect the issues affecting cricket within the South Asian community
Listen to the interview in full here on our podcast.
On day three, we shone the spotlight on Chance to Shine. The national charity aims to spread the power of cricket throughout schools and communities – taking the game to new places and using it to ignite new passions, teach vital skills, unite diverse groups, and educate young people… and players at all levels, including Stuart Broad and Dawid Malan, are only too happy to get involved. Read the full story here.
Chance to Shine coach Shakeel Ahmed explains how the organisation helps inner-city children
Laura Cordingley, chief executive, joined us in the studio and described the work undertaken by Chance to Shine as phenomenally successful having just worked with their four millionth child – and highlighted, in particular, how role-models are helping young girls get into the game.
Chance to Shine Ambassador James Taylor explained how the charity is leading the way in supplying equipment and training for children to help with their development.
CEO Laura Cordingley says Chance to Shine is helping to develop life skills
Disability Cricket is also on our radar. Ian Nairn, the captain of England’s Physical Disability XI, explained how his side’s battles away from the game ensure they never believe a cause is lost on it.
Speaking at a T20 double header with Cambridge University – a set of matches serving as preparation for a tri-series against Pakistan and Bangladesh this summer – Nairn spoke about the rapport he and his team-mates share and how they refuse to be defined by their disabilities. Read the full story here.
Ian Nairn, the captain of England’s Physical Disability XI, says the ECB is making great strides forward
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