Junior cricket hits Sky - Watch the report here and now
Sky Sports News recently screened two features on juniors in cricket including interviews at two Ilkley clubs.
Mark Dexter - Sky Sports reporter and Olicanians CC member - was given the job to take up this issue and thus our neck of the woods was used to highlight the story.
This was shown in July on Sky Sports News and you may be interested in not only the issue itself but also trying to recognise the grounds and personalities interviewed!
The first report, shown hourly on a Saturday morning on Sky Sports News - channel 405 - focussed on provision for juniors in Australia.
The second, featuring film of Ilkley CCs u13 match with Addingham against the backdrop of the Ilkley moors and interviews with members of
Olicanians and Ilkley clubs will air was shown the following day and is available online at the bottom of this page.
"The report looks at the differences between junior cricket in Australia and the UK and how we can we improve," said Mark. "We need to make
sure the quality filters through, and the best way of doing this is to get the base right at the grassroots level.
"There are things we can be doing like the ECB trying to encourage longer matches to help build batting skills at building an innings and
bowling stamina. Building the intensity and competitiveness of junior games will help stretch the players."
Also interviewed for the feature were the ECB's national development manager Peter Ackerley, Chief Executive of the MCC Keith Bradshaw, England's one-day captain Paul Collingwood and Durham coach Geoff Cook.
Thanks to the friendly people at Sky Sports News on Saturday, you can enjoy the second feature below on local cricket.