The ECB today announced a new seven-year deal with ESPN STAR Sports (ESS)
for the exclusive multi-platform rights to broadcast ECB's domestic and
home international programme across all the broadcaster's territories
in Asia, the Middle East and North Africa.
ESS are the ECB's current broadcast partner in the region, having held the contract for the past five years.
The
new agreement, which runs from 2013 to 2019, will encompass more than
300 days of live international cricket, including India's next two tours
to England in 2014 and 2018 and three home Ashes series scheduled for
2013, 2015 and 2019.
As well as covering all England's home
Investec Tests, NatWest Series and NatWest International T20 fixtures,
the deal will also give ESS the right to transmit 60 days' coverage
every season from all ECB's key domestic competitions: the LV=County
Championship, Clydesdale Bank 40 and Friends Life t20 competitions plus
selected England Lions, England Under-19s...
...and lastly (and I suspect leastly) England women's matches. We need to channel more of this cash and more of this attention into the female game. But the ECB chefs still seem intently focused on the lucrative men's tests and one-day internationals.
But the cricket chiefs are not tuning in.
ECB
Chief Executive David Collier said: "This new agreement demonstrates
the enormous appetite for cricket worldwide and the global pulling power
of a successful England team and a vibrant county game.
"In a
challenging economic climate with all sports facing tough competition
for funding streams, it will also provide an important source of
additional revenue for funding the development of our game at all
levels.
"TV audiences for cricket are expanding rapidly in Asia
and the Middle East and we look forward to working closely with ESS to
give both our international and county teams the widest possible TV
exposure over the next seven years."
The next seven years is important and audiences are expanding rapidly, but not just across countries and continents, there is also the ever widening gender gap that still exists in a sport owned by men.
A little investment would go a long way in the women's game, we need to move beyond the boundaries of the occasional highlights package from a one-day international. That are some skillful players out there that deserve the coverage and the plaudits.
After all, England's women are one of the most successful teams of all time.
Tuesday, 12 June 2012
Monday, 11 June 2012
What is wrong with a keeper that can bat...?
England one day squads announced. But Craig Kieswetter still gets the nod over Steven Davies.
What has the Surrey man got to do to get selected over the Somerset pretender?
He leads the premier one day side in the country at the Oval, after helping Surrey to win the CB40 and staying unbeaten so far this year, yet his quickfire contributions this season remain ignored.
Kieswetter's Taunton colleagues are languishing at the bottom of the same group having lost four games.
We know cricket is not a one man sport, the Somerset man averaged 57 in 2011, Davies managed just 30, but the balance of glove power has shifted.
Davies now averages 38, perfectly respectable at the top of the order - Kieswetter averages a little over 8.
The pressure must be on if the Somerset player doesn't get the required runs.
Mind you, what is wrong with Matt Prior...?
Friday, 1 June 2012
Kartik set for Surrey debut...he will be a match winner
Team Director Chris Adams has named a thirteen man squad for Surrey’s
three Clydesdale Bank 40 games over the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Bank
Holiday weekend.
Surrey’s three Group B games come inside four days beginning with a
trip to the SWALEC Stadium on Saturday to take on the Welsh Dragons.
They then return
to the Kia Oval on Sunday to play the Hampshire Royals and on Tuesday
the Scottish Saltires are the visitors to the Kia Oval to complete the
three game run.
Murali Kartik comes straight into the squad having arrived this week
to join up with Surrey as the overseas professional until the end of the
season. Zafar
Ansari is unavailable for the three games due to commitments at
Cambridge University.
Chris Adams commented: “We are delighted to welcome Murali Kartik to
the club. He is a proven match winner in all forms of the game and we
are really looking
forward to having him available for us until the end of the season. He
will bring an extra dimension to our squad and his experience will be
invaluable in the dressing room.
“This run of three games in four days is a critical period in our CB40
campaign. If we can win all three then we will have put ourselves in a
very strong
position in Group B. That is our aim and we are confident because we
have already played some excellent cricket in the competition this
season which has seen us win our three opening games. We are looking
forward to the challenge of the next few days”.
The Surrey Squad for the Clydesdale Bank 40 games against the Welsh Dragons on Saturday 2nd June, the Hampshire Royals on Sunday 3rd
June and the Scottish Saltires on Tuesday 5thJune:
Rory Hamilton-Brown (capt)
Steven Davies
Jason Roy
Tom Maynard
Zander de Bruyn
Matthew Spriegel
Gareth Batty
Murali Kartik
Jon Lewis
Stuart Meaker
Jade Dernbach
Gary Wilson
Tim Linley
Thursday, 31 May 2012
The women's game
I went to watch Surrey v Sussex women last weekend. Decent game, England keeper Sarah Taylor made a sparkling hundred in a 150-run victory.
I sat there and asked myself, what must the women's game do to gain more exposure? It needs higher standards, more coaching and more time and money given to those who have the talent to become professional.
However, there is a long way to go. So I want your suggestions please. I'm writing now for The Cricket Paper and we have the perfect platform to take the female game forward in the media.
Let's get bigger crowds, more interest, and establish a game for both sexes to enjoy.
I sat there and asked myself, what must the women's game do to gain more exposure? It needs higher standards, more coaching and more time and money given to those who have the talent to become professional.
However, there is a long way to go. So I want your suggestions please. I'm writing now for The Cricket Paper and we have the perfect platform to take the female game forward in the media.
Let's get bigger crowds, more interest, and establish a game for both sexes to enjoy.
Friday, 13 April 2012
Sussex swept aside
Good to see Surrey secure a first win in the County Championship Div One, but they will face much stiffer tests than the weak Sussex attack at the Oval last week.
Middlesex are already providing a tougher examination of the Brown Cap's batting line up and the longer that de Bruyn and Ramps fail to score runs, the more likely that Chris Adams will turn to youth and Jason Roy who is waiting in the wings.
But Adams is right to give the old stagers a starting berth, experience is important in a division where nothing is given away.
By rights Surrey could have wrapped up victory in two days against the Sharks, but the quality that exists throughout teams in this league shone through. That patience and experience won the day and by not rushing for victory Surrey sailed home comfortably early on day four.
The London side's bowlers however look like THE force to be reckoned with this year - pace, accuracy and aggression were top of the menu. With some quality spin the vocal Surrey support will have much to cheer in the way of wickets this year. (And for those who were at the Oval late on the third day, yes they do need to pitch it up more!)
Good start, but we need more runs. 6 out of 10.
Middlesex are already providing a tougher examination of the Brown Cap's batting line up and the longer that de Bruyn and Ramps fail to score runs, the more likely that Chris Adams will turn to youth and Jason Roy who is waiting in the wings.
But Adams is right to give the old stagers a starting berth, experience is important in a division where nothing is given away.
By rights Surrey could have wrapped up victory in two days against the Sharks, but the quality that exists throughout teams in this league shone through. That patience and experience won the day and by not rushing for victory Surrey sailed home comfortably early on day four.
The London side's bowlers however look like THE force to be reckoned with this year - pace, accuracy and aggression were top of the menu. With some quality spin the vocal Surrey support will have much to cheer in the way of wickets this year. (And for those who were at the Oval late on the third day, yes they do need to pitch it up more!)
Good start, but we need more runs. 6 out of 10.
Tuesday, 3 April 2012
Selection matters...
Surrey go into first division action this Thursday in the opening game of the summer (weather permitting), but coach Chris Adams has a difficult task picking his best 11 as his batsman all stake a claim for inclusion.
Here is my pick for the game against Sussex at the Oval, and why:
1. Jacques Rudolph - simple selection, averages over 52 in championship cricket. Great addition to the squad and will give plenty to the young side on and off the pitch
2.Gary Wilson - for balance. When Steven Davies comes back it will be time for the England man to stand up and be counted at the top of the order. Until then, Wilson can deputise, and push for a place himself
3. Jason Roy - Huge talent. Needs a long stint in one slot to learn his trade, if not at three maybe at six. But this season should see a boy become a man.
4. Tom Maynard - Another who enters a crucial development season. Showed class last year and ability to bat long in the middle of a match. Surrey's key player this season - if England don't come knocking
5. Rory Hamilton-Brown - The skipper has been opening the batting out of necessity. Now Rudolph has arrived it gives him time to deliver in the middle of the order, where his technique and aggression is best suited. His bowling should also be further developed this year.
6. Zander de Bruyn - Amazing first year but should be put under pressure by a crop of youngsters eager to establish themselves in the first team. Will be a fine swansong, and his bowling is a handy weapon
7.Chris Jordan - Done enough in pre-season to gain a place, and was brilliant last year in helping the side gain promotion. If he stays injury free, he could be the surprise package of the season
8. Zafar Ansari - With Gareth Batty away with the MCC he needs to take his chance. Could be overlooked for Matthew Spriegel but if not given a chance will never improve
9. Jonathan Lewis - Great signing with so many Surrey pacemen now being called on by England. Will take wickets at key stages.
10. Stuart Meaker - If available, Meaker could have a similar impact as Jade Dernback did last time out. Could do with England letting him develop on the county circuit for a season at least
11. Tim Linley - Dependable and often under rated. Needs to stay clear of injuries and put in lots of overs
When we see the return of Jade, Batty, Tremlett, Pietersen, Ramps and Davies et al, it will be interesting to see what changes are made. Also, keep an eye on Matt Dunn this year - has real pace.
Here is my pick for the game against Sussex at the Oval, and why:
1. Jacques Rudolph - simple selection, averages over 52 in championship cricket. Great addition to the squad and will give plenty to the young side on and off the pitch
2.Gary Wilson - for balance. When Steven Davies comes back it will be time for the England man to stand up and be counted at the top of the order. Until then, Wilson can deputise, and push for a place himself
3. Jason Roy - Huge talent. Needs a long stint in one slot to learn his trade, if not at three maybe at six. But this season should see a boy become a man.
4. Tom Maynard - Another who enters a crucial development season. Showed class last year and ability to bat long in the middle of a match. Surrey's key player this season - if England don't come knocking
5. Rory Hamilton-Brown - The skipper has been opening the batting out of necessity. Now Rudolph has arrived it gives him time to deliver in the middle of the order, where his technique and aggression is best suited. His bowling should also be further developed this year.
6. Zander de Bruyn - Amazing first year but should be put under pressure by a crop of youngsters eager to establish themselves in the first team. Will be a fine swansong, and his bowling is a handy weapon
7.Chris Jordan - Done enough in pre-season to gain a place, and was brilliant last year in helping the side gain promotion. If he stays injury free, he could be the surprise package of the season
8. Zafar Ansari - With Gareth Batty away with the MCC he needs to take his chance. Could be overlooked for Matthew Spriegel but if not given a chance will never improve
9. Jonathan Lewis - Great signing with so many Surrey pacemen now being called on by England. Will take wickets at key stages.
10. Stuart Meaker - If available, Meaker could have a similar impact as Jade Dernback did last time out. Could do with England letting him develop on the county circuit for a season at least
11. Tim Linley - Dependable and often under rated. Needs to stay clear of injuries and put in lots of overs
When we see the return of Jade, Batty, Tremlett, Pietersen, Ramps and Davies et al, it will be interesting to see what changes are made. Also, keep an eye on Matt Dunn this year - has real pace.
Monday, 2 April 2012
That boy Roy...
The exaggerated foot front press in-between every over shows exactly what Jason Roy has been doing during the winter months - turning promise into technique and, fingers crossed, into runs.
Surrey's first pre-season encounter may have finished in a thrilling two-run victory against Leeds Uni, thanks largely to Tim Linley (5-45 in the 2nd innings) and Rory Burns (101 in the 1st innings), but it was four punches down the ground that showed a winter of hard work could yield some results for the 22-year-old.
Towards the end of the second day, Roy came in with the score on 58 for 3 and promptly thumped one past the left hand of the fielder at mid-on. Two more of the same followed, before a straighter version smashed into the stumps at the non-strikers end.
He only made 32, before mistiming one to mid-off, but the key was a new stance. Roy is now incredibly still at the crease, not even tapping his bat. He is clearly focused on hitting towards the V - great to see.
As any frustrated Surrey fan will tell you, the boy Roy has always been a talented bat, but too often a lazy pull across the line would kill an exciting innings before it had the chance to take off.
This year might be different. Keep the aggression and keep playing straight. Love the simplicity.
Star man v Leeds Uni: Chris Jordan, bowled quickly and scored 54 and 18 at the top of the order
Surrey's first pre-season encounter may have finished in a thrilling two-run victory against Leeds Uni, thanks largely to Tim Linley (5-45 in the 2nd innings) and Rory Burns (101 in the 1st innings), but it was four punches down the ground that showed a winter of hard work could yield some results for the 22-year-old.
Towards the end of the second day, Roy came in with the score on 58 for 3 and promptly thumped one past the left hand of the fielder at mid-on. Two more of the same followed, before a straighter version smashed into the stumps at the non-strikers end.
He only made 32, before mistiming one to mid-off, but the key was a new stance. Roy is now incredibly still at the crease, not even tapping his bat. He is clearly focused on hitting towards the V - great to see.
As any frustrated Surrey fan will tell you, the boy Roy has always been a talented bat, but too often a lazy pull across the line would kill an exciting innings before it had the chance to take off.
This year might be different. Keep the aggression and keep playing straight. Love the simplicity.
Star man v Leeds Uni: Chris Jordan, bowled quickly and scored 54 and 18 at the top of the order
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