File - A One Day International cricket match between England and New Zealand at Lord's cricket ground. on March 13, 2025.
SHARE:
Marylebone Cricket Club is set to host a new tournament exclusively for state schools in 2026, the finals of which will be played at Lord’s.
The Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) published a report in 2023 about the various societal issues faced by the sport. The study revealed how cricket in the U.K. has been riddled with problems of elitism and class-based discrimination.
Problems with Cricket
The ICEC report in 2023 also criticised the MCC for promoting these ideas by hosting historical fixtures like the annual cricket match between Eton and Harrow schools, which has been played since since 1805. The report further detailed how there has been a decline in participation because of the wider structural inequalities that exist across cricket in England and Wales.
The Royal Family attend the annual cricket match between Eton and Harrow Schools on July 11, 1947 at Lord’s in London.
Solidifying this disparity, the study also revealed that 58% of players for England’s men’s teams in 2021 received a private education, guaranteeing them better opportunities and facilities to prosper.
The scarce provision of cricket in state schools, the widespread links between cricket and private schools, the cost and time associated with playing youth cricket, the lack of a systematic, contextual process for talent identification, and the relative absence of diversity amongst coaches on the talent pathway; these are all important factors which present significant barriers to an equitable system.
Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket report
Ripping through cricket’s barriers
Will Heaver, a player at Wimbledon CC, shared how such an initiative could help in the growth of cricket.
“I think the idea of a state school cricket system, a state school cricket tournament is a very good idea. I think cricket has, especially in the UK, a massive issue with elitism. Then there is definitely a pathway blocking players who play in the state school system to be noticed by elite-level coaches. So hopefully this tournament will provide a pathway for those players to make it to the top level.”
England’s cricketers Chris Jordan and Jos Buttler play with kids at the at the Kensington Oval cricket ground in Bridgetown, Barbados as part of the Sport for Life program on April 29, 2015.
Mr Heaver then addressed the various costs associated with playing cricket, “You can also say it’s definitely about access as well, like cricket itself is not a cheap sport, especially with all the equipment.”
In-person coaching from certified coaches in London could cost up to £100 per hour while a base-level cricket kits starts from a price of £120.
“So I’m hoping that state schools are being funded in the right way as well, especially with the lack of PE at some state schools, I hope that cricket can actually be on the rise again in the state sector and this tournament could help that,” Will Heaver concluded with an optimistic future for cricket.
A step forward
England takes on Australia Test match at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London on August 17, 2019.
The MCC with its Foundation is set to organise a tournament where state schools will compete to play in the final at Lord’s. Former England captain Michael Vaughan has also backed this initiative. The MCC will unveil the competition in a live event in June 2025.
Submitted Article
Headline
Short Headline
Standfirst
Published Article
HeadlineHome of Cricket tackles class barriers with new State School Tournament in 2026
Short HeadlineHome of Cricket introduces new State School Tournament
StandfirstThe move aims to address cricket’s elitism and class barriers while providing state school players a pathway to the top.
Marylebone Cricket Club is set to host a new tournament exclusively for state schools in 2026, the finals of which will be played at Lord’s.
The Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) published a report in 2023 about the various societal issues faced by the sport. The study revealed how cricket in the U.K. has been riddled with problems of elitism and class-based discrimination.
Problems with Cricket
The ICEC report in 2023 also criticised the MCC for promoting these ideas by hosting historical fixtures like the annual cricket match between Eton and Harrow schools, which has been played since since 1805. The report further detailed how there has been a decline in participation because of the wider structural inequalities that exist across cricket in England and Wales.
The Royal Family attend the annual cricket match between Eton and Harrow Schools on July 11, 1947 at Lord’s in London.
Solidifying this disparity, the study also revealed that 58% of players for England’s men’s teams in 2021 received a private education, guaranteeing them better opportunities and facilities to prosper.
The scarce provision of cricket in state schools, the widespread links between cricket and private schools, the cost and time associated with playing youth cricket, the lack of a systematic, contextual process for talent identification, and the relative absence of diversity amongst coaches on the talent pathway; these are all important factors which present significant barriers to an equitable system.
Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket report
Ripping through cricket’s barriers
Will Heaver, a player at Wimbledon CC, shared how such an initiative could help in the growth of cricket.
“I think the idea of a state school cricket system, a state school cricket tournament is a very good idea. I think cricket has, especially in the UK, a massive issue with elitism. Then there is definitely a pathway blocking players who play in the state school system to be noticed by elite-level coaches. So hopefully this tournament will provide a pathway for those players to make it to the top level.”
England’s cricketers Chris Jordan and Jos Buttler play with kids at the at the Kensington Oval cricket ground in Bridgetown, Barbados as part of the Sport for Life program on April 29, 2015.
Mr Heaver then addressed the various costs associated with playing cricket, “You can also say it’s definitely about access as well, like cricket itself is not a cheap sport, especially with all the equipment.”
In-person coaching from certified coaches in London could cost up to £100 per hour while a base-level cricket kits starts from a price of £120.
“So I’m hoping that state schools are being funded in the right way as well, especially with the lack of PE at some state schools, I hope that cricket can actually be on the rise again in the state sector and this tournament could help that,” Will Heaver concluded with an optimistic future for cricket.
A step forward
England takes on Australia Test match at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London on August 17, 2019.
The MCC with its Foundation is set to organise a tournament where state schools will compete to play in the final at Lord’s. Former England captain Michael Vaughan has also backed this initiative. The MCC will unveil the competition in a live event in June 2025.
Recognised by the FA, the LU & TFL Football League features two divisions with teams representing Tube lines, buses, the British Transport Police and the Overground
After a 17-year-old girl with autism has been suspended for six games, a group known as Twelve O Five is organising the intended Wembley demonstration.
