Having played and coached in the professional English cricket system, it’s always a challenge to work in an associates’ system that is lacking in both funding and a professional outlet. After 3 years as Assistant Head Coach with the Dutch national team to successfully qualify for the 2007 ICC World Cup, I have seen there are many factors that can genuinely help develop cricket. And now, with 3 coaching visits under my belt to the US plus numerous conversations with officials and those involved with playing and coaching, I see far more clearly how the US can help itself.

1. Stop The Politics

In any walk of life people are out to make a name for themselves, But when it comes to developing a sport, a far bigger picture is important. More than making speeches, it’s useful for officials and those involved with the game to actually DO things to bring young players through. Initially, it may mean losing cricket matches at various levels whilst people learn how to win. You will often find managers and coaches of teams just wanting to get their own personal record as good as possible and not think about how they can bring talent through. The game is all about being fair, reasonable and player focused. It’s never about administrators and coaches records even though they like to think it is.

2. Develop Players Correctly

Get a development plan, stick to it and see it through. The only way any country can make a sport attractive is to develop those who already play first, so the national teams that represent that country actually perform well. No media wants to cover a ‘minority’ sport where its teams are not playing at the highest levels. Or worse still when they do, they are heavily beaten. It would be madness to imagine that others are attracted to a sport where there’s no success, outlet for success, nor the opportunity to take the game up further after a young age other than for recreation. If cricket in the US is merely for recreation, it’s competing with activities that take far less time out of a day.

3. Coach Cricket Professionally By Developing ‘Professional’ Coaches

It’s worrying to note that so few high level coaches (or any recognised level coaches) work in the US or are involved with cricket in the US. It simply means that talent lies wasted, Read more…

Administrator USA Andy Flower, Blogs.CMDN.com, Cricket, Cricket Blogs, Dale Steyn, Darren Gough, ICC, ODI, Shoaib Akthar

Some of you have asked for an update on our Ashes Heroes run-down over the past year. Click on the links below to see who we have mentioned so far. Number 3 will be posted this afternoon, Number 2 will go up on Monday and then the final Hero in our list will be up there on the morning of the Ashes. Read more…

Administrator Ashes Adam Gilchrist, Archie Jackson, Ashes, Bill Lawry, Blogs.CMDN.com, Charlie Turner, Cricket, Cricket Blogs, Darren Gough, George Giffen, Hedley Verity, Heroes, Jack Gregory, Justin Langer, Kevin Pietersen, Mark Waugh, Michael Vaughan, Mike Brearley, Mike Gatting, Vic Richardson