From John Murphy Clubs and Leagues Director Lancashire Cricket. This short update includes information on disability cricket, managing unoccupied properties and participant kit for All Stars.

"Good afternoon everyone,

I hope you continue to stay safe and well.

Please see the latest ECB press release, which was sent to the network on Good Friday: https://ecb-comms.co.uk/1FT6-6TRS9-D6SSQJ4NB2/cr.aspx

The short update includes information on disability cricket, managing unoccupied properties and participant kit for All Stars.

Funding Reminder

As per previous correspondence, Lancashire Cricket strongly recommends that any clubs looking for financial support should first investigate the various Government schemes, in particular the Small Business Grant Fund (SBGF) and the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant (RHLG). More info about eligibility can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/878082/small-business-grant-and-retail-leisure-hospitality-grant-guidance-for-businesses-v2.pdf

We are hearing that several Lancashire clubs have now benefitted from these schemes, with awards of between £10,000 and £25,000. Depending on the arrangements of your local authority, some clubs will receive payment automatically, while others may need to submit an online form. Please note, Lancashire Cricket are not able to advise on individual cases, so clubs are encouraged to phone their LA to determine eligibility and the likely timing of any grant.

Clubs that are ineligible for Government support should look to Sport England’s Community Emergency Fund - https://www.sportengland.org/how-we-can-help/our-funds/community-emergency-fund

Grants of between £300 and £10,000 are available to sports clubs, with a decision expected within 10 days of applications being submitted.

Lancashire Cricket expect to learn more about ECB financial support later this week. The majority of accessible funding will be via an (interest free) Emergency Loan Scheme, although a very small number of Lancashire clubs may qualify for a ‘Return to Cricket’ grant, with more details and eligibility TBC - the advice therefore is please do not wait to explore the options above!

Clubs should continue to check our Foundation website for regular updates, including the new Covid-19 information pack which is now available to download.

Please feel free to forward this message, together with any of the links included within, to your club colleagues and the wider cricket network.

Best Regards and stay safe.

John

John Murphy | Clubs and Leagues Director

Lancashire Cricket
Emirates Old Trafford, Talbot Road, Manchester, M16 0PX 

T:     07584 058267

E:     This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

W:    lancashirecricket.co.uk"

The Indian Premier League bowled its first ball in 2008 and completely changed the face of cricket in the process. The early seasons of the IPL were headlined by two teams with the Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals being the two biggest clubs fighting for the league’s title.

Those early IPL seasons saw both Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals take different roads to reach success. Rajasthan Royals were a far more conservative club, choosing to build with experienced cricketers without spending large sums of money in the IPL auction. 

In contrast, Royal Challengers Bangalore chose a bolder path that saw them spend money unapologetically. Royal Challengers Bangalore spent cash to build the team and that spending was typified by the club’s purchase of England batsman Kevin Pietersen for £1.1 million. The signing made Pietersen the co-highest paid player in cricket. 

“You didn’t want to be one step behind the pacemakers – and the pacemakers at the time were the Indian Premier League,” Pietersen said in a recent interview with Betway about his career in the IPL. 

Different routes, same results

Pietersen’s Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals – like the IPL overall – were the pacemakers in the league. The two sides featured in the first two IPL finals. The IPL’s debut season saw Rajasthan Royals win the title against Chennai Super Kings. While year No. 2 featured a final with Royal Challengers Bangalore falling to defeat against Deccan Chargers.

Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals have never met in the IPL Final. The former have lost the IPL Final on three occasions, and have always been the bridesmaid. Since winning the 2009 IPL Final, Rajasthan Royals have not reached the league's showpiece game.  

It was April 2009, the league’s second campaign, that the rivals played a memorable fixture that went down in IPL history. Although they have played additional marquee matches, the 2009 fixture stands out.

Royal Challengers Bangalore vs. Rajasthan Royals, April 18, 2009

On opening day 2009, the IPL’s two biggest clubs met. It may be forgotten now, 11 years after the 2009 season, but the entire campaign was played in South Africa rather than in India due to the Lok Sabha elections. 

Pietersen had arrived in the offseason for a world-record fee at Royal Challengers Bangalore. Not only was Pietersen the highest paid player, but he was the club’s captain. Pietersen’s arrival had changed expectations at Royal Challengers Bangalore and hopes were high he could lead the side to an IPL Final win. 

Unfortunately for Pietersen and the club, Rajasthan Royals quickly exposed Royal Challengers Bangalore’s weaknesses. Rahul Dravid scored a half century in the fixture as Rajasthan Royals went 133/8 in 20 overs. 

Although Pietersen was Royal Challengers Bangalore’s marquee signing in the IPL auction, the start to the season wasn’t great. The club did turn the season around at the midway point and finished third in the league table. Pietersen and company would then reach the final after defeating Chennai Super Kings in the semifinal match. You can see the full interview from Betway Cricket.

The National Village Cup is looking for entrants for 2020.

Details are below and via the links. If you wish to apply and are eligible, you must do so by January 31st.

Enter the Cup

To enter The Cricketer Village Cup 2020 please fill out the form below. Prior to submitting this form please be sure that you have:

• • The competition rules can be viewed here
  • A subscription to The Cricketer magazine. This must last the duration of the competition, if you or a member of you club does not have a subscription please call 0203 1981 359 or click here.
  • Submitted at least one point on contact, with the correct email, telephone and postal address.
  • Please ensure this member of the club is aware of the club’s entry into the competition and is willing to be the main point of contact.
  • All entry forms for the 2020 competition need to be submitted by 31st January 2020

https://www.nationalvillagecup.com/enter-the-cup/

A village shall be deemed to be a rural community consisting of not more than 10,000 inhabitants. Exceptions can be made. Please contact The Cricketer for clarification. Note: county council figures cannot in all cases be said to represent the population, since often other villages and hamlets are put together for council purposes. When in doubt, the organisers should be consulted, including decisions about mergers. Market towns are not eligible, regardless of the population figure.