Culture secretary Lisa Nandy hits out at "fantasy" £35m announcement by the previous Conservative government, but doubt remains over how many more cricket shields will be built by the target date Government pledge £1.5m for two cricket domes | ✍️ @coynejames.bsky.social
“Budget cuts by the Labour government…” Was there ever any actual money allocated to Sunak’s pre-election “pledge”? What about the ECB’s “£50 million” for grassroots cricket from the ‘dred? Did no-one ask? It’s not mentioned in the article. (Possibly not banked, yet, so not available to allocate?)
This does look good, although it should be noted that the new “domes” will be “Covered Outdoor #Cricket Facilities”. resources.ecb.co.uk/ecb/document...
From the ECB spec for such structures: “…on the winter the playing environment will be close to outside air temperature but warmed slightly by activity, the lighting system and reduced wind chill.” What’s the weather like in Farington in January?
I have coached in an un-heated hall in winter (all coaches have probably experienced this), and “cold” doesn’t come close. Thermal baselayer, hoodie, beanie, gloves… Perhaps not that inviting for schoolkids learning the game in the “Spring” term, nor to social users on a winter’s evening?