Players at the ICC Combine last year. Photo: ICC
By Donna Bowes
As an avid cricket enthusiast and administrator, it is comforting to see the positive steps the International Cricket Council (ICC) is taking toward achieving ‘TRANSPARENCY’ within all aspects of cricket in the United States. To be clear, this observation is being made as a direct reference to the recently announced plan to conduct Combines throughout the country: “Application Process Open to Senior Male, Female and under-17 Players.” Immediately, the links to schedules and the application form were shared with ALL THE CRICKETERS I know (youth, senior, male, and female) as well as the general public. http://iccamericas.com/cricketcombine/players
The feedback has been mixed. Some are very excited for the opportunity to pursue their athletic dreams; some are apprehensive (proceeding with caution); some are uninterested as they have moved on to other ‘dreams’ – feeling as though this is “too little, too late;” some feel that the players who will be selected have already been selected and this will be a huge waste of their time; while others are content to watch from the sidelines – waiting for the chance to balk at yet another failed venture to harness the BEST PLAYERS in USA Cricket.
Beginning August 2015, the ICC launched a ‘major overhaul project’ aimed at ramping up the visibility and (of course) profitability for USA Cricket; after conducting several Town Hall Meetings, camps, consultations, brainstorming sessions and overall data-gathering across the country. The process seems to have yielded the results we now see coming to fruition – a.k.a. ACTION.
If you desire to be a part of the solution and growth trend for our sport of choice [CRICKET], I sincerely encourage players, coaches, trainers, umpires and their families to participate in these events. Share your knowledge, skills and expertise – TEAM WORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK!
March 12, 2016 will be reflected on as a significant date in the history of USA Cricket – will it be remembered fondly, or will it prove to be another “I told you so,” moment? Ever the optimist, I can’t help but expect nothing but upwardly mobile steps to follow for CRICKET, LOVELY CRICKET in America.