Six new teams for Hampshire League among the reasons to be cheerful for grassroots cricket in the county

The Hampshire Cricket League will begin the 20201 season with six more teams than they had at the end of the 2019 campaign.
Action from last season's Hampshire District League 'micro bubble' game between Fareham & Crofton and Havant 2nds. Picture: Chris MoorhouseAction from last season's Hampshire District League 'micro bubble' game between Fareham & Crofton and Havant 2nds. Picture: Chris Moorhouse
Action from last season's Hampshire District League 'micro bubble' game between Fareham & Crofton and Havant 2nds. Picture: Chris Moorhouse

That’s one of many encouraging stories which hearten the Hampshire Cricket Board’s cricket development manager Simon Jones.

Portsmouth have entered a 4th XI for the forthcoming 17-week season which - Government restrictions notwithstanding - is due to start on Saturday, May 8.

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Locks Heath have also restored a 4th XI and other new teams are Clanfield, Hayling Island 3rds, Kerala 3rds, Bournemouth 6ths and Overton 3rds.

Locally, Bedhampton Mariners are down from four teams to three.

Overall, the Hampshire League - once the biggest recreational league in the world before it was overtaken by its cross-border neighbours in Sussex - ended 2019 with 297 teams and will start 2021 with 303.

The only club that has folded since the end of 2019 was Stockbridge, and their demise came before the pandemic took centre stage in everyone’s lives.

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Following a revamp of the recreational game, the Hampshire League numbers shot up from 180 in 2000 to 308 12 months later.

Numbers gradually rose to a peak of 344 in 2016, but only 315 started the following year.

The 2020 grassroots season, due to start in early May, eventually began in late July and was based on geography to reduce travelling times.

The Southern League split its teams into west and east divisions, while Hampshire League clubs took part in ‘micro bubble’ leagues - the latter organised by the Hampshire Cricket Board.

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‘The small groups went down well,’ reported Jones. ‘We were happy to assist and facilitate all that.

‘Of the 360 teams affiliated to the Hampshire Cricket Board, around 210 men’s and women’s teams were able to play some competitive cricket last year.

‘The cricket family pulled together and we made the best of the situation as we possibly could.

‘We had some very positive feedback.

‘People had to think differently - many clubs played on into September and one club in the New Forest played on into October.

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‘In the Winchester League, clubs used one new ball per innings as opposed to just one new ball in the match.

‘Those games provided opportunities for young players and they were able to show what they can do bowling with a new ball.’

Jones continued: ‘I’ve also heard that some junior teams were able to play more games last year than they would have done in a normal season.

‘That could have been due to the fact players weren’t able to go away on holiday.

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‘But it’s impressive to see the enthusiasm in youth cricket.

‘When lockdown restrictions are eased, it’s going to be the juniors that are allowed to play first.

‘That’ll be important for their wellbeing and their parents’ sanity!’