FORMER ENGLAND CAPTAIN Nasser Hussain OBE has launched a “Clubs in Need” programme, in collaboration with Capital Kids Cricket (CKC).

The ground-breaking initiative, launched last Thursday at the Leyton County Cricket Ground, aims to rejuvenate struggling cricket clubs while bridging the gap in transitioning young cricketers – boys and girls – from soft ball to hard ball cricket, addressing critical challenges within the community.

Cricket clubs play a pivotal role in nurturing future talent and fostering healthy communities. However, many of these clubs are facing severe challenges, including declining engagement, volunteer shortages, limited parental involvement, weak school connections, and the looming threat of collapse.

Nasser Hussain OBE expressed his passion for this initiative, stating, “As a cricket community, we all need to come together alongside the ECB, County Boards, funders, local authorities, and support each other. Lots of good work has already been done, but more needs to be accomplished.”

Shahidul Alam Ratan, CEO of Capital Kids Cricket, emphasised the importance of inclusivity, saying, “The game is missing out on many young talents from cricket clubs, particularly those from ethnically diverse communities. It’s time to step up and do something about it.”

The programme launch event was attended by enthusiastic schoolchildren and club junior members. Nasser Hussain actively engaged with them, participating in a cricket session. Numerous cricket clubs have expressed their interest in joining the programme. Currently, CKC is collaborating with county boards to ensure that the most deprived clubs receive vital support as soon as possible.

“Clubs in Need” will provide tailored assistance to each club, focusing on various key aspects, including:
•establishing strong links with local schools, communities and local authorities;
•increasing women and girls’ participation;
•recruiting volunteers and mentoring coaches;
•asssting with club coaching and organising holiday camps;
•offering logistical support for away game when possible;
•promoting clubs within schools and community groups via social media, flyers, websites, newsletters and local media.

One of the critical challenges addressed by the programme is the difficulty some clubs face in retaining members due to logistical issues. This leads to match cancellations and missed competitive opportunities. The “Clubs in Need” initiative will also focus on addressing the knowledge gap which often prevents clubs from accessing available funding.

The programme will work to strengthen networks that support club committees and key personnel by leveraging local knowledge in collaboration with local authorities, county boards, schools, and community groups.

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SCINTILLA CRICKET CLUB have been crowned the Essex County Cricket League Division 2/3 League Cup winners.

Newham was the host for the end of season finale as, in the middle of a September heatwave, Scintilla faced Bow Green at Flanders Fields. After winning the toss, the evergreen Mohit Gupta took control and used the support of a charging Sajal Rahman to rack up a half century. It set the tone of intent for Scintilla, as Aqib Ejaz smashed 79 in the rising heat. Bilal Khan set temperatures to boiling point by plundering 83 runs to leave Scintilla on 323/9.

It would take a mammoth effort to reach those figures in the sweltering heat, but Bow Green refused to lie low. Three wickets from Abdullah Chowdhary, two apiece from Mohit Gupta, Aqib Ejaz and Teja Bodaganti and one from Bilal Khan wrapped up the game. In unique scenes, Scintilla celebrated with Bow Green, sharing congratulations and compliments.

Scintilla Squad – ECCL Cup Final 2023
Aqib Ejaz – Haroon Saeed – Teja Bodaganti – Mussana Khalid – Bilal Khan –
Abdullah Chowdhary – Altaf Bhatt – Sajal Rahman – Romel Alauddin – Sohail Abbasi –
Mohit Gupta – Junaid Sofi – Adil Ejaz – Ishaq Shawn

Speaking after the win, Scintilla Captain Adil Ejaz commented, “Today is a special day for the Club as we achieved another milestone. The team and coaches were superb throughout as we played for one another. It allowed us to record this great triumph.”

Scintilla Chair Emdad Rahman MBE added, “We were all a little down after conceding the League, but a great team lifts itself and charges right on again. Well done to the squad on achieving another momentous day and our thanks go to the Essex County Cricket League and to our splendid Bow Green on creating such a great spectacle.”

Aqib Ejaz’s men will be presented with the trophy at a separate event during the winter, along with al other ECCL champions. Scintilla dedicated the win to Club Founder and Honorary President Ahmed Choudhury.

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THE MUCH ANTICIPATED draw for the Bangladesh District Cup 2023 tournament has taken place in Redbridge. The event introduced the fourth competition for the Bangladesh District Cup, a platform for Bangladeshis across the UK who share a passion for cricket.

Guests from the cricketing fraternity came along to witness and experience the draw for the tournament which takes place once again at Seven Kings Park. Among the attendees were Jawar Ali, Director of Essex Cricket in the Community; Ayaz Karim (Chattogram); Syed Tarif (Dhaka); Sayfur Rahman (Sylhet); and Aminul Islam Shihan (Comilla).

The tournament’s structure was unveiled via an informative live Facebook feed and participating teams were divided into three competitive groups. Two teams from Group A and one team from each of Group B and Group C will secure their positions in the last four.

Group A
•Sylhet
•Habiganj
•Brahmanbaria
•Khulna

Group B
•Dhaka
•Chattogram
•Cumilla

Group C
•Sunamganj
•Noakhali
•Moulvibazar

The tournament group stages are set to go ahead on Tuesday, 12th September and Wednesday, 13th September. The semi-finals and final will take place on Sunday, 17th September. Matches will be played at Seven Kings Park.

This year’s competition will include the participation of players hailing from ten different districts. Families and children are joining in the festivities, fostering a sense of unity and celebration.

Jawar Ali, Director, Essex Cricket in the Community, commented, “The event this year promises to be even more riveting with the inclusion of Bangladesh national cricket team players, who will be known as icon players, and the list includes cricket luminaries like Mohammed Ashraful, Shamsur Rahman Shuvo, Jahirul Islam Omi, Abu Shahed Rabi, Imrul Kayes, Sabbir Rahman, and Enamul Haque.

“As the excitement builds up, the Bangladesh District Cup 2023 is all set to bring together cricket enthusiasts, communities, and players from diverse backgrounds, exemplifying the unity and joy that the sport of cricket fosters. The stage is set for an unforgettable cricketing spectacle that will be enjoyed and celebrated by all.”

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IN THEIR Championship Division 2 fixture, Scintilla Cricket Club Seconds beat Moulvibazar CC by 64 runs at the Hainault Recreation Ground.

The visitors batted first and struggled on a challenging surface but Aqib Ejaz and Ashish Koul dug in to contribute 68 runs. Teja Bodaganti, Vamsi Dundigalla, Iqbal Miah, Asif Khan and Mussana Khalid ensured Scintilla reached a respectable 157 by tea.

Scintilla are a team of character and precise bowling, and effective fielding reduced Moulvibazar to 93 all out by the 19th over. Sound performances from Haroon Saeed, Romel Alauddin, Sohail Farooq and Taqi Ahmed prevented Moulvibazar reaching 100 runs.

Next up for the high flyers is the Essex County Cricket League cup final. Scintilla will face Bow Green at Flanders Field in the final of the Division 2/3 Cup in September.

Scintilla Captain Aqib Ejaz said, “This has been a great campaign for a group of players we bought together very late in the day, and the squad have been tremendous throughout. We still have a major cup final to look forward to so our focus very much remains on being best prepared for this prestigious game.”

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SCINTILLA SECONDS held their nerve to defeat Sankalp CC at Aberdour Road. Top scorer was Aqib Ejaz who struck 59 and was ably supported by Romel Alauddin on 39 and Teja Bodaganti with 29 as Scintilla reached 240 all out after 39 overs.

Three wickets apiece from Aqib Ejaz and Muhammad Adhan Nazir and two each from Sohail Farooq and Daniel Padala reduced Sankalp to 212 after 41 overs. The crucial dismissals of talented openers Vibhu Taneja and Krishna Babu by Ejaz and Nazir were the turning points after tea.

Scintilla skipper Aqib Ejaz highlighted the positives, “I’m not entirely happy with our performance but the boys were stubborn and ground out a crucial win. What pulled us through was players taking personal responsibility with bat and ball to take the points against determined opponents.”

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SCINTILLA SAW OFF a spirited Roding Valley at the Metropolitan Police Sports Club, Chigwell to remain in the steering seat of Division 1 of the Essex County Cricket League.

The League leaders elected to bat first and reached 253 by tea. M. Abad took the important wicket of Hanif Kibria, who fell just short of a half century with 49. Scintilla passed 250 runs with 40 from Ishaq Shawn, 25 from MJ Hasan and an important tail end 29 from Bilal Khan.

Morshadur Rahman Rahman, Ishaq Shawn and Bilal Khan were prominent as Roding were all bowled out under 100 runs. The team dedicated the win to the evergreen all-rounder Mohit Gupta on his birthday.

Scintilla Captain Ishaq Shawn commented, “A spirited display against a great side. We did what was asked of us to produce an important win. There are no easy games in this Division, and our preparation for every game remains the same: respect the opposition and retain full focus.”

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SCINTILLA REMAIN in pole position of Division One of the Essex County Cricket League after beating Aztecs at the London Marathon Playing Fields.

The visitors elected to bat after winning the toss and proceeded to maximise the use of the full 45 overs to reach 292. Opening pair Adil Ejaz and Altaf Bhat reached 71 to lay the ground for captain Ishaq Shawn to blast 53 before being caught by Cheema off the bowling of Zazai.

An 82 run partnership rounded off the Scintilla innings with Haroon Saeed not out on 34. All rounder Morshadur Rahman celebrated being called to the Bar as a newly qualified barrister by contributing 48 runs before being run out by Kugathayaparan.

Scintilla made light work of Aztecs in the field after tea by reducing the home team to 106 all out, with Mussana Khalid dismissing Kugathayaparan, Ramaraj and Zazai with twelve runs on the board. Three wickets apiece from Shawn and Hanif Kibria wrapped up the game in the 28th over.

Captain Ishaq Shawn commented, “An important win against a talented team but I was more pleased with the application of the players, in respecting our opponents and seeing the job through, professionally and with a consistent approach. We reflect on our performances and prepare for the next game – that is the only plan we prepare for.”

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Anything the first team can do the Scintilla CC Seconds are matching at the moment – and Aqib Ejaz’s troops were in no mood to relinquish their hold on the top spot as they saw off sixth-placed Bow Green at Goodmayes Park.

Haroon Saeed⁩ plundered 77, while Ejaz and Mussana added another 69 runs to the total as the home side reached 180 all out after 38 overs. After Vamsi and Mussana had dismantled the top order, skipper Ejaz claimed four wickets. He was joined on the scoreboard by Rabeef and Ariful Islam with a wicket each.

Scintilla are enjoying their cricket, and captain Aqib Ejaz summed up the spirit in the squad,” he said. “The team are happy, and our aim is to maintain momentum playing cricket with control and discipline. At the same time I’m pleased with the mentality and team spirit within the camp, and these are key elements which will help us learn and develop going forward.”

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A SEVEN WICKET win and maximum points was the reward for Scintilla Cricket Club against Redbridge Parks Cricket Club at Fairlop.

Redbridge batted first and were bowled out for 137 by the thirty-first over of play, with middle order batsman Asad Khan racking up 83 runs. The cavalier Khan was superb at the crease, and with better support from his team his innings would have been a match winning knock on any given day.

Saad Bidiwala was the Scintilla tormentor in chief with five wickets. There was a welcome return for Morshadur Rahman, who chipped in two wickets, including the scalp of Salik Chishti for 11 runs. This came after pace bowler Rifat Mahmud had dismissed fellow opener Ibrahim Butt for 4. Muhammad Chaudhary and Altaf Bhat each took a wicket apiece to round off the session.

Scintilla made light work of the game after tea with openers Altaf Bhat and Adil Ejaz producing a quick fire 76. The classy Sajal Rahman struck a stout 29 runs before retiring not out. It was left to Bilal Khan and fourteen year old Mikhail Gupta, playing with his father Mohit Gupta, to see the game home.

Scintilla maintain their unbeaten record and top spot in Division One of the Essex County Cricket League. Captain Adil Ejaz’s attention is only on the next fixture. “This is a very competitive League with very competitive teams, and our only focus is the next game and the next game alone,” he said. “To this end our sights are fixed on producing high end individual performances to achieve excellent team outcomes. Well done, team!”

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CAPITAL KIDS CRICKET (CKC) has been fighting against discrimination for the past 34 years. A charity which was set up to overcome societal challenges and empower young people, CKC has responded to findings from the ICEC report that found structural racism, sexism, and elitism in English and Welsh cricket.

CKC will be taking the recommendations in the ICEC into account for both our current and future projects. As championed by the launch of our Bowl Out Racism campaign, we are committed to eradicating all forms of discrimination from our game, and wider society. As we have done since 1989, we will continue to work to ensure that cricket is a game for everyone.

We are proud to deliver projects that promote equity, diversity, and inclusion, but we are aware more can be done. We look forward to working with the entire cricket community to support the England and Wales Cricket Board’s delivery of a cricket “reset” going forward.

“Our work in London over the last 34 years has shown us that with the right focus, funding and commitment we can meet the goal of making cricket the most equitable sport. Watched by millions, cricket has the potential to not only encourage sport and fitness but team spirit and a sense of community. We can see that at the grassroots in the programmes we operate successfully in 20 London boroughs,” said Nasser Hussain OBE, President of CKC.

“We are saddened but not surprised by [the] findings from the ICEC. Cricket should be a game for all. The great work from the England men’s and women’s teams to make it an entertaining sport to watch needs to be matched by systemic work from all institutions to truly make it a sport for everyone, regardless of race, gender, or social status,” said Shahidul Alam Ratan, CEO of CKC.

“I am proud to see that Capital Kids Cricket has already been implementing and following all relevant recommendations from the ICEC report, and this gives us further confidence in the work we are delivering. We have fought discrimination for 34 years, organised cricket in hundreds of London’s diverse communities and encouraged boys and girls from all backgrounds to play cricket,” said Haydn Turner, founder trustee of CKC, MCC Member.

●CKC is a youth development charity that improves the social, emotional, and physical development of children, young people, and families across London. We are one of the most diverse cricket organisations in the UK running a wide range of projects across London and the southeast including:

•offering programmes in 113 locations across 20 London boroughs for over 8,000 children per year;
•working with over 2,500 women and girls per year;
•running sports lessons for children in six London hospitals, including Great Ormond Street Hospital School;
•supporting 12 refugee camps in Lebanon, working with displaced boys and girls.

2023 will see the launch of the Clubs in Need Programme providing bespoke support to cricket clubs who are facing various challenges due to a lack of outreach, coaching, volunteers, and parental support.

ABOUT CKC

CKC was set up in 1989 by Haydn Turner and Bill Greaves, two accomplished businessmen, friends and passionate life-long cricket supporters. Both wanted to address the lack of cricket on offer in London and regenerate cricket in schools.

By 1991, CKC had gained momentum and joined forces with other initiatives focused on establishing cricket in schools. These included the London Schools’ Cricket Association (LCCA) and the London Schools Cricket Project (LSCP). In partnership with these initiatives, CKC was operating across 19 London boroughs.

This mission has remained the same since 1989, although the charity has evolved. Alongside its work in schools across London, CKC handles initiatives in hospitals and is now actively involved with refugees here in the UK and in Lebanon. CKC has remained true to its goal and has sought to use cricket to unify people regardless of their differences – both socially and culturally – and bring communities together.

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