In a bumper episode, the hosts are joined by Jack, captain of the first team at Merton CC in London. They discuss the amateur cricket scene in UK and India, focusing on the how one really gets into cricket. They touch upon some enlightening topics such as the UK club cricket structure and its difference from Indian coaching academies, their own journeys into cricket, as well as their views on controversial artefacts such as selection, player management, and cricket teas!
This is a must-listen for anyone interested in learning how Indian and UK amateur cricket cultures are so intertwined yet so different.
Shownotes
1:30 - What is club cricket in UK, and how Arjun got into it.
6:30 - League vs Friendly cricket
11:30 - Managing difficult players
14:45 – Jack's personal journey into cricket
20:30 - English Conditions and the pitches
23:30 - Controversial topic “teas" and socialising
34:30 - Selection policies in UK (vs India/Pakistan)
35:30 - Getting into amateur cricket in UK, from kids to teens to adults to clubs
42:10 - What does the UK do better and what does India do better? And the role of Asian parents in both countries.
47:00 - Getting into amateur cricket in India, through cricket coaching centers
50:40 – Girls cricket & social change via LGBTQ+ cricket.
{editing by Deepak Thakur}