Could you host a Cheshire game?

Cheshire CCC used in all, nine home grounds for 1st and 2nd XI games in 2024.

However, we're often asked, "Could my club host a game?' or "why do you always play  at the same grounds?"

Cheshire Chair, Jim Law, explains...

"We're really fortunate to have so many top grounds to play at. We've fabulous support across the county and very accomodating clubs.

"Travelling up and down the country, I can honestly say we're lucky enough to have access to more options and quality grounds than other National County sides.

"We're hugely grateful for our club support and believe we fulfil our remit of playing as much across the county as possible while providing the best facilities for our players and supporters.

"There are fairly robust ground requirements laid down by the National Counties Cricket Association (NCCA) and there are a number of things to consider when selecting venues:

• Ground risk assesment feedback
• Facilities (off-pitch): dressing rooms, catering (one and three day), scorebox, spectator comfort and accesibility (catering, toilets etc.), car parking, practice nets etc
• Facilities (pitch): quality of wicket and outfield, covers, sightscreens (black and white), ground staff
• Geography: member expectations (playing across the county), opposition travel restrictions, boundaries/local awareness eg Cheshire v Staffordshire at Nantwich (remember too Cheshire based clubs do not soley play in the Cheshire County League eg Elworth, Wallasey, Birkenhead Park and New Brighton) 
• Commercial opportunities
• Type of match ie friendly, T20, 50 over, three day 
• External factors eg other big games in the area, town events etc
• Club desire to host Cheshire
• Calendar: e.g. recently games have been scheduled prior to scheduled local league season starting
• Flexibility (weather switches, cup progress etc)
• Previous experiences of ground; player/supporter feedback
• Media: wi-fi/streaming availability and quality

"Over the last 20 years, our 1st XI have played at Alderley Edge, Bowdon, Bramhall, Chester Boughton Hall, Christleton Didsbury, Grappenhall, Hyde, Marple, Nantwich, Neston, New Brighton, Oxton, Tattenhall and Toft. Go back further and you can add many more grounds - Warrington, Macclesfield, Wallasey  and many more. Plus the 2nd XI list includes many such as Crewe, Elworth, Northwich, Urmston etc. 

"There's a reason why our list of grunds is smaller in recent times. NCCA demands increase, club improvements take grounds to another level, and far more club and county cricket is played so making space can be real challenge.

"Hosting is hard work too. Catering can be a challenge and ground staff and other resource can be stretched. They've their own ground requirements to manage."

"We're always interested in talking to 'new' clubs of course. If you'd like that conversation, please get in touch".