As the summer of 2005 approached, England prepared to face the Australians on home turf, tasked with trying to win an Ashes series for the first time since 1987. It was an ominous challenge against a side boasting legends like Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Ricky Ponting.
Equally ominous was the statistic showing that less than 10% of state schools in England were playing any form of meaningful cricket at that point.
But then everything changed. England, featuring Andrew Flintoff, Kevin Pietersen and Michael Vaughan, made the nation fall in love with cricket again, battling to a thrilling 2-1 series win, external that made heroes and celebrities of the players.
And with the great success on the field came a concerted effort beyond the boundary, something which means that in 2013 the grassroots game is in far ruder health – thanks in no small part to the Chance to Shine scheme.
Run by the Cricket Foundation Charity and supported by the England and Wales Cricket Board, Chance to Shine has built on the success of the top-level men’s and women’s teams, taking the game into more than 7,000 schools since 2005 – and introducing two million youngsters to the sport.
Chance to Shine’s mission statement reads: “The idea is to link cricket clubs to local primary and secondary schools, pay qualified cricket coaches to deliver cricket sessions and matches in schools, train teachers and encourage children to come and play at cricket clubs.”
Talking at a Chance to Shine project run by Warwickshire County Cricket Club, England women’s captain Charlotte Edwards explains: “We want to get as many boys and particularly girls playing the game as possible.
“It’s not just about being the next England cricketer, it’s about teaching really important life skills as well. Cricket can do that.”