Andrew Lewin

I beg to move, That this House has considered Government support for grassroots cricket clubs. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Turner. There is something quintessentially English about amateur cricket: the thud of the bat on ball, the awkward silence after a catch goes down—I know, I have been there—and the beer mats hanging out of trouser pockets, as players hope to dry the ball on another soggy May afternoon. Mostly importantly, this summer 2.5 million of us played the game, which is a force for good in so many ways. I want to reflect on why grassroots cricket is so important to our communities and needs to be nurtured and invested in, and to ask the Minister how the Government can work with clubs, schools and the game’s governing body, to ensure that our great game thrives and is open to all. Cricket has always been a big part of my life. I am wearing the tie of Bishop’s Stortford cricket club, where I first rocked up as a six-year-old. I have played for a few clubs in my time. The excellent Play-Cricket website, used by clubs across the country, records that I have batted 193 times and scored 3,854 runs in club cricket. This is a 90-minute debate, so we have plenty of time—[Interruption.] No, don’t worry, Mr Turner. I was sorely tempted but, as I intend to stay in your good books, I will resist the temptation to talk any more about my career.