Time To Fund Amateur Cricket

Jeremy Bentham stated that "the greatest happiness of the greatest number is the foundation of morals and legislation". Unfortunately it is not the foundation of cricket funding policy which dictates that the majority of resources are directed towards the 100 or so professional cricketers in England and Wales, whilst little is given to the thousands of amateurs who pay match fees and a yearly subscription to be able to play cricket every Saturday.

In his autobiography, Mike Atherton asserts that the comfortable living awarded to County cricketers harms the national cause, as players have less incentive to try and achieve the next level.

It is argued that the funding of the professional game leads to a successful national team, which generates interest at the grass roots. This belief is as flawed as the neo-liberal trickle-down economic theory: if the rich become richer everyone will benefit removing the need to direct resources towards the most disadvantaged.

No amount of funding can ensure a successful national team, but money can ensure better facilities for local teams, equipment for schools and the protection of playing fields from development. This in turn can guarantee that there is a larger group of players to fight for places in the professional ranks. Put simply, funding should benefit the many not the few, as it will give the greatest happiness to the greatest number.