The future of Cricket

Looking ahead to the 2030 World Cup

This was an article Cricket Ireland asked me to write for their magazine.

It's the 2030 World Cup in Ireland, and not only is it being played in one of the newest Test nations, but it will also include a lot of firsts.

Perhaps the most notable is the teams. There are more of them, but we have several first time World Cup sides, including Singapore, Nepal, Japan and the USA. Japan built upon their great work with their underage sides and top order sluggers. The USA is a mixture of local players and Major League overseas players who have now been naturalised. Singapore is thin on local players but has a great mix of expat players bringing experience. Nepal is probably the most organic cricket nation cricket has had since Afghanistan. All bring something new to the World Cup.

It's far more than just the teams that have changed. But there are many other changes as well like cricket has its first female assistant coach of a major men's side. New Zealand brought in Suzie Bates - their former star captain and Olympic basketballer - is second in charge for Blackcaps. After being perhaps the best cricketer from New Zealand to never play a Test, she brings incredible experience and leadership knowledge to support the head coach, Kane Williamson.

It isn't even the only first for women at this World Cup. This is the first major ICC Men's event with women umpires and match referees. The move is massively overdue. It also gives the ICC a chance for an all-female panel if they wish. For a sport - and organisation - that only started representing women after 2000, this is quite a statement.