The low standard of Leinster senior cricket is identified as a major issue in PLAN 2000, a proposal aimed at improving the game in the province over the next three years, which was unveiled by the Leinster Cricket Union's Development sub-committee in Dublin last night.
The report points to the abundance of talented young cricketers in Leinster, but says that it is difficult for them to improve in local senior league and cup cricket. The reasons for this, the report suggests, is that talent is spread too thinly over too many clubs. It also cites the poor standard of wickets and practice facilities and the inadequate structure of club coaching.
The plan is in two sections - requirements and recommendations. Requirements detail such needs as wickets, covers, ground equipment, practice facilities, coaching structures, a development officer within every club and the nurturing of youth cricket.
The recommendations concentrate on proper scoreboards, improved outfields, better club facilities and the provision of a clock at every ground. Regular spectators - not least among them the long-suffering press - will certainly agree about the less-than-adequate scoreboards which are the norm at too many grounds.
The sub-committee intends to work in co-operation with all Leinster clubs, but exhorts them to report their progress at least annually, in a standardised format provided by the LCU.
Every club, says the report, must appoint a director of coaching who should be fully qualified and be full-time during the season.
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