Photo via Wisden

Close of Play: Give it up for the volunteers

As recreational cricket wraps up its latest campaign and looks ahead to 2027, the ECB is promoting its Close of Play initiative to help local clubs prepare during the off-season. The program encourages committees to evaluate four core areas, placing special emphasis on celebrating and rewarding the vital contributions of volunteers.

To aid in this appreciation effort, the campaign features an action planner along with recognition for standout community figures. One such individual is Debayan Day, an aspiring umpire affiliated with the Cheshire Association of Cricket Officials, who benefited from a talent pathway initiative.

Thanks to the Cheshire ACO and The Hundred Rising program, Day secured a special opportunity to visit Headingley for a fixture earlier in the year. During the trip, he engaged directly with elite officials, gaining firsthand perspective on match preparation, communication methods, and television review technology under pressure.

Up nextCricket· 12m ago

In Sourav Ganguly's metaverse, no job is beyond him: From TV host and BCCI chief to franchise strategist and now Delhi Capitals coach