P-04-335 The Establishment of a Welsh Cricket Team

Petition wording

We call upon the National Assembly for Wales to urge the Welsh Government to support the establishment of a Welsh international cricket team.

Petition raised by: Matthew Richard Bumford

Date petition first considered by Committee: 11 October 2011

Number of signatures: 187

Supporting information:

Whereas Scotland and Ireland gained associate membership of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and went on to compete in World Cups, Wales has failed to do so. In fact, no Welsh player has played international cricket for over five years as a result of being affiliated to the England Cricket Board. Recently the England and Wales cricket team played several "home" games in the capital of Wales, although no Welsh players were present. It would be unacceptable in other sports, like rugby, for a team comprised entirely of non-Welsh people, playing under a non-Welsh flag, with the badge of another country on their chest, to ostensibly play a "home" game in the Welsh capital. This would simply not be acceptable for other sports and should not be so for cricket. The current arrangements do not foster the game of cricket in Wales and are to its detriment because there is a lack of opportunity for Welsh cricketers to play at the highest level. At present Wales is completely unrepresented in international cricket and this must change with the establishment of an Welsh international cricket team.