Who holds the power in English cricket?
What is power? Who exerts the most influence and control in the English game? Two questions we try to answer in the September issue of The Cricketer.
"Power in cricket can be wearing a tracksuit, a Savile Row suit or strapping on a pair of pads. It can be aged in the mid-20s or the mid-70s. It can be globally famous or virtually anonymous. And power can wax and wane, which explains why 17 people have dropped off this year’s Power List compared to 2016"
After its ripple-generating debut in 2016, The Cricketer Power List returns with editor Simon Hughes, chief executive Guy Evans-Tipping, managing editor Huw Turbervill, assistant editor James Coyne and The Sun’s cricket correspondent John Etheridge completing the judging panel charged with whittling the list down to a top 50.
A lot can change in a year…
The biggest risers in this year’s table are England duo Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali. If we did not already know Stokes is box office, his £1.7m IPL deal and elevation to the England vice-captaincy confirmed it. Moeen was a matchwinner against South Africa, and is the face of British Asian cricket. Nasser Hussain is also on the up, having presented Sky’s triumphant broadcasting rights bid – in fact, many of his colleagues – Barney Francis, Bryan Henderson and Ian Ward – are also in the ascendancy too. BT Sport are down... but not out. Lord Hall’s entrance signifies the BBC’s return to live televised cricket. Auntie is back.
Other newcomers include Stuart Broad, Virat Kohli (Indian cricket is king), World Cup winners Heather Knight and Nat Sciver, and T20 maestro Mike Fordham. Reg Dickason’s role is also highlighted in an increasingly unstable world. Joe Root obviously rises, Alastair Cook falls...
The fall guys this year include Mike Brearley and Derek Brewer, who leave their roles at MCC. Kevin Pietersen has taken his leave of English cricket now, and likewise sinks off our list. Steve Elworthy is off for now, with the passing of the Champions Trophy, but could return next year as the preparations for the 2019 World Cup gather pace.
Pick up this month's magazine to see the Top 50 in full detail, available in stores or online: https://shop.thecricketer.com/subscriptions
It's not all about The Power List this month...
Elsewhere Barney Ronay looks back on Kevin Pietersen's career, Crispin Andrews looks at arresting Test debuts in The XI and Geoff Boycott talks about his favourite cricketer, Fred Trueman.
In Why I love cricket... McFly’s drummer, Strictly champion and Ramps superfan, Harry Judd, talks about his love of the game.
As ever we cover all 18 counties in every issue; Hampshire feature in this month's County Set and we interview Kent opener Daniel Bell-Drummond.
Enjoy the mag!