A three-way partnership between the MCC, the Isle of Man Cricket Association and Isle of Man Bank is driving forward Manx cricket with the eventual aim of attaining associate status within the International Cricket Council. This would improve the game locally, open up new avenues in relation to funding and coaching and even lead to the possibility of the Isle of Man playing in the World Cup. Discussions as to the way ahead for Manx cricket took place during the recent MCC Tour of the Island during which the side played matches against a Young Island eleven and King Williams College. The final fixture against the Isle of Man national team at Cronkbourne was washed out. The MCC has been coming to the Island to play matches for around 80 years but the 2011 tour broke new ground. Following the launch of the new initiative extensive coaching sessions and master classes were held, with tour manager and captain Phil Unsworth, from Ormskirk, commenting: ‘I hope the MCC team this year made a small contribution to the development of Isle of Man cricket and left a footprint for all involved that will be remembered for some time.’ That ‘footprint’ involved every member of the touring team in visiting schools across the Island to introduce the game at junior level and also hold master classes for older pupils. Every member of the MCC party was a qualified coach and the Island’s Cricket Development Officer, Gareth Dawson, had arranged for them to travel to primary schools in Laxey, Ballasalla, Port St.Mary, Marown, St. Johns and Ramsey, as well as King Williams College. Gareth had previously visited virtually every local primary school to promote cricket and regular competitions are held for young players. Manx cricket has been on a high following recent impressive performances, not least victory in the European Division Two under 17 championship which was held in the Island last year. A measure of the improvement in the game, locally, was that a request was made to the MCC to send a very strong side for its June tour to test the representative teams. Phil Unsworth responded with a selection that included former Indian test player Rudra Singh. Several others had achieved national honours, notably Paul Bryson who played for England’s amateur side, while Jonathan Bushe represented Ireland on 29 occasions. Others were drawn from the Lancashire League and Liverpool Premier League. The 2011 visit was a special one for Nigel Ross from Shropshire who was making his 25th tour of the Island – seven of them as manager – and he was presented with an inscribed plaque to mark the occasion. Said Phil Unsworth: ‘I have been part of the MCC tour for the past 15 years and in addition I visit the Island regularly so this gives me a little advantage in understanding the important role that sport, and particularly cricket, plays in the Isle of Man. ‘There is no doubt that the last couple of years have seen a much more professional outlook from Manx cricket – both in the way standards have increased and the manner in which squads prepare for games. I hope I have been able to give a few pointers as to how we can take this development even further forward and look towards achieving associate status in the future.’ Chairman of the Isle of Man Cricket Association, Barry Smith – a former South African test umpire – said the Association owed an immense debt to the MCC and the relationship which had been forged. The tour, in its new format, had given Manx cricket a shot in the arm and had seen around 400 children, including girls, being introduced to the game. He added: ‘We appreciate there is still some way to go before we can graduate to Associate status. We have to become ever more professionally run, to meet certain standards and improve our playing ability even further. But Phil and his team have shown what avenues could be open to us if this can be done. ‘Our ultimate ambition would be participation in the World Cup and while this may be some way off you only have to look at what the likes of Afghanistan has achieved in 20-20 cricket to realise that anything is possible. We could not have come this far without the invaluable help of Isle of Man Bank which has sponsored the national team and youth cricket in the Island. The Bank’s input is a tremendous boost for the Association.’ Isle of Man Bank’s Community Investment Manager John Lindon said the Manx cricket scene had come a long way in a short space of time. Said Mr.Lindon: ‘The Bank became involved because we wanted to see cricket improve and develop but I don’t think we could have envisaged the strides it has made in recent years. ‘This reflects great credit on Barry and his team and now with the increased involvement of Phil Unsworth and the MCC the future looks extremely rosy for the game in the Island. I am glad that Isle of Man Bank has been able to make a contribution.’ ENDS