Thank you Tanya Aldred for a lovely write-up of our Cambridge conference in @theguardian.com
This gives a great taste of what went on last week and what the Network is all about 🏏👏
Our latest episode is now live, thanks to the amazing team over at @cricketacademic.bsky.social who held their highly successful conference over the weekend at Hughes Hall in Cambridge. You can listen via the link below & on all podcast platforms ⬇️
open.spotify.com/episode/4sVF...
The Keynote from #CRN2026 has now been released on the
@sportinhistorypod.bsky.social #podcast! Happy listening!
@sportinhistory.bsky.social @bssh.bsky.social @icshc.bsky.social @rafnicholson.bsky.social @tjaldred.bsky.social @crickether.com
📌 linktr.ee/sportinhisto...
Today I was at Hughes Hall, Cambridge by the iconic Fenner’s Ground at the 3rd Cricket Research Network conference. My head is buzzing from information overload & a fabulous mix of talks & people. Thank you to Raf Nicholson & Jeremy Lonsdale & others for all their brilliant work 🙌
And that’s a wrap on #CRN2026
I’m shattered but my brain is buzzing with thoughts and ideas after so many great presentations today!
Safe journey home, everyone, and hope to see you all next year 🏏
The last presentation this year was by
@sross52055.bsky.social @pennstateuniv.bsky.social, who brought all conversations together wonderfully by presenting a historical and future-looking overview of governance reforms in cricket! #ICC #CRN2026
Next, @shubhamjain224.bsky.social asked the hard questions in re cricket #ClimateCrisis #ClimateJustice & the social mobility myth, situating his work in South Asia @thenexttest.org @playthegame-org.bsky.social @bestcricstories.bsky.social @cambridgelaw.bsky.social #CRN2026 @caiuscollege.bsky.social
Another striking presentation on cricket & betting by
@stevemenary.bsky.social whose latest research finds that illegal betting sponsorship in cricket has doubled between 2021 and 2025 @playthegame-org.bsky.social @bestcricstories.bsky.social @thecricketer.com #CRN2026
#Panel5, the last of this year, brings to the conversation to improtant topics of governance and sustainability, chaired by
@rafnicholson.bsky.social @bournemouthuni.bsky.social
@theguardian.com #CRN2026
@shubhamjain224.bsky.social argues that cricket's "South Asian Paradox" - whereby players do not want to speak out because competition for places is so strong - is having a negative impact on player welfare. Nobody wants to complain about poor air quality or other environmental issues. #CRN2026
Our final #CRN2026 panel is focused on Governance and Sustainability.
@stevemenary.bsky.social shares worrying findings about illegal betting sponsorship, which doubled between 2021 and 2025.
Harry Brook, Steve argues, is (inadvertently) helping to promote illegal betting in the screenshot below.
Remember this?
Hannah Thompson-Radford at #CRN2026 gives us food for thought about whether Katy Perry performing at the T20 World Cup final was empowering, or whether this kind of 'hyperfeminisation' was actually just reductive / ‘gimmicky’.
The panel concluded with a discussion on the hyperfeminisation of the #ICC Women's #T20WC 2020 - 'pinking up as a gender spectacle.' by Hannah Thompson-Radford #CRN2026
@swanseauni.bsky.social @lborouniversity.bsky.social
The middle presentation was by the indomitable
@rlwjones.bsky.social, who illustrated how cricket’s place in the sports news agenda has been declining
@salforduni.bsky.social #CRN2026
@bbcsportbot.bsky.social @bbctmsbot.bsky.social @bestcricstories.bsky.social @crickether.com
The panel started with Rod Edmund
@UniKent narrating the many stories in and of cricket, leaving with 'cricket and #climate' as a story yet to be told
@thenexttest.org @shubhamjain224.bsky.social #CRN2026
#Panel4 is devoted to representations of cricket, chaired by
Dominic Malcolm @lborouniversity.bsky.social #CRN2026
Some quite depressing findings from Richard Jones about cricket’s place in the sports news agenda, showing its decline.
His analysis of regional press, national radio & X posts suggests cricket is disappearing from some commercial media, and is heavily reliant on the BBC for prominence. #CRN2026
And Kieran Holly talks about Irish cricket fandom.
His key conclusion is Irish men's cricket lacks a distinctive fan identity, partly b/c there is no permanent stadium & limited fixtures v major Test nations.
Would be fascinating to see an equivalent study of Irish women's cricket fandom. #CRN2026
Following a delicious lunch, we've moved onto a panel about Inclusion.
Ross Ensor presents data showing that ethnically diverse volunteers face issues with racialised stereotypes ("they don't volunteer"), and cultures which force players to adopt a "white mask" to negotiate inclusion. #CRN2026
The panel concluded with a fantastic presentation by
@kieranholly.bsky.social on why cricket fandom matters, with a specific focus on Irish Cricket! @cricketireland.ie
#CRN2026 @huddersfielduni.bsky.social
This was followed by an innovative approach from Prof Adeela Shafi @uniofglos.bsky.social who presented her work on how #AI driven bias resistant talent intelligence can transform the game #CRN2026
The first presentation saw Ross Ensor @leedsbeckett.bsky.social provide a masterclass on volunteering among ethnically diverse communities #CRN2026
#Panel3 focuses on cricket and inclusion, chaired by
Tom Fletcher @leedsbeckett.bsky.social #CRN2026
The Q&A was recorded and will be made available as a podcast via the @bssh.bsky.social podcast, so keep an eye out for that in the coming days! #CRN2026
Our Keynote panel focused on the #ICC Women's #T20WC2026, involving Laura Entwistle, Laura MacLeod & @rafnicholson.bsky.social moderated by Tanya Aldred. Fantastic conversation touching on legacy, pathways, counties, media, governance and hope for the game! @sportinhistorypod.bsky.social #CRN2026
The last presentation, a triple act by Fiona Reid, Susan Warren & @rafnicholson.bsky.social on the fascinating story of women's cricket in #Scotland & the #Cambridge influence #CRN2026 @hugheshall.bsky.social
Followed up by a discussion closer to home, a presentation on local Cambridge cricket and its various iterations by Tony Watts @stcatharines.bsky.social #CRN2026
First presentation by Anand Rampersad (Uni WI) who presented a critical overview of the issues and challenges in re the #WestIndies women's cricket team #CRN2026
@crickether.com
#Panel2 focuses on cricket from a historical perspective, chaired by @jeremylonsdale.bsky.social
#CRN2026
Panel 2 at #CRN2026 starts with Anand Rampersad (University of West Indies), who is working on the history of West Indies women’s cricket (hurrah!)
Same old story in terms of the "merger" of women's & men's boards in 2008. Men very reluctant to accept responsibility, women's autonomy lost. Sigh.
