How to plan a season of friendly fixtures

Start with a blank calendar and a clear plan

Friendly cricket is the heartbeat of local clubs. It’s where new players learn, old friends reunite, and the spirit of the game thrives. But a season of friendlies doesn’t organise itself. The best summers are mapped out in winter, ideally by a small group of captains, secretaries, and willing volunteers. Begin by deciding how many fixtures you can realistically fulfil. For most clubs, ten to sixteen matches between late April and early September works well. Any more and you risk burnout; any fewer and you leave players wanting. Write down your aims: are you blooding youngsters, giving everyone a game, or simply enjoying competitive cricket without league pressure? That answer shapes every decision that follows.

Map out home and away dates

Once you know roughly how many games you want, sketch out the weekends. Alternate home and away where possible, but be realistic about ground availability. If your square is shared with another sport or used for local events, block out your home dates first with the groundsman or committee. Then approach opposing clubs with a list of preferred away dates. A shared spreadsheet or online calendar is invaluable here. Colour-code home, away, and provisional fixtures. Aim for a balanced schedule: too many away games in a row can be expensive and tiring. Also consider midweek evening fixtures if you have long summer evenings — they’re great for attracting younger players, but make sure travel isn’t a burden.

• Confirm dates with opposing captains by email, then follow up with a calendar invite.
• Allow at least two weeks between finalising and publicising the fixture list.
• Mark any dates you cannot play: holidays, weddings, and other commitments.

Avoid clashes with other local events

Nothing kills a friendly fixture like a clash with the village fête, a school sports day, or a major local festival. Check parish council websites, community noticeboards, and local online groups. Ask your players what’s happening in their own diaries. Also look out for other cricket: county matches, local league finals, and junior tournaments can draw away your umpires, scorers, and spectators. Bank holiday weekends are notoriously tricky — many families go away. If you must play, expect a depleted side. A simple rule: if three or more key players say they can’t make a date, move it. It’s far easier to shift a fixture in March than to scramble for eleven players in July.

Confirm umpires well in advance

In friendly cricket, umpires are often players from the batting side. That’s fine, but it needs agreeing before the day. If you want neutral umpires — and many friendly fixtures benefit from them — book early. Retired players, club members, and local umpire associations can help. Confirm names, contact numbers, and fees (if any) at least a month before the game. Send them the match details: start time, overs, pitch conditions, and tea arrangements. Have a reserve list. Nothing is worse than a last-minute scramble when someone drops out.

• Agree who umpires: one from each side, or neutral officials.
• Share the playing conditions and any local rules in writing.
• Thank your umpires — a drink after the game goes a long way.

Sort the teas — and the little things

A good tea is the heart of friendly cricket. It’s also the thing most often left to chance. Plan a rota for home games. Decide on a budget and a menu: sandwiches, cakes, fruit, tea, coffee, and squash. Ask about dietary requirements — vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free — when you confirm the fixture. Delegate shopping and preparation to two or three people per game. Keep it simple but generous. Visiting teams remember a warm welcome and a decent spread. Also sort the small stuff: scorebooks, balls, stumps, boundary markers, and a first-aid kit. A checklist pinned in the pavilion works wonders. If you’re travelling away, check whether the hosts provide teas and offer to contribute to costs.

Stay flexible and keep talking

Even the best-laid plans go wrong. Rain, illness, and unexpected clashes happen. Build in one or two spare weekends, or agree with opposing clubs that you can rearrange if needed. Use a group chat for quick updates. Confirm each fixture a week in advance with a short message: date, start time, venue, and tea details. On the day, arrive early, set up together, and play in the right spirit. After the season, review what worked. Maybe you had too many away games, or the teas were too ambitious. Adjust for next year. Friendly cricket is about enjoyment and community — a little planning makes sure the cricket, and the friendships, last all summer.