Community Cup Beats The Rain

The West Indies lifted the ECB Core Cities Community Cup 2024 in Manchester on Sunday 22nd September.

The squad made up of coaches, players and families connected to the ACE Programme in Lancashire won all their games and lifted the trophy in the rain after victory over Bangladesh.

The event, supported by the ECB Core Cities Programme, reflected the breadth of community-based cricket that runs throughout the county.

The cup took place at Cheetham Hill Sports Club with six teams taking part in an action packed competition. Food was served as well as family entertainment and a DJ lifting the atmosphere all day.

Despite gloomy skies and rain throughout the day – the squads came out onto the field to fireworks before singing their national anthems.

Ammar Ashraf, Urban Cricket Manager, said: “Smiles on faces was the big positive of the day! The weather wasn’t kind to us, but to see the cricket community come together was wonderful to see again. Everyone is already excited for 2025.”

“The goal of the Core Cities Community Cup is to support our communities within recreational cricket underpinned by making the game the most inclusive team sport.   We seek to celebrate the current contribution by supporting existing activity – whilst enabling those who are missing out to access cricket by removing barriers and supporting more engagement.”

England, West Indies & Afghanistan played out Group B – with West Indies edging a last ball thriller. A young England side, made up of MCC Hub participants, played tapeball cricket for the first time but exited the tournament with two defeats.

In Group A Bangladesh hit more boundaries than any other side as balls disappeared onto the road. India played the competition in great spirt – but a defeat to Pakistan saw them miss out on the knockout games.

In the semi-finals West Indies, in front of a good following of supporters, defeated Pakistan. Bangladesh progressed with a win over Afghanistan.

In the final West Indies prevailed with a win over Bangladesh in an entertaining game that perfectly captured the spirit of the event. 

The evet was funded by the ECB Core Cities Programme.