Sky Sports will follow three amateur cricket clubs during its coverage of England this summer.
We drop in on the grassroots level of the game
Sky Sports will follow the fortunes of three amateur cricket clubs during its coverage of the England team this summer.
Club Life returns during lunch this Saturday and will feature a West Midlands club celebrating its 175th anniversary, a leading Irish outfit from Dublin plus an Oxford side named in the honour of former Kiwi international Chris Cairns.
The series will show the trials and tribulations of the following three clubs from the amateur leagues:
Cairns Fudge CC: Formed five years ago and playing its first season of competitive cricket in Division Six of the Oxfordshire Cricket Association.
Hagley CC: West Midlands club that is celebrating its 175th anniversary this year and boasting a first team in Division 2 of Worcestershire County League.
Merrion CC: Huge Dublin outfit that runs eight mens teams, two ladies sides and a colts division. Its first team are in the top tier of the Irish cricket leagues.
Paul King, executive producer for cricket at
Sky Sports said: "By showcasing the amateur game during our England coverage, we can highlight the contrasting fortunes facing cricket clubs throughout the UK and Ireland.
"Our three clubs this summer contrast hugely and I'm sure they'll provide plenty of entertainment!"
Club Life is now in its third series and has become a hugely popular part of Sky's live England Test match coverage.
Cairns Fudge CC - Oxford
Cairns Fudge were set up by Andy Small and make their league debut this year. They are named after former Kiwi all-rounder Chris Cairns' first post-cricket business career in the fudge industry.
Small said: "It's thrilling for such a young club to be part of Club Life this summer and we're hoping to showcase our fun and 'give everyone a go' style of cricket. We are very competitive, without taking ourselves too seriously, and are very keen to perform well in our first league season!"
Hagley CC - Stourbridge
Boasting one of the country's most picturesque grounds, Hagley Cricket Club was set up in 1834 by Lord Cobham. The club continues to play under the shadow of the Cobham family's huge residence, Hagley Hall.
Jeremy Trinham from the club said: "It's very exciting to be on Club Life, although slightly nerve-wracking too. There's certainly a buzz about the place, and two players have rejoined to get their faces on television too!"
Merrion CC - Dublin
An Irish cricketing institution, Merrion's alumni include former England player Ed Joyce and they currently have Ireland under-19 opening bowler Richard Keaveney in their ranks. The first team play in the top-tier of the Irish Cricket Leagues and are hopeful of a successful summer.
Liam Casey, club executive commented: "We've had players on television before, but the club has never been featured until now. The first team has stepped up its efforts to get fit and some players have bought new boots too!"
