£35m cricket investment to include 16 indoor domes

Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, has announced a £35 million investment in grassroots cricket facilities and widening access to the sport within state schools, enabling over 900,000 young people to play cricket over the next five years.

The investment includes a major capital programme that will see 16 indoor cricket domes built across England.

The domes are covered and wind-protected and will allow for participation in cricket throughout the year – connecting school, community and talentprogrammes. Each dome will be built within diverse communities where figures have indicated low levels of physical activity.

It follows the first cricket dome opened in Bradford in November last year. The other domes will be built in cities acting as hosts to the high-profile tournaments set to be held in England over the next six years – the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup and the 2030 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

The funding package will also enable an extension to the ECB and Chance to Shine’s in-school cricket partnership.