Russell Holden is a lecturer, writer, researcher and broadcaster having written and taught widely on the sociology of sport, with a particular interest in the role and value of cricket in contemporary life. He launched In the Zone Sport and Politics Consultancy, an organization based in Wales, working both in the UK and overseas, which is dedicated to exploring the many and varied interconnections between sport and politics, straddling issues of identity, nationalism, human rights, gender and reconciliation.

• 1. Introduction and framework for discussion, 2. The depths of 1999 and the rehabilitation of cricket, 3. Impact of the 2005 Ashes victory, 4. Cricket and identity: some geographical reflections, 5. Cricket and the British Afro-Caribbean community: Losing the heritage, 6. Realizing the power of the South Asian community, 7. Twenty20: cricket’s 21st-century revolution, 8. Comparing the British cricketing experience, 9. The advance of women’s cricket, 10. Concluding remarks

"Ultimately this study, while being a forensic examination of the factors at work that define the various British communities’ relationship with cricket, is a labour of love. Holden wants to know “how [cricket] can capture the nation once more as the chief summer sport and not completely drop off the sporting radar during the winter months”. He believes it can be done through successful national men’s and women’s teams and “[by engaging] as widely as possible in projecting a sport that is accessible, open, safe and free of injustice and discrimination”. Like many lovers of this truly remarkable sport, I sincerely hope he’s right." - Daniel Norcross, cricket broadcaster

Russell Holden is a lecturer, writer, researcher and broadcaster having written and taught widely on the sociology of sport, with a particular interest in the role and value of cricket in contemporary life. He launched In the Zone Sport and Politics Consultancy, an organization based in Wales, working both in the UK and overseas, which is dedicated to exploring the many and varied interconnections between sport and politics, straddling issues of identity, nationalism, human rights, gender and reconciliation.

• 1. Introduction and framework for discussion, 2. The depths of 1999 and the rehabilitation of cricket, 3. Impact of the 2005 Ashes victory, 4. Cricket and identity: some geographical reflections, 5. Cricket and the British Afro-Caribbean community: Losing the heritage, 6. Realizing the power of the South Asian community, 7. Twenty20: cricket’s 21st-century revolution, 8. Comparing the British cricketing experience, 9. The advance of women’s cricket, 10. Concluding remarks

"Ultimately this study, while being a forensic examination of the factors at work that define the various British communities’ relationship with cricket, is a labour of love. Holden wants to know “how [cricket] can capture the nation once more as the chief summer sport and not completely drop off the sporting radar during the winter months”. He believes it can be done through successful national men’s and women’s teams and “[by engaging] as widely as possible in projecting a sport that is accessible, open, safe and free of injustice and discrimination”. Like many lovers of this truly remarkable sport, I sincerely hope he’s right." - Daniel Norcross, cricket broadcaster

Russell Holden is a lecturer, writer, researcher and broadcaster having written and taught widely on the sociology of sport, with a particular interest in the role and value of cricket in contemporary life. He launched In the Zone Sport and Politics Consultancy, an organization based in Wales, working both in the UK and overseas, which is dedicated to exploring the many and varied interconnections between sport and politics, straddling issues of identity, nationalism, human rights, gender and reconciliation.

• 1. Introduction and framework for discussion, 2. The depths of 1999 and the rehabilitation of cricket, 3. Impact of the 2005 Ashes victory, 4. Cricket and identity: some geographical reflections, 5. Cricket and the British Afro-Caribbean community: Losing the heritage, 6. Realizing the power of the South Asian community, 7. Twenty20: cricket’s 21st-century revolution, 8. Comparing the British cricketing experience, 9. The advance of women’s cricket, 10. Concluding remarks

"Ultimately this study, while being a forensic examination of the factors at work that define the various British communities’ relationship with cricket, is a labour of love. Holden wants to know “how [cricket] can capture the nation once more as the chief summer sport and not completely drop off the sporting radar during the winter months”. He believes it can be done through successful national men’s and women’s teams and “[by engaging] as widely as possible in projecting a sport that is accessible, open, safe and free of injustice and discrimination”. Like many lovers of this truly remarkable sport, I sincerely hope he’s right." - Daniel Norcross, cricket broadcaster