Is the Underdog Effect a myth? 🤔 This is a closer look at the data used by the authors of the original hypothesis, Gibbs et al, 2012.. 🏒🇨🇦📅

@neetu_arnold Agree. Socio-economic factors at play too.

BUT this is what we do in early sports selection. They ALL have to meet a min standard & hence we get RAE. Instead we need to select younger children who are currently WORSE than some older children.

@simonhancock_uk @ToppersSnr @IanPlayfair @thehundred If that works, great. ECB should be looking at options and a proof of concept.

@simonhancock_uk @jacricks @ToppersSnr @IanPlayfair @thehundred

@simonhancock_uk @jacricks @ToppersSnr @IanPlayfair @thehundred So training at school is important. You don't want to add a lot of travel time on top!

@simonhancock_uk @IanPlayfair @ToppersSnr @thehundred Ideally but with a limited number of hubs then geography will play its part. The more hubs the less problem. Prob a pilot project in specific areas/a county to start. Perhaps players/families would move at natural points... Yr7 or Yr12.

@jacricks @ToppersSnr @IanPlayfair @thehundred It also depends on how you use the time. Perhaps a lot of current 'elite' training is 'inefficient'? Would it be different for batters/bowlers? What are the numbers you have pls?

@simonhancock_uk @IanPlayfair @ToppersSnr @thehundred This is aimed at offering the highest quality training to players with the potential to become professional cricketers. This will mean a limited number of places at a limited number of hubs. It is specific to address the Academy level being a critical point/ceiling to state kids.

@simonhancock_uk @IanPlayfair @ToppersSnr @thehundred How do current state schools, like the Canterbury Academy, manage? They are already competing with top indy schools within existing constraints. Invest here, roll out elsewhere.

@IanPlayfair @simonhancock_uk @ToppersSnr @thehundred This would help but currently to get into professional cricket (at 18 generally) you need to be in a FCC Academy. Other potential routes for older players, that don't currently exist atm, would also be welcome.

@simonhancock_uk @ToppersSnr @IanPlayfair @thehundred Why not expand this provision? Attract more players with potential to these schools. Adequately funding them to be able to competitive with the top indy cricket schools would be very attractive.

@ToppersSnr @simonhancock_uk @IanPlayfair @thehundred Perhaps The Canterbury Academy would be a model to follow & invest further in?

@simonhancock_uk @IanPlayfair @ToppersSnr @thehundred Perhaps for cricketers with high potential there could be exceptions?

@simonhancock_uk @IanPlayfair @ToppersSnr @thehundred Maybe. I think I prefer everything on site so cricket is built into the school day as it would be at say Millfield. Training/match play facilities, S&C etc

@simonhancock_uk @ToppersSnr @IanPlayfair @thehundred I would choose state schools that maybe have 'some' cricketing facilities to start with if possible and fully fund all other reqts. These would be regular day pupils at a regular school with top indy school level cricket provision. Maybe start with Yr12/13 only & expand.

@ToppersSnr @IanPlayfair @thehundred Yes, I feel if the ECB wants to re-balance indy/state%s at EPP, Academy & Professional levels this is a good way to do it. Obvs it needs adequate funding, good people & commitment but it is a viable solution. All existing options for this will only affect CAG level.

@ToppersSnr @IanPlayfair @thehundred No, I'm not in favour of quotas Don.

@IanPlayfair @ToppersSnr @thehundred That's not going to get state kids into FCC Academies imho. Obvs not required for football. Is required for rugby union, cricket and maybe other sports as they are/have become dominated by indy schooled professionals. The system can be changed/adjusted.