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Walking Cricket Festival, The Oval, Sep 2026

Walking Cricket

Walking cricket is a modified version of the sport where participants are required to walk rather than run during the game. It is primarily aimed at persons over 55 or those with mobility issues. [1]

Origins

Modern codified walking sports started with the introduction of walking football in 2011[2] and modified versions of other sports like hockey, netball, and rugby followed. Cricket itself had shown adaptability in formats with the introduction of Blind Cricket, Indoor Cricket and Twenty20.

The origins of walking cricket remain somewhat disputed [3]. One of the earliest documented mentions of an organised version of cricket which prohibits running, dates from 2014 when taster sessions were set up in Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey[4]. These were set up by early pioneer, Darren Talbot who records[5] that he took inspiration from seeing a news segment featuring walking basketball [6] In 2026 Talbot launched the Walking Cricket Association[7] to create a national framework for the sport.

In 2017 The U3A started offering walking football among to its members[2], where another early proponent, Mac McKechnie, found it too energetic: he was recovering from sepsis. An ex-cricketer himself, he developed a working version of walking cricket and the first U3A session was offered in Barnsley in January 2019[8]. Subsequently the Yorkshire Cricket Board met with U3A to further promote the sport[9]. In 2019 Mac McKechnie was awarded 'The Most Inspiring and Diverse Cricket Offer 2019’ by Yorkshire County Cricket Board.[10]. In March 2020 a further meeting took place between Yorkshire Cricket Foundation, the U3A, the ECB and several other counties. [11] In 2022, two Yorkshire cricketers, England captain Joe Root[12] and former umpire Dickie Bird[13] expressed their support for the developments in the county.

Participation continued to grow across England, by 2024 all of the counties had walking cricket programs[14], and the first inter-county tournament took place at Lord's on 20 March 2024[15].

Rules and Variations

MCC first adopted the laws of cricket in 1787, but as yet no authoritative body exists for walking cricket and no single set of laws are accepted by all players. Several different sets of laws and formats have been used by different local groups. When tournaments or leagues take place are set of rules is agreed ahead of time.

Attempts at codification

In 2021 Yorkshire Cricket Foundation, and the U3A produced a document called "Rules for 'Social' Walking Cricket" where it was acknowledged that at the local level, it would make every sense for groups to continue to play walking cricket to those local rules as predominately the game is about friendly local challenges, but that as the game became more popular there would be a requirement for a standard set of rules. [11] A preliminary set of rules was shared, primarily aimed at indoor play.

The Walking Cricket Association (launched in 2026) states that establishing a nationally recognised set of rules is one of its objectives. [7] They have published a set of rules for both outdoor[16] and indoor play.[17]

Other county foundations such as Hampshire [18] and Surrey[19] have produced their own sets of rules. In addition other rule sets have been created by other organisations [20], and the Guardian admits "at local level the rules are made of plasticine, which allows each group to manipulate them for maximum enjoyment."[14]

Characteristics of the sport

As noted above, there is no standard set of rules but there are several characteristics of walking cricket that differ from conventional cricket.

  • Neither batting side nor fielding side may run. Some of the rule sets define exactly what running means.
  • A softer ball is used then in conventional cricket which minimises the need for protective gear such as pads, helmets or gloves
  • Batters operate in pairs. If a batter is dismissed they do not leave the field but the team is deducted a penalty number of runs. After a certain number of over the pair retires.

Other variations relate to length of pitch, type of bowling allowed, number of overs in a match, whether there is an LBW rule and special scoring for boundaries. [11] [18][16]

Participation and Growth

U3A

As well as being involved in the early development in Yorkshire in 2017[8], the U3A continue to promote the sport by encouraging its members to launch teams within their local groups, and have assigned two national advisers to assist[21]. In evidence to parliament Dr Harriet Radermacher of The Third Age Trust stated that by 2025 there were over 15 u3a walking cricket groups.[22]

MCC

In their 2024 Community Report [1] the MCC states that they currently have around 100 participants and that around 75% of the participants come from a non-cricket background and over 50% of the participants are female. Walking cricket was shown on the main ground at Lord’s during a County Championship fixture[23] and the MCC staged multiple competitions with county boards.

Counties

By 2023 Worcestershire had 100 players participating and hosted a women’s only festival where there were 20 women who’d never played cricket before. [24]Gloucestershire ran a national Walking Cricket Festival in July 2026 featuring 32 teams from all over England. [25]

Surrey[26]had 17 teams across the county by 2025, including 3 all-women teams and in 2025. Teams were invited to play in a festival at the Oval.[27][28] Their Foundation secured a £60,000 grant to expand to to 1,200 participants and 53 clubs by 2028. [29]

Kent launched a walking cricket league in 2026 with 4 clubs participating. [30] Somerset runs ten walking cricket hubs across the county, with men's, women's and mixed teams.[31]

Beyond England

Walking cricket has started to be played in Australia, with cricket clubs at Burwood (VIC)[32] and Coromandel (SA)[33] running taster sessions. Scotland held its first walking cricket festival in 2026. [34]

Health and Social Benefits

Physical Health

The sport is mainly played by older people, with the one of the oldest documented players being 92[35]. Players report that the activity helps them lose weight[36], with one player reporting that in the 18 months since he joined the group, he had lost nearly a quarter of his body weight.[14] High BMI is one of characteristics that led to one doctor prescribing a 14 week program to some of his patients.[37] Participants also report improvements in balance and hand-eye co-ordination.[38]

Research into effectiveness

The University of Huddersfield has launched research into the social wellbeing benefits of Walking Cricket. Kendal James, Participation Manager for Yorkshire Cricket Foundation, said: “We hope the vital research carried out will highlight the health and wellbeing benefits of Walking Cricket for people with regards to quality of life, mobility, mental wellbeing and much more.” [38]

A study of walking football concluded that older adults' participation in sport gives positive social interactions particularly among people with health conditions.[39]

Social benefits and wellbeing

Teams provide a way for people struggling with dementia or learning issues to play sport.[14] Participants report improvement in thinking speed and communication skills.[38] Gloucestershire Cricket Foundation states that their Walking Cricket programme creates new opportunities for connection which helps improve mental wellbeing and reducing isolation. [40]

Walking cricket can provide older people with a way to return to social activity.[14]

Walking Cricket provides an opportunity where people can meet with friends, have a cuppa and a natter – which is more important than the cricket itself. - Mac McKechnie, one of the sports earliest pioneers.[38]

Health initiatives and referrals

Prescribing Social activities to help physical and mental well being is already part of England's health strategy with GPs being asked to prescribe walking and cycling in bid to ease burden on NHS.[41]

In 2025 one NHS service in Gloucestershire started prescribing Walking Cricket it to patients, combining the sport with health checks, such as blood pressure, and education, including healthy eating habits and hydration. Gloucestershire Cricket Foundation reported that many of those taking part in the sessions said it improved their mobility[37]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Lord's Community Report 2022-2024". 2024. https://www.lords.org/getattachment/09e367e1-b100-41db-bea8-864290126016/CY006_Community-Report_v3_26_08_2025.pdf. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Croot, John (2024). "Walking Football". https://www.u3a.org.uk/members-area/subjects/walking-footbal. 
  3. ↑ Wood, Andy (March 28, 2023). "Who was first in to bat on walking cricket?". Letters to the Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/mar/28/who-was-first-in-to-bat-on-walking-cricket. 
  4. ↑ "50+ cricket proving to be a hit". April 10, 2014. https://www.maturetimes.co.uk/50-cricket-proving-hit/. 
  5. ↑ Aldred, Tanya (July 2026). "Time to walk the walk". The Cricketer. https://pocketmags.com/es/the-cricketer-magazine/july-2026/articles/boundary-view. 
  6. ↑ "BBC Breakfast: Walking Basketball". January 25, 2014. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuhNkPzgyOk&t=2s. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "The Walking Cricket Association Launches to Support Individual Participation and National Festivals". March 5, 2026. https://www.twenty20cricketcompany.com/news/press-release/the-walking-cricket-association-launches-to-support-individual-participation-and-national-festivals. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Beddington, Emma (Mar 20, 2023). "A new start after 60: Sepsis almost killed me – but I survived to invent a new sport". https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/mar/20/a-new-start-after-60-sepsis-almost-killed-me-but-i-survived-to-invent-a-new-sport. 
  9. ↑ "U3A makes cricket history". https://www.u3a.org.uk/what-we-do/news/u3a-makes-cricket-history. 
  10. ↑ "Inspiring Award for U3A Walking Cricketer". 2018. https://www.u3a.org.uk/what-we-do/news/inspiring-award-for-u3a-walking-cricketer. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 "Yorkshire Cricket Foundation Rules for “Social” Walking Cricket". https://www.u3a.org.uk/agm-2020/rules-for-walking-cricket-2021. 
  12. ↑ "Endorsement by Joe Root". Dec 1, 2022. https://training.u3a.org.uk/plays-downloads/walking-cricket-endorsement-from-joe-root. 
  13. ↑ "Dickie Bird endorsement". Dec 1, 2022. https://training.u3a.org.uk/plays-downloads/dickie-bird-endorsement/download. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 Smyth, Rob (2024-05-08). "'New lease of life': how walking cricket is giving the over-50s a taste of Bazball" (in en-GB). The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/may/08/the-spin-walking-cricket-over-50s-new-lease-of-life. 
  15. ↑ "Kent Walking Cricketers represent the county at Lord’s". March 25, 2024. https://www.kentcricket.co.uk/news/walking-cricket-comes-to-lords/. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Outdoor Walking Cricket Rules". 2026. https://www.twenty20cricketcompany.com/outdoor-walking-cricket-rules. 
  17. ↑ "Indoor Walking Cricket Rules". https://www.twenty20cricketcompany.com/indoor-walking-cricket-rules. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 "Walking Cricket Rules". https://utilitabowl.s3.amazonaws.com/2024/Cricket%20Board/Documents/Walking%20cricket%20rules%20v2.pdf. 
  19. ↑ "Walking Cricket". https://www.pitchero.com/document-download/44253/370825. 
  20. ↑ "Walking Cricket – Rules". https://www.walkingsports.com/cricket/rules. 
  21. ↑ "Subject Advice - Walking Cricket". 2023. https://www.u3a.org.uk/members-area/subjects/walking-cricket. 
  22. ↑ Radermacher, Harriet (2025). "Written Evidence Submitted by Dr Harriet Radermacher at The Third Age Trust (HAP0134)". https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/145447/pdf/#. 
  23. ↑ "Middlesex showcase Walking Cricket on Lord's Outfield". Sep 25, 2026. https://www.middlesexccc.com/news/2026/09/mitc-showcase-walking-cricket-on-lords-outfield. 
  24. ↑ "Reaping the rewards of Worcestershire’s Walking Cricket initiative". Mar 3, 2023. https://www.ecb.co.uk/news/3092211/its-turned-a-corner-for-me-reaping-the-rewards-of-worcestershires-walking-cricket-initiative. 
  25. ↑ "Three GCF Walking Cricket Sides Play In National Festival". July 17, 2026. https://gloucestershirecricketfoundation.org/three-gcf-walking-cricket-sides-play-in-national-festival/. 
  26. ↑ "Surrey Cricket Foundation expands women’s walking cricket provision following success of Old Woking OWLS". May 6, 2026. https://www.walkingsports.com/surrey-cricket-foundation-expands-womens-walking-cricket-provision-following-success-of-old-woking-owls/. 
  27. ↑ White, Tom (July 31, 2025). "Old Woking's women’s walking cricket team play in Surrey walking cricket festival at the Kia Oval". https://www.wokingnewsandmail.co.uk/sport/cricket/old-wokings-womens-walking-cricket-team-play-in-surrey-walking-cricket-festival-at-the-kia-oval-817465. 
  28. ↑ "Sky Sports Puts Surrey’s Walking Cricket in the Spotlight". August 26, 2025. https://www.surreycricketfoundation.org/walking-cricket-sky-sports-feature. 
  29. ↑ "Surrey Cricket Foundation Secures £60,000 Grant from The Titsey Foundation CIO to Expand Walking Cricket". Jan 21, 2026. https://www.surreycricketfoundation.org/surrey-cricket-foundation-walking-cricket-grant. 
  30. ↑ "Kent’s Walking Cricket League launches with real promise". April 27, 2026. https://www.kentcricket.co.uk/news/foundation/kent-first-walking-cricket-league/. 
  31. ↑ "Women encouraged to try walking cricket sessions". March 19, 2025. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c337p08j3j8o. 
  32. ↑ "Walking Cricket". https://www.burwoodcricket.com/copy-of-social-sixes. 
  33. ↑ "Walking Cricket". https://www.coromandelramblers.com.au/walkingcricket. 
  34. ↑ "Scotland hosts first walking cricket festival in Doune". Sep 7, 2026. https://www.stirlingnews.co.uk/sport/26528999.scotland-hosts-first-walking-cricket-festival-doune/. 
  35. ↑ "Walking cricket player, 92, on his love for the sport". July 15, 2019. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-south-yorkshire-48993401. 
  36. ↑ "Walking cricket has changed my life". BBC Sussex. Aug 14, 2025. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czjmvd0pj74o. 
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 Lillywhite, Maisie (August 5, 2025). "Walking cricket to be prescribed on NHS". https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqxg0ylyypzo. 
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 38.2 38.3 "New research about benefits of Walking Cricket". February 14, 2023. https://yorkshireccc.com/news/new-research-about-benefits-of-walking-cricket/#:~:text=Michael%20Astrop%2C%20lead%20of%20the%20Todmorden%20u3a,group%20has%20been%20going%20and%20the%20response. 
  39. ↑ Cholerton, Rachel (May 2021). "Walking football initiation and maintenance in older adults: A mixed-methods investigation". https://shura.shu.ac.uk/29138/1/Cholerton_2021_PhD_WalkingFootballInitiation.pdf. 
  40. ↑ "Keeping Fit with Walking Cricket". July 27, 2026. https://www.ageuk.org.uk/gloucestershire/about-us/news/articles/2026/keeping-fit-with-walking-cricket/. 
  41. ↑ Davis, Nicola (Aug 2, 2022). "GPs to prescribe walking and cycling in bid to ease burden on NHS". https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/aug/22/gps-to-prescribe-walking-and-cycling-in-bid-to-ease-burden-on-nhs. 


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