Myerscough is named top provider by The Cricketer magazine

The Cricketer has published its Good Schools Guide 2026, featuring its top schools and providers. All entries were judged against an extensive set of criteria, with the chosen schools having outstanding facilities, fixture programmes and coaching.

This included a compelling commitment to cricket in the curriculum, facilities, fixture programmes and coaching, and how they look to ensure cricket remains a central part of school or college life.

Students at Emirates Old Trafford enrol on a Level 3 programme in Cricket Studies, based at Lancashire County Cricket Club. As well as academic study and training, as part of their course they enjoy a large number of competitive fixtures, which earlier this year included an overseas tour to South Africa.

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Cricket students undertake unforgettable South Africa tour

The programme has also supported a number of females through study, who have successfully integrated into the course.

The centre continues to go from strength-to-strength and this means we can attract students from all over the country who wish to combine their college education with a High Performance Cricket Programme.

A number of our graduates signed professional contracts with Lancashire and other counties over the last few seasons, and it is a testament to Myerscough’s cricket study programmes that the college is able to attract and support talented young cricketers who can combine their cricket and education together.

Myerscough is one of only a small number of non-fee paying schools currently included in the guide, with programmes designed to help students improve as cricketers, and also gain valuable UCAS points, should they wish to go on to higher education.

Andrew Massey, lecturer in cricket at Old Trafford, said: ‘’We are extremely proud that Myerscough College Old Trafford has been ranked in the UK's best schools for cricket in The Cricketer's Schools Guide 2026.

‘’Our team at Old Trafford work tirelessly to ensure our students receive some of the best academic and cricket provision in the country.

‘’Our course has challenged private school cricket programmes year on year and we now have a programme that makes cricket inclusive for all whilst providing students to the opportunity to be the best people they can be.

‘’We take great pride in our offer and continue to look for new ways to enhance student learning and progression.’’

To find out more about study for 2026 entry, CLICK HERE

The Cricketer magazine editor Huw Turbervill said: “We are very proud of our coverage of schools cricket, which we have followed closely since our inception in 1921, as part of our commitment to follow cricket at all levels.

“This 11th edition recognises the fantastic cricket programmes that exist in school curricula up and down the country.

“Schools cricket is arguably more important than it has ever been when you consider the number of schools that also assist in hosting county cricket.

“The schools circuit remains hugely competitive, but there is also the wonder of taking part, the camaraderie of being in a team, in the fresh air, learning this wonderful game of ours. 2005 Ashes hero Geraint Jones, at St Lawrence College, Kent, was big on this. Several schools boast quite rightly about their whole year group taking the field on the same afternoon.

“This feels like a pivotal time for schools cricket, with a spotlight being shone through new tournaments like the state school Knight-Stokes Cup, the finals of which will take place at Lord’s. if we can build on this momentum, the future of our junior cricketers will be even rosier.”