Cricket is a sport based around time. A Test Match can last five days, overs are ticked off in a one-day match and – on a good day - batters occupy the crease for hours.

Much like cricket, for people with motor neurone disease (MND) time is everything.

Every day in the UK, six people are told the devastating news they have this fatal, rapidly progressing condition. A third will die within two years of diagnosis.

Nick Varley, 58, who was told he has MND in November 2024, says cricket has always been a huge part of his life. It saw him be part of a Birmingham Schools U12 champion team right through to helping lead a successful campaign to get the sport into the Olympics.

Until recently, he was a regular for his local vets team at Sevenoaks Vine CC, in Kent, playing on one of the world’s oldest grounds.

However, due to his MND affecting his hands and legs, Nick had to make the difficult decision to step back from playing.

But it isn’t stopping him from recruiting amateur cricketers to join the MND Association team.

Nick said: "Living with MND has taught me how precious every day is and the importance of raising vital funds to fight the disease.

"Cricket is built on values of respect, integrity, and community, which is why we are asking as many clubs as possible to take part in fundraising this summer.

"Every pound matters and your donation will go towards supporting people with MND alongside funding vital research.”

MND causes motor neurones, which send messages from the brain to the muscles, to become damaged and eventually stop working. Within months it can affect:

  • Movement and mobility
  • Speech and communication
  • Eating and drinking
  • Breathing

This summer, we're challenging you to hit MND for six. Whether that is a charity match, raffle events, or even an innings break tea featuring refreshments in return for donations, every pound matters.

Join our team and visit here: www.mndassociation.org/cricket

About Motor Neurone Disease

Motor neurone disease (MND) is a fatal, rapidly progressing neurological disease. Today six people will be diagnosed with MND, and six people will die from the disease. There is no cure. 

MND attacks and damages the nerves which take messages to the muscles. Within months a person may lose their voice, their movement and, ultimately, their ability to breathe. 

Some people experience changes in thinking and behaviour. MND doesn’t affect sight, hearing or touch. 

A third of people die within a year of diagnosis, and more than half within two years. It affects people from all backgrounds, of all ages although MND is more prevalent in men, and a person’s risk increases as they get older.  

More than 5,000 people in the UK are living with MND at any one time. 

Find out more: https://www.mndassociation.org

Follow Wisden for all cricket updates, including live scores, match stats, quizzes and more. Stay up to date with the latest cricket news, player updates, team standings, match highlights, video analysis and live match odds.