Strengths I think would be that they draw the different playing standards together and ensure they are all structured towards their goals. They are working to put structures in place which allow the best players to reach the top levels of the game as easily as possible (pyramid structures). Central contracts as well are effective for making the national side as strong as possible. They are the sole governing body so any policy changes can easily be implemented.

Weaknesses. The county boards are not all equally effective, so some areas do better than others. Some of the county cricket is awful and not promoting England test players (their stated aim). Junior cricket is not pushed at the same level in all areas so the number of talented youth players making the step up to the top levels of senior cricket varies widely.

Opportunities. Introducing more children to cricket and increasing the participation rate would be the main one. Increasing the marketability of cricket in order to achieve this / fund development. Make England the best side in the world is the one of their aims.

Threats. Other sports dominating (football, rugby etc.). Overseas players (mainly Kolpak ones with EU passports) being increasingly used instead of home grown players. Ameteur leagues becoming either stagnated or semi pro, so the top divisions are a closed shop and competition falls, people stop playing etc. Top level sports such as football are taking airtime traditionally used for showing cricket.

Thats just a few of the things I could think of while I was writing, there will be others (and more interesting details on these)

Thank you. This has given me a good start at the SWOT. I would really appreciat if you could let me know of anymore stuff that you happen to know.

How do you think cricket is rated/at which level in the UK panel of sports? i mean where does it stand?

What was the reall reason behind ECB's formation? i learn that ECB only established in 1997 and undertook the running of every form of cricket - before it there were TCCB, NCA and Cricket council - what was wrong with them? was it the money??

Well the Ecb joined up all the previous boards(TCCB, NCA and Cricket council)

The history is best seen here http://www.lords.org/history/mcc-history/

Strengths of ecb
1) Responsible for the men's and women's game in england and wales. A single authority to make changes rapid and administration simpler.
2) Everyone gets a say. The ECB is governed by representatives of the 38 first-class and minor counties and the MCC. It is headed by the Management Board (with 15 members), a First-Class Forum (for first-class cricket) and a Recreational Forum.
3) Commercial rights. The ECB can go to market and get 'the best deal for cricket' (even if it's not the best deal for the spectator or tv watcher)
4) The Ecb employs the Chairman of Selectors David Graveney and the Head Coach Duncan Fletcher and his team are ECB employees. The ECB also employs the England Captain Michael Vaughan and other centrally contracted players, as well as being responsible for the ECB National Academy, currently based at Loughborough University. Central contracts could be a good thing and the acadamy should be a good thing.
5) Punches above it's weight at the ICC.

Weaknesses
1) Should be a British Isles based organisaton which encompasses Irish and Scottish cricket too. If it were, then these two countries would play tests within 5 years. Having said that the Welsh team seems to stop at.... Glamorgan.
2) because everyone gets their say, the ECB lacks a clear vision and hasn't really taken advantage of England's performance in the Ashes win.2005
3) Selection. The coach should select using scouts nationwide. Goodbye and thank you to the chairman and board of selectors.The ashes 2006-2007 showed that selection was just Automatic. The captain should have NO input.
4) Central contracts. this lead to some cricketers being fattened up on a sure fire job (Giles,G.Jones,) and competition for places seemed to be flat despite a wealth of talent knocking on the door. (Just for the keeper there are 4 and for batsmen there are 5 world class, yet it was just send out trescothick and look what happened. )
5 Too much reliance on odi and 20 20 , too many meaningless matches. We should widen the opponents . and the players chosen.
6) Player burn out and injury.

Opportunities
1) Winning the world cup in 2007 would bring cricket back to life. Look at ireland, who have got to the super eights. cricket's taken off there and it'l be good for the game
2) Playing cricket in Europe. More ODI's and 20 20's should be played in europe. the ECB should play France, Germany et al on grass and not indoors. This would bring up standards and kill off the kolpak threat.
3)Grass roots cricket. Clubs, groups, schools, leagues need to have vigour and skills. A lot can be done in the lesure sector.
4) commercial activities. Kit, and cricket gear etc.
5) technology.

Threats.
1)Image of cricket
The non cricket person sees cricket as a 'dull, boring, inexplicable, game played for 5 days with often no result ,played by fat,balding men ( look in the mirror jenko!)who drink to much( i'm on the wagon still!)'
2) The other sports. Other sports seem more dynamic and exciting.(football) and get more TV and sponsership
3) drugs and match fixing. Need I say more? Every sport faces these. but cricket seems blighted at the moment and ECB just seem to be turning a blind eye.
4) Kolpak.
5) the danger of being just another 'gentlemen's club' a la MCC
6) losing power in the ICC.
7) lack of interest by major terestial broadcaster


Cricket's rating changes from summer to winter and ashes or not and winning or not.
The big 3 are Football, Rugby and Cricket.
Hence
2005 but 2004 and 2006 and 2007
1 cricket Rugby Football Football
2 football Football cricket Rugby
3 Rugby Cricket Rugby Cricket.


Having said all that, more people go fishing every saturday than go watch a football match live .

__________________
I have a dream.... (Martin Luther King)

thanks a lot. i really appreciate ur views.