Dom Sibley... 21 not out at lunch having batted throughout the 1st session. #SibBall

Nothing like a full set of Grumbler links to open the new season. That and a warm waterproof coat. As @georgedobell.bsky.social said today, enjoy the CC while you still can.

Here’s my season preview: The County Championship will showcase beauty in many forms - enjoy it while you can | The Cricketer www.thecricketer.com/Topics/count...

If only Brendon McCullum wanted to be in England as much as Beyers Swanepoel…

"It matters that, after the long months of winter, we have county cricket to follow once more. Important though producing England players is, it's not all about that" | ✍️ @georgedobell.bsky.social READ HERE → tinyurl.com/mr22s7z6

Injury predicament forces Leicestershire to bolster seam attack | Believe those out are Josh Hull, Ben Mike, Josh Davey and Alex Green. The Cricketer www.thecricketer.com/Topics/count...

Great offer this: £18 for 6 months. shop.thecricketer.com/sub-offer/6D...

"It is testament to Worcestershire's remarkable resilience that, despite all the challenges, they go into the 2026 season as trophy holders" | 🖊️ @georgedobell.bsky.social

The ECB are considering bringing in profit and sustainability rules to prevent more first-class counties falling into financial trouble | @georgedobell.bsky.social

"Warwickshire go into the 2026 season with their most realistic hopes of challenging for the Championship trophy since they won it in 2021" | @georgedobell.bsky.social

Troubled Middlesex handed Hundred money blow | @georgedobell.bsky.social

England clarify involvement in Six Nations competition | The Cricketer www.thecricketer.com/Topics/engla...

The club has been poorly led for too long: Middlesex greats call for change in open letter | The Cricketer www.thecricketer.com/Topics/count...

Reece Topley: Liam Livingstone was "kind" about England management | @georgedobell.bsky.social

Leicestershire are hopeful that New Zealand batter Nick Kelly can help fill the considerable void left by the withdrawal of Peter Handscomb as overseas player | @georgedobell.bsky.social

"It tells you pretty much everything you need to know about Chris Woakes that he's preparing for another season at Warwickshire" | ✍️ @georgedobell.bsky.social READ HERE ➡️ tinyurl.com/5asb5ma7

Worth a read, I think:

For those people who ask if I can send them a Cricketer wallchart with all this season's fixtures... It's available here: shop.thecricketer.com/product/the-... Or in the mag in shops now.

Worcestershire have narrowed their search for a new ground location to two sites | @georgedobell.bsky.social

Thoughts on the review:

Rob Key has admitted England "overplayed" the idea of "a settled team" in recent months and will be looking to county cricket to provide alternatives in the coming weeks | @georgedobell.bsky.social READ HERE ➡️ tinyurl.com/36zbctad

Richard Gould has insisted now is "not the time to throw everything out" after confirming the ECB's decision to retain Brendan McCullum as head coach and Rob Key as MD of England men's cricket | @georgedobell.bsky.social READ HERE → tinyurl.com/3uu66593

Here's my review of @WindrushCricket Windrush Cricket: Imperial Culture, Caribbean Migration, and the Remaking of Postwar England By Michael Collins (in short: I think it's very good)

A change of tone, compromises and learning lessons - why England are set to stick with Brendon McCullum and Rob Key | The Cricketer www.thecricketer.com/Topics/engla...

Worcestershire have drafted in a former Warwickshire stalwart to help coach their young batters | @georgedobell.bsky.social

"There's an uncomfortable narrative emerging in the English game at present" | ✍️ @georgedobell.bsky.social READ HERE ➡️ tinyurl.com/58nhwn58

Leicestershire provide update over Grace Road redevelopment | @georgedobell.bsky.social

"Liam Livingstone has delivered a scathing assessment of the England environment" | @georgedobell.bsky.social

Umpires threatening legal action against ECB:

A group of umpires is threatening to take legal action against the ECB over changes to their terms and conditions | @georgedobell.bsky.social

Team spirits:

"Gratitude is my main feeling now." 💬 Jonathan Trott speaks to @georgedobell.bsky.social after leaving the Afghanistan head coach role.

Clumsy backtracking and confusion continue to blight the ECB | @georgedobell.bsky.social

"Maybe the most revealing moment of the interview with James Thomas, Warwickshire's new performance director, comes from a passing question about diet and alcohol" | @georgedobell.bsky.social READ HERE → tinyurl.com/zynmdbje

Surrey are braced to be without Dan Worrall for the start of the Championship season | @georgedobell.bsky.social

2003: Hussain resigned as capt in July. 2007: Flintoff sacked as capt; Fletcher went April post WC. 2014: Flower went immediately. 2018: Bayliss continued for one more year. 2022: Silverwood sacked immediately; Root resigned as capt April after WI tour. 2007 thus comes closest but DF was coach in WC

Correct me if i'm wrong but... this much repeated line about a cycle where England sack the captain and coach straight after losing the Ashes in Oz... I reckon they've only reacted that way once this century.

Pretty big deal this - we're set to see subs in county cricket. Story by @nickfriend.bsky.social : English domestic summer set for injury replacement trial | www.thecricketer.com/Topics/count...

"Who knows how different this result could have been had Sanju Samson, on 15, been caught by Harry Brook at mid-on" | ✍️ @georgedobell.bsky.social #T20WorldCup

'If anything, we didn't concede enough'...

“This isn't bridge building; it's whitewashing”: Reinstatement of John Blain to Scotland hall of fame provokes strong reaction www.thecricketer.com/Topics/inter...

The tough test of India offers a barometer for England's progress - but it's probably too late for McCullum: www.thecricketer.com/Topics/mens-...

Moeen Ali is in danger of not appearing in The Hundred this summer after failing to gain a nomination from any of the eight teams | @georgedobell.bsky.social

This is excellent:

A statement released by the ECB states they are "working to get everyone [on the Lions trip] home as soon as possible".

Counties keeping tabs on Sheffield Shield stars ahead of Championship opener | @georgedobell.bsky.social

The ECB has announced increased funding commitments to its charity and delivery partners in the hope of "harnessing the power of cricket to change lives" | @georgedobell.bsky.social

"Few would dispute the evidence of the last few weeks that England have made decent progress in this format." England continue to make progress as semi-final challenge awaits | @georgedobell.bsky.social #T20WorldCup

Healing the Rif-kind: Lord's redevelopment breakthrough reached after 27 years of MCC wrangling | The Cricketer: www.thecricketer.com/Topics/premi...

"There was an over-reliance on anticipated Hundred-related income acting as a financial safety net." 💬 Sussex reveal full extent of financial crisis | ✍️ @georgedobell.bsky.social