The BBC, the NHS and county cricket are the essence of my concept of Britishness. Let's defend all three. Because they sure need it

And there are only 70,000 county members across ALL counties. 25k of them at Surrey. Shows the value of the ‘big event’ to sports fans and the relative paucity of county cricket’s product/appeal. But it also the lingering appeal of red-ball cricket

This story rather destroys its own premise. Suffice to say, it ain't happening anytime soon but is not off the agenda. Given county🏏's existential crisis & the small window created by franchise $, outground is a 'nice to have' unless it brings future $

Happy days

When it was first proposed, we were told that brands were carefully created & based upon distinct local characteristics, see story. Partly because counties did not resonate It was just more BS. Build it quick, flog it off, count the cash, lose control www.bbc.co.uk/sport/...

When it was first proposed, we were told that brands were carefully created & based upon distinct local characteristics, see story. Partly because counties did not resonate It was just more BS. Build it quick, flog it off, count the cash, lose control www.bbc.co.uk/sport/...

🏏 New County Cricket Newsletter. Please share and enjoy 🟣 Yorks skipper walks out as football mascot 🟠 Northants and Sussex make key signings 🔴 Woakes commits to Warks 🔵 Coaching changes at Lancs 🟡 Will Harmer be the last 1000-wicket bowler?

🏏 New County Cricket Newsletter. Please share and enjoy 🟣 Yorks skipper walks out as football mascot 🟠 Northants and Sussex make key signings 🔴 Woakes commits to Warks 🔵 Coaching changes at Lancs 🟡 Will Harmer be the last 1000-wicket bowler?

"Woods, Whitby Town skipper in the absence of Lewis Hawkins, had the bizarre pre-match spectacle of holding hands with Whitby-born Yorks and Eng cricketer Adam Lyth, whose side came bottom of a Fantasy Football League, last season, so was made the adult mascot as a forfeit."

Happy with this. Fernandes made strides with bat and gloves last year. Put up the order in One-Day Cup and biffed a few. Stood up nicely at times too Taking the best from the Essex Leagues should be part of the Essex DNA

Simon Harmer has become the 4th South African to take 1,000 first class wickets. Charlie Llewellyn, Mike Procter & Alan Donald = the others. Harmer is only 1 of 2 cricketers anywhere who debuted in the 21st century to reach the milestone. James Anderson the other #cricketcounts

You see, despite all the 'disruption', most players start & end their careers with counties If they are as well-adjusted & high-calibre as Chris Woakes, they can see the value in this. Yes, it is more emotional than financial but often more fulfilling

🏏 New County #Cricket newsletter. Pls share and enjoy 🟣 Champ season in review 🟢 All the player moves and contracts 🟠 Legend back at Kent 🔴 Hants lose key coach to Warks 🔵 Kookaburra killed off 🟡 Gloucs 'debt-free' 🟤 BBC commentary soars

🏏 New County #Cricket newsletter. Pls share and enjoy 🟣 Champ season in review 🟢 All the player moves and contracts 🟠 Legend back at Kent 🔴 Hants lose key coach to Warks 🔵 Kookaburra killed off 🟡 Gloucs 'debt-free' 🟤 BBC commentary soars

Blast group ticket sales 2025: 712k* 2019: 950k** * See Kevin Howells interview ** www.espncricinfo.com... www.bbc.co.uk/sounds...

A nice but dispiriting read. Sadly, seeing this a lot. Lots of members quietly quitting (non-renewing) because the writing is on the wall* and, frankly, it just does not feel the same anymore. * See the vote on the schedule. The 'cut' argument will keep returning until it is achieved

Felt inevitable that these two would be released. Hope Richards, in particular, finds another county. And that is the acid test on letting go of any young player. Made a great start but form and fitness issues meant he got overtaken essexcricket.org.uk/...

Batted, Goochie

Sunrisers Leeds? After Mumbai Indians London taking over from Oval franchise name These name changes are showing how much control has been sold. And do the opposite of the intention to grow the game’s appeal

Been lots of head-scratching about this survey. More in this blog Partly a product of lack of trust ECB have created. Remember the survey that 'proved' need for H*ndred. Incl need for new format to grow game Then it's sold & owners change it to T20 🤥

This annoys me We tried it, extended it. Fans, coaches complain - dull games, not used by Eng ints but, typically, a bullish Key says it's great. 'Wants it every round' Then, per DTel, he's not fussed, leaves decision to Dir of Cricket. Crap leadership www.telegraph.co.uk/...

Slightly surprised it did not go to Critchley Only player to play every game in all comps. 2nd top run-scorer in Championship, third top wicket-taker.

With Cook only playing six Championship games, if Porter had not stepped up so well we could have gone down easily

These two are going places. International places Won these young player awards by a mile!

Chef is far too polite to tell him where to stick his apology ...but I'm not You can't buy Chef's class

V good news for Gloucs that probably would not have happened in this way without H*ndred money. Proposed alternatives would've done some of this but most imp, it doesn't solve the fundamental prob - county cricket loses money So the debt will come back

Any team in Essex able to help Danbury find a new ground? Could be a troubling precedent

Says the US owner of Birmingham City... ...and the Edgbaston franchise in the H*ndred. But it is not his job to look after the lesser teams in English cricket

Good numbers Long live County Cricket!

Where was all this sun last week?

Last one of the season. I’m told that this is now a Cricket Paper tradition

Durham down. Absolutely fell apart there

Hang on! I thought Hampshire were gone after the drama of this morning. Great comms from Mark Church But Durham are SEVEN down, 47 behind to make Yorks bat again and have 46 OVERS left in the day

Charlie Allison thumps Jake Ball into the Tom Pearce Stand for the winning six. If he continues to improve at the same rate he’ll end next season in the England conversation

One last time

Walking off for the last time this season.

Well now….. Somerset skittles for 99. Quality from Porter especially Essex need 94 to win. 19 overs left today. Bit of a turn up

I gave up doing the maths but this was always the target I had in mind to stay up Really think Essex will be better and maybe back challenging next year. Injuries can’t be as bad. Pace bowling has been strengthened already and kids have made strides esp Allison

Grey. Game going nowhere. But safety assured And nowhere I’d rather be

Two different stories from today. Do you see an issue? (Nothing against DBD in the slightest, BTW)

Slightly less worried after today The cricket bit is OK Just the usual end of Western civilisation to be concerned about now

Been listening to the Essex commentary all day. Thank heavens for quality and unpartisan analysis of Nick Gledhill

If you don't want to do any work this afternoon then click this link

I think Essex need three batting points to be totally safe. Others saying two Anyone got any confirmation either way?

🏏My thoughts on our morning walk Essex need a good first hour Will Pepper can bat? How many bonus pts do we need? Durham-Yorks game is huge 🐶Finn’s thoughts: What’s that great smell? Is that another dog? What’s that great smell? Blimey I can run fast What’s that great smell?

A view on the schedule vote from a former county chair and financial expert One of the few who calls out the ECB Devastating last par

Don’t want to worry anyone but… There were a pretty remote set of circumstances across 4 games that could see Essex go down. At end of Day One, they are looking pretty possible Sussex to win Hants to win Dur/Yorks draw with high bonus points Essex to lose with few bonus pts

🏏 New County Cricket Newsletter. Pls share & enjoy 🟣 The Championship deciders - previews 🍐 Emotional Pears lift Metro Bank Cup 🟠 Surrey's record Champ crowds 🔴 Schedule set for confirmation? 🔵 Cricket is UK most elitist sport 🟡 Dickie Bird RIP

Better second session. Tied up Somerset a bit and their desire to attack brought 3 wickets First first-class scalp for Charlie Bennett. Celebs in picture Just after tea, Som 221/4. RR 3.2. Was nearly 4 before lunch Pepper off with injury (another). Fernandes subbing

Poor first morning. Bowled v poorly. Just like Durham game Missing Cook and Snater so badly. No Cox again either Young Thomas playing his shot v well for Somerset. 111/1 But we recovered v Durham v well. And all just about getting enough bonus points to stay up