"There is a painful irony that, only months after the future of the first-class counties was seemingly safeguarded for a generation, two of them have slipped into serious trouble" | @georgedobell.bsky.social READ HERE → tinyurl.com/m5y29w4x

"I was in the best form of my life" 💬 The county cricket cast-off eyeing West Indies | ✍️ @nickhowson.bsky.social

"No sooner has Joe Root conquered one personal mountain than he's been confronted by another" | ✍️ @nickhowson.bsky.social

A long-awaited Test hundred in Australia illuminated day one of the second Test and will end up, somewhat curiously, satisfying a certain group | ✍️ @nickhowson.bsky.social

Piece on TNT Sports’s Ashes coverage. Must do better.

"Maybe viewers need convincing, but there's plenty of cricket there. There's much more cricket than cycling, let's say, in my background." Rob Hatch's Ashes gig is not a leap into the unknown | @nickhowson.bsky.social

Suggestions that the vote on the men's domestic structure has been delayed are inaccurate. @georgedobell.bsky.social has the latest 👇

"Shambles" doping case, One Day Cup final glories and England misgivings... the ups and downs of Chris Wright | 🖊️ @nickhowson.bsky.social

We're off at the Kia Oval with rain, thunder and lightning around with Surrey needing nine more wickets to win and re-establish their nine-point lead over Notts.

At the Kia Oval Invincibles Arena, where Rory Burns spent much of his 52 trying to get out, before picking out Zen Malik. Surrey four down after being inserted, but Warwickshire have been a bit wasteful.

"After finding all the answers to maintain their unbeaten start to the competition, it remains to be seen how much of a menace Worcestershire are in their pursuit of a first List A trophy since 2007" | ✍️ @nickhowson.bsky.social

Had a really interesting chat with Matt Parkinson after play. Here he talks about Kent's discipline after that eight-point penalty in the County Championship ⬇️

What next for Jack Leach, England's Mr Resilient? | 🖊️ @nickhowson.bsky.social

At Taunton, where with rain expected, West Indies are playing their part, falling to 4 for 3 in the first 21 balls.

"If you're going to lean into the way the competition mimics football's FA Cup, don't stop with the language" | @nickhowson.bsky.social

ECB Premier League umpire Em Dean is considering their future in cricket after the banning of transgender women from female competitions at all levels with immediate effect.

A very weird morning has ended with Lancashire scoring seven off the last delivery, declaring to set Derbyshire a very charitable 329 in 88 overs to win. Fascinating fourth innings in prospect.

At Old Trafford, where Keaton Jennings has followed standing down as Lancashire captain with his second-lowest score of the season. Out for just two. Derbyshire making things happen after choosing to bowl.

"I've just got to keep playing well, just to keep doing what I'm doing and forget it until I get there." Adam Lyth realistic as the race to 1,000 runs heats up | ✍️ @nickhowson.bsky.social

Simon Harmer has vehemently defended Essex's start to the County Championship season after just one win in their opening five matches | @nickhowson.bsky.social

"If the best and most effective business leaders are those who actively work towards making themselves unnecessary, then Sean Jarvis' proposed departure from Leicestershire can be viewed as a reflection of his success in transforming the club on and off the field" | @nickhowson.bsky.social

At Lord's, where it is not summer.

One month = £1! 🤩 📘 Bonus FREE e-edition of the magazine ✍️ Award-winning online coverage 👩‍💻 Instant digital access 🔗 tinyurl.com/thecricketer

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Everything has fallen into place at the right time for the Hampshire seamer, who has enjoyed a fine start to the new County Championship season | ✍️ @nickhowson.bsky.social

Arrived at Grace Road for first v second in Division Two. Derbyshire choose to bowl first and Leicestershire open with Rehan Ahmed again. Fun.

Eleven months ago, Blair Tickner's wife, Sarah, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. It cut short his spell with Derbyshire. But now he is back. We discussed perspective, toil, unfinished business, playing for his family, the Kookaburra and his New Zealand prospects.

"He is not quite as tall as Shoaib Bashir - but there's only an inch and a half in it - and not quite as quick. But he does have good control, he does gain some drift, and he does turn the ball." Jack Carson impresses but runs out of time | ✍️ @georgedobell.bsky.social

Danni Wyatt-Hodge speaks to @nickfriend.bsky.social about Charlotte Edwards' appointment, criticism of England's fitness and Heather Knight's time in charge. READ HERE → tinyurl.com/zs2j3v6p

Busy start to the County Championship season with three days at Hampshire watching the Ben Brown era start with a win over Yorkshire and then a Josh Tongue-inspired Notts beat Durham at Trent Bridge on the final day… Reports and interviews from all four days ⬇️

Champions Surrey on the ropes at Chelmsford. Rory Burns and Ollie Pope gone in the space of seven balls. Pope's shot was a shocker. Still need 174 more to make Essex bat again. Officially not dross.

This is dross.

Day two of the English summer and I’m already on my first rail replacement bus service. Now we’re back.

Hard lines, Zain-ul-Hassan.

"Eat, drink and be merry. For tomorrow, the Depend Adult Undergarment league takes over. As a new English summer begins, there are many reminders that its best days are in the past" | @georgedobell.bsky.social

At Chelmsford, as @thecricketer.com prepares to kick off its most ambitious summer of coverage online and in the magazine. Bring on the next six months.

🚨 NEW PODCAST! 🚨 📺 WATCH ➡️ youtu.be/fM1kATGthfc 🎧 LISTEN ➡️ podfollow.com/the-crickete...

Rory Burns, the history-chasing Surrey captain, defends the dominance of his club | ✒️ @nickhowson.bsky.social READ HERE ✍️ tinyurl.com/46n35k8z

Ultimately, no head coach survives a 16-0 Ashes whitewash. Piece on Jon Lewis' tenure: the successes, the shortcomings, the end, the team he leaves behind, the next steps.

"I've often thought, 'Why don't we take the County Championship game to different territories?'" READ MORE → tinyurl.com/5n8aftbt

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Piece on the final in Dubai. A contest which only occasionally burst into life, but that isn’t really the story here.

Interview with Lauren Rowles, the youngest full-time county head coach in the country (and possibly ever?!). In depth on some of tier two's challenges, including the ban on overseas players, clashing with club cricket on Sundays and the loan system.

A nice moment for the dedicated team at @thecricketer.com to be nominated for Specialist Sports Publisher at the @sportsjournalists.co.uk awards.

Really clear that Jos Buttler has been burdened by the white-ball captaincy since taking over, so the time is now for England Men to burden someone else with it.

Club cricket is challenged by rising costs, but is more resilient than many think. John Swannick has polled more than 500 clubs for their opinions...

Worth checking out this really revealing interview with Dom Bess by @nickfriend.bsky.social

One suspects they are not torched for daring to spend their free time doing something other than tennis.