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Post by Admin on Sept 30, 2024 9:44:13 GMT
Any news of interst will be posted on here
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Post by oldhamexile on Sept 30, 2024 10:05:06 GMT
Just to add to the thanks already expressed to Admin for running the Forum, essential reading during the season, particularly for those like myself in exile from the county. Also a thankyou to fellow forum members for your opinions, insight and a few laughs during a pretty miserable season, both in terms of Lancashire but also for the long term future of championship cricket.
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Post by redandrosy on Sept 30, 2024 12:25:03 GMT
Thanks admin much appreciated. Let's hope for a better 2025. All the best to all poster's.
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Post by man in the stand on Sept 30, 2024 14:36:54 GMT
1st bit of news the long expected take over of Hampshire by Delhi Capitals co-owners the GMR Group.
GMR holds a 50% stake in the Delhi Capitals (IPL and Women's Premier League), the Dubai Capitals (International League T20) and South Africa T20 side Pretoria Capitals (SA20) as well as investing in USA Major League Cricket club Seattle Orcas.
A "phased acquisition" which will see GMR take an immediate majority stake and aim to complete a 100% takeover in the next two years.
Interestingly the deal is solely for control of Hampshire and does not relate to the Hundred or the Southampton-based Southern Brave franchise in any way. Though I presume the ECB will still be giving 51% of the Brave to GMR.
Of course this will give GMR a seat at the ECB with the other counties..
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Post by Admin on Sept 30, 2024 15:17:46 GMT
KENT
Warwickshire batter Chris Benjamin has signed for Kent on a three-year contract.
The 25-year-old, who can also keep wicket, moves on after three full seasons at Edgbaston.
Benjamin was born in South Africa but holds a British passport and qualifies as a domestic player, the club said.
"I'm excited to be joining Kent and having the opportunity to play regularly across multiple formats," he said.
"There is a young squad here that will only improve over time, and there's a clear plan for Kent to return to the highs of their recent successes in the future. It's an exciting project to be a part of."
After impressing for the club's second XI, Benjamin was handed a rookie deal by the Bears - and made an immediate impact, hitting 60 on his professional T20 bow then another half-century against Glamorgan on his first One-Day Cup appearance, and a 127 on his County Championship debut for Warwickshire.
That earned him a deal with Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred, where he averaged 37 as the Midlands franchise made it all the way to the final.
His form since has been sporadic. He has made 378 runs in 10 first-class matches, although he did hit 83 not out on his debut when he went out on loan to Durham late in the 2022 season.
He has also made 260 runs in 11 One-Day Cup games for the Bears and 753 runs in 47 T20 Blast games, having been part of the team who have failed in four successive quarter-finals, the last three at home and the first of them actually against Kent at Canterbury in August 2021.
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Post by alanw on Sept 30, 2024 15:25:26 GMT
1st bit of news the long expected take over of Hampshire by Delhi Capitals co-owners the GMR Group.
GMR holds a 50% stake in the Delhi Capitals (IPL and Women's Premier League), the Dubai Capitals (International League T20) and South Africa T20 side Pretoria Capitals (SA20) as well as investing in USA Major League Cricket club Seattle Orcas.
A "phased acquisition" which will see GMR take an immediate majority stake and aim to complete a 100% takeover in the next two years.
Interestingly the deal is solely for control of Hampshire and does not relate to the Hundred or the Southampton-based Southern Brave franchise in any way. Though I presume the ECB will still be giving 51% of the Brave to GMR.
Of course this will give GMR a seat at the ECB with the other counties..
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Post by John W on Sept 30, 2024 17:21:35 GMT
Just to add my thanks to admin for his sterling work and the rest of the forum members for providing a lot of thoughts, knowledge and entertainment even though this has been a very dark season both on and off the pitch.
I'm travelling round the Basque country in Northern Spain for the next 11 days with the Mrs, I thought it best to give her a break from cricket!
Unfortunately I'll miss the Chuckle Brothers meeting on Thursday, I emailed the club asking if they could put the meeting on zoom for those members unable to attend - they haven't bothered replying!
All the best everyone.
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Post by Dave Towers on Sept 30, 2024 17:42:13 GMT
I'm travelling round the Basque country in Northern Spain for the next 11 days with the Mrs, I thought it best to give her a break from cricket! As a young student of the Spanish language many years ago I spent several months in Bilbao, I imagine everything will have changed since then! Meanwhile our efforts to strengthen the squad have started off by signing a player who only occasionally managed to break into the Durham side. |
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Post by Admin on Sept 30, 2024 18:17:36 GMT
Glamorgan
Glamorgan have agreed contract extensions with bowlers Timm van der Gugten and Jamie McIlroy as well as all-rounder Dan Douthwaite.
Seam bowler van de Gugten has signed a three-year deal, while McIlroy and Douthwaite have agreed contract extensions until 2026.
Netherlands international van der Gugten has taken 268 wickets in 81 first-class matches for Glamorgan since joining the Welsh county in 2016.
The Australia-born 33-year-old has also claimed 87 T20 wickets for Glamorgan.
“I’m very happy to be staying at Glamorgan for another three years and am really excited with the direction the club is going in," said Van der Gugten.
“It’s been a great season and I’ve really enjoyed playing in all formats with the Metro Bank One-Day Cup trophy win ending the season on a high."
Glamorgan 'can recruit much better' says coach Bradburn
Van der Gugten scored a valuable 26 not out with the bat to help Glamorgan to a 15-run triumph over Somerset in the One-Day Cup final at Trent Bridge earlier this month.
His economic bowling was key to the county's second success in the competition in four years. In all 73% of his deliveries in this year’s 50-over campaign yielded no runs
Glamorgan director of cricket Mark Wallace said: "Timm has been a stalwart of our bowling attack for nearly a decade now and [has] grown into one of the most accomplished new-ball bowlers on the circuit.
“He is an outstanding role model and superb professional who has continued to seek improvements in his game throughout his time at the club.
“We’re delighted to have him staying at the club for his long-term future and look forward to Timm performing on the field for the club in the coming seasons.”
Dan Douthwaite has hit 42 sixes in his T20 career and has best Glamorgan figures in the format of four for 23
Douthwaite joined Glamorgan in 2019 and has played in 36 first-class games, scoring 1,284 runs and taking 67 wickets in the County Championship.
In 59 T20 appearances for the club, the 27-year-old has scored 626 runs and picked up 56 wickets.
He was the overall joint-leading wicket-taker in this year’s One-Day Cup competition with 19.
In 2021, the Surrey-born player made his debut for Manchester Originals in The Hundred before being part of the Welsh Fire squad in 2023.
"Personally, I feel like I have much more to give with both bat and ball in all formats and, with the support and opportunities I get at the club, I’m really excited about these next two years," said Douthwaite.
"I look forward to seeing where my game ends up and what I can achieve.
"Glamorgan has been a home away from home for me and since joining in 2019, I’ve only felt more and more included and at home. The offer of staying on for two more years was a no-brainer for me."
Wallace agrees there is more to come from Douthwaite.
"Dan is a hugely talented all-rounder with a high ceiling to grow in to with bat and ball," he said.
“He’s already shown how he can be a match-altering player in all formats and we’re delighted that he’ll be remaining at the club for the foreseeable future.”
Left-arm seamer McIlroy, 30, has played 17 first-class games for Glamorgan, taking 28 wickets, while in T20 he has taken 32 wickets in 25 games.
He played pathway cricket for Wales before playing in National Counties with Herefordshire. He joined Glamorgan via the MCC Young Cricketers in 2019, making his first-class debut for the county in 2021.
Now a regular in both the red-ball and white-ball teams, McIlroy said: “I’m delighted to have signed a contract extension to remain at the club for a couple more years.
“We have a skilled group of players, and I’m excited to contribute to more success over the coming years.”
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Post by esteban on Oct 1, 2024 8:21:47 GMT
Just to add my thanks to admin for his sterling work and the rest of the forum members for providing a lot of thoughts, knowledge and entertainment even though this has been a very dark season both on and off the pitch. I'm travelling round the Basque country in Northern Spain for the next 11 days with the Mrs, I thought it best to give her a break from cricket! Unfortunately I'll miss the Chuckle Brothers meeting on Thursday, I emailed the club asking if they could put the meeting on zoom for those members unable to attend - they haven't bothered replying! All the best everyone. |
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Post by sillypoint on Oct 1, 2024 8:43:51 GMT
1st bit of news the long expected take over of Hampshire by Delhi Capitals co-owners the GMR Group.
GMR holds a 50% stake in the Delhi Capitals (IPL and Women's Premier League), the Dubai Capitals (International League T20) and South Africa T20 side Pretoria Capitals (SA20) as well as investing in USA Major League Cricket club Seattle Orcas.
A "phased acquisition" which will see GMR take an immediate majority stake and aim to complete a 100% takeover in the next two years.
Interestingly the deal is solely for control of Hampshire and does not relate to the Hundred or the Southampton-based Southern Brave franchise in any way. Though I presume the ECB will still be giving 51% of the Brave to GMR.
Of course this will give GMR a seat at the ECB with the other counties..
So Hampshire, or to be more exact Rod Bransgrove, have sold their soul to the devil. Whilst I'm sure that Hampshire will become a very strong T20 side, if I was a Hampshire supporter who's main focus was Championship cricket, I'd be very worried indeed. Sadly, I can agree with Bransgrove that others will follow. |
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Post by esteban on Oct 1, 2024 8:57:41 GMT
Just to add my thanks to admin for his sterling work and the rest of the forum members for providing a lot of thoughts, knowledge and entertainment even though this has been a very dark season both on and off the pitch. I'm travelling round the Basque country in Northern Spain for the next 11 days with the Mrs, I thought it best to give her a break from cricket! Unfortunately I'll miss the Chuckle Brothers meeting on Thursday, I emailed the club asking if they could put the meeting on zoom for those members unable to attend - they haven't bothered replying! All the best everyone. xxxxxxxxxx Interesting that John. I would highly recommend visiting the massive, impressive 19th. century iron hanging transporter bridge (Vizcaya) (World Heritage Site). which links both sides of the river Nervion in Bilbao. If I remember correctly from my visit of around eight years ago you pay a few Euros for the ticket which allows foot access to the high above ground top section. A lift takes you up the end towers after which you walk across the top member, from which you are rewarded with incredible views of the surrounding area. Meanwhile, beneath you, on a kind of large cradle,around half a dozen vehicles are being literally hung and carried across the river courtesy of massive steel cables. A lift carries you back down to ground level at the opposite end tower. After having just enjoyed four very pleasant days in Valencia, I dropped down into Málaga airport last evening thanks to a certain highly successful Irish budget airline. Wall to wall sunshine 😁 ☀️ down here in the south, temps. in the upper 20's. Celsius 👍. Some of the best beaches in Spain along that north coast John. Hope you and your wife enjoy a good holiday in the Basque country |
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Post by man in the stand on Oct 1, 2024 10:56:11 GMT
1st bit of news the long expected take over of Hampshire by Delhi Capitals co-owners the GMR Group.
GMR holds a 50% stake in the Delhi Capitals (IPL and Women's Premier League), the Dubai Capitals (International League T20) and South Africa T20 side Pretoria Capitals (SA20) as well as investing in USA Major League Cricket club Seattle Orcas.
A "phased acquisition" which will see GMR take an immediate majority stake and aim to complete a 100% takeover in the next two years.
Interestingly the deal is solely for control of Hampshire and does not relate to the Hundred or the Southampton-based Southern Brave franchise in any way. Though I presume the ECB will still be giving 51% of the Brave to GMR.
Of course this will give GMR a seat at the ECB with the other counties..
So Hampshire, or to be more exact Rod Bransgrove, have sold their soul to the devil. Whilst I'm sure that Hampshire will become a very strong T20 side, if I was a Hampshire supporter who's main focus was Championship cricket, I'd be very worried indeed. Sadly, I can agree with Bransgrove that others will follow. Just to update my post re Hundred apparently GMR will have to pay an additional sum for Hampshire’s 51% stake in Southern Brave and it is GMR’s intention to acquire the additional 49%, should the ECB decide to sell it to them, for the market rate. Bromsgrove has supported the club for over 24 years so can't blame him for wanting to move on. Other than finding another millionaire who likes cricket who else was going to buy the club?
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Post by lancsdes on Oct 1, 2024 12:48:12 GMT
As a Somerset member says
'The company acquiring Hampshire is Singapore-based GMR Global Private LTD, owned by a Dubai investment company on behalf of the family run GMR Group – a $6 billion business that owns airports, motorways and power stations in India and other parts of the world.''
Good to see all the local heritage in the deal then.
And all the delightful greenery of airports, motorways & power stations in India (50% of which are coal fired).
Oh & KP apparently brokered the deal.
Just such a lovely situation.
Makes you feel all warm & fuzzy inside doesn't it ? “
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Post by oldhamexile on Oct 1, 2024 12:57:01 GMT
After almost losing my football club (Oldham Athletic) I really believe in the fiduciary responsibility of the owners of our football clubs, and the counties too where that applies. I don't really see how Bransgrove has discharged his fiduciary responsibility here. It's very difficult to see any conclusion other than Hampshire being subsumed into a stable of "cricket brands" and their new owners using their ownership to try and bend English cricket to fit a future of incessant, meaningless T20 derivative "cricket". That sale isn't good for Hampshire, it isn't good for county championship cricket.
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