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Post by man in the stand on Oct 1, 2024 15:18:01 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. er! |
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Post by Admin on Oct 1, 2024 16:22:30 GMT
DERBY
Derbyshire's teenage fast bowler Harry Moore has signed a new three-year contract with the club until the end of the 2027 season.
The 17-year-old is a product of the club's academy and became Derbyshire's youngest debutant when he played against Worcestershire in the One-Day Cup in August last year, aged 16 years and 114 days.
Moore made his first-class debut last month against Northamptonshire and played in the club's final three County Championship games of the season, picking up six wickets at an average of just under 24.
He also played in seven One-Day Cup games in 2024, taking 10 wickets, and featured in two one-day internationals and one Test match for the England Under-19 side against Sri Lanka.
Derbyshire head of cricket Mickey Arthur said Moore was "hand on heart, the best 17-year-old I've ever coached" and the club were "excited to keep working with him for years to come".
Moore added:, external "He's already shown he has the ability to perform in first-team cricket, and he will get even more opportunities next summer.
"Our pathway is producing some fantastic young players and they will be an asset to us moving forward."
KENT
England opener Zak Crawley has signed a contract extension with Kent until the end of the 2025 season.
The 26-year-old right-hander has spent his entire career to date with his home county, scoring more than 6,000 runs across all formats.
Crawley featured in more than half of the Spitfires’ T20 Blast fixtures in the summer, as well as five County Championship games.
He will be available during the 2025 season subject to international commitments – a boost for Kent as they attempt to bounce back following relegation to Division Two in the four-day competition.
“I absolutely love playing for my county and it was another easy decision to stay here for a further year,” Crawley told the club website, external.
“I’m looking forward to being available for Kent as much as I can next year and putting in performances wearing the White Horse in multiple formats.”
Crawley has won 47 Test caps since he made his England debut almost five years ago, as well as featuring in eight one-day internationals.
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Post by John W on Oct 1, 2024 16:25:03 GMT
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 Thanks Estaban.
We've been coming to this part of Spain for the best part of 20 years, an absolutely delightful area, not too many tourists and the locals always ready to help you out with any language difficulties. Our visits range from Santander to San Sebastian, dropping in at various towns and villages, sampling the local life. As you say the Vizcaya is a very impressive sight, as well as the high foot-bridge and the cradle we've also been taken across the river with the mini boats.
I'll return the compliment, enjoy your time in the Malaga area Estaban. |
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Post by Admin on Oct 2, 2024 12:39:10 GMT
KENT
Kent all-rounder Jadyn Denly has signed a two-year contract extension with the club.
The 18-year-old has scored 232 runs and claimed eight wickets in 50-over cricket since making his debut against Surrey in August 2023.
He also made two first-class appearances after graduating from Kent's academy.
“I’ve absolutely loved playing for Kent after progressing through our talent pathway and I’m hungry to progress further heading into 2025 and further," Denly said.
Hamidullah Qadri and Arafat Bhuiyan have left the club after the conclusion of the season.
Qadri, 23, joined Kent from Derbyshire in 2020 and made 47 appearances across List A and first-class cricket, while Arafat, 27, featured nine times after moving to the club last year.
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Post by Admin on Oct 3, 2024 14:22:30 GMT
GLAMORGAN
Glamorgan have signed Ned Leonard from Somerset on a two-year contract.
The seam-bowling allrounder had been on loan with the Welsh County since August.
The 22-year-old played in four of Glamorgan's last five County Championship games of the season.
"I’m very excited to be joining Glamorgan," said Leonard.
“I have absolutely loved my time during the end of the County Championship season, so I’m really looking forward to joining up with the team in November, developing my game and helping to build on the success that Glamorgan have had this year.”
In the same year, he made his England U19 debut.
Leonard made his First Class and List A debuts for Somerset in 2021.
Glamorgan director of cricket, Mark Wallace said: “Ned is a talented young player with high potential to have a long and successful career in front of him.
“We’ve been tracking his progress for a while and he impressed while on loan at the end of the season. We’re delighted to have him joining us full-time in Wales.”
SURREY
Paceman Conor McKerr and batter Ben Geddes will be leaving county champions Surrey.
McKerr, 26, has spent eight seasons at the club, claiming 100 wickets across all formats, and spent part of this season on loan at Yorkshire in the T20 Blast.
Geddes, 23, has been with the county since the age of eight.
He scored 1,180 runs across all formats and captained the side during their 2022 One-Day Cup campaign.
"While I am disappointed to see the pair leave and move to other counties, I fully understand and respect their decisions," Surrey director of cricket, Alec Stewart,, external said.
Geddes made 41 appearances for Surrey and scored two centuries in his 12 first-class innings.
“I have mixed emotions but am excited for the new challenge and everything that might bring," he said.
"A special thank you to Alec Stewart and Gareth Batty for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to live out a childhood dream."
McKerr won four county titles with the club having also been part of their 2018 success.
During his time at The Oval he had seven loan spells elsewhere, including three at Derbyshire and two at Kent.
“Most importantly, I want to thank Stewie (Alec Stewart)," he said.
"From my first day at The Oval until my last day, he has helped me and supported me in life as well as cricket and will always be grateful to him for what he has given me."
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Post by Admin on Oct 4, 2024 16:53:31 GMT
Leicestershire
Opening batter Sol Budinger has signed a new one-year contract with Leicestershire.
The 25-year-old left-hander has scored 1,756 runs across all formats since joining the Foxes from Nottinghamshire two years ago.
Predominately a white-ball player for the club, Budinger finished second to Australia's Peter Handscomb in the run-scoring charts in this season's One-Day Cup with 458 runs at an average of 45.80 as the Foxes reached the semi-final in defence of their title.
Budinger also hit his first half-century for Leicestershire in the T20 Blast in 2024, where he finished with a strike rate of 152.
His red-ball opportunities have been fewer but he did score a career-best first-class score of 87 against Derbyshire in the final County Championship match of the season.
"I'm very happy to continue my time here at Grace Road," he told the club website., external
"I had a pretty good summer and now I’ve got a great opportunity for my cricket to develop further.
"We’re a close bunch of lads and we enjoy each other’s success, which is a great environment to be a part of."
Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire have signed pace bowler Conor McKerr on a three-year contract following his release by county champions Surrey.
The 26-year-old has taken 139 wickets in all formats of the game, including four in four games for Notts Outlaws in the T20 Blast during a 2023 loan spell.
He has also spent time away from The Oval on loan at Kent, Derbyshire and Yorkshire, but played in three of Surrey's last five games of the season as they clinched a third successive Championship title.
"I’ve got to the age where I am probably about to hit my physical peak, and I want to make sure I am making the most of that," said McKerr, who is 6ft 6ins.
"Having spent time at Trent Bridge, they are very professional in how they go about their business....it can only benefit me to work with (bowling coach) Kevin Shine, and I feel like I have learned how to win having been in a successful dressing room across the last few years."
McKerr's arrival follows Notts stalwart Luke Fletcher's decision to leave the club after 17 years on the staff.
“We know Conor from the time he spent with us, and are fully aware of the talent and potential he possesses” said Notts head coach Peter Moores.
“We feel that he can move his game forward with us - something that we pride ourselves on doing - and it seems like a good move for both parties with his desire to really establish himself in a first team environment."
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Post by sillypoint on Oct 5, 2024 9:25:53 GMT
Bumble's been on Talksport being mildly critical of the club, probably as much as he thought he could get away with.
Criticised the overseas recruitment, questioned whether cricket was still the top priority(we know it's not!) at the club and criticised Anson for not being more hands-on.
He also said it's strongly rumoured that the Glazers are looking to buy Manchester Originals and linking the new football ground at Old Trafford with Lancashire cricket Old Trafford to create a 'Sports City' with walkways etc between the two grounds.
Just when you thought things couldn't get any worse!
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Post by man in the stand on Oct 5, 2024 10:49:22 GMT
.......... He also said it's strongly rumoured that the Glazers are looking to buy Manchester Originals and linking the new football ground at Old Trafford with Lancashire cricket Old Trafford to create a 'Sports City' with walkways etc between the two grounds. I thought Jim Ratcliffe was making the decsions over there and aren't they consulting about relocating the stadium....perhaps they think the cricket ground would be the ideal place!!! |
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Post by MickeyG on Oct 5, 2024 20:42:05 GMT
Its not that far between the 2 areas, but its all built up in between I think so it definitely would need a complete rejuvenation of the area which is what has been talked about. No Lou Macari Fish & Chips?!?!
Sir Jim has sporting control over the club, MITS, the horrible Glazers still have the majority stake.
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Post by Admin on Oct 7, 2024 15:55:51 GMT
MIDDLESEX
Middlesex have signed Surrey batter Ben Geddes on a three-year deal.
The 23-year-old moves across the Thames as his contract at The Oval comes to an end, having been with the club since he was nine years old.
He made his T20 debut for Surrey in June 2021 before making his 50-over and first class debuts a month later.
Geddes captained Surrey in the One-Day Cup and has played 42 times across all three formats for the club.
“He is an exciting young top-order batter that has proven, with the opportunities he's been given, he's got bags of ability and the potential to be a high-class performer at this level," Middlesex managing director of cricket Alan Coleman told the club website., external
"It's not often a player of Ben's ability comes available, and he has been highly sought after by a number of other counties, so we are thrilled that he will be joining Middlesex in the coming weeks."
Geddes has made two centuries and one half-century in eight first-class appearances for Surrey.
"I made the decision to move from Surrey to play more cricket and I couldn't think of a better place to do that than Middlesex," Geddes said.
"I'm very determined to add value to the team and help drive the team forwards, develop as a player and embrace this exciting new challenge and chapter in my life."
SURREY
County champions Surrey have signed Yorkshire fast bowler Matthew Fisher for the 2025 season.
The White Rose announced in August that the 26-year-old would leave the club at the end of the season.
Fisher took 144 first-class wickets in 44 matches for Yorkshire, at an average of 26.58.
He made his England Test debut against West Indies in 2022, bowling six maidens in 27 overs and taking one wicket.
This season, Fisher took 27 wickets in seven matches to help Yorkshire earn promotion back to County Championship Division One.
"I've always looked to strengthen our squad straight after we've won the Championship so bringing in a player of Matt's ability and experience made perfect sense," Surrey's director of men's cricket Alec Stewart told the club's website., external
"With Conor McKerr leaving the club and the expected England call-ups next summer it's important we maintain a quality bowling group."
Fisher was a regular in all three formats of the game for Yorkshire, taking 27 wickets in 27 List A matches plus 45 wickets in 42 T20 Blast appearances.
And so it begins
Three-time T20 Blast champions Hampshire are believed to be one of five sides invited to compete in new T20 tournament the Global Super League.
The tournament, that reportedly has a prize pot of $1million (£764,000), is set to launch and take place in South America starting this November.
It is sanctioned by Cricket West Indies and has the backing of the government of Guyana - where it will take place.
BBC Radio Solent reports that Hampshire are one of the sides that have been invited to compete.
It is also of BBC Radio Solent's understanding that South African franchise The Titans are set to appear in the tournament.
This will be South America’s first stand-alone cricket event and it will also feature the Guyana Amazon Warriors.
All matches will take place at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence, which can hold 20,000 people.
The contest, involving five teams from five different countries, will take place from 26 November to 7 December.
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Post by esteban on Oct 7, 2024 16:06:28 GMT
Its not that far between the 2 areas, but its all built up in between I think so it definitely would need a complete rejuvenation of the area which is what has been talked about. No Lou Macari Fish & Chips?!?! Sir Jim has sporting control over the club, MITS, the horrible Glazers still have the majority stake. Ok, NO Lou Macari fish and chips, however, far more worryingly, NO Wetherspoon!!! With its excellent array of economically priced cask conditioned real ales on tap!!! |
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Post by anyportinastorm on Oct 7, 2024 17:22:52 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. You could have always done what a lot of Oldham Bury and Stockport fans did and become 3/4 of Man Citeh's 'life long' home crowds. |
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Post by Admin on Oct 8, 2024 11:00:20 GMT
Yarkshire
Yorkshire have appointed former captain Anthony McGrath as their new head coach on a five-year deal.
McGrath leaves Essex after nine seasons as assistant coach, head coach and, more recently, director of cricket.
He is returning to Headingley where he spent his entire playing career, winning the County Championship in 2001 and playing for England in four Tests and 14 One-Day Internationals.
McGrath takes over from Ottis Gibson, who guided the White Rose to promotion back into County Championship Division One last month.
He will officially take up his new position on 1 November.
"During the past nine years with Essex, Anthony has proved himself to be one of the most exciting and successful coaches in English cricket," said Yorkshire's interim chief executive officer, Sanjay Patel.
"He is renowned for his team's attractive, attacking cricket, supporting and developing world-class talent, and commitment to youth."
Former all-rounder McGrath, 49, played 242 first-class matches for Yorkshire and captained the side between 2008 and 2009.
As a middle-order batter, he was a key member of the side that ended the White Rose's 33-year wait to be crowned county champions again in 2001.
After retiring in 2012, he went on to become a coaching consultant for Yorkshire, but it is his work at Essex since then that has won him so many plaudits.
"I know the history of this great club and the passion of the members and supporters - and I am absolutely determined to develop a team capable of delivering the success they deserve," McGrath said, of his Yorkshire return.
Before taking up his new position, McGrath spoke to BBC Essex to reflect on his time at the club, which began in 2016 when he became assistant head coach to former Yorkshire colleague Chris Silverwood.
Together they led Essex to promotion from Division Two in 2016 and then to the Championship title the following summer, the county's first red-ball top-flight triumph for 25 years.
But when Silverwood left to become England's bowling coach, McGrath took on the top job at Chelmsford.
During his tenure, Essex established themselves as one of Division One's strongest teams, never finishing lower than fourth in a regular Championship season.
The undoubted highlight came in 2019 when they won both the Championship and the T20 Blast, the first county to achieve that feat - and in the space of seven days.
"That season, but that week in particular, was incredible," McGrath said.
And to back that up, Essex were victorious in the Bob Willis Trophy, the competition introduced during the Covid summer, in 2020.
'Essex expect to win trophies'
Surrey have been top dogs in England in the past three years, winning the Championship, but Essex have become a fixture high up the table.
McGrath may not be around any more, but he is confident the club, led by captain Tom Westley, is well placed to carry on competing against the best.
"The senior players are still going strong and we've seen the emergence of some younger players this year," he said.
"The squad just needs a little bit more depth but everyone is aware of that.
"But there are a lot of good things to look forward to for Essex. Ten years ago, if you had said you'd be disappointed to finish fourth, it's testament to where we've come.
"Expectations are high here and they expect to win trophies every year. That's a great place to be as a club."
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Post by Admin on Oct 10, 2024 16:43:26 GMT
Glamorgan’s South African batter Colin Ingram has signed a new two-year deal to remain as one of the county's overseas players.
Ingram, 39, was recently named the club’s 2024 player of the year after scoring 2,001 runs across all formats.
“I’m thrilled to be extending my contract as I’ve found a second home in Glamorgan and it’s an exciting time to be at the club," said Ingram.
"I love being a part of this group and the team culture that we’ve been working on. On top of that I’m still really enjoying the cricket."
Ingram first joined the club as a Kolpak player in 2015 and has scored 3,941 First Class runs for Glamorgan including 13 hundreds.
He has scored 2,604 List A runs for the Welsh county, including 10 hundreds and a club record 3,086 runs in T20 cricket with three hundreds.
In 2024 the South African posted five First Class centuries reaching 1,000 runs for the season in a club record 13 innings and including a career-best 257 not out against Leicestershire at Sophia Gardens. His season's average of 90.06 in First Class cricket is the highest ever in Glamorgan's history.
“I have had an amazing season with many memories and milestones, and so to come back and challenge myself to do it all again, and be better next year, is one I’m really looking forward to," said Ingram who is now committed to the county until 2026.
"I learnt a lot about batting this year and I’m keen to keep building on that as well as helping others around me."
Glamorgan director of cricket, Mark Wallace added: “Colin has been a huge part of the club over the last nine years and did fantastically well last season.
“He’s a fantastic influence on and off the field and we’re delighted that he’s going to be staying with the club for the foreseeable future.”
All-rounder Ben Kellaway, 20, was named Glamorgan's young player of the year.
Kellaway was a regular in the county's One Day Cup winning side and hit the headlines by taking wickets bowling with both right and left arm spin.
He also featured in the T20 Blast and won a place in the Championship side in the closing weeks of the season.
Kellaway got the second XI award, and Sam Northeast took the David Evans Special Award for his ground record score in the One-Day Cup final at Lord’s.
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Post by Admin on Oct 11, 2024 15:17:14 GMT
WARWICKSHIRE
Birmingham Bears have confirmed pace bowler Richard Gleeson will return to play for the side in next season's T20 Blast.
The former England seamer, who turns 37 in December, joined the Bears on a two-season deal in January, with his contract for 2025 triggered by a performance-related clause.
After taking nine wickets in six games, a side strain forced him out of the rest of the group phase but he returned for the Bears' quarter-final defeat by this season's eventual champions Gloucestershire.
Gleeson also finished as the competition's most economical bowler, going for only 4.83 runs per over.
"I was very happy with the way I performed in the group games. It was frustrating to pick up the injury as I was flying at the time.
"Losing that quarter-final really hurt. We know collectively we should have made Finals Day. But it makes us all doubly determined to get there next season."
Bears performance director Gavin Larsen said getting former Northamptonshire and Lancashire seamer Gleeson back for a second year was a "no-brainer".
"He's been there and done it and he's a great guy to have around Edgbaston," Larsen added.
Durham
Durham's Jonathan Bushnell, Brandon Glover and Oliver Gibson will depart the club following the end of their contracts.
Bushnell, 23, made 34 Durham appearances after making his debut during the 2022 season, and scored two fifties in a total of 672 runs in all formats.
Twenty-four-year-old Gibson played 23 first-team games for the club having also made his debut in 2022, with 14 of those in List A and T20 fixtures.
Glover, 27, spent two seasons with the club but his time there was affected by injury, meaning he was limited to 10 white-ball appearances.
“I would like to thank Jonny, Ollie and Brandon for their commitment and contributions during their time with Durham and wish them every success in their futures," director of cricket Marcus North said.
SUSSEX
India seamer Jaydev Unadkat has signed a new two-year deal with Sussex for the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
The 32-year-old played the final five County Championship matches this year and helped Sussex win the Division Two title.
Unadkat took 22 wickets at an average of just 14.4 in 202, and 15 in three games the previous season.
"I can’t wait to be back for the next season and further," he told the club's website, external.
"I would like to thank Farby [Paul Farbrace] and everyone in the team for making me feel like I belong here.
"I had a fabulous time with the boys on our way to winning the Division Two title and I would like to congratulate everyone at Sussex, including our passionate fans."
Head coach Farbrace said everyone at the club is "pleased and excited" Unadkat has extended his stay.
"Jaydev’s quality on the pitch has been so evident for everyone to see, but just as importantly his qualities as a person make him one of the most popular and nicest guys any team could wish for," Farbrace said.
Unadkat has made 22 appearances for India including eight one-day internationals and four Tests, most recently against West Indies in July 2023.
He also plays domestic cricket in India for Saurashtra and Indian Premier League (IPL) side Sunrisers Hyderabad.
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