English Domestic Season 2025

[Molehill]

Unless theyve signed someone recently, hants who are now owned by the Indians, dont seem to have a single Asian background player in their 1st team.

Is that a pre-requisite for owning a club then? A few Premier League football teams need to get some Middle East or US players in if that's the case.

 

[chris.hinton]

Kemar Roach: West Indies bowler back at Surrey for first four games of season - BBC Sport

Ed Barnard: Warwickshire all-rounder signs new three-year contract - BBC Sport

Astwood Bank Cricket Club to rename ground after Josh Baker - BBC Sport

Yorkshire: Jonny Bairstow to captain White Rose in County Championship - BBC Sport

 

[kevinw]

Any Kent supporters looking forward to life in D2? They finally ran out of road last season after punching above their weight for a few seasons. Hollioake is a bold coaching choice. They've not gone down the conservative route. Could work out, but is just as (more) likely to end in tears. The squad looks weak as before. Lack of top order batting is an issue. Compton and DBD are fine, and but an ageing Denly (though nephew should get a run) and a permanently average Leaning, plus Finch as keeper means it's a soft middle order. Evison is fine and if he can step up his batting a bit, he'll be really important. Bowling as always is hopeless. Uninspiring overseas picks, inexperience or mediocrity amongst the English eligible bowlers. Parkison is alright but will perform better in the second half of the CC Summer. I'd be surprised if they got promoted, more likely to be in the also-rans in D2.

 

[Third_Man]

Any Kent supporters looking forward to life in D2? They finally ran out of road last season after punching above their weight for a few seasons. Hollioake is a bold coaching choice. They've not gone down the conservative route. Could work out, but is just as (more) likely to end in tears. The squad looks weak as before. Lack of top order batting is an issue. Compton and DBD are fine, and but an ageing Denly (though nephew should get a run) and a permanently average Leaning, plus Finch as keeper means it's a soft middle order. Evison is fine and if he can step up his batting a bit, he'll be really important. Bowling as always is hopeless. Uninspiring overseas picks, inexperience or mediocrity amongst the English eligible bowlers. Parkison is alright but will perform better in the second half of the CC Summer. I'd be surprised if they got promoted, more likely to be in the also-rans in D2.

Mail reporting that the elder young Flintoff is signing a rookie contract for them. He played in the Kent Essex pre season friendly the other day. He's a bowling allrounder plagued by a stress fracture in his back over the last couple of years (like his Dad was). The two brothers could play against eachother this season although the respective 2nd XIs aren't scheduled to meet. Lancashire better hope they signed the right one after letting Corey speak to other counties post Lancs Academy.

 

[Third_Man]

To a point I can understand, without agreeing with it, why counties such as Yorkshire - about to clear their debts - are holding their pre-season friendly behind closed doors, but surely against Lancashire the crowd might justify the stewarding costs. But why not live stream it?

Yorkshire CCC are only providing a live blog - they aren't streaming. (Likewise there is complete and absolute radio silence regarding any coverage or team news by Lancashire CCC). 10am update includes:
"We are awaiting some team news, but Lancashire will be batting first.


The expectation is that Yorkshire will field a stronger side than their visitors, who have left the likes of Keaton Jennings, Jimmy Anderson, Luke Wells and Josh Bohannon at home. A good number of their squad only completed a training camp at Desert Springs in Spain on Friday."

https://yorkshireccc.com/news/live-blog-yorkshire-men-and-women-in-friendly-action/

 

[Yeoman]

Any Kent supporters looking forward to life in D2? They finally ran out of road last season after punching above their weight for a few seasons. Hollioake is a bold coaching choice. They've not gone down the conservative route. Could work out, but is just as (more) likely to end in tears. The squad looks weak as before. Lack of top order batting is an issue. Compton and DBD are fine, and but an ageing Denly (though nephew should get a run) and a permanently average Leaning, plus Finch as keeper means it's a soft middle order. Evison is fine and if he can step up his batting a bit, he'll be really important. Bowling as always is hopeless. Uninspiring overseas picks, inexperience or mediocrity amongst the English eligible bowlers. Parkison is alright but will perform better in the second half of the CC Summer. I'd be surprised if they got promoted, more likely to be in the also-rans in D2.

Hollioake is a left field choice however expectations are low with the bowling so weak so from his perspective the downside is limited. Expect them to finish mid-table. Lancashire and Middlesex the obvious promotion favourites.

Update: just checked the available odds. Kent are 5-1 to win division two, third favourites. This is remarkably short, in my opinion.

 

[Third_Man]

Yorkshire v Lancashire quote unquote First Team friendly:

• Yorkshire
• JH Wharton, ML Revis, HG Duke†, GCH Hill, WA Luxton, DT Moriarty, JA Thompson, DM Bess, CJ White, FJ Bean, JM Bairstow*

• Lancashire
• HPN Singh, GJ Bell†, TE Bailey*, DK Fonseka, TW Hartley, TH Aspinwall, JM Blatherwick, JA Boyden, OW Sutton, MT Stanley, H Mughal

That leaves Lancashire resting a possible 1st XI squad for the Championship game at Lord's of:
Jennings*, Harris (o/s), Bohannon, Jones, Hurst+, Wells, Balderson, Philip (o/s), Barnard, Williams, Anderson plus Flintoff.

What riches.

 

[FBU]

Yorkshire v Lancashire quote unquote First Team friendly:

• Yorkshire
• JH Wharton, ML Revis, HG Duke†, GCH Hill, WA Luxton, DT Moriarty, JA Thompson, DM Bess, CJ White, FJ Bean, JM Bairstow*

• Lancashire
• HPN Singh, GJ Bell†, TE Bailey*, DK Fonseka, TW Hartley, TH Aspinwall, JM Blatherwick, JA Boyden, OW Sutton, MT Stanley, H Mughal

That leaves Lancashire resting a possible 1st XI squad for the Championship game at Lord's of:
Jennings*, Harris (o/s), Bohannon, Jones, Hurst+, Wells, Balderson, Philip (o/s), Barnard, Williams, Anderson plus Flintoff.

What riches.

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288/14
151/1

 

[kevinw]

Mail reporting that the elder young Flintoff is signing a rookie contract for them. He played in the Kent Essex pre season friendly the other day. He's a bowling allrounder plagued by a stress fracture in his back over the last couple of years (like his Dad was). The two brothers could play against eachother this season although the respective 2nd XIs aren't scheduled to meet. Lancashire better hope they signed the right one after letting Corey speak to other counties post Lancs Academy.

Key does his mate Fred a favour....

 

[FBU]

Lots of people are going to be disappointed. Looks like Anderson, calf injury, will be out for 4 weeks

A chance for Mahmood

 

[kevinw]

Root and Brook left out of the opening round because of "appraisals" apparently.

 

[Chin Music]

Root and Brook left out of the opening round because of "appraisals" apparently.

In fairness, hadn't both of them had quite a busy winter? Pakistan and NZ from October to December, then the India white ball tour Jan/Feb and then CT Feb/March? Whether they are missing because of appraisals is a moot point, they surely do need a bit of downtime.

 

[brandon]

Root and Brook left out of the opening round because of "appraisals" apparently.

I initially thought it was an April Fool, but of course with the ECB I should really have known better.

No centrally contracted players to play this week, by all accounts. Why the f*** they couldn’t have done appraisals anytime during the last month or so is beyond me.

 

[chris.hinton]

Ben Stokes: England captain to miss early rounds of County Championship as he continues recovery

England captain Ben Stokes is not expected to play for Durham in the early rounds of the County Championship as he continues his recovery from hamstring surgery.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[chris.hinton]

I initially thought it was an April Fool, but of course with the ECB I should really have known better.

No centrally contracted players to play this week, by all accounts. Why the f*** they couldn’t have done appraisals anytime during the last month or so is beyond me.

it's just brain dead - All England players could well do with a County Championship match under their belts. ECB are without logic and its just bizarre and sad.

 

[Third_Man]

The modern game:

almost as many back room staff as players.

https://x.com/BBCLancsCricket/status/1906984737362563438/photo/1

...Gravy Train of Professional Sport

 

[Aidan11]

That 16.4 money won't go far with all those staff.