COUNTY CRICKET BLOG: 'Civil War' at Yorkshire | Why Tom Harrison is cricket's Chesney Hawkes? | Mickey Arthur flies in | Surrey's 15k members | Davies banned for tweets | All the player moves
Hi there,
The cogs are starting to move once more. More players are being signed and all the coaching staff are being confirmed. We are now within 50 days of the first game and it feels like county cricket is starting to awaken. Certainly, the story needs to move on because we still seem to be mired in two thorny issues - racism and the ECB’s role. Surrey and Leicestershire provide the good news in this edition. Hopefully, there will be more next time around.
In the meantime, please share and enjoy this newsletter and the county game.
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County moves - players and coaches
Coaches: Lewis (Essex), Trott (Warwickshire), Ramprakash (Middlesex), Ali, Maiden, Smith (Yorkshire)
Lots of coaches appointed recently as the county squads move on from fitness work and look to get outside once more.
Players: Bohannon (Lancashire), David (Lancashire), Robson (Middlesex), Christian (Nottinghamshire), Smeed (Somerset), Petersen (Durham), McDermott (Hampshire)
Ali (Worcestershire) replacing Matthew Wade, who is not coming now.
All the player moves this winter
Derbyshire expect Shan Masood and Suranga Lakmal for County Championship opener (The Cricketer)
Arthur press conference hugely impressive (Peakfan)
This is the most exciting coaching appointment of the winter. Upon arrival, Arthur said: "It has been a struggling county, it's an unfashionable county and I thought "that's the county I want to go to." I want to come and be able to make a difference.’
Good on him. Also, there is an insight into the trials of being a peripatetic coach and an outsider's view of county cricket.
News, Views and Interviews
The last few weeks have demonstrated how the UK establishment protects its own posterior and deliberately blocks change. The police took the sting out of Sue Gray's report to help an amoral PM stay in charge of a corrupt Government then Prince Andrew reportedly paid £12m to someone he said he had never met so the misdemeanours he said he did not do could be hidden from view. The moves against Lord Patel's reformation of Yorkshire CCC are obviously less serious in nature but the methods are broadly similar. Soak up bad press, manoeuvre in the background and wait for the moment to evoke the letter of the law hoping to derail, delay or disparage your opponent safe in the knowledge that you are best-placed to quietly rebuild amidst the ensuing chaos. Forget whether it is right or not.
While I am right behind Lord Patel, Yorkshire need to be punished in a tangible and proportionate way. As expected, the door is now wide open for them to retain their international fixtures. Patel has argued the county may fold without the finances from these games. This is questionable. However, it brings into focus the earlier folly of letting the White Rose stay in Division One. Yes, there is still a possibility of points deductions or salary restrictions but failing to send them down seems like a huge mistake because right now it appears that, on the pitch at least, they are getting away with “institutional racism”.
Just as this newsletter was being completed news broke of Essex being charged after failing to investigate when a racist comment was allegedly made at a board meeting. County cricket needs to clean the house.
Warwickshire launch first Multifaith Charter through new EDI programme (Sports Insight)
Worcestershire's Pat Brown targeting a red-ball return (Express and Star)
Nice to see a white-ball specialist bowler looking to play more red-ball cricket. Pat Brown really broke through as a T20 player a couple of years ago. Injuries have held him back since.
A lovely wistful piece about Derbyshire.
Film directors exploring tragedy should make movies about cricket (The Guardian)
Alex Davies: Warwickshire's new signing given ECB ban for historical posts (BBC)
OK, let me lay my cards on the table. I have led media training for international footballers in the past and the very first thing you always do is quiz them about historic posts. Then get an intern to go through and delete every single item that might cause controversy.
However, I do think the law (both real-life and sporting) needs to catch up here. Let's get guidelines over what constitutes an unacceptable post for young teens, mid-teens and those over 18 years-old. Racism and sexism etc can never be excused, but so many of our existing laws enshrine the idea that the judgement of minors is not cast-iron. Something like car insurance even adds a financial calculation to this idea.
We need clear guidance and flip around the use of social media to promote the community work miscreants undertake as recompense.
Surrey surpass 15,000 members for the first time (Surrey CCC)
Leicestershire announce record £483,000 profit & £4.9m income for 2020-21 (BBC)
Some have sought to poke holes in these numbers. Yes, Surrey's membership figures are boosted by access to England tickets at The Oval and Leicestershire, like every county, are reliant on ECB central funding. (Let's not call it a ‘handout’, let's call it payment for the 152 Tests, 121 ODIs and 56 T20I games Stuart Broad has played).
However, this is progress. Like Derbyshire, Leicestershire are now in a position to pay off chunks of their debts. Meanwhile, Northamptonshire have come a long way from the years when, according to their CEO, they were "counting every loo roll". And remember, these three could be the first counties against the wall if the ECB's franchise-led revolution ever comes to pass.
Matt Fisher set to land family £5,000 windfall from 10-year-old bet on England debut (Mirror)
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The ECB
There’s a great paragraph in this piece by George Dobell.
“It was intriguing to hear Harrison say he was not “clinging on for grim death” in his role as chief executive in that press conference. For that is almost exactly what it feels he is doing these days.
“It’s almost five years since he agreed to the huge broadcast deal that was meant to preface an exciting new era but, like a one-hit-wonder peddling their half-remembered song around ever-smaller venues, he’s increasingly living off the fumes of that success. You wonder if Chesney Hawkes might even make a better ECB CEO at this point.”
Two things must disappear from English cricket - The Hundred and Tom Harrison (Telegraph) ($)
After all the failings and public money, it’s time to talk about ECB bonuses (Guardian)
The rumble of discontent around the ECB is growing louder and louder by the week. Story after story is suggesting Tom Harrison's time is up and some of us believe his exit strategy will be simple - bank his bonus and wait for a quiet period to resign so it will not appear forced. But, of course, it will have been. The tournament-that-shall-not-be-named set a hefty proportion of the counties and the ‘legacy fans’ against him. He will have known that. This becomes an acute problem when failures such as the Yorkshire racism scandal, the Ashes performance and the Pakistan tour arrive in quick succession. He has hidden and dithered then, when called to account on several occasions by the DCMS committee, been utterly exposed.
Reportedly, Colin Graves wanted to stay on as ECB chairman at the end of his allotted tenure but found few friends. Harrison has little support now. But, after seven years in control, when he is going to be held to account if not at this point?
Noticeably, the ECB chair tried to pour cold water on suggestions of an imminent exit. Well, he would, wouldn't he? But then there is no point in sacking Harrison and keeping the ECB board or, indeed, the ECB itself. Remember it was they who appointed Harrison when Surrey CEO Richard Gould was a highly-regarded candidate offering an alternative that put the counties at the forefront of the game. The ECB went for Harrison and his plan then signed off the £2.1m bonus pool for him and the top executives. Gould has since moved on to become CEO of Bristol City.
So, yes, Harrison must go asap. But, in his place, the ECB are going to appoint another public school suit whose CV screams 'I will make you money'. Finances are crucial but they can never be everything. The ECB took over from the TCCB in 1997 and in that time English cricket has failed to capitalised on its few successes and has fallen way behind a previously comparable sport like rugby union.
The last generation has proved the ECB is not fit for purpose. Let's use this nadir to start again otherwise we are just moving deckchairs on a very big ship with an iceberg looming over the horizon.
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August 2023
- Aug 8, 2023 Because cricketers are worth it. Greed, ego and contract negotiations Aug 8, 2023
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May 2023
- May 20, 2023 COUNTY CRICKET BLOG: Blast preview | Foxes put meaning over money | Should Essex house Tigers? | Lancs v Somerset declaration row | Roach goes home | Lancs try to change rules at AGM May 20, 2023
- May 12, 2023 COUNTY CRICKET BLOG: Marketing trends in County Cricket | Week 6 Previews | Chaos at Derby | Cricket Paper back this weekend | Why invest in Yorkshire? | Tom Harrison paid £1.13m in final four months May 12, 2023
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April 2023
- Apr 29, 2023 COUNTY CRICKET BLOG: Week 3 reviews | 12-month IPL contracts offered to England players | Own your mistakes! | Sort out 'reciprocal' rights for county members | Tom Price heroics Apr 29, 2023
- Apr 21, 2023 COUNTY CRICKET BLOG: Championship Week 3 previews | Ballance retires | The dangerous ageism of labelling older fans 'a problem' | Saudi Arabia T20 threat | Oh Mickey (Arthur), you're so fine Apr 21, 2023
- March 2023
- February 2023
- December 2022
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November 2022
- Nov 18, 2022 COUNTY CRICKET BLOG: ECB change board | Back to an eight-team top division? | Smeed's move the first of many? | Hogan unretires | Major deals at Notts | Yorks racism hearing ramps up Nov 18, 2022
- Nov 3, 2022 COUNTY CRICKET BLOG: Richard Gould - the right CEO for the ECB ? | Shock Rushworth move | Yorkshire's key changes | New contracts - Wood, Barker, Hain | Surrey, Worcs coach appts Nov 3, 2022
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October 2022
- Oct 21, 2022 COUNTY CRICKET BLOG: Will a county 'go under' like Wasps? | Key says support you-know-what | Buttler & Croft contracts at Lancs | Yorks racism hearing in public? | Benefit Years no more? Oct 21, 2022
- Oct 8, 2022 COUNTY CRICKET BLOG: Angry reaction to Yorks' relegation | County Awards | Teams of the season | Will counties vote against Strauss Review? | Should we split cricket into two codes? Oct 8, 2022
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September 2022
- Sep 30, 2022 COUNTY CRICKET BLOG: Fantastic finale to the Champ season | Success at Surrey, Notts & Middx | Warks send Yorks down | Strauss Review reaction - and it's not good | Hildreth and Hogan farewells Sep 30, 2022
- Sep 16, 2022 COUNTY CRICKET BLOG: Should high performance mean high priority? | Royal London Cup previews | You-know-what 'least enjoyable' competition | $10m fine shows ECB the way on fighting racism Sep 16, 2022
- Sep 12, 2022 COUNTY CRICKET BLOG: Thompson delays county vote on Strauss review | Media blitz - Fri night Blast games, transfer window, player exodus | "One man and a dog" - still!!! | You-know-what Yr 2 figures Sep 12, 2022
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August 2022
- Aug 18, 2022 COUNTY CRICKET BLOG: 'Over my dead body' CEO on cutting counties | The schedule is a pretzel or a Rubik's cube | Hildreth retires early | Thompson's in-tray | My Faustian bargain Aug 18, 2022
- Aug 16, 2022 COUNTY CRICKET BLOG: Thompson appointed ECB chair | Special General Meeting forced at Lancashire | Yorks tribunal underway | Flintoff's Field of Dreams considered | Stevens to leave Kent Aug 16, 2022
- Aug 3, 2022 COUNTY CRICKET BLOG: Major moves announced | Yorks change captain | Royal London Cup is not an 'alternative' | What Dr Who tells us about the demise of county cricket | Loads of pessimism, sorry Aug 3, 2022
- Aug 1, 2022 COUNTY CRICKET BLOG: Will counties lose that £1.3m payment? | Why the balls have gone soft | Join Campaign to Save First-Class Cricket | B&H Cup 50 years on | Northeast's 410* Aug 1, 2022
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July 2022
- Jul 20, 2022 COUNTY CRICKET BLOG: Why first-class county cricket will be gone in six years Jul 20, 2022
- Jul 14, 2022 COUNTY CRICKET BLOG: Scarbados and Southport shine | Lancs Action Group rally members | Why do 'outsiders' love the Champ | What change will YOU make to save the game? Jul 14, 2022
- Jul 2, 2022 COUNTY CRICKET BLOG: What Wimbledon can teach English cricket | Vaughan off-air | Gale's parting shot | Sibley, Barnard moves | 'Bazball' in the county game | Who's out of contract Jul 2, 2022
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June 2022
- Jun 24, 2022 COUNTY CRICKET BLOG: Last four Yorks chairs blast ECB | Champ games to be played in UAE or Sri Lanka? | Introducing the 6ixty | Seriously, how to replace the ECB? | Big Somerset signing Jun 24, 2022
- Jun 17, 2022 COUNTY CRICKET BLOG: Yorkshire and former players charged | Willey returns to Northants | Moeen, Sibley to move? | Chesterfield of dreams | YouTube stream hacks Jun 17, 2022
- Jun 9, 2022 COUNTY CRICKET BLOG: Blast catches fire at last | Sky's schedule, fights and food problems | Why fan engagement is the key | Yorkshire payouts Jun 9, 2022
- Jun 2, 2022 COUNTY CRICKET BLOG: Blast crowds struggling, are you surprised? | Foxes fight back with £10 deal | Key to cut Championship games? | Fans' banners taken down | Jim Parks RIP Jun 2, 2022
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May 2022
- May 26, 2022 COUNTY CRICKET BLOG: T20 Blast Off | Ticket sales struggling because of you-know-what? | Has Championship been a let-down so far? | Surrey's classy gesture | Big sponsorship deal for Lancs May 26, 2022
- May 19, 2022 COUNTY CRICKET BLOG: ECB CEO Tom Harrison goes... finally | Have bad balls helped batters? | Bees stop play | Where you get in free after tea | Why should we listen to ex-players? May 19, 2022
- May 14, 2022 COUNTY CRICKET BLOG: Is a different Dukes ball the reason for all the runs? | Finally, an ECB chair we can believe in? | Sparkling new Potts |Best of the blogs May 14, 2022
- May 5, 2022 COUNTY CRICKET BLOG: Should Joe Clarke play for England? | Essex boardroom problems | Six ducks for Kent tail-ender | Yet more ECB nonsense May 5, 2022
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April 2022
- Apr 24, 2022 COUNTY CRICKET BLOG: Strauss Review nonsense | Key appointment doubts | Compton's stunning start | TalkSPORT's quality coverage | Syd Lawrence Apr 24, 2022
- Apr 15, 2022 COUNTY CRICKET BLOG: All the Championship previews | Mickey Arthur defends county cricket | A list of the ECB's mistakes this week | Player moves Apr 15, 2022
- Apr 7, 2022 COUNTY CRICKET BLOG: All the County Championship previews | Fantasy League tips | Bumble speaks out | Latest player moves | And 'Teflon Tom' wants to secure 'his legacy' Apr 7, 2022
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March 2022
- Mar 28, 2022 COUNTY CRICKET BLOG: Should we have a fan-led review? | Surprise! Talk of culling some counties | Yorkshire can't get out of their own way | Should the ECB fine themselves? | All the moves Mar 28, 2022
- Mar 7, 2022 COUNTY CRICKET BLOG: Warne remembered by Hampshire | Power struggles at top of the county game | More trouble at Yorkshire | Should Durham be asking questions? | Lots of new signings Mar 7, 2022
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February 2022
- Feb 18, 2022 COUNTY CRICKET BLOG: 'Civil War' at Yorkshire | Why Tom Harrison is cricket's Chesney Hawkes? | Mickey Arthur flies in | Surrey's 15k members | Davies banned for tweets | All the player moves Feb 18, 2022
- Feb 2, 2022 COUNTY CRICKET BLOG: Angry about the fixtures, the Yorkshire scandal and especially the ECB... here's why Feb 2, 2022
- January 2022
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December 2021
- Dec 24, 2021 BLOG: All the major player moves & contracts | Exploring Cricket & class | A right old 'Codgerfest' | Counties redeveloping grounds | Changes at Yorkshire | Peter O'Toole taught by Imran Khan Dec 24, 2021
- Dec 10, 2021 BLOG: Yorkshire look to rebuild | Lancashire's new ground | Coaching changes at Hants | Northants and Derbyshire overseas signings | All the latest player moves | Delay on 2022 fixture announcements Dec 10, 2021
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November 2021
- Nov 28, 2021 BLOG: Latest on Yorkshire racism scandal, all the county cricket moves, are ECB 'fit for purpose'? Nov 28, 2021
- Nov 10, 2021 Sign up FREE to the only County Cricket newsletter - all the latest in one place Nov 10, 2021
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October 2021
- Oct 28, 2021 It seems you can't wish Geoffrey Boycott a happy birthday anymore Oct 28, 2021
- Oct 1, 2021 The Championship must find its niche again and Mason Crane must not ruin my Spag Bol again Oct 1, 2021
- Oct 1, 2021 The Grumbler's County Championship team of the season - 2021 Oct 1, 2021
- Oct 1, 2021 How to say goodbye to a cricket season, career or life Oct 1, 2021
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September 2021
- Sep 14, 2021 Dear Mr Dowden, first-class counties are 'art treasures' too Sep 14, 2021
- Sep 8, 2021 We love seeing the youngsters play but it helps county finances too Sep 8, 2021
- Sep 1, 2021 Why watch when there is nothing to play for? Sep 1, 2021
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August 2021
- Aug 24, 2021 The intended consequence of diminished horizons Aug 24, 2021
- Aug 18, 2021 Like the many who will follow him, red-ball Ravi will be missed Aug 18, 2021
- Aug 11, 2021 Cricket needs diversity from all sides Aug 11, 2021
- Aug 3, 2021 Gimmickry can help county cricket too Aug 3, 2021
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July 2021
- Jul 29, 2021 50 and out? Why one-day cricket may fall through the cracks Jul 29, 2021
- Jul 20, 2021 A failure of governance Jul 20, 2021
- Jul 13, 2021 Cricket, data and Foxes Jul 13, 2021
- Jul 9, 2021 Lessons from six months of creating county cricket content Jul 9, 2021
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June 2021
- Jun 30, 2021 What happens when you become a cricket 'meme’ Jun 30, 2021
- Jun 21, 2021 How 'Hobbiton' is starting a village cricket team during a pandemic Jun 21, 2021
- Jun 15, 2021 Where's the fun? Derek Randall and Spinwash show the joyful chaos of yesteryear Jun 15, 2021
- Jun 9, 2021 County cricket fans are having their say... and their 'When Saturday Comes' moment Jun 9, 2021
- Jun 2, 2021 Why cricket's best YouTube channel is under threat Jun 2, 2021
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May 2021
- May 26, 2021 Fanning the flames for REAL supporter representation May 26, 2021
- May 18, 2021 Getting back in the ground, it’s going to be pretty damn emotional May 18, 2021
- May 18, 2021 By the end of this season, we’ll know if traditional county cricket has been outgunned May 18, 2021
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October 2020
- Oct 7, 2020 Vitality Blast: Team of the Season 2020 Oct 7, 2020
- Oct 7, 2020 Streaming offers red-ball cricket a lifeline Oct 7, 2020
- Oct 7, 2020 My T20 finals days: Michelangelo, Kiss Cam and the Sugababes Oct 7, 2020
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September 2020
- Sep 30, 2020 The Grumbler's Team of the Bob Willis Trophy 2020 Sep 30, 2020
- Sep 30, 2020 Barmy Army 'batten down hatches' as Covid hits cricket tour business Sep 30, 2020
- Sep 30, 2020 No-one marketed the Bob Willis Trophy final, so I did it myself for a tenner Sep 30, 2020
- Sep 24, 2020 Udal on Parkinson's Disease - 'When you play cricket, you learn to fight' Sep 24, 2020
- Sep 24, 2020 Tom Banton's not Somerset's Messiah, he's a very naughty boy Sep 24, 2020
- Sep 24, 2020 Why cricket fans will mourn this season more than most Sep 24, 2020
- Sep 10, 2020 Cold-blooded Murtagh takes on Donald Trump's spinner Sep 10, 2020
- Sep 10, 2020 By George, he's the proud No11, batting in his mother's memory Sep 10, 2020
- Sep 10, 2020 Bring back the 'FA Cup' of cricket Sep 10, 2020
- Sep 10, 2020 County game grows viewership via stream power Sep 10, 2020
- Sep 9, 2020 Financial nous like ‘Barnacle’ Bailey can guide cricket though the pandemic Sep 9, 2020