| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread 10:53 - Jan 31 with 77669 views | Superhoops2808 |
Cricket 2025 County/International Thread by Superhoops2808 9 Apr 2024 13:39With the football season coming to a close in a months time, some here will turn their attention to the smell of freshly mown grass and long days sat in the hot sunny weather watching the great game of cricket.
As a member of Kent Cricket Club, I got to enjoy my first match of the season against Somerset at Canterbury over the last few days. Unfortunately, as is always the way starting the season this early, the first day was lost to rain. In fact nearly all the games were affected by rain, some without a ball even being bowled.
But I did manage to get to see 2 centurions at Canterbury yesterday and a very enjoyable day of cricket (even if I did get sun burned head - Yes I know should have taken a cap).
Did anyone else get to see cricket over the last few days? I know we have several Middlesex supporters who no doubt enjoyed the 'runfest' at Lords (over 1300 runs I believe)
I've started a new thread for the 2026 season, and I've started it now because the T20 World Cup starts a week today. (And in fact 2 months and we will be chatting county cricket red ball)
In a group with Italy, Nepal and Scotland and a pretty solid squad I expect that we will progress beyond the group stage. After that who knows and will depend on fitness. Curran and Salt played very well in the first game warm up game v Sri Lanka but tougher tests are ahead. Anyway, here is the squad for England (albeit still provisional).
Harry Brook (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Josh Tongue, Luke Wood.
Be relying on Archer to stay fit (as per usual) - But hope that Brook finally stands up as captain, and Banton and Jacks perfom like we know they can at county level. If all that clicks should be a good watch. |  | | |  |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 20:37 - Jul 5 with 3155 views | loftboy |
Disappointing from the women today, lost it in the first 6 overs of both innings! Always going to be an uphill struggle giving that amount of runs away in the power play. |  |
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| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 21:30 - Jul 5 with 3059 views | stowmarketrange |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 20:37 - Jul 5 by loftboy |
Disappointing from the women today, lost it in the first 6 overs of both innings! Always going to be an uphill struggle giving that amount of runs away in the power play. |
There’s a reason why they’ve won 7 T20 world cups,and we have to be at our best to beat them.We certainly weren’t today. |  | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 08:06 - Jul 6 with 2926 views | GaryBannister86 |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 21:30 - Jul 5 by stowmarketrange |
There’s a reason why they’ve won 7 T20 world cups,and we have to be at our best to beat them.We certainly weren’t today. |
The Aussies are an incredible team and the difference between their players and every other women's cricket team is vast - not necessarily in the skill any more, but in the attitude and the athleticism. Even just seeing so many of our players crying at the end; if the Aussies had lost they would have been furious and using it as fuel to win the next one.
Edwards has done a straightforward, but OK, job in improving the fielding and fitness. If she wants to compete with Oz she now has to make the big calls - moving on the timid players who never produce under knockout pressure (Jones) the good but ageing (Knight) and build the team around the bright new skip (Dean). Stick Kemp up the order in T20 cricket and give it a real go.
Such a shame yesterday was a no-contest, women's cricket deserves better than that. I would much rather watch a skillful women's T20 than the total muscle-fest, slogathon the men served up yet again on Saturday. |  | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 21:54 - Jul 6 with 2739 views | Superhoops2808 |
That final was lost at the toss. You can defend a low total against a side like South Africa, but you wont do that against the Aussies. Had we had a bowl first, that side could chase down most totals but when you are batting first you never know what is enough. The Aussies were not as good as they used to be. Gardner was wayward with her bowling and even Sutherland was unusually poor as was the captain herself. The trouble is, we didn't capitalise
The Aussies didn't win it, we lost it because the psychological, the occasion was all a bit too much. Now Edwards needs to focus on dropping a few players like Jones, who in truth would be nowhere near that side but for the fact we have no decent keeper waiting in the wings. Time to take a gamble and try Capsey there and bring in a new opener like Perrin.
I watched the match with several Kent women players yesterday (who by the way were ecstatic about making the Tier 2 T20 finals day) and the captain has played in The Hundred with some of the girls who played yesterday and said that is real week link as you have no one to build a solid foundation at the start unless Danni Wyatt-Hodge gets going. Sciver-Brunt is having to come in way too early.
Anyway, lets rebuild now for next years home Ashes and at least put on a show. | | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 10:58 - Jul 10 with 2457 views | Superhoops2808 |
First ever women's Test Match at Lords today
Go well England
Won the toss and bowling first | | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 16:32 - Jul 10 with 2354 views | stowmarketrange |
Why have we suddenly copied the Aussies in calling a batsman a batter?Why change it after 100+ years because that’s what they do?
I’ve watched a few T20 games over the past week or so,and everyone says it without fail. | | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 09:25 - Jul 13 with 2177 views | TheChef |
McCullum finally sacked - but stays on as white ball coach. OK....
Rob Key very lucky still to be in his job. [Post edited 13 Jul 10:01]
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| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 10:31 - Jul 13 with 2093 views | GaryBannister86 |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 09:25 - Jul 13 by TheChef |
McCullum finally sacked - but stays on as white ball coach. OK....
Rob Key very lucky still to be in his job. [Post edited 13 Jul 10:01]
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I'm a Kent man so always had a soft spot for Key but I don't quite understand why he hasn't gone too.
Thinking about Kent and England, it's not a good mix. We don't get many picked, but when they do they get slated until they inevitably fall apart - I can think off the top of my head of McCague, Crawley, Key (both as a player and manager). It's quite odd. Only Ealham and Billings, of which the fomer did pretty well, seem to have escaped the onslaught.
Crawley has been absolutely mullered by the experience, to the extent his entire cricket career is wobbling. A man who scored a 180 in an Ashes test and a double ton against Pakistan. Don't get many England bats who did that, so not quite sure why the absolute vilification has to continue on social media, even once he was (rightly) dropped.
I shudder for the next England player off the Kent ranks...Dawkins. Good luck, son! | | | |
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| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 11:32 - Jul 30 with 1632 views | TheChef |
Stephen Fleming confirmed as new England Test coach.
Root returns as Test captain. FFS.
He's never going to beat Tendulkar's record now is he?? | |
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| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 12:20 - Jul 30 with 1566 views | GaryBannister86 |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 11:32 - Jul 30 by TheChef |
Stephen Fleming confirmed as new England Test coach.
Root returns as Test captain. FFS.
He's never going to beat Tendulkar's record now is he?? |
But, Chef, based on your previous statements about Brook - who else could it be?
Literally the only other feasible choice was Bethell and I think best to leave him alone for now to (hopefully) develop.
I think Root was the only choice and hopefully Fleming can bring the best out of him. I had hoped for Trott, if only to break this matey New Zealand thing that will be thrown at them all as soon as things go wrong.
Not impressed that Fleming doesn't start until after the Pakistan series either; it's a big job mate...needs starting now. Lovely you want to see your family and all that but plenty of time after this series and before the winter tours. Don't get it. | | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 12:29 - Jul 30 with 1550 views | TheChef |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 12:20 - Jul 30 by GaryBannister86 |
But, Chef, based on your previous statements about Brook - who else could it be?
Literally the only other feasible choice was Bethell and I think best to leave him alone for now to (hopefully) develop.
I think Root was the only choice and hopefully Fleming can bring the best out of him. I had hoped for Trott, if only to break this matey New Zealand thing that will be thrown at them all as soon as things go wrong.
Not impressed that Fleming doesn't start until after the Pakistan series either; it's a big job mate...needs starting now. Lovely you want to see your family and all that but plenty of time after this series and before the winter tours. Don't get it. |
I know I suppose Root is the only option.
But his batting went to sh1t last time he was captain, my concern is the same thing will happen again.
So is Brook staying on as Vice Captain??  | |
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| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 12:32 - Jul 30 with 1542 views | GaryBannister86 |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 12:29 - Jul 30 by TheChef |
I know I suppose Root is the only option.
But his batting went to sh1t last time he was captain, my concern is the same thing will happen again.
So is Brook staying on as Vice Captain?? |
That's a myth that his batting went to pot; it didn't: 5,295 runs at 46.44. Root scored 14 hundreds as skipper.
However, his captaincy was generally uninspiring first time around. That's more of a worry, but there is no-one else and leading by example will do for me. | | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 13:37 - Jul 30 with 1463 views | Superhoops2808 |
More importantly, what are we going to do about 'Clicky Ponting' | | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 13:46 - Jul 30 with 1444 views | GaryBannister86 |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 13:37 - Jul 30 by Superhoops2808 |
More importantly, what are we going to do about 'Clicky Ponting' |
Quite. I umpired that exact 2nd XI League level for a couple of years, but in the Kent League, and it was people like him that made me pack it all in. He's the tip of the iceberg. You wouldn't believe the sledging, intimidation, backchat, trying it on, the dramas....it's only a 2nd XI game for lord's sake. Spirit of cricket my backside. | | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 14:20 - Jul 30 with 1389 views | RBlock |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 12:32 - Jul 30 by GaryBannister86 |
That's a myth that his batting went to pot; it didn't: 5,295 runs at 46.44. Root scored 14 hundreds as skipper.
However, his captaincy was generally uninspiring first time around. That's more of a worry, but there is no-one else and leading by example will do for me. |
Ye, his captaincy generally has looked a bit bereft and devoid of ideas at times. Against New Zealand he struggled in that regard and didn't seem to have any answers, which stands in contrast to Stokes who seemed able to engineer wickets at times.
I would have given it to Brook if I'm honest - I know his batting is often brainless, but I'd hope the captaincy (alongside a better coach) might encourage him to be a bit more cognisant of the game situation and respond accordingly. Also, he clearly has a good cricket brain on him (even if he lacks a normal brain) and has shown that in his captaincy of the white ball teams. |  | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 14:33 - Jul 30 with 1379 views | Tonto |
Fleming is... um... non-descript. No test experience. Could go either way, but accept a change was needed.
Root back as captain is backwards thinking. He wasnt great, got worn down by it. But them again who else? Hobsons choice?
It will be interesting to see the neext test XI. Do they go back to the best keeper/pragmatic keeper in Folkes? Do they stick with Bashir? Fell a lot of the batting line uo picks itself by default. Then there is a the large hole left by Stokes. Sam CurranorTo. LAawes is come to.mind but willing to hear alternatives that arent from Surrey [Post edited 30 Jul 14:35]
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| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 15:38 - Jul 30 with 1339 views | BlackCrowe |
Fleming i am open-minded and mildly optimistic about.
Root on the other hand feels like a mistake. It was nuts he was made captain a few years ago having earned the nickname 'Craptain' in his brief captain role at Yorkshire. We need him focussed on what he does best, namely being one of the b batting great in cricket history.
Would've given it to Brook, which admittedly is far from risk-free. |  |
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| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 15:41 - Jul 30 with 1335 views | RBlock |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 14:33 - Jul 30 by Tonto |
Fleming is... um... non-descript. No test experience. Could go either way, but accept a change was needed.
Root back as captain is backwards thinking. He wasnt great, got worn down by it. But them again who else? Hobsons choice?
It will be interesting to see the neext test XI. Do they go back to the best keeper/pragmatic keeper in Folkes? Do they stick with Bashir? Fell a lot of the batting line uo picks itself by default. Then there is a the large hole left by Stokes. Sam CurranorTo. LAawes is come to.mind but willing to hear alternatives that arent from Surrey [Post edited 30 Jul 14:35]
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On balancing the XI, I keep banging the Rehan Ahmed at 7 drum for a deep batting line up and a bit of wrist spin, paired with 4 proper quicks (Atkinson, Carse, Archer, Tongue, Robinson). The bloke hasn't been able to get a game for England across any format recently so not sure what they make of him though. He can't be much worse than Bash though. | | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 15:55 - Jul 30 with 1316 views | GaryBannister86 |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 15:41 - Jul 30 by RBlock |
On balancing the XI, I keep banging the Rehan Ahmed at 7 drum for a deep batting line up and a bit of wrist spin, paired with 4 proper quicks (Atkinson, Carse, Archer, Tongue, Robinson). The bloke hasn't been able to get a game for England across any format recently so not sure what they make of him though. He can't be much worse than Bash though. |
Yes - Bashir was a Stokes / McCullum investment which didn't pay off so with this new start I can't see how he is involved. I agree on Rehan Ahmed, he deserves a go. I know his bowling has fallen off a cliff but a leggie is always handy in a Test line up even if part-time.
In amongst the Stokes furore it is easy to forget we are losing not only an inspirational skip and middle order bat, but our best bowler by a country mile. Really tough times ahead, I fear, with this bowling stock. | | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 19:27 - Jul 30 with 1248 views | CiderwithRsie |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 14:20 - Jul 30 by RBlock |
Ye, his captaincy generally has looked a bit bereft and devoid of ideas at times. Against New Zealand he struggled in that regard and didn't seem to have any answers, which stands in contrast to Stokes who seemed able to engineer wickets at times.
I would have given it to Brook if I'm honest - I know his batting is often brainless, but I'd hope the captaincy (alongside a better coach) might encourage him to be a bit more cognisant of the game situation and respond accordingly. Also, he clearly has a good cricket brain on him (even if he lacks a normal brain) and has shown that in his captaincy of the white ball teams. |
Same.
(Irrespective of the captaincy I hope that Fleming will improve his batting.)
I thought Brook did OK as skipper in the last NZ Test whereas I was hoping Root had learnt from observing Stokes but in the event I thought he got poorer as the match went on. |  | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 19:54 - Jul 30 with 1228 views | Malintabuk |
Not overly convinced with Fleming, my personal choice would have asked Eion Morgan... i know he as showed no inclination for a role like this, but I just feel that he is such a wrll respected figure in the English game he just might be successful
I would have given the captaincy to Brook... agree as a batter he is nearly brain dead, but he does seem to be switched on with captaincy....
For the all rounder I would go really left field and Jack's... superb bat and an improving right arm offy.... took 6 wickets against Pakistan in Pakistan. That was back in 2022 and I think his bowling as improved since then
That would allow us to have a full seam attack and 3, though part time agreed... batsmen/spinner 2 R/h and 1L/h...... | | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 20:16 - Jul 30 with 1195 views | Superhoops2808 |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 19:27 - Jul 30 by CiderwithRsie |
Same.
(Irrespective of the captaincy I hope that Fleming will improve his batting.)
I thought Brook did OK as skipper in the last NZ Test whereas I was hoping Root had learnt from observing Stokes but in the event I thought he got poorer as the match went on. |
I am not sure you got that right
When was Brook a test captain?? | | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 20:32 - Jul 30 with 1175 views | CiderwithRsie |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 20:16 - Jul 30 by Superhoops2808 |
I am not sure you got that right
When was Brook a test captain?? |
You are right and I was completely and insanely wrong; for some reason I had it in my head that he had a test after Stokes resigned!
I think a surfeit of T20 made the ODI series v India feel like s single Test by comparison and I vaguely inserted New Zealand in there because tat some level my brain remembered they were the last test series! | | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 21:34 - Jul 30 with 1134 views | Discodroids |
Got a couple of weeks off and fancied a day watching my beloved Middlesex. Can't remember the last time Middlesex played at home in a county championship match. In fact i cant recall when we last played any county championship match.
I may be wrong here seems to be wasteland of county championship cricket from late june until mid august.
I abhor the Hundred , royal London cup, T20 etc etc but understand its fiscal symbiotic relationship with the rack and pinion of English Cricket, The county championship.
Without these mutated free base crack cocaine versions of the great game, the county scene would perish.
Middlesex ccc had a great impact on my life as a child. no need to shovel old shit about my childhood but my fondest memories that shine from a fug of slow motion riot misery as a flat pack pisshole poverty stricken latchkey kid was being taken a couple of times a year by my grandad to lords to see Mike Brearley Middlesex in the early 80's.
Proper kuiper belt escapism for an east end esso blue parrafin cuddling kid who fell in love with Grahame Barlow , Roland Butcher , clive radley, paul downton, wilf slack , Wayne daniel, Norman cowans and the spin twins emburey and edmods. It's been carved on my soul ever since. Breaks my heart now to see the championship reduced to an appendix of the circus games of the 100 t20 etc etc.
Up the Middle and long live the county championship. The tesseract of the beautiful game. [Post edited 30 Jul 21:40]
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| Where there's a will - and there is a will - there's a way - and there is a way. |
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| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 14:14 - Aug 1 with 948 views | Superhoops2808 |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 21:34 - Jul 30 by Discodroids |
Got a couple of weeks off and fancied a day watching my beloved Middlesex. Can't remember the last time Middlesex played at home in a county championship match. In fact i cant recall when we last played any county championship match.
I may be wrong here seems to be wasteland of county championship cricket from late june until mid august.
I abhor the Hundred , royal London cup, T20 etc etc but understand its fiscal symbiotic relationship with the rack and pinion of English Cricket, The county championship.
Without these mutated free base crack cocaine versions of the great game, the county scene would perish.
Middlesex ccc had a great impact on my life as a child. no need to shovel old shit about my childhood but my fondest memories that shine from a fug of slow motion riot misery as a flat pack pisshole poverty stricken latchkey kid was being taken a couple of times a year by my grandad to lords to see Mike Brearley Middlesex in the early 80's.
Proper kuiper belt escapism for an east end esso blue parrafin cuddling kid who fell in love with Grahame Barlow , Roland Butcher , clive radley, paul downton, wilf slack , Wayne daniel, Norman cowans and the spin twins emburey and edmods. It's been carved on my soul ever since. Breaks my heart now to see the championship reduced to an appendix of the circus games of the 100 t20 etc etc.
Up the Middle and long live the county championship. The tesseract of the beautiful game. [Post edited 30 Jul 21:40]
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Forgive me Disco, but where have you been these past few years
That has been the huge bone of contention with the lack of county games in the summer. Not one red ball game played in August and very few in July. Instead its better to play it in April when there is still snow on the ground in places.
On a side note, I went to Canterbury yesterday to watch the one day game Kent V Somerset. I went for several reasons one being the game itself. And what a treat it was. One of the best white ball teams in Somerset setting 313 as their total, only to sit back and watch the mighty Kent chase it down with 8 balls to spare. We saw over 630 runs and 17 wickets fall, bathed in glorious sunshine so not all Royal London games are a waste.
But the main reason, and as a Middlesex fan you will appreciate this a bit I am sure. A very emotional day as we waved goodbye to Joe Denly after almost 800 appearances in county cricket. A massive servant to the club and still the only player in history I believe to have scored a century and taken a hattrick in the same T20 match - against Surrey AT the Oval. Also someone who played for England in an ashes series and in fact played a big role in us winning one of the tests.
The irony was watching him get 2 wickets yesterday at the age of 40, including a C&B that many half his age would have struggled to take. Hopefully Kent will continue to include him in the coaching staff though not something the club have been great at.
Sadly cricket is in the hands of the money men, worse still that some of these Hundred sides are now owned by Indian Companies. | | | |
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