| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread 10:53 - Jan 31 with 48671 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 15:37 - Mar 5 with 3189 views | ted_hendrix |
Salt....................................... |  |
| My Father had a profound influence on me, he was a lunatic. |
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| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 15:41 - Mar 5 with 3166 views | BlackAndGoldRanger |
Brook needs to do what the Kiwi opener did yesterday, quick fire hundred. That drop was huge. Time to make up for it. |  | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 15:59 - Mar 5 with 3111 views | ted_hendrix |
Collapse *Alert* | |
| My Father had a profound influence on me, he was a lunatic. |
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| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 16:03 - Mar 5 with 3098 views | TheChef |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 15:41 - Mar 5 by BlackAndGoldRanger |
Brook needs to do what the Kiwi opener did yesterday, quick fire hundred. That drop was huge. Time to make up for it. |
One boundary and out, as per fkin usual.
Amazed we made the semi final anyway. |  |
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| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 17:27 - Mar 5 with 3003 views | flynnbo |
Excellent effort by England especially young Bethell. So many ifs and buts. |  | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 18:40 - Mar 5 with 2931 views | OldPedro |
In the end, India took a couple of good catches which along with Bumrah's bowling made the difference. |  |
| Extra mature cheddar......a simple cheese for a simple man |
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| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 20:46 - Mar 5 with 2816 views | Ned_Kennedys |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 17:27 - Mar 5 by flynnbo |
Excellent effort by England especially young Bethell. So many ifs and buts. |
Brave effort from (most) of the batters but the bowlers and fielding had left us with an impossible task really: the equivalent of being 5-0 down at half time. |  | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 22:09 - Mar 5 with 2756 views | SteveB |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 15:29 - Mar 5 by RBlock |
Well. We had a good run. No way we chase that score down. Maybe a bit of sliding doors moment, when Brook dropped that catch, but our attack got absolutely taken to bits by a very strong batting line up. Will be a sad watch if we lose wickets early. |
Harry Brook dropped the World Cup, t'was an absolute dolly. Cost us the game, Archer lost his head after, he was fuming.
Great run chase, so much effort (Not you Salt, sit the fck down). Was always going to be tough & needed all to be at the top of their game today. It wasn't to be. Bit of re-building to be done now, think we may have seen the last of Jos, sadly. |  | | |
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| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 11:48 - Mar 6 with 2597 views | RBlock |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 18:40 - Mar 5 by OldPedro |
In the end, India took a couple of good catches which along with Bumrah's bowling made the difference. |
Yep - Brook's dropped catch was a real sliding doors moment, plus Banton had the tough chance he put down, whereas their catches for Brook and Jacks were magnificent. Fine margins.
I grumbled a bit before the game about dropping Rehan Ahmed for Overton - I know the conditions were different, but I can't help feel Rehan offers so so much more with the bat than Overton. |  | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 12:00 - Mar 6 with 2590 views | GaryBannister86 |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 11:48 - Mar 6 by RBlock |
Yep - Brook's dropped catch was a real sliding doors moment, plus Banton had the tough chance he put down, whereas their catches for Brook and Jacks were magnificent. Fine margins.
I grumbled a bit before the game about dropping Rehan Ahmed for Overton - I know the conditions were different, but I can't help feel Rehan offers so so much more with the bat than Overton. |
Agree with you there - Rehan is bristling with talent and I think we should be giving him a long run in all three sides, myself. |  | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 20:34 - Mar 6 with 2469 views | Malintabuk |
Bethell was magnificent yesterday, and in patches we have looked good... Jack's with bot bat and ball... Curran his death bowling in that Nepal game... the Brooks hundred, but we are so inconsistent...
Sorry I know there are many that rate Brook, and he is a talent, but I just can't warm to the lad. I still felt he lost us a series win against India in the summer, he gets out, in all forms of cricket in the most horrendous fashion... and that drop yesterday was frankly appalling given the context of the match
As for Jos a fantastic servant for English white ball cricket perhaps the last vestige of the Great Morgan era, but he look finished in this tournament, I wonder if he as the same fight and will now. Be nice to think he could carry on, but I hope he doesn't in a way. I'd rather remember him for the great player he was | | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 20:46 - Mar 6 with 2452 views | GaryBannister86 |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 20:34 - Mar 6 by Malintabuk |
Bethell was magnificent yesterday, and in patches we have looked good... Jack's with bot bat and ball... Curran his death bowling in that Nepal game... the Brooks hundred, but we are so inconsistent...
Sorry I know there are many that rate Brook, and he is a talent, but I just can't warm to the lad. I still felt he lost us a series win against India in the summer, he gets out, in all forms of cricket in the most horrendous fashion... and that drop yesterday was frankly appalling given the context of the match
As for Jos a fantastic servant for English white ball cricket perhaps the last vestige of the Great Morgan era, but he look finished in this tournament, I wonder if he as the same fight and will now. Be nice to think he could carry on, but I hope he doesn't in a way. I'd rather remember him for the great player he was |
It is tough to warm to Brook as a character, I grant you that, but he is an unbelievable talent. I don't know much, but I would be stunned if he doesn't go down as one of our best ever players.
The drop was annoying but it happens to everyone. He's a brilliant fielder.
Buttler's young enough to recover. Can't toss him away just yet.
Jofra was more irritating to me all tournament. His slower balls are awful. Bumrah is the best of the best but a lesson about how many yorkers he bowls. | | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 23:24 - Mar 6 with 2391 views | numptydumpty |
That innings from Bethell was truly outstanding. Not only the range of shots, which most were perfect, the mentality of the player.
Last few years, we have brought in a few young batsmen, who have the potential to cover the eventual loss of Root from our national teams.
Pope and Brook have been heralded but proven inconsistent.
This innings from Jacob, for me, gives me no doubts that the successor to our greatest ever batsmen will be young Bethell.
Becoming our youngest ever centurion in all three international formats is incredible.
Even more incredible is the fact, they are his only three first class centuries.
Definitely NEC (Next England Captain)
For me, the belief in him was strange, right from the get go of his career, but these guys have got this call completely right.
Enjoyed Englands journey in this t20 tournament and will enjoy watching Jacob Bethell for years to come, i am sure.
Now if only we can find the natural successors for Anderson and Broad !!! [Post edited 6 Mar 23:28]
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| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 14:11 - Mar 8 with 2262 views | R_from_afar |
India putting NZ to the sword currently, 98-0 after just 7 overs.
Ooh, but wait, Ravindra has Sharma caught behind off the very next ball... |  |
| "Things had started becoming increasingly desperate at Loftus Road but QPR have been handed a massive lifeline and the place has absolutely erupted. it's carnage. It's bedlam. It's 1-1." |
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| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 18:22 - Apr 2 with 1933 views | Superhoops2808 |
**Bump**
So, this weekend, with Storm Dave on the horizon, and snow, wind and rain forecast in much of the UK, of course the domestic cricket season commences from tomorrow. Had a bit of a read of various previews including these two links. Kent supporters may not wish to read the Sky one as it has a whiff of the Gareth Ainsworth stunts about it with a 'faith healer' (I kid you not!!)
Also read Darren Lehmans comments last week about how England players need to play more domestic cricket and cant say I disagree with that. And unless Mr Crawley starts the season well, I hope that the selectors will look elsewhere and give the guy a break this summer but that's on a personal note.
Anyway, have a read, enjoy and be interesting to hear people's predictions
Div One:
https://www.skysports.com/cric
Div Two:
https://www.skysports.com/cric
And the Rothesay preview:
https://www.ecb.co.uk/news/447 | | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 00:12 - Apr 11 with 1692 views | MrSheen |
Sooryavanshi 78 off 26 balls today as Rajasthan win again. Not bad for a week from your 15th Birthday (officially). He’s going to be the richest sportsman that ever lived at this rate. |  | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 06:34 - Apr 11 with 1670 views | Superhoops2808 |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 00:12 - Apr 11 by MrSheen |
Sooryavanshi 78 off 26 balls today as Rajasthan win again. Not bad for a week from your 15th Birthday (officially). He’s going to be the richest sportsman that ever lived at this rate. |
You look at him, and the Arsenal 16 year old and you think wow, they have so much ahead of them - Amazing stuff.
Last weekends CC was so poor with only 2 results, everything else was a draw. What a waste of time starting in April | | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 07:13 - Apr 11 with 1613 views | Tonto |
Jamie Smith has scored 2 centuries already. Ben Folkes (probably the best glovesman in the country) is close to his second. Could be a nice headache to have for the england selectors. If only one of them could open. [Post edited 11 Apr 7:14]
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| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 09:37 - Apr 11 with 1538 views | derbyhoop |
McKinney is 214* for Durham. Could he be an England opener? Smith with a bug ton is batting middle order for Surrey and not keeping. England will start with Bethell and Root at 3 and 4. Who's opening and who's backing them up at 5 and 6?
The bowling isn't exactly convincing either. Primarily because too many contenders have fitness issues.
I follow Middlesex who had a great start and reverted back yesterday. How can you go for 450 in game 1 to 91-6 on day1 of game 2? |  |
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Find me on twitter @derbyhoop and now on Bluesky |
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| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 17:23 - Apr 13 with 1443 views | MrSheen |
Rajasthan having the day off, 10/5 in the fourth over chasing SRH’s 216. Golden boy out first ball! | | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 08:44 - Apr 14 with 1355 views | TheChef |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 07:13 - Apr 11 by Tonto |
Jamie Smith has scored 2 centuries already. Ben Folkes (probably the best glovesman in the country) is close to his second. Could be a nice headache to have for the england selectors. If only one of them could open. [Post edited 11 Apr 7:14]
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Crawley has had a poor start to the season but you can bet your bottom dollar he'll still be starting for England in the Tests this summer...of course if they do opt for someone else (Sibley, Hameed?) then maybe I'll believe McCullum and co. have turned a page.
Middlesex great win in their first game but got found out against Worcs at the weekend. The bowling attack looks pretty good for Div 2, as usual a lot depends on the batting. | |
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| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 08:53 - Apr 14 with 1348 views | Superhoops2808 |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 08:44 - Apr 14 by TheChef |
Crawley has had a poor start to the season but you can bet your bottom dollar he'll still be starting for England in the Tests this summer...of course if they do opt for someone else (Sibley, Hameed?) then maybe I'll believe McCullum and co. have turned a page.
Middlesex great win in their first game but got found out against Worcs at the weekend. The bowling attack looks pretty good for Div 2, as usual a lot depends on the batting. |
Even as a staunch supporter of Zak, he has to make way for someone else - He needs a break from International cricket, drop down the order for Kent and get some runs under his belt for his own mental wellbeing if nothing else - Even Duckett has looked shaky since his well documented drinking sessions during the Ashes
Hameed is surely worth a punt. Not Sibley, been there and it didnt work. Ben Mckinney has started the season really well too.
McCullum and Key met with CC sides recently so I expect several changes otherwise the counties will point and ask why they bothered. | | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 09:44 - Apr 14 with 1322 views | GaryBannister86 |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 08:53 - Apr 14 by Superhoops2808 |
Even as a staunch supporter of Zak, he has to make way for someone else - He needs a break from International cricket, drop down the order for Kent and get some runs under his belt for his own mental wellbeing if nothing else - Even Duckett has looked shaky since his well documented drinking sessions during the Ashes
Hameed is surely worth a punt. Not Sibley, been there and it didnt work. Ben Mckinney has started the season really well too.
McCullum and Key met with CC sides recently so I expect several changes otherwise the counties will point and ask why they bothered. |
Totally agree. Big fan of Crawley and think his critics are overly harsh but as an England fan first and foremost he is massively out of form and cannot start the next Test. If he does, my wavering support of Key and McCullum will be pushed over the edge. He is barely worth his place in the Kent side at the moment and keeping a brilliant youngster like Dawkins out of the side is not a good thing.
It will be a fascinating summer. I can't see it ending well; if we wanted to keep McCullum I think we should have 100% backed his methods. How can you keep such a strong-minded coach and tell him he has to change? I really hope I am wrong but I just can't see it working. | | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 14:28 - Apr 14 with 1251 views | RBlock |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 08:53 - Apr 14 by Superhoops2808 |
Even as a staunch supporter of Zak, he has to make way for someone else - He needs a break from International cricket, drop down the order for Kent and get some runs under his belt for his own mental wellbeing if nothing else - Even Duckett has looked shaky since his well documented drinking sessions during the Ashes
Hameed is surely worth a punt. Not Sibley, been there and it didnt work. Ben Mckinney has started the season really well too.
McCullum and Key met with CC sides recently so I expect several changes otherwise the counties will point and ask why they bothered. |
I'd be surprised if they go back to Hameed - very un-Mcullum. Can see them going someone a bit more left-field. Could be McKinney, or trying out Emilio Gay/Asa Tribe at the top. James Rew is overdue a shot and Thomas Rew is due back from his A-Levels soon so could take the gloves and allow his brother to move higher up the order for Somerset. | | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 14:33 - Apr 14 with 1243 views | TheChef |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 14:28 - Apr 14 by RBlock |
I'd be surprised if they go back to Hameed - very un-Mcullum. Can see them going someone a bit more left-field. Could be McKinney, or trying out Emilio Gay/Asa Tribe at the top. James Rew is overdue a shot and Thomas Rew is due back from his A-Levels soon so could take the gloves and allow his brother to move higher up the order for Somerset. |
Indeed - that whole nonsense about Test openers batting time and playing with circumspection! BOOOOOORING. | |
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