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Cricket 2025 County/International Thread 13:39 - Apr 9 with 37314 viewsSuperhoops2808

With 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)
[Post edited 4 Apr 13:14]
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Cricket 2024 County/International Thread on 14:13 - Apr 3 with 932 viewsBlackAndGoldRanger

Bump.
County Championship starts tomorrow to give some relief from the dirge of championship football and another relegation scrap.

Can anyone stop the mighty Surrey from 4-in-a-row? Personally I'm hoping not but can see some drop off with the continued lack of out and out spin option and inevitable call ups for England. Tough start tomorrow away at Essex. Do I see summer around the corner?
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Cricket 2024 County/International Thread on 08:39 - Apr 4 with 794 viewsLoyalitat

Cricket 2024 County/International Thread on 14:13 - Apr 3 by BlackAndGoldRanger

Bump.
County Championship starts tomorrow to give some relief from the dirge of championship football and another relegation scrap.

Can anyone stop the mighty Surrey from 4-in-a-row? Personally I'm hoping not but can see some drop off with the continued lack of out and out spin option and inevitable call ups for England. Tough start tomorrow away at Essex. Do I see summer around the corner?


Very magnanimous of you, but it's Surrey's to lose. No other squad, in what I believe will be a very competitive county championship involving the other teams, comes close to Surrey's.

As an Essex fan, don't worry about us beating you over the next four days. Our highest-scoring batsman in the championship last season, Dean Elgar, is unavailable for this game. I'm guessing that will mean an opening pair of Paul Walter(!) and Cox followed by Westley, Critchley, Pepper, Thain, Allison, Harmer, Snater, Cook, Porter. That's an incredibly brittle batting line-up and inexperienced in some areas. We'll do well to keep our status in division one beyond this season.

I also think that the 2nd division county championship will be very competitive this season. Hope Kent do well, as they're kind of my second team. However, I fancy Leicestershire to be the dark horses, as they have rebuilt well over the last few years and now have a good squad that could challenge for the top spots. I'd take Rishi Patel back in a heartbeat. He was never given a proper chance at Essex.

All the best to all teams, enjoy and support the great county game whenever you can.
[Post edited 4 Apr 8:50]
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Cricket 2024 County/International Thread on 09:33 - Apr 4 with 760 viewsBlackAndGoldRanger

Cricket 2024 County/International Thread on 08:39 - Apr 4 by Loyalitat

Very magnanimous of you, but it's Surrey's to lose. No other squad, in what I believe will be a very competitive county championship involving the other teams, comes close to Surrey's.

As an Essex fan, don't worry about us beating you over the next four days. Our highest-scoring batsman in the championship last season, Dean Elgar, is unavailable for this game. I'm guessing that will mean an opening pair of Paul Walter(!) and Cox followed by Westley, Critchley, Pepper, Thain, Allison, Harmer, Snater, Cook, Porter. That's an incredibly brittle batting line-up and inexperienced in some areas. We'll do well to keep our status in division one beyond this season.

I also think that the 2nd division county championship will be very competitive this season. Hope Kent do well, as they're kind of my second team. However, I fancy Leicestershire to be the dark horses, as they have rebuilt well over the last few years and now have a good squad that could challenge for the top spots. I'd take Rishi Patel back in a heartbeat. He was never given a proper chance at Essex.

All the best to all teams, enjoy and support the great county game whenever you can.
[Post edited 4 Apr 8:50]


Just bowl us cheaply with Cook and Porter, then it's game on!

Looking forward to it, I've got a membership so early season games are good as they fall over weekends but it's harder later in the year when it goes to more midweek. The Youtube streams for free have been brilliant!
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Cricket 2024 County/International Thread on 09:54 - Apr 4 with 752 viewsTheChef

Cricket 2024 County/International Thread on 08:39 - Apr 4 by Loyalitat

Very magnanimous of you, but it's Surrey's to lose. No other squad, in what I believe will be a very competitive county championship involving the other teams, comes close to Surrey's.

As an Essex fan, don't worry about us beating you over the next four days. Our highest-scoring batsman in the championship last season, Dean Elgar, is unavailable for this game. I'm guessing that will mean an opening pair of Paul Walter(!) and Cox followed by Westley, Critchley, Pepper, Thain, Allison, Harmer, Snater, Cook, Porter. That's an incredibly brittle batting line-up and inexperienced in some areas. We'll do well to keep our status in division one beyond this season.

I also think that the 2nd division county championship will be very competitive this season. Hope Kent do well, as they're kind of my second team. However, I fancy Leicestershire to be the dark horses, as they have rebuilt well over the last few years and now have a good squad that could challenge for the top spots. I'd take Rishi Patel back in a heartbeat. He was never given a proper chance at Essex.

All the best to all teams, enjoy and support the great county game whenever you can.
[Post edited 4 Apr 8:50]


Yes come on Essex, or anyone else for that matter. Anyone but Surrey!

Unfortunately I can't see Middlesex doing much better than last season even when Kane Williamson turns up. Looked at the squad for today's match and it's basically the same as last season (but then we are largely brassic). Hopefully will be at the upper end of the table again, but still not good enough for promotion.

Anyway beautiful day for it. Must be first time in years the players aren't out there in multiple sweaters, hand warmers, etc.

Poll: How old is everyone on here?

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Cricket 2024 County/International Thread on 11:03 - Apr 4 with 697 viewsDiscodroids

fantastic.the county championship. Been a fan of middlesex ever since vincent van der bijl, wayne daniel and norman cowans.. what a side that was.

up the middle!

Don't need no politicians to tell me things I shouldn't be, Neither no opticians to tell me what I oughta see.

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Cricket 2024 County/International Thread on 11:21 - Apr 4 with 672 viewsLoyalitat

Cricket 2024 County/International Thread on 11:03 - Apr 4 by Discodroids

fantastic.the county championship. Been a fan of middlesex ever since vincent van der bijl, wayne daniel and norman cowans.. what a side that was.

up the middle!


What a fearsome bowling trio they were. That takes me back. Keep the faith.
[Post edited 4 Apr 11:22]
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Cricket 2025 County/International Thread on 13:48 - Apr 4 with 609 viewsSuperhoops2808

So I have changed the title to 2025 rather than start a new thread.

As a member of Kent CCC its been a busy winter with a new coach in place in the shape of Adam Hollioake, who the jury is still out for me but lets see. At least he will be around all season long instead of hoping off for the 100

A steady start for the morning session, but as a friend messaged me earlier, I do worry for Crawley's mental state because he is just unable to buy a run at the moment. That said it was a great ball to get him out this morning.

For me, a successful season will be to be competitive in all tournaments as I see this as a transitional period from one coach to another. Hopefully the additional ECB money that has been promised to invest in Beckenham etc will help the club move forward.

On the womens side, very disappointed that as the most successful womens team in history we are not awarded Tier 1, but again the ECB want 'bigger' clubs at the table.

On a positive note to finish, very proud that our 'Lotte' has been appointed to rescue the mess that is England Women at the moment. Do think she has a real job on her hands but think she may surprise a few.

Anyway, lunch has finished so on to the afternoon session.
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Cricket 2024 County/International Thread on 14:12 - Apr 4 with 579 viewsR_from_afar

Cricket 2024 County/International Thread on 11:03 - Apr 4 by Discodroids

fantastic.the county championship. Been a fan of middlesex ever since vincent van der bijl, wayne daniel and norman cowans.. what a side that was.

up the middle!


Your post reminded me of my final year at uni. I lived opposite the old Hampshire County cricket ground. For championship matches, you could get in free in the final hour. I nipped over one day and saw the great Malcolm Marshall bowling.

I was side on to the wicket and man alive did he look rapid! I seem to recall he regularly hurled them down at over 90mph.

A fantastic cricketer who died far too young. RIP.

While I'm here, I've started watching the IPL. The official IPL website has highlights of every game, with each set of highlights lasting about eight minutes. I watched the highlights of every single game in the last tournament .

I marvel at how batting techniques are evolving, so many batters are now competent at getting inside the line of pretty good length balls and hoiking them for six behind square on the legside.

"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 2025 County/International Thread on 15:46 - Apr 4 with 494 viewsDiscodroids

much love to my fellow middle fans above.

i remember my grandad taking me to valentines park in ilford to watch essex v middle and roland butcher going blitzkrieg in the 40 over sunday league. i think it was around 1981/2. i was about 14 .£2 entrance to watch edmonds and embury in tandem. magic.

i got simon hughes autograph and pinned it to my winmau dartboard.

QPR and Middlesex ccc. Magic.

Edit; i recall seeing sussex at lords around the mid 80's i think. first time i went on my own.

fastest bowling i ever saw live. Garth le roux. it was insane.
[Post edited 4 Apr 15:50]

Don't need no politicians to tell me things I shouldn't be, Neither no opticians to tell me what I oughta see.

5
Cricket 2025 County/International Thread on 17:59 - Apr 4 with 425 viewsplasmahoop

Cricket 2025 County/International Thread on 15:46 - Apr 4 by Discodroids

much love to my fellow middle fans above.

i remember my grandad taking me to valentines park in ilford to watch essex v middle and roland butcher going blitzkrieg in the 40 over sunday league. i think it was around 1981/2. i was about 14 .£2 entrance to watch edmonds and embury in tandem. magic.

i got simon hughes autograph and pinned it to my winmau dartboard.

QPR and Middlesex ccc. Magic.

Edit; i recall seeing sussex at lords around the mid 80's i think. first time i went on my own.

fastest bowling i ever saw live. Garth le roux. it was insane.
[Post edited 4 Apr 15:50]


Come on the middle!

Similarly Disco, my Dad took me to lords in 1981 when i was 9 or 10. They played Warwickshire and Bob willis was playing. Wilf slack scored a hundred, and having been inspired by the botham test, i was well and truly hooked on middlesex cc and cricket thereafter. I should probably have been a kent fan growing up in Erith, but my Dad was from west london and was Qpr and middlesex, so that was that. The year after middlesex won the championship again and i was even more obsessed
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Cricket 2025 County/International Thread on 18:07 - Apr 4 with 400 viewsDiscodroids

Cricket 2025 County/International Thread on 17:59 - Apr 4 by plasmahoop

Come on the middle!

Similarly Disco, my Dad took me to lords in 1981 when i was 9 or 10. They played Warwickshire and Bob willis was playing. Wilf slack scored a hundred, and having been inspired by the botham test, i was well and truly hooked on middlesex cc and cricket thereafter. I should probably have been a kent fan growing up in Erith, but my Dad was from west london and was Qpr and middlesex, so that was that. The year after middlesex won the championship again and i was even more obsessed


ahhh wilf slack. pure class. i'm sure he topped 1500 runs one season opening with barlow.

God bless him and Neil Williams.

;-)

Don't need no politicians to tell me things I shouldn't be, Neither no opticians to tell me what I oughta see.

1
Cricket 2024 County/International Thread on 21:26 - Apr 4 with 296 viewsstowmarketrange

Cricket 2024 County/International Thread on 08:39 - Apr 4 by Loyalitat

Very magnanimous of you, but it's Surrey's to lose. No other squad, in what I believe will be a very competitive county championship involving the other teams, comes close to Surrey's.

As an Essex fan, don't worry about us beating you over the next four days. Our highest-scoring batsman in the championship last season, Dean Elgar, is unavailable for this game. I'm guessing that will mean an opening pair of Paul Walter(!) and Cox followed by Westley, Critchley, Pepper, Thain, Allison, Harmer, Snater, Cook, Porter. That's an incredibly brittle batting line-up and inexperienced in some areas. We'll do well to keep our status in division one beyond this season.

I also think that the 2nd division county championship will be very competitive this season. Hope Kent do well, as they're kind of my second team. However, I fancy Leicestershire to be the dark horses, as they have rebuilt well over the last few years and now have a good squad that could challenge for the top spots. I'd take Rishi Patel back in a heartbeat. He was never given a proper chance at Essex.

All the best to all teams, enjoy and support the great county game whenever you can.
[Post edited 4 Apr 8:50]


Essex had a good first day and it sets the match up nicely for the remaining 3 days.A few collapses in some of the other games though.
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Cricket 2025 County/International Thread on 21:33 - Apr 4 with 291 viewsthame_hoops

As big a crowd for a county championship game at Lord that as I can remember. Glorious sunshine, which makes a change for opening day. Annoyed Middlesex got bowled out for so little, yet they made the biggest first innings score in the second division…clutching at straws lol back again tomorrow
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Cricket 2025 County/International Thread on 22:15 - Apr 4 with 257 viewsnadera78

Cricket 2025 County/International Thread on 18:07 - Apr 4 by Discodroids

ahhh wilf slack. pure class. i'm sure he topped 1500 runs one season opening with barlow.

God bless him and Neil Williams.

;-)


The Wilf Slack Cricket Centre opened at a school in Greenford a couple of years ago. Lovely indoor facility for use by schools, clubs and some Middlesex development teams.
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Cricket 2025 County/International Thread on 08:43 - Apr 5 with 106 viewsGaryBannister86

Cricket 2025 County/International Thread on 13:48 - Apr 4 by Superhoops2808

So I have changed the title to 2025 rather than start a new thread.

As a member of Kent CCC its been a busy winter with a new coach in place in the shape of Adam Hollioake, who the jury is still out for me but lets see. At least he will be around all season long instead of hoping off for the 100

A steady start for the morning session, but as a friend messaged me earlier, I do worry for Crawley's mental state because he is just unable to buy a run at the moment. That said it was a great ball to get him out this morning.

For me, a successful season will be to be competitive in all tournaments as I see this as a transitional period from one coach to another. Hopefully the additional ECB money that has been promised to invest in Beckenham etc will help the club move forward.

On the womens side, very disappointed that as the most successful womens team in history we are not awarded Tier 1, but again the ECB want 'bigger' clubs at the table.

On a positive note to finish, very proud that our 'Lotte' has been appointed to rescue the mess that is England Women at the moment. Do think she has a real job on her hands but think she may surprise a few.

Anyway, lunch has finished so on to the afternoon session.


High hopes for Hollioake, but we shall see.

For the women's game, hard agree. Outrageous Kent didn't get Tier 1 status after all we have done for the women's game.

Really hope Edwards can turn around the women's team. Lewis' job was poor, bordering on deluded. Just copied Baz from what I can see with players and even a format that was ill-suited. I really like the women's game but now they are highly paid professionals, they've got to be fit and accountable, which means no more out of shape players and no more endless TikToks and social media mucking around on tour / during competitions. You can't get paid £20k for a Test on the one hand and then just treat it as one big jamboree on the other. From what I hear Charlotte won't stand for any of that.
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