| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread 10:53 - Jan 31 with 77639 views | Superhoops2808 |
https://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/
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 19:52 - Aug 9 with 3582 views | Hunterhoop |
For the Middlesex fans out there, they are almost certainly into the semi final of the One Day Cup at Radlett next Sunday. Won 6 from 7 in the group stage so far.
No idea who they’ll play. And whoever it’ll be, they are likely to be heavily strengthen by players returning from The Hundred (Middx only lost 5 players, most counties lost 7-10, and Surrey lost about 15 or something). So it’ll be a tough ask to win. However, this ia the closest they’ve come to a final since 2008. |  | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 20:20 - Aug 9 with 3487 views | GaryBannister86 |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 19:46 - Aug 9 by Hunterhoop |
I hate Surrey.
Crawley’s record in first class cricket did not warrant the call up in the first place. There is no revisionism at all. He averaged 31 in FC cricket when called up. Mostly in div 2. He was highly spoken off precisely because of who his dad and godfather are. He was within the game so was promoted. His record never justified the hype.
I follow county cricket closely. He did not deserve to be called up. He did not deserve to be retained for so long. And he does not deserve to be re-selected now. His record this year is dreadful.
This isn’t revisionism; it’s Kent fans getting ever so defensive.
He’s an okay FC opener. He’s talented but he has never converted that talent into having anything better than an okay record. FC average of 31.5 and List A average of 32.7. Compare to the other 17 counties’ openers. He does not stand out at all. [Post edited 9 Aug 19:49]
|
Well at least we agree on the Surrey part. :-) |  | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 23:11 - Aug 9 with 3351 views | Discodroids |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 11:16 - Aug 6 by oldmeadoniansR |
I also grew up with that Middlesex team. Loved Norman Cowans but my about favourite was Phil Edmunds. Left arm spin is magical always but he was mesmerising and also looked like he didn't give a cluck! Inspired me to.become a spinner and ay the ripe old age of 55 am still twirling in second team league cricket. For a boy brought up in Shep Bush cricket has given me so much. Sad to see it's decline in inner London. I am actually quite well known on the circuit for being hit into nearly all the tennis courts in London. Cricket pitch adjacent to tennis courts then invariably I will be deposited there. But, I can always get them next ball!! |
thanks all for the various responses to my love of middlesex.
Yep Edmunds was my favourite too. Bit of the Stan bowels about him!. I'm sure theres a famous video of him bowling a bouncer off two paces but i couldn't find it. i might have dreamt it!. Well done you sir for turning your arm over at our age in the dark arts of flighted finger spin.
i missed vincent van der bilj by a year but by all accounts he was one of the greatest ever overseas bowlers to grace the game here. i think he took a hundred wickets in a season for about 15 runs a piece avg!. Should not have forgotten the great all rounder neil williams who passed tragically young. I had no idea that the amazing slinging action of jeff thomson was with us for a season as well until yesterday!
I dont know if im on the spectrum but i find watching old middlesex games from that period very calming , therapeutic but also melancholic.
One for the kids.. rajesh Maru! |  |
| Where there's a will - and there is a will - there's a way - and there is a way. |
| |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 08:36 - Aug 10 with 3180 views | stowmarketrange |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 12:17 - Aug 6 by GaryBannister86 |
Agreed such a poor selection. I thought North would give some fresh input but to go back to Pope and Lawrence is just bizarre. Scoring runs for the Surrey Globetrotters does not mean they are ripe for getting the Ashes back.
Where are Rehan Ahmed and Baker? These are guys that may give us a point of difference.
I'm finally done with Key after letting Fleming not start until after this series, ridiculous. [Post edited 6 Aug 12:29]
|
How many of this current Middlesex team were born in the county?You also have a lot of globetrotters,including South Africans,an Indian,a player from Pakistan,another from Zimbabwe.A fair few from Islington and Chelsea,which for cricket purposes are classed as part of Middlesex.
I haven’t checked the Kent squad but I guess their players aren’t all Kentish men or men of Kent.
If Middlesex actually owned Lords,rather than being only tenants,would they spend their profits on bringing better players in,or suffer in division 2 because the players weren’t good enough?
Surrey spend a lot of their money on the academy in order to bring through players for the county and the country,as most counties do,so I don’t get the jealousy of my county.Maybe I could understand it if they swept the board with trophies,but that certainly isn’t the case.They only do what every other county would do with the opportunities that they’ve been given. |  | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 08:56 - Aug 10 with 3158 views | GaryBannister86 |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 08:36 - Aug 10 by stowmarketrange |
How many of this current Middlesex team were born in the county?You also have a lot of globetrotters,including South Africans,an Indian,a player from Pakistan,another from Zimbabwe.A fair few from Islington and Chelsea,which for cricket purposes are classed as part of Middlesex.
I haven’t checked the Kent squad but I guess their players aren’t all Kentish men or men of Kent.
If Middlesex actually owned Lords,rather than being only tenants,would they spend their profits on bringing better players in,or suffer in division 2 because the players weren’t good enough?
Surrey spend a lot of their money on the academy in order to bring through players for the county and the country,as most counties do,so I don’t get the jealousy of my county.Maybe I could understand it if they swept the board with trophies,but that certainly isn’t the case.They only do what every other county would do with the opportunities that they’ve been given. |
Fair point Stow and I don't want to turn this excellent distraction thread into petty jealousies about our counties - I'm Kent so will always be bitter about our bigger neighbours and the fact that we are mostly terrible. We can't even keep hold of Joey Evison, a player I like a lot and we lose him to bankrupt Sussex! | | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 09:37 - Aug 10 with 3121 views | Hunterhoop |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 08:36 - Aug 10 by stowmarketrange |
How many of this current Middlesex team were born in the county?You also have a lot of globetrotters,including South Africans,an Indian,a player from Pakistan,another from Zimbabwe.A fair few from Islington and Chelsea,which for cricket purposes are classed as part of Middlesex.
I haven’t checked the Kent squad but I guess their players aren’t all Kentish men or men of Kent.
If Middlesex actually owned Lords,rather than being only tenants,would they spend their profits on bringing better players in,or suffer in division 2 because the players weren’t good enough?
Surrey spend a lot of their money on the academy in order to bring through players for the county and the country,as most counties do,so I don’t get the jealousy of my county.Maybe I could understand it if they swept the board with trophies,but that certainly isn’t the case.They only do what every other county would do with the opportunities that they’ve been given. |
Stow, that isn’t entirely true. Most of the Middx squad came through their youth set up. They have one of, if not the most, home grown squads in county cricket. The two you’re saying are Indian and Zimbabwe joined at 11 and 13!
Josh De Caires - Yes
Nathan Fernandes - Yes. Born in India, but came over to England as a child and joined Middx at U11.
Sam Robson - No, Aussie, came over at 19 and played for Richmond (?) I think before being picked up.
Max Holden - Yes
Ben Geddes - Yes, Came through Surrey’s set up
Leus Du Plooy - No, Saffa, spent years at Derby, is actually qualified for England now
Luke Hollman - Yes
Aryan Sawant - Yes
Jack Nelson - Yes
Caleb Falconer - Yes, but originally a Saffa, who joined a year or two ago and played Eng U19
Ryan Higgins - Yes, born in Zimbabwe but moved to England aged 13, came through Berkshire then Middx ranks
Joe Cracknell - Yes
Jack Davies - Yes
Toby Roland Jones - Yes
Navya Sharma - Yes
Noah Cornwall - Yes
Blake Cullen - Yes
Henry Brookes - Yes, came through Warks’ set up, but is English.
Zafar Gohar - No, Pakistani, now qualified for England through residence
Tom Helm - Yes
Jamie Feldman - Yes
Seb Morgan - Yes
If Middx had loads of money, I’m sure they’d sign a proper overseas and better players, possibly even another Kolpak like Du Plooy. But it would still be very home grown.
I know Surrey have a lot of home grown players, no doubt. Surrey amateur cricket is probably the strongest of all the counties in the country now, in terms of both depth and standard.
But you cannot argue with the fact that Surrey’s income is many multiples most counties, and they have a dislikeable strategy of signing the best players from other counties simply because they have the money to offer. It doesn’t make for a healthy first class set up. They have done a great job with the Oval. They are benefitting from a Hundred franchise. But they shouldn’t be guaranteed a Test and ODI every year. They should be no different from Lancs or Yorks. Lord’s get their guaranteed games but Middx are none of that money at all. Last time I checked Middx’s income was c. £8m and Surrey’s was c. £40m. Surrey made more profit than Middx’s income. Hardly a fair fight. | | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 11:31 - Aug 10 with 3032 views | plasmahoop |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 09:37 - Aug 10 by Hunterhoop |
Stow, that isn’t entirely true. Most of the Middx squad came through their youth set up. They have one of, if not the most, home grown squads in county cricket. The two you’re saying are Indian and Zimbabwe joined at 11 and 13!
Josh De Caires - Yes
Nathan Fernandes - Yes. Born in India, but came over to England as a child and joined Middx at U11.
Sam Robson - No, Aussie, came over at 19 and played for Richmond (?) I think before being picked up.
Max Holden - Yes
Ben Geddes - Yes, Came through Surrey’s set up
Leus Du Plooy - No, Saffa, spent years at Derby, is actually qualified for England now
Luke Hollman - Yes
Aryan Sawant - Yes
Jack Nelson - Yes
Caleb Falconer - Yes, but originally a Saffa, who joined a year or two ago and played Eng U19
Ryan Higgins - Yes, born in Zimbabwe but moved to England aged 13, came through Berkshire then Middx ranks
Joe Cracknell - Yes
Jack Davies - Yes
Toby Roland Jones - Yes
Navya Sharma - Yes
Noah Cornwall - Yes
Blake Cullen - Yes
Henry Brookes - Yes, came through Warks’ set up, but is English.
Zafar Gohar - No, Pakistani, now qualified for England through residence
Tom Helm - Yes
Jamie Feldman - Yes
Seb Morgan - Yes
If Middx had loads of money, I’m sure they’d sign a proper overseas and better players, possibly even another Kolpak like Du Plooy. But it would still be very home grown.
I know Surrey have a lot of home grown players, no doubt. Surrey amateur cricket is probably the strongest of all the counties in the country now, in terms of both depth and standard.
But you cannot argue with the fact that Surrey’s income is many multiples most counties, and they have a dislikeable strategy of signing the best players from other counties simply because they have the money to offer. It doesn’t make for a healthy first class set up. They have done a great job with the Oval. They are benefitting from a Hundred franchise. But they shouldn’t be guaranteed a Test and ODI every year. They should be no different from Lancs or Yorks. Lord’s get their guaranteed games but Middx are none of that money at all. Last time I checked Middx’s income was c. £8m and Surrey’s was c. £40m. Surrey made more profit than Middx’s income. Hardly a fair fight. |
Good post. I would disagree about the oval being guaranteed a test and odi each year though. It's a great ground, i love going there. Absolutely need a test every year, and I say that as a Middlesex fan.
I think Middlesex would be better off getting there own ground somewhere. It's a bit pathetic that there isn't really a club shop, it's a couple of shelves within an MCC shop. The beer was pants too, all brewdog at god knows what a pint |  | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 12:10 - Aug 10 with 3004 views | derbyhoop |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 08:36 - Aug 10 by stowmarketrange |
How many of this current Middlesex team were born in the county?You also have a lot of globetrotters,including South Africans,an Indian,a player from Pakistan,another from Zimbabwe.A fair few from Islington and Chelsea,which for cricket purposes are classed as part of Middlesex.
I haven’t checked the Kent squad but I guess their players aren’t all Kentish men or men of Kent.
If Middlesex actually owned Lords,rather than being only tenants,would they spend their profits on bringing better players in,or suffer in division 2 because the players weren’t good enough?
Surrey spend a lot of their money on the academy in order to bring through players for the county and the country,as most counties do,so I don’t get the jealousy of my county.Maybe I could understand it if they swept the board with trophies,but that certainly isn’t the case.They only do what every other county would do with the opportunities that they’ve been given. |
When I was a lot younger I used to go to Middlesex's nets at Finchley.
So, it's not just Surrey with an Academy. |  |
| "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the Earth all one's lifetime." (Mark Twain)
Find me on twitter @derbyhoop and now on Bluesky |
| |
Login to get fewer ads
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 09:02 - Aug 11 with 2815 views | Superhoops2808 |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 07:35 - Aug 8 by Hunterhoop |
Crawley’s county record means he shouldn’t have been called up in the first place and certainly shouldn’t be recalled. The only reason he was called up and retained for so long is that Bob Key is his godfather. |
Yawn - Here comes another sheep
Gets boring after a while  | | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 09:30 - Aug 13 with 2499 views | MrSheen |
Blimey, Bangladesh 96/1 after bowling Australia out for 198. Almost as crazy as a test in Darwin. |  | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 10:12 - Aug 13 with 2448 views | johnhoop |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 09:30 - Aug 13 by MrSheen |
Blimey, Bangladesh 96/1 after bowling Australia out for 198. Almost as crazy as a test in Darwin. |
That appears to be about the strongest possible team that Australia could have put out as well, with Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood all playing. | | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 13:01 - Aug 13 with 2307 views | numptydumpty |
A bit more Surrey bashing going on here.
Tbf, supported Surrey since back in Pat Pocock, Grahame Roope and Monty Lynch days of old and obviously its only in the sky sports and t20 era that Surrey has been consistently top dog and yes obviously the system if money is key so appreciate we are more like the ManCitys of cricket, although i doubt there is much corruption as in football circles.
This season hasnt been that great but one thing Surrey do suffer from is they have so many selected for national teams in all formats, generally teams they put out are very weakened outfits in terms of their overall squads.
But am sure am not alone as a Surrey fan , when we signed a player such as Lawrence for all squads or Zampa for a few t20 games, its blatantly unfair and should not be in the rule book. And i agree with that also.
Absolutely also am not in favour of returning to Pope as I am against the returning of Crawley, both have classical styles but they both play too many reckless shots and their output over a very long period has been disappointing and had shown in both cases no indiciations ever of improvements.
Its like if we at Rangers had had a cash cow owner that had spent money wisely 25 years ago and we started to dominate the football in this country what would people do. Would they follow little Chelsea of the championship or carry on following QPR despite their monied advantage.
Most would still be fans, am sure.
What I do agree with though is lazy selections ie they play for the top team so give them a go. Think that has not always worked well, so yes absolutely give other players a chance.
Cricket is so fragmented today that top players specialise or simply are spread too thin with all formats of the game. Only someone who is so machinelike in their consistent output as in Joe Root is able to manage on all levels of the games professionals play today.
And England play massively more test matches now than any other country.
Overload and burnout has an impact. Stokes has aged dramatically in recent times and the intensity and time away from family always is unsustainable in all reality but money will keep the rollercoaster moving always. |  |
| |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 16:29 - Aug 13 with 2180 views | LimehouseR |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 09:30 - Aug 13 by MrSheen |
Blimey, Bangladesh 96/1 after bowling Australia out for 198. Almost as crazy as a test in Darwin. |
I see 'Snicko' has aided and abetted another Aussie batsman too.
Yes okay, you shouldn't walk unless you are given out but don't say I think I nicked it after the event. Just ingrains the cheat tag you already have. A world class batsman but he will always be tainted. |  | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 21:33 - Aug 16 with 1848 views | plasmahoop |
Middlesex through to the 50 over final! Decent effort. And Rangers top of the league simultaneously. Heady days indeed | | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 23:43 - Aug 16 with 1716 views | Hunterhoop |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 21:33 - Aug 16 by plasmahoop |
Middlesex through to the 50 over final! Decent effort. And Rangers top of the league simultaneously. Heady days indeed |
One of the “top” days at a Radlett today. Superb stuff. Proper cricket. Bowlers did so well to restrict them to 254. It looked 20-30 short of par. But Stokes looked lethal with the new ball and at 19/2, 51/3 and then 145/7, we looked dead and buried.
Luke Hollman, take a bow, fella. Balls like coconuts. | | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 19:47 - Aug 17 with 1508 views | MrSheen |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 23:43 - Aug 16 by Hunterhoop |
One of the “top” days at a Radlett today. Superb stuff. Proper cricket. Bowlers did so well to restrict them to 254. It looked 20-30 short of par. But Stokes looked lethal with the new ball and at 19/2, 51/3 and then 145/7, we looked dead and buried.
Luke Hollman, take a bow, fella. Balls like coconuts. |
Ludicrous scheduling again, the final is five weeks away. | | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 17:00 - Aug 18 with 1319 views | Superhoops2808 |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 23:43 - Aug 16 by Hunterhoop |
One of the “top” days at a Radlett today. Superb stuff. Proper cricket. Bowlers did so well to restrict them to 254. It looked 20-30 short of par. But Stokes looked lethal with the new ball and at 19/2, 51/3 and then 145/7, we looked dead and buried.
Luke Hollman, take a bow, fella. Balls like coconuts. |
Congrats from a Kent Supporter here - Try to go the final, I loved it when we won back in 2022 at Trent Bridge. Great day out - Especially if they stick with the players that got them there and don't put the 100 players back in
Also a possibility that the Kent Women will play the Middlesex women in the same comp either in the semi final of possibly final. | | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 18:35 - Aug 22 with 1016 views | Superhoops2808 |
Cracking match going on at Northwood
Middlesex fans here, think you will chase that down after your heroics last weekend? | | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 18:41 - Aug 22 with 995 views | numptydumpty |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 18:35 - Aug 22 by Superhoops2808 |
Cracking match going on at Northwood
Middlesex fans here, think you will chase that down after your heroics last weekend? |
You could be celebrating big time soon Superhoops2808.
Surrey look like losing this round and Leicestershire and Hampshire, the two current teams occupying the relgation spots, both have decent chances of winning.
A very real chance Surrey could be relegated this season. | |
| |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 20:23 - Aug 22 with 909 views | derbyhoop |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 18:35 - Aug 22 by Superhoops2808 |
Cracking match going on at Northwood
Middlesex fans here, think you will chase that down after your heroics last weekend? |
Probably needs somebody to get a big ton. Du plooy? | |
| "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the Earth all one's lifetime." (Mark Twain)
Find me on twitter @derbyhoop and now on Bluesky |
| |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 20:32 - Aug 22 with 897 views | Superhoops2808 |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 20:23 - Aug 22 by derbyhoop |
Probably needs somebody to get a big ton. Du plooy? |
Hoping that the ball will do a lot in the morning
Otherwise, it is set up for a close finish
Never mind Du Plooy, if their tale wags like it did in the first innings we may be in trouble
I recall we chased down a 300 and odd total last year to win - Could be revenge | | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 14:13 - Aug 23 with 689 views | Superhoops2808 |
That was too close for comfort, hard luck Middlesex - Gave us a real fright with Cracknell and Helm
3 of our last 5 at home, really hopeful of promotion this season - Only one place up for grabs while Stokes Durham run away with it | | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 14:28 - Aug 23 with 680 views | derbyhoop |
Cracking game, judging by the scores. Middx have probably blown any chance. | |
| "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the Earth all one's lifetime." (Mark Twain)
Find me on twitter @derbyhoop and now on Bluesky |
| |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 14:35 - Aug 23 with 667 views | Superhoops2808 |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 14:28 - Aug 23 by derbyhoop |
Cracking game, judging by the scores. Middx have probably blown any chance. |
Watched it on YouTube - Parkinson has done pretty much naff all for much of the season, then takes the last 2 vital wickets | | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 14:46 - Aug 23 with 656 views | stowmarketrange |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 14:28 - Aug 23 by derbyhoop |
Cracking game, judging by the scores. Middx have probably blown any chance. |
Might be a local derby next season with the way Surrey are falling apart. | | | |
| |
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.