Random Cricket Thread (Domestic Cricket)

[Arthur Crabtree]

Might as well have three divisions.

That just looks like a mean way to sideline six less prestigious counties.

[sussexpob]

I was listening to an extract of an Aussie podcast with Fergus O Neill last week, and he was commenting on the fact the standard of CC was really high, but in his short experience of playing in England he found the schedule of constant 4 day cricket every week was too much, and said you could feel the pace of the game slow/lower with every passing week (interesting parallel, as I said during the Sussex game at Trent Bridge I was shocked how slowly O Neill was bowling, so I guess he was knackered). He went on to say that many prospects in Australia who bowl Fast-M or Fast would never stand out in such conditions, because they wouldn't be able to be consistently at their top level.

I think there is a discussion to be had for reducing the cricket played, make each match more high pressure/significant and fresher players giving it their all - and each score/failure matters more. England might be able to keep a pace bowler fit for more than 2 tests also.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Not sure this will give them more rest if they are just playing more in other formats.

My main reservation for first class county cricket is the players are away from home for four day periods throughout the summer. Though for younger players, that may be some of the attraction. And sport isn't a job for life anyway.

[sussexpob]

Well, indeed. The timing is fishy, isnt it. The ECB sell their Franchise stakes to foreign investors who want more matches, and suddenly the calendar is being slashed of 4 days games - with no doubt an expansion of the 100 to fill the space.

That would upset me. I dont think anyone wants that.

[andy]

Dale benkenstein has left his role as Lancashire head coach by 'mutual consent'

[Durhamfootman]

I always thought that Benks would make a good head coach, as an excellent player and captain who seemed, to me at least, to have a good understanding of the game, but poor results have followed him from job to job. I always imagined that he'd end up coaching Durham at some point, but it appears we dodged a bullet there

[captaincolly]

I always thought that Benks would make a good head coach, as an excellent player and captain who seemed, to me at least, to have a good understanding of the game, but poor results have followed him from job to job. I always imagined that he'd end up coaching Durham at some point, but it appears we dodged a bullet there

Agreed. I thought coaching would suit him but clearly not.

[Durhamfootman]

when Ando said he wanted to play T20 and put his name forward for auctions, I laughed. Ando thriving in T20 seemed like a ridiculous notion to me, perhaps born out of a desire to just keep playing in anything

fast forward to this season's Dribble and he keeps taking 3 fers. He's played 4 games and has 10 wickets from his 11 overs and he hasn't gone around the park either

I guess the joke's on me

[Arthur Crabtree]

I had a hunch he could have come back into the England limited overs sides during the last 5-10 years. But might have felt like a backward step when the team was trying to play in a new way. Plus the workload would have been an issue.

[andy]

Surrey have won off the last ball against Hampshire in the women's blast really good game that hopefully the men's game later is just as good

[captaincolly]

when Ando said he wanted to play T20 and put his name forward for auctions, I laughed. Ando thriving in T20 seemed like a ridiculous notion to me, perhaps born out of a desire to just keep playing in anything

fast forward to this season's Dribble and he keeps taking 3 fers. He's played 4 games and has 10 wickets from his 11 overs and he hasn't gone around the park either

I guess the joke's on me

He has said he's available for the BBL.And is standing in for Harris as skipper on the next two Championship games.
I too thought a T20 comeback was fanciful...It has been a triumph!

[Durhamfootman]

Jordan Thompson is leaving Yorks and heading to Warks at the end of the season

Danny Briggs is leaving Warks and heading to Sussex at the end of the season on a white ball contract and with a coaching role

[westoelad]

Might as well have three divisions.

That just looks like a mean way to sideline six less prestigious counties.

It'll be 3 conferences. There's no way they'll get the necessary majority to agree to 3 divisions. That would be turkeys voting for Christmas

[Durhamfootman]

Players are flooding out of gloucs

Tom Price to Sussex
Ajeet Singh Dale to either Lancs or Yorks
Zaman Akhter to Essex

I wonder if things are not well behind the scenes?

[captaincolly]

Players are flooding out of gloucs

Tom Price to Sussex
Ajeet Singh Dale to either Lancs or Yorks
Zaman Akhter to Essex

I wonder if things are not well behind the scenes?

Was listening to a podcast and they have major financial issues. Lost 180k on the Cheltenham Festival last year and they're saying that if they can't make it work this year it could be the last one. That'd be a real shame.