For a month, at least, the domestic game commands the spotlight before the World Cup and Ashes arriveWith a bit of meteorological luck there could be 78 county cricketers gambolling out into the spring air at 11am on Friday morning; 11 fielders and two batsmen at six grounds who will usher in the start of a season and what is down to be the mother of all English summers.The home World Cup and Ashes series may be the jewels in the crown – England’s preparations for the former start as early as 3 May when they travel to Malahide for a one-off one-day international against Ireland – but for a month, at least, the domestic game commands the spotlight. Related:...
Somerset and Surrey look best equipped to battle for the title while Division Two features an intriguing race to make the top three promotion places Related: The Spin | Enjoy the cricket season ahead … it will be the last of its kind | Tanya Aldred Twitter: follow us at @guardian_sport Related: Alex Hales: ‘It takes 10 seconds to get an image, 10 years to undo it’ Related: Joe Root v Stuart Broad kicks off cricket bonanza in summer to savour | Vic Marks Continue reading...
Alastair Cook is back full time with Essex, young talent abounds at Worcestershire and it’s make-or-break for Haseeb HameedWeighed down by the indicative vote process? Square eyed from binge-watching Sky News with a side portion of Newsnight? Come [pats bench] sit next to the Spin here in the sun, and listen to that merry blackbird. The clocks have gone forward and the County Championship begins on Friday with six games split across the two divisions – at Trent Bridge, the Ageas Bowl and Taunton, at Hove, Northampton and Derby. Here are our 10 things to watch for this season: Related: Alex Hales: ‘It takes 10 seconds to get an image, 10 years to undo it’ Continue reading...
A 10-team First Division is a good idea but the shires will host the most low-key games during the school holidaysViewed in isolation, the proposals for English domestic cricket from 2020 onwards from the men’s domestic playing programme (MDPP) group, which was chaired by Leicestershire’s CEO, Wasim Khan, display rare common sense. The problems arise when all the packages outlined are put together.The most striking change has the First Division of the County Championship containing 10 teams in 2020 with the Second Division reduced to eight, a reversal of the current format. This is a good idea that more fairly reflects the strength of the counties. It removes the necessity for 25% of the sides in the First Division to...
Hats off to Surrey for winning the title with home-grown youth and some canny signings, to Kent stalwart Darren Stevens and the departing Paul Collingwood and Jonathan TrottAnd so, with a last splendid hurrah, the doors have closed on another county season. To celebrate those fleeting months, the Spin has delved into the wardrobe and come up with some awards, though she’s unsure if she’ll be able to present them as she’s very busy in a meeting a few hundred yards away at the other side of the ground.The Stuart Surridge award for team of the season Surrey, for their unrelenting brilliance and the determination to play cricket in the right way – undefeated all summer till the death or...