Arguably the two finest wicketkeepers of their generation, yet neither could forge a consistent England Test career in an era dominated by the theory that keepers also needed to be matchwinning batsmenThey gave Chris Read an honour guard the week before last, and a standing ovation too. He still has two more games to play, but they’re both away, one at Northampton and the other at Hove. So this particular innings, against Worcestershire, was his last at Trent Bridge, which has been his home ground for 19 years now. Typically, Read didn’t much care for the fanfare: “Does anyone?” he asked afterwards. “I was just desperate not to get out first ball, I’d have felt a right prat.” Related: County...
The England bowler was refused permission to play for Nottinghamshire this week but with fast bowlers caution is understandableThe 21st-century revival of England’s Test team has much to do with the advent of central contracts. They were introduced in 2000 to the universal relief of the England players and their coaches; there was some grumpiness around the counties but at least they were spared some significant wages. As has been clear this April, the counties have never been averse to what is effectively a handout.But there are occasions when the central contract system is a source of exasperation. And this is one of them. Stuart Broad was very keen to play against Durham on Friday; his county, Nottinghamshire, now a...
Middlesex, Yorkshire and Somerset all have title hopes in the tightest race for years and it may yet be one decided on bonus pointsForty-eight years ago, your correspondent was at the non-striker’s end when Surrey’s Arnold Long edged a ball from the seamer Tony Nicholson to Long’s opposite number, Jimmy Binks, standing up to the stumps, to complete a hat-trick of County Championship titles for Yorkshire. Since then, seven other counties have tried to emulate the feat and fallen short (Middlesex, who won in 1976 and tied in 1977; Essex, champions in 1983 and 1984 and again in 1991 and 92; Worcestershire, 1988 and 89; Warwickshire, 1994 and 95; Surrey, 2002 and 03; Sussex, 2006 and 07; and Durham 2008...