It's Just Not Cricket

[teamsaint]

Sorry teamsaint .........

thanks AG.

Sad to say,though I don't have much faith in cricket any more.

amazing finish at Lords, all the same.

[antongould]

thanks AG.

Sad to say,though I don't have much faith in cricket any more.

amazing finish at Lords, all the same.

Indeed but I feel for Somerset ... and I think we (Durham) will struggle next season having lost two top players to the Oval dollar .....

[cloughie]

Indeed but I feel for Somerset ... and I think we (Durham) will struggle next season having lost two top players to the Oval dollar .....

...and was it a Lords conspiracy not to allow squad-tied Joe and Jonny to play in an important final match!

[DracoM]

Yeah, I was wondering that. Or maybe Jason G didn't select them?
Online commentary was not as useful in sorting that as the [ahem] Sky coverage.
VERY, very sad for Yorks. One of the great cricket groupings.

Durham - yes, fragile.
And, FGS, Notts, in outer darkness? How on earth did that happen?

[AmpH]

Wonderful ending to the County Season and a salutary reminder to those ( are you listening ECB ) who constantly belittle this excellent cricket championship and seem hell bent on kicking it into a backwater - next season it will be reduced to 14 games in Div 1 and how long before it is reduced further to 12 games or even fewer in the mad dash for the T20 cash ?

As a longstanding Yorkshire supporter I would like to congratulate Middlesex on deservedly becoming County Champions - they have undoubtedly been the best team over the season.

Sadly, Yorkshire did not deserve to win this year. Whilst the bowling has been as good as ever, the batting ( top 5 in particular ) has been woefully inconsistent with the lower order coming to the rescue on too many occaisions, as they did at Lords. Whilst the decision to rest Root was understandable and not challenged by Yorkshire the refusal to allow Bairstow to play was indefensible.

Delighted to see that Durham ( my second favourite team ) stayed up and that they have retained the excellent Keaton Jennings who is already a far better player than the two who are leaving for the brown lot. Their ability to nurture and develop local talent is a joy to behold and will again be needed if they are to survive.

Perhaps the best aspect of the season has been the emergence / performance of a number of fine young England players. I wish all those selected for the difficult and demanding tours to come this winter safe and successful tours. I particularly look forward to seeing the promising Hameed begin his development into a Test opener ( which the inadequate Hales never will be ) and players such as Duckett et al play so well that the England selectors will be unable to find room for those who decided not to stand and fight with their team mates and stay at home instead.

[DracoM]

Jennings and Duckett instead of Ballance - who surely has had THE worst season and has still been included in the England party. Ahem. The sooner Root is promoted to England captain and Cooke retires, the better.

What do you think will be the upshot of the Gillespie departure for Yorks?
Is not the Middx side ageing a bit?
Will Durham really be OK without Stoneman and Borthwick?
And I imagine Notts will have a clear out too? Sad for Read - one of the very best glove men in world cricket too, who has held Notts together more than once this season.

Hey ho!

[antongould]

Oh thank you ECB we poor northern Durhamites will be eternally grateful .....

[DracoM]

What a stab in the back by the ECB. So many mistakes made by them. Meanwhile, Durham go on producing top class England cricketers. Explain that?

[antongould]

What a stab in the back by the ECB. So many mistakes made by them. Meanwhile, Durham go on producing top class England cricketers. Explain that?

All I can think of is Lord Harris is still alive ...

[antongould]

We won ..... away ......

[Historian]

We won ..... away ......

Yes, although not entirely convincingly against a weakened West Indies side. Pitches perhaps a bit closer than might have been expected to what they will be facing in the Champions Trophy. Must confess to having to eat my words about Chris Woakes who is now a key member of the side.

[DracoM]

............and has been in ALL departments a key player for some time. Surprised you ever had any doubts.

[Historian]

............and has been in ALL departments a key player for some time. Surprised you ever had any doubts.

My apologies; I was not being sufficiently clear. My doubts referred to his career up to, and including the 2013 season. Despite some good performances Woakes lacked the pace and control needed in international cricket: his batting was more effective. However, the games he played in 2014 showed that he was making rapid progress and I would agree that he has been a very effective England player in recent years.

[antongould]

Yes let's hope Woakes keeps on improving ...... interestingly, or not, I have just discovered that 2nd place in Greshams School's "Throwing The Cricket Ball" event in 1930 went to one E.B.Britten .... the winner managed 98yds 2ft 6ins ... Benjamin's distance is not recorded .......

[Historian]

Yes let's hope Woakes keeps on improving ...... interestingly, or not, I have just discovered that 2nd place in Greshams School's "Throwing The Cricket Ball" event in 1930 went to one E.B.Britten .... the winner managed 98yds 2ft 6ins ... Benjamin's distance is not recorded .......

Definitely interesting, to me at any rate. I don't know if Britten was much of a fan of organised sport but he must have put some effort in on that day. Perhaps someone better acquainted with his views on cricket/other sports could enlighten me. Thank you for this archive reference.