No 16, June 9 - The Grumbler's County Cricket Newsletter
The Blast begins - all the previews on all the counties | Late withdrawals and injuries hit hard | Gloucs are bookies' tip | Derek Randall remembered | Allott steps down at Lancashire
It’s time for Blast off. After nine rounds of the County Championship we shift gears to the short stuff. This is a sharp but welcome turn for those teams whose four-day seasons will be consigned to the windowless dungeon outside the top conference come September.
With all this in mind, I have rejigged the newsletter. Any feedback (good or bad) would be appreciated, just use the button below. Remember this is a one-year experiment and I am nearly halfway through now. If you like this newsletter then support it by spreading the word.
Vitality Blast Previews and Team News
T20 Blast preview: Nottinghamshire aim to become first team to defend the trophy (BBCSport)
T20 Blast winner predictions, odds and cricket betting tips (Racing Post)
A couple of the betting previews like Gloucestershire. Having been a boxing tipster myself, this role is more about spotting value than actual winners as the serious punters cover all their angles and lock in profit. However Gloucestershire have some heavy hitters and 18/1 looks long.
But the Sporting Life fancies the Bears at 16/1.
Christian (Notts), McDermott (Derbyshire) Amir (Kent) out of Vitality Blast (BBCSport)
A few late spanners have been thrown in the works due to the resumption of the PSL and international call-ups.
Double injury blow for Surrey CCC ahead of T20 opener (London NewsOnline)
On top of the bizarre injury to Ben Foakes, Surrey have suffered more bad luck. Topley and Abbott would have been key to their Blast campaign.
Ben Stokes Set To Make A Comeback In T20 Vitality Blast (Cricfit)
Alex Lees ruled out of Durham’s Vitality Blast campaign (DurhamCCC)
Yorkshire v Birmingham Bears - Sold out (Yorkshire CCC)
It might be only 25 per cent of capacity but Headingley will still generate some noise.
Tweet of the Week 1
News, views and interviews
Alex Stewart talks about why two-divisional cricket needs to return, and certainly September is looking long and pretty pointless if you are an Essex fan right now. More significantly, Stewart argues for a proper compensation rate for counties signing players brought through by other teams. It is interesting because this is NOT to the benefit of Surrey if recent history is repeated.
Lancashire director of cricket Paul Allott to step down at end of season (Lancashire Telegraph)
A year of Covid has sent cricket into a constant state of flux. Of course the players will be hoping a decent T20 can get them a vacant berth in the [tournament that shall not be named]. This is significant money and life as a pro sportsman is short, taking rare skill and intense dedication. I do not blame anyone looking for further opportunities to 2x 3x or 4x their income. Especially if they are the stars of the show. But, for that reason, I take everything players say about it with a hefty pinch of salt. If you look at any new, big money sports event from the last 30 years, the fans have paid much more money while the players, their agents and the execs have been paid much more money. New revenue simply never stays in the game long enough to bring any free benefits to fans. Former Tottenham chairman Alan Sugar called this the ‘prune juice’ effect.
My piece from the Cricket Paper this week on the glut of high-quality podcasts and YouTube channels in the game right now.
Here’s a link to all my cricket content
Videos I like…
The maddest finish to any T20 Final ever. I tried to find the first ever final on YouTube, not sure it is there.
Links I like…
Join the Cricket Supporters Association, it’s free
County Cricket Matters - Buy the magazine direct or on Kindle
Tweet of the Week 2
Finally, let’s end on a high…
Fifty years ago this week, Derek Randall made his first-class debut. A brave, under-rated batsman, fantastic fielder (as shown in this video) and a genuine eccentric. I once saw him drive into Grace Road for a game, deliberately swerve the vehicle towards one of his friends then get out, slam the door and cackle like a banshee at his frightened pal. Bonkers.
Finally, finally…
Yes, I am still plugging my book on county cricket and midlife.
Buy through Amazon or through me for an autographed copy
