No 3, Feb 3 - The Grumbler's County Cricket Newsletter.
The stalwart Glen Chapple, Fidel Edwards looking at Windies comeback, why the youngest first-class cricketer only played one game and you could play for Serbia
Me again, with County Cricket Newsletter No 3. Here’s why I am doing it. If you would like to help, please forward this edition to a cricket-loving friend using the share button below and encourage them to subscribe.
The story of Barney Gibson, England's youngest first-class cricketer, who left the game for freedom (The Cricketer)
It is my contention that anyone reading this newsletter is a 'failed cricketer'. That label is normally only applied to those who came within touching distance of a decent career. I have the advantage of having been passed over at the age of 11 when a trip to the Essex Cricket School did not result in a coach wanting a word with my Dad. Barney Gibson did make the grade so he had much further to fall. This is a sobering and, in parts, sad story of a dream that died amid unhappiness and pressure. Nice to read of an upside in Barney's life now. But this is a lesson about the crucial transition from child sporting protégée to adult sporting professional. As the advert says, "When the fun stops. Stop.'
Northamptonshire drop military link in Steelbacks rebrand (Cricinfo)
Not so much a rebrand as "same name, different story".
"What we found from various focus groups was that although the Steelbacks name resonated in terms of being 'made of steel', resilient, gritty, and working as a team, the alignment to an 18th-century infantry unit probably wasn't there.” Quite.
Glen Chapple: The leader who inspired Lancashire to County Championship glory (Wisden)
Chapple is the absolute epitome of a superb county player who was considered just below international class.
He hit 8,725 runs at 24.16 and picked up 985 wickets at 26.71 in 315 first-class games. So, although considered primarily a bowler, his stats suggest he was nearly an all-rounder. His solitary international appearance came in an ODI against Ireland in 2006.
Charlie Hemphrey calls for ECB 'compassion' to save his career (Cricinfo)
The Glamorgan batsman is caught between two nationalities and, sadly, it may end his career. He draws a comparison with Jofra Archer but, alas, the England team had a vested interest in making that switch happen swiftly.
Roelof van der Merwe: Dutch Cricket, IPL and retirement plans (Emerging Cricket)
OK, maybe this is not strictly county-based but he has been one hell of a player for Somerset. He thinks T10 cricket is perfect for the Olympics and might be the future of the game. I could not agree more.
Club Update from Members’ and Supporters’ Forum - 27th January 2021 (Worcs CCC)
It is hard to see trends in the midst of a pandemic that will hit at least two domestic cricket seasons. But this is welcome. Worcestershire’s debt at the start of 2016 was £5.6m, this has reduced by almost £2m despite the impact of Covid and flooding in 2020.
Warwickshire CCC announce financial results for 2019/20 (CricketWorld)
Likewise, Warwickshire's operating profit of £281,000 may not mean that much given their EBITDA was down by £1m. The more meaningful metric was 60 per cent of members donated their annual fee. Well done to those people.
Contract news - Somerset extend five stars, Milnes stays at Kent and Rossington pens Northants deal (BBC)
'Hard fighter, charming loser': Johnny Douglas, England's dogged polymath (The Guardian)
How ‘Johnny Won't Hit Today’ became ‘Johnny Went Home Triumphant’ via an Olympic gold medal and "carrying Essex on his back for years" only to die at sea in a bizarre accident.
Warwickshire appoint Mark Robinson as new first-team coach (BBC)
Mark Robinson vows to 'get Warwickshire back' to where they belong (Cricinfo)
This is a change of approach for the Bears, who have broken county ties for the first time in many years.
Fidel Edwards targets West Indies comeback after end of Kolpak status (Cricinfo)
He's 39 but still generating 92mph and skilled at bowling during the key spells in limited-overs cricket. Who knows?
I’d love to hear your comments and suggestions for the next County Cricket Newsletter.
Tweet of the fortnight
Somerset have been getting some of their members to announce contract extensions. And then they asked a more famous fan. Maaaarrrrrr-leeeeeeeene!!!!
We interrupt this newsletter for a game of county cricket…
Durham’s first ever Sunday League game back in 1992. Their side included Ian Botham, Dean Jones, Wayne Larkins and David Graveney.
YouTube videos I like…
This needs a plug. Chance to Shine are a great cricket charity who have been streaming live coaching sessions for kids in the past few weeks. You do not need much equipment so get involved.
This is nice but a series of videos by one of those really super slo-mo cameras could send me down a YouTube rabbit-hole for a whole evening.
Podcasts I like…
Yorkshire CCC’s Cover Off podcast is back. One of the guests is young Jordan Thompson, who was in my Bob Willis Trophy Team of the Season in the Cricket Paper.
Basic info…
All the official county cricket "ins and outs" this winter
Structure of County Championship season 2021 and the BWT groups
All the county fixtures in one place. There is a link to add the fixtures of your team to your online calendar (Google, iCal etc) but it is not working anymore. C’mon ECB!
Links I like…
Cricket Supporters Association - Join here, it’s free
County Cricket Matters - Buy the magazine direct or on Kindle and make Jeff Bezos even richer
Jobs in Cricket - if you have a Serbian grandparent and can play cricket to a decent level then you could become an international player. Also Platform Cricket sounds like a great charity. They need a trustee.
Finally…
Yes, I am still plugging my book on county cricket and midlife. Buy through Amazon or through me for an autographed copy
Finally, finally, let’s end on a high…
The famous four wickets in five balls as Procter-shire demolished Hampshire. But how does he create such pace with that action?