No1, Jan 6 - The Grumbler's County Cricket Newsletter

The best news, features, podcasts, videos and books covering the domestic game in England and Wales

Jan 06, 2021

Hi,

Welcome to my first county cricket newsletter. Hopefully you know its aims already but if you would like to help please send this edition to a cricket-loving friend and encourage them to subscribe.

News and views

Mark Arthur backing Yorkshire CCC to succeed across all formats in 2021

Yorkshire CEO Mark Arthur is in confident mood. Having signed Dawid Malan last winter and Dom Bess this, they have undoubtedly become a strong title-contender.

McDermott outlines Derbyshire ambitions

Signing a young overseas on the cusp of international honours always seems sensible - they have ambition, appreciate the opportunity and are slightly cheaper. Given that big names are much more rare in county cricket these days, Derbyshire might have a good one.

But, one thing, "The Incora County Ground TM"? Per-leeeeese.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman: Middlesex sign Afghanistan off-spinner for T20 Blast

A second Afghan overseas in the Blast after Nabi at Northants.

And speaking of Northants…

Ripley backing Northants' batting talent as he targets overseas bowler for 2021 County Championship

86% of Vitality Blast Finals Day ticket-buyers roll over to 2021

It says so much about the strength of T20 Blast Finals Day that almost nine out of 10 people decided to keep their ticket for this year even though they have no idea who will be playing.

Haseeb Hameed says 'cricket is fun again' after Nottinghamshire move

Remember he is only 23 but he has been around the rollercoaster once already. Interesting that he says coach Peter Moore is less data-obsessed now.

Sussex CCC - James Kirtley & Ian Salisbury to share men’s head coach responsibilities in 2021

Love Ian Salisbury’s personality. He just refuses not to be nice.

Phil Wright: Goodbye to the gentle giant of Leicestershire

Leicestershire coach Paul Nixon on remembering at much-loved dressing room attendant. Lovely tale with very touching quotes.

"He had a gentle and careful nature who always had time for everybody and wanted to help people. He made sure that the dressing room was immaculate, especially during a four-day game when you had kit everywhere. Clothes would have been washed and folded without being asked. But that wasn’t just our dressing room, it was also the opposition’s."

Tom Smith has found happiness in cricket again

Another tale showing the heart of the county game.

"Cricket's my time when I'm Tom the cricketer, not Tom the widower"

Former Kent, Gloucestershire and Hampshire cricketer Adam Rouse is a Deliveroo rider during lockdown.

This post says he has other ventures ongoing but they have been paused during the pandemic. Good luck to him.

We interrupt this newsletter for a YouTube diversion

For no particular reason, here’s Glamorgan clinching the 1997 County Championship

Basic info

All the official county cricket "ins and outs" this winter

County Championship season starts on April 8

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!