Cricket Thread

[Alan Harper's Tash]

Ahmed averaging over 50 with the bat this season (16 FC innings) and took 23 wickets at 19 (13 FC innings).
Will Jacks averaging 38 with the bat, (5 FC innings) and took 5 wickets at 39!

Of course, one plays for Surrey and one doesn’t…

There’s some feeling that the convicts play leg spin better than off spin, so maybe that’s why Jacks has been chosen.

I’d have taken Ahmed anyway. What harm can it do?

 

[The Light Was Yellow Sir]

There’s some feeling that the convicts play leg spin better than off spin, so maybe that’s why Jacks has been chosen.

I’d have taken Ahmed anyway. What harm can it do?

It’s a theory but Jacks isn’t really an off spinner. He’s played 57 FC matches and taken 49 wickets at 42 so I can’t imagine the Aussies will be too terrified!
Like you, I’d definitely be taking Ahmed who’s come on leaps and bounds this season.

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

It’s a theory but Jacks isn’t really an off spinner. He’s played 57 FC matches and taken 49 wickets at 42 so I can’t imagine the Aussies will be too terrified!

Bang average average, Root is a better spinner.

 

[Dr Jacoby]

Ahmed averaging over 50 with the bat this season (16 FC innings) and took 23 wickets at 19 (13 FC innings).
Will Jacks averaging 38 with the bat, (5 FC innings) and took 5 wickets at 39!

Of course, one plays for Surrey and one doesn’t…

It’s worth pointing out that Ahmed plays in division 2 whereas Jacks plays in division 1. Regardless, I don’t think either would take many wickets in Australia.

 

[The Light Was Yellow Sir]

It’s worth pointing out that Ahmed plays in division 2 whereas Jacks plays in division 1. Regardless, I don’t think either would take many wickets in Australia.

Normally I’d agree but, given that Jacks only bowled 74 overs all season, perhaps not this time.
Mind you, the less FC cricket you play the easier it seems it is to get into the test squad.

 

[crystal_mais]

Sad news about Dickie Bird. Somebody who devoted his whole life to cricket. Proper Yorkshire man who just didn't have it as a pro player but was one of the very best as an umpire. RIP great man

 

[crystal_mais]

It’s worth pointing out that Ahmed plays in division 2 whereas Jacks plays in division 1. Regardless, I don’t think either would take many wickets in Australia.

That is true but believe Jacks is a better fielder than Ahmed

 

[crystal_mais]

Normally I’d agree but, given that Jacks only bowled 74 overs all season, perhaps not this time.
Mind you, the less FC cricket you play the easier it seems it is to get into the test squad.

It is known within the game - the England selectors are not too interested in County Cricket performances - my son has been at ECB Super 4's and they make it absolutely clear what they are looking for - batters its how they play +85mph (good length and short balls) and high quality spin and show intent on scoring. For pace bowlers ability to bowl + 80mph and spin consistency and slightly quicker.

Their view is that there are too many 70-75mph in county cricket so not really a good view of what is international cricket

 

[eastmanc]

Bang average average, Root is a better spinner.

I think Joe might be bowling in Australia more than he would like.

 

[beehive_bob]

Official communiqué from Lancs CCC:

County Championship format to be retained following vote

The Professional County Cricket Clubs (PCCs) have voted on the future format of the Rothesay County Championship.

A proposal to play a remodelled 13-match Rothesay County Championship did not receive the required majority of votes from the PCCs to affect change.

The decision follows a county-led review into the structure of the men’s county competitions.

The review, which was staged in consultation with the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA), made proposals for changes to the Rothesay County Championship, Vitality Blast men’s competition and Metro Bank One-Day Cup men’s competition.

The PCCs agreed, via a vote in July, to alter the format of the Vitality Blast men’s competition when the review’s proposals did receive the required majority for change.

From next season the Vitality Blast men’s competition will be staged over 12 group-stage matches with counties moving into three groups of six.

The competition will also be played in a block before The Hundred, to enable a better competition narrative, with the 2026 Vitality Blast Men’s Finals Day confirmed for Saturday 18 July at Edgbaston.

A second vote was held this week regarding the county-led review’s proposal to play a 13-match Rothesay County Championship – featuring a 12-county ‘Championship’ and six-county ‘Championship Two’ – which included increasing the men’s Metro Bank One-Day Cup to 10 group-stage matches.

The result of the vote means that the Rothesay County Championship will remain at 14 matches, with Division One consisting of 10 counties and Division Two consisting of eight counties.

The same promotion and relegation mechanic also applies with the bottom two counties in Division One relegated and the top two in Division Two promoted.

The Metro Bank One-Day Cup men’s competition also retains the same format with each county playing eight group-stage matches in two groups of nine.

The outcome of the vote was shared with the PCCs yesterday evening to ensure that all players, support staff and supporters were aware prior to the start of the final round of matches in the Rothesay County Championship.

 

[chesterbells]

Official communiqué from Lancs CCC:

County Championship format to be retained following vote

The Professional County Cricket Clubs (PCCs) have voted on the future format of the Rothesay County Championship.

A proposal to play a remodelled 13-match Rothesay County Championship did not receive the required majority of votes from the PCCs to affect change.

The decision follows a county-led review into the structure of the men’s county competitions.

The review, which was staged in consultation with the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA), made proposals for changes to the Rothesay County Championship, Vitality Blast men’s competition and Metro Bank One-Day Cup men’s competition.

The PCCs agreed, via a vote in July, to alter the format of the Vitality Blast men’s competition when the review’s proposals did receive the required majority for change.

From next season the Vitality Blast men’s competition will be staged over 12 group-stage matches with counties moving into three groups of six.

The competition will also be played in a block before The Hundred, to enable a better competition narrative, with the 2026 Vitality Blast Men’s Finals Day confirmed for Saturday 18 July at Edgbaston.

A second vote was held this week regarding the county-led review’s proposal to play a 13-match Rothesay County Championship – featuring a 12-county ‘Championship’ and six-county ‘Championship Two’ – which included increasing the men’s Metro Bank One-Day Cup to 10 group-stage matches.

The result of the vote means that the Rothesay County Championship will remain at 14 matches, with Division One consisting of 10 counties and Division Two consisting of eight counties.

The same promotion and relegation mechanic also applies with the bottom two counties in Division One relegated and the top two in Division Two promoted.

The Metro Bank One-Day Cup men’s competition also retains the same format with each county playing eight group-stage matches in two groups of nine.

The outcome of the vote was shared with the PCCs yesterday evening to ensure that all players, support staff and supporters were aware prior to the start of the final round of matches in the Rothesay County Championship.

Yes, saw that. Did you see how the Lancs vote went, 600+ Yes, 500+ No, so all told a very close thing.
Just pleasantly surprised enough other counties saw sense.

The Blast calendar re-jig is a good idea though.

 

[beehive_bob]

Yes, saw that. Did you see how the Lancs vote went, 600+ Yes, 500+ No, so all told a very close thing.
Just pleasantly surprised enough other counties saw sense.

The Blast calendar re-jig is a good idea though.

Yep, the Lancs vote was close. Also happy with the outcome for the CC. Not too bothered about the Blast as I don't really follow that.

 

[chesterbells]

Yep, the Lancs vote was close. Also happy with the outcome for the CC. Not too bothered about the Blast as I don't really follow that.

That’s fair comment, but to have the quarters, semis and finals of any competition 3 or 4 weeks after the group stages ends is a bit of a farce, whatever the tournament.

 

[Earlyriser]

I see Lancs put in a performance today albeit a bit late. Clearly the shambles at the start of the season has cost the side dearly. I think the idea of giving Jimmy a contract though well meaning has been a bit of a disaster both in terms of playing and probably financially

 

[heslops barnet]

I see Lancs put in a performance today albeit a bit late. Clearly the shambles at the start of the season has cost the side dearly. I think the idea of giving Jimmy a contract though well meaning has been a bit of a disaster both in terms of playing and probably financially

Seemed to be based on sentimentality…..love the guy but time for a possible coaching role?

 

[Corky]

I see Lancs put in a performance today albeit a bit late. Clearly the shambles at the start of the season has cost the side dearly. I think the idea of giving Jimmy a contract though well meaning has been a bit of a disaster both in terms of playing and probably financially

It was based on having the biggest name in English cricket drawing in the crowds from an LCCC perspective.

When Bumble made his cameo come back in 2008 it was to draw the crowds in to pay for a new clubhouse at Accrington CC.

Jimmy wanted franchise cricket, he needed game time before the blast, and did okay so got an originals contract, but after 35 balls in the first 2 he didn't play until the last game which was a dead rubber. He is captain of the CC side and choosing not to play. He was a wild card for Originals so likely to have got the minimum pay of £32k like Flintoff's son at NS. He uses the excellent facilities at LCCC to keep fit and ready and isn't being paid a fortune, and there os benefit to both parties. He is only effective the first 5 overs of the day with the new ball, but does take wickets.

I can't see a 100 pick next year, or big blast and certainly no IPL. He may be tempted to play in the BPL off season and wouldn't rule out the USA comp but the latter wipes out two months to mid July. I reckon it will be his last high profile playing year in 2026.

 

[heslops barnet]

It was based on having the biggest name in English cricket drawing in the crowds from an LCCC perspective.

When Bumble made his cameo come back in 2008 it was to draw the crowds in to pay for a new clubhouse at Accrington CC.

Jimmy wanted franchise cricket, he needed game time before the blast, and did okay so got an originals contract, but after 35 balls in the first 2 he didn't play until the last game which was a dead rubber. He is captain of the CC side and choosing not to play. He was a wild card for Originals so likely to have got the minimum pay of £32k like Flintoff's son at NS. He uses the excellent facilities at LCCC to keep fit and ready and isn't being paid a fortune, and there os benefit to both parties. He is only effective the first 5 overs of the day with the new ball, but does take wickets.

I can't see a 100 pick next year, or big blast and certainly no IPL. He may be tempted to play in the BPL off season and wouldn't rule out the USA comp but the latter wipes out two months to mid July. I reckon it will be his last high profile playing year in 2026.

I honestly don’t think he will play county cricket for Lancashire next season, he’s a true professional with high standards and I reckon he knows his body is not up to it anymore.
Would love for him to take up a coaching role at Lancashire.

 

[chesterbells]

I honestly don’t think he will play county cricket for Lancashire next season, he’s a true professional with high standards and I reckon he knows his body is not up to it anymore.
Would love for him to take up a coaching role at Lancashire.

Will or should? Or both?

 

[Earlyriser]

It was based on having the biggest name in English cricket drawing in the crowds from an LCCC perspective.

When Bumble made his cameo come back in 2008 it was to draw the crowds in to pay for a new clubhouse at Accrington CC.

Jimmy wanted franchise cricket, he needed game time before the blast, and did okay so got an originals contract, but after 35 balls in the first 2 he didn't play until the last game which was a dead rubber. He is captain of the CC side and choosing not to play. He was a wild card for Originals so likely to have got the minimum pay of £32k like Flintoff's son at NS. He uses the excellent facilities at LCCC to keep fit and ready and isn't being paid a fortune, and there os benefit to both parties. He is only effective the first 5 overs of the day with the new ball, but does take wickets.

I can't see a 100 pick next year, or big blast and certainly no IPL. He may be tempted to play in the BPL off season and wouldn't rule out the USA comp but the latter wipes out two months to mid July. I reckon it will be his last high profile playing year in 2026.

Whatever way you look at it was an absurd decision. I'm not having a go at Jimmy per se but the people running the Club. Attendances this season have been down which is probably explained by the terrible cricket played and the poor results. I fail to see what the Committee expected when planning for the season given their relegation and the continued employment of the coach. Little effort has been made to address the cricketing issues. In relation to Jimmy we ended up employing a man who has played 4 CC games and can only bowl 4-5 overs of the day. Madness.

 

[liamctid]

It was based on having the biggest name in English cricket drawing in the crowds from an LCCC perspective.

When Bumble made his cameo come back in 2008 it was to draw the crowds in to pay for a new clubhouse at Accrington CC.

Jimmy wanted franchise cricket, he needed game time before the blast, and did okay so got an originals contract, but after 35 balls in the first 2 he didn't play until the last game which was a dead rubber. He is captain of the CC side and choosing not to play. He was a wild card for Originals so likely to have got the minimum pay of £32k like Flintoff's son at NS. He uses the excellent facilities at LCCC to keep fit and ready and isn't being paid a fortune, and there os benefit to both parties. He is only effective the first 5 overs of the day with the new ball, but does take wickets.

I can't see a 100 pick next year, or big blast and certainly no IPL. He may be tempted to play in the BPL off season and wouldn't rule out the USA comp but the latter wipes out two months to mid July. I reckon it will be his last high profile playing year in 2026.

He's got a rib injury, out for 4-8 weeks.