County Cricket

I have really got into the County Championship this season more so than for some time.
It obviously helps that Worcestershire are doing well but there have been so many good matches across both divisions to make it fun to follow. My one main future hope is that Yorkshire find a pathway back to Division One sooner rather than later. They have had a difficult time of it for a while now.
Some of it is of their own making but a strong Yorkshire has tended to be a good thing in the past and will continue to be in the future.
Plus I have built up quite a lot of friendships with Yorkshire folk so am a bit biased .

(22-09-2023 21:20 )Snooks Wrote:  I have really got into the County Championship this season more so than for some time.
It obviously helps that Worcestershire are doing well but there have been so many good matches across both divisions to make it fun to follow. My one main future hope is that Yorkshire find a pathway back to Division One sooner rather than later. They have had a difficult time of it for a while now.
Some of it is of their own making but a strong Yorkshire has tended to be a good thing in the past and will continue to be in the future.
Plus I have built up quite a lot of friendships with Yorkshire folk so am a bit biased .

That is invariably the case Snooks. It is valuable except, apparently, to those that gained most from it, and those whose job is, supposedly, to promote and 'protect' it. Lets hope for a clear run in the final round of matches with a number of important issues still to be decided!

FINAL CC MATCHES 26/29/9

HAMPSHIRE V SURREY
KENT V LANCASHIRE
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE V ESSEX
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE V MIDDLESEX
WARWICKSHIRE V SOMERSET

DIV 2
DURHAM V LEICESTERSHIRE
GLAMORGAN V DERBYSHIRE
SUSSEX V GLOUCESTERSHIRE
YORKSHIRE V WORCESTERSHIRE

Impossible to know where to be for the next four days, as I have no allegiance, and there is so much going on of consequence. Div 1 title not quite decided (conceivable that Hampshire take out Surrey and denying them the 5 pts they need - however unlikely) Almost impossible to see Northants - even allowing for their performance against Surrey - denying Essex a full points victory.

At the bottom, one from two! Purely on league positions (more so only on paper than in football) Middlesex have the slightly easier prospect to keep their head - just about - above the water at the end. That is looking at it very simplistically obviously! Too close to call

Again in Div 2 - on paper, of the two promotion candidates, Worcestershire look to have the easier route across the line, with only needing 3 points. Leicestershire have to keep fighting though for the same reason as the relegation and title dogfights in Div 1. I reckon it will be hard for them to take if - as seems likely - they ultimately miss out! It was in their own hands 6 or so weeks ago.

Surrey start day two needing just one more point i believe, to secure the title. Always unlikely that Hampshire could deny them points in the field, and their total should not prove enough - in any event - to stop Surrey sealing the crown with a win. Weather may have other ideas??. Valiant effort from Essex to take it to the final days of the season, but 2nd place it looks like. Not a bad return! At the other end, Kent have sealed all their bowling points, while Middlesex, who could only get half a days play in, have made a solid start.

In div 2, both Leicestershire and Worcestershire have had shaky first days, Leicestershire conceding 400 plus in a day not the script they wanted to write for sure, and only a single point so far. Worcestershire have secured one point also, but with a lead of 22 points over the foxes now and needing 3 more, they are almost there too for Promotion

Congats to Worcestershire on their promotion to division 1. By way of a 2nd batting bonus point.

As a long standing Worcestershire fan I am delighted for them.
A really good second half of the season has propelled them into division one.
It will be tough in the top flight but nonetheless it is a fine achievement to get there in the first place.

Well done The Pears .

P.S - Every credit to the Yorkshire players for sportingly applauding upon the bonus point for promotion being sealed.
Thanks chaps .

Top effort from Hampshire to delay the celebrations at the Oval! Oh how they - and more particularly - Essex must wish that Surrey had hit the skids sooner!

Middlesex, in a similar vain, fighting like crazy to avoid the drop in nudging ahead of Notts, still early though, and a decent??weather forecast for the remaining 2 days. Kent, similarly, in a strong position against Lancs, and with having secured one more bonus point than Middlesex at this stage, sit with a 3 point advantage. Haven't heard - or seen - the media outlets either BBC sports or Sky 'football' news. how closely are they paying attention??

Cricket honours for season 2023 (edited)

County Championship Winners (Div 1) Surrey

Division 2 Winners: Durham
Runners up and also promoted: Worcestershire

One Day Cup: Leicestershire Foxes

T20 Blast: Somerset

The Hundred: Oval Invincibles

The sad part for Worcestershire as a smaller county is keeping their best players. Cox, Tongue, Brown, and Pennington all set to leave. Giles is also making some signings to fill the void.

Yeah they are a bit of a yo-yo club.
Seven promotions and six relegations I have read somewhere since the two division structure came into being.