County Cricket

^ I disagree Hornball. In the circumstances Yorkshire were in when he was appointed finding a credible candidate was difficult and a Yorkshire legend who was prepared to step up was very welcome.

Now punish Essex for their racist transgressions as Yorkshire have been punished & I’ll think cricket in the UK is being run fairly.

(15-03-2024 17:20 )SecretAgent Wrote:  ^ I disagree Hornball. In the circumstances Yorkshire were in when he was appointed finding a credible candidate was difficult and a Yorkshire legend who was prepared to step up was very welcome.

Now punish Essex for their racist transgressions as Yorkshire have been punished & I’ll think cricket in the UK is being run fairly.

Very decent second point 'Secret' Inconsistency of how different clubs are treated, only deepens the issues in the sport

In general the media took the side of Rafiq, baring a few, who reported if fairly, Chris Waters of the Yorkshire Post, & the highly respect Mike Atherton who interviewed Yorkshire Asian Physio who was unfairly sacked.
Players on the Yorkshire staff were silenced, including Root who had lived with Rafiq for a number of years.
When the bulk of the playing staff gone, appointments had to be made quickly. Gough's was only an interim appointment but he stayed on an extra year in an attempt to gain promotion, which was derailed by the points deduction..

One step closer to the season with the friendlies kicking off this week (anticipation to the max - seemed like the winter flew by this time - thankfully)! One disappointing piece of news (for Derbyshire at least) is the loss of Mohammad Amir from their intended squad, as he has decided to try and continue his international career with Pakistan ahead of the T20 tournament! Part of me wishes that contracts were 'binding' as counties secure signings in good faith but, equally, clubs show great professionalism in 'understanding' players wishes.

I was heartened to hear Mickey Arthur defend the CC in the face of continued flack (the latest some journo I think??) Stating - yet again - the tired old mantra, that when England fall over it is all the fault of the domestic system, but when England succeed, it has 'nothing whatsoever' to do with it, has little to support it.

^^ That would be the County system that is good enough to get you into the England team, but then once you become a regular you don't actually play that much, if at all in the county matches.

(27-03-2024 05:39 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  ^^ That would be the County system that is good enough to get you into the England team, but then once you become a regular you don't actually play that much, if at all in the county matches.

Indeed so! Wayne Madsen added to the vocal response to the recent (evidence/light) attack on the county system, stating - more or less - the same as M Arthur, but going further in reiterating that when England do well it has nothing to do with the county game, and, of course, vice versa!

Telling that Sky etc who ripped in to the counties (and gives the clubs minimal output to my mind) is among the media platforms not affording those with such opinions a platform to express them. They just want to have a swipe at the domestic game through mindless rants/interrogations at/of, those who run/coach in the system, and actually dare to have hands on experience underpinning their defence of it!

Yorkshire are to have the services of Root & Brook for 5 out of the initial 7 Championship Matches are not featuring in the 2023 season.

Rory Burns the latest to step up and ask a few questions around - not so much the schedule although mentioned it - but the devaluing (my word) - of the one day cup! If senior players (including Stokes re the Championship) are not going to be listened too, and their considered opinions taken on board, I don't know where we go from here!

I note that Worcestershire have signed Jason Holder for the first five championship matches of the season. That is a very astute acquisition imo as they try and bid to stay in division one.

^^ I hope he's good at playing cards, If it rains he could be sat in the changing rooms for a month.
Joking apart, that is a really good signing, he could be a real handful in early season conditions.